Newton in Sussex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Henry W. Merriam

(1828 - 1900)

Photographed by Cheryl (Rome) Thom

1. Henry W. Merriam Marker

Inscription. President of the H.W. Merriam Shoe Company, he relocated his factory from New York City to Newton in 1873. The nation's largest producer of ladies' and children's shoes, it was also the largest employer in Sussex County with over 350 employees. Held in high esteem by his workers, Merriam was a pioneer in labor relations: generously distributing part of the profits to employees on his birthday and other holidays, providing loans for his workers to build homes, retirement pensions and paid holidays.

Merriam's Home, built in 1883, is an example of "exuberant Victorian architecture," Upon his death in 1900, the home was bequeathed to the Presbyterian Church for the housing of retired ministers.

Erected 2003 by Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Sussex County Historic Marker Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey, Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 41° 2.974′ N, 74° 44.885′ W. Marker is in Newton, New Jersey, in Sussex County. It is at the intersection of Sparta Avenue (County

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Road 616) and Merriam Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Sparta Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 69 Sparta Avenue, Newton NJ 07860, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Jersey

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Moody’s Raids (approx. half a mile away); Old Newton Burial Ground (approx. half a mile away); The Hill Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); George Washington Tree (approx. 0.6 miles away); Home of Thomas Anderson (approx. 0.6 miles away); Newton Green (approx. 0.6 miles away); Defenders of the Union (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sussex County (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newton.

Also see . . . The Merriam Home. History and pictures about the Merriam Home. (Submitted on February 8, 2010.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, February 16, 2013

2. Henry W. Merriam Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, February 16, 2013

3. Henry W. Merriam Marker

Old Henry W. Merriam Shoe Factory and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cheryl (Rome) Thom, February 4, 2010

4. Old Henry W. Merriam Shoe Factory and Marker

The Merriam Shoe Factory was put through an adaptive re-use several years back and is now an apartment complex entitled "Merriam Gateway".

Henry W. Merriam house postcard image. Click for full size.

5. Henry W. Merriam house postcard

Photographed by Cheryl (Rome) Thom, February 4, 2010

6. Henry W. Merriam Marker

Although the Merriam House has changed owners at least twice since Henry Mirriam's death, it continues to be a retirement home. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the state.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,342 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 14, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on February 4, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. 5. submitted on February 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 6. submitted on February 4, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.