As the nation marks 250 years of independence this July, some of Morris County’s oldest Revolutionary War history sits right in Rockaway Township, at Picatinny Arsenal.
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners recently toured the Army installation, which lies partly in Rockaway Township, for a look at its history, its modern mission, and its ties to the nation’s founding. Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw and Commissioners Thomas Mastrangelo and Christine Myers were guided by Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II along with Picatinny historians and cultural resource specialists.
A key stop was the Middle Forge monument, a remnant of the Revolutionary War era forge that was once part of the historic Mount Hope Iron Works. During the American Revolution, the forge produced munitions that supported General George Washington’s Army as troops encamped in Morris County. The monument, built from historic ironworking tools and flanked by Civil War cannons, stands outside Building 151.
The commissioners also visited the Walton Burial Ground, a historic family cemetery on the grounds, and monuments honoring Picatinny’s World War II workers and the servicemembers memorialized across the post. The arsenal was established in 1880 as the Picatinny Powder Depot and today serves as the Army’s Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition.
“Preserving its past is critical to ensuring we, the citizens of Morris County, always remember the sacrifice our military has and continues to make to protect our country and our freedom,” said Commissioner Myers.
Bonham noted Picatinny is an open installation that welcomes visitors, pointing to its water park and golf course. Residents can read more about the tour on the Morris County website.
