The Sparta Fire Department was formed in 1923. (Photo provided) Sparta Fire Department celebrates centennial In 1923, a small group of local men met in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics Hall, above Ed Drake’s barbershop,... Local News 24 Jan 2023 | 07:19
Bill Truran sits on Santa’s lap at Sears in Newton in 1951. ( Photo courtesy of Bill Truran, Sussex County Historian) Sussex County History Today: The Season Immediately on the heels of Thanksgiving comes the Christmas season, more lately referred to as “the holiday season” to include... Columns 09 Dec 2022 | 02:22
Christmas Tree It is not easy being a Christmas tree, In our life, we face much adversity. Our forest home cremated by fierce wildfires, And... Columns 08 Dec 2022 | 01:32
Branchville from the east toward the town around 1910. Branchville historical marker awarded in 2022 One of the most pleasing parts of being the Sussex County Historian is to be involved in awarding historical markers to significant... Columns 31 Oct 2022 | 02:34
Franklinite: Thank the kids for making it the state metal We are witness to history in the making for Sussex County, New Jersey. Franklinite, from the Franklin area, may become the... Columns 24 Oct 2022 | 11:47
Sussex County History Today: The Old Clove Church My eyes welled up with tears. I love our Sussex County. There are times that some core values emerge from the din of everyday... Columns 26 Sep 2022 | 01:03
The oak tree in front of Franklin school. Sussex County History Today: The Old Oak Tree As years come and go, the lifetimes of humans may bloom and then fade away. Nature has other life surrounding us, many of... Columns 20 Sep 2022 | 02:30
Parker Mine mineshaft, Franklin. Sussex County History Today: Our Unique Mineral Makeup One of the three historical markers awarded last year (2021) was for the Parker Shaft, representing the mine and plant by... Columns 05 Sep 2022 | 12:05
Wawayanda State Park ( Photo courtesy Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Wawayanda State Park Summer is a wonderful time of year in Sussex County. It is a time to leave the house and enjoy the outdoors. With the warm... Columns 30 Aug 2022 | 10:43
Debbie Anderson, of Branchville, shows a PowerPoint presentation of the highlights of the Branchville Cemetery. ( Photo courtesy Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: State Fair roundup and other news One of the highlights of the year for me, and many others, is the Sussex County Fair, now also known as the New Jersey State... Columns 16 Aug 2022 | 10:58
The historic Van Campen house during a past event. A look at Sussex County history today Every year, the Sussex County Commissioners provide funding for historical markers. Currently there are over 40 such markers... Columns 02 Aug 2022 | 11:21
Virginia O’Hanlon. (Source: newseum.org) ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus’ Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an... Columns 10 Dec 2021 | 12:53
Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, asking if Santa Claus was real in September 1897. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun and the quick response was printed as an... Columns 10 Dec 2020 | 12:49
Oroho, Space and Wirths call on governor to allow gun shops to open After Pennsylvania and multiple other states has allowed federally licensed firearms stores to remain open as an... Columns 26 Mar 2020 | 10:30
Letter from the publisher Together we face the unparalleled and devastating challenges presented by the coronavirus crisis. At Straus News, we are... Columns 24 Mar 2020 | 12:26
