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ENCHANTING LANDMARK "CREEK HOUSE" TEWKSBURY TOWNSHIP

One of Tewksbury’s most picturesque properties is newly available: historic “Creek House”, aptly set on the banks of the Rockaway Creek, is a completely captivating country home. Fairy tale architecture and magical gardens combine in this circa 1700 home filled with Old World details and 21st century updates. The property offers a total of five bedrooms and five-and-one-half baths. Set on 5.78 glorious acres with a thatched roof guest cottage, sweeping green lawns, a profusion of colorful gardens, towering trees, a bluestone patio and stone walls, the home is approached just beyond a bridge spanning the Rockaway Creek. This serene location offers 300 feet of waterfront, a perfect setting for a private fly fishing spot, trout fishing hole, al fresco dining, outdoor parties or picnics on the banks of a scenic babbling creek.
Remarkable for its waterfront setting and its imaginative architecture, “Creek House” also enjoys a rich history. Originally part of New Jersey’s largest dairy farm, there are also reports that the home was a stop on the Underground Railroad. IBM chairman Thomas J. Watson, the owner of Creek House in the 1920s and 30s, once hosted President Herbert Hoover here as they fished for trout in the Rockaway Creek.
Charming principal rooms are distinguished with hand painted murals, exposed hand-hewn ceiling beams, five fireplaces, original wide plank wood flooring and ample closet space. Updates in the 14-room main house include a renovated kitchen, upgraded baths, a newer roof and septic system, plus central air conditioning. Truly an artistic interplay of antique charm and modern comforts, this timeless stone and wood shingle residence is surrounded by lush gardens which have been showcased in several magazines. The authentic thatched roof guest cottage with a private bath lends even more enchantment to this bucolic setting.
Hand painted murals and a window seat characterize the main foyer, which offers access to some of the primary gathering areas in the home. Tucked behind a set of double doors, the formal dining room is designed with hand-hewn ceiling beams, hardwood floors and wainscoting. In the formal living room, a stone wall fireplace, built-in cabinetry, beamed ceilings and French doors to the bluestone patio reinforce the strong indoor-outdoor connection.
The wood-accented library contains a fireplace flanked by built-ins, beamed ceilings and wood flooring. Each of these spaces offers deep-set windows, reflecting the early architecture of the home.
Inspired by gracious manor homes found in the French countryside, a delightful gourmet kitchen presents exposed fieldstone accent walls, wood cabinetry and flooring, and a sunny breakfast area. This large space is anchored by a stone fireplace and wrapped in windows and French doors with access to the patio for outdoor meals amid the splendid countryside panoramas.
Of special note is the first floor master suite with bucolic vistas arranged with a sitting room featuring numerous built-ins and a private master bath. Bedrooms on the second floor are reached by the main staircase or the rear stairs depicting hand painted murals of Tewksbury landscapes. Details in the multitude of bathrooms may include fanciful design elements such as a claw foot tub, angled ceilings, stone walls and cleverly-painted wood floors. In a dressing room lined with closets, a hand painted “rug” is a whimsical addition.
Outbuildings at Creek House include the ivy-covered guest cottage capped by a thatched roof and finished in wood shakes. Entered by a Dutch door, the spacious layout contains beamed cathedral ceilings, stone floors, a window seat and a private full bath. A detached stone garage offers parking for three cars and finished loft storage accessed by stairs.
Settled in 1715, Tewksbury Township measures 31.8 square miles and has a population of approximately 5,700 residents. The township is located in northeastern Hunterdon County, minutes from Interstate 78 for access to New York City or one of the region’s many business campuses. This historic part of the state features picturesque horse farms, antique homes and charming villages. Residents appreciate Tewksbury’s convenient location, wide variety of nearby lifestyle amenities and a peaceful rural setting.