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

Joseph Sharp's Iron Works

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, October 17, 2014

1. Joseph Sharp's Iron Works Marker

Inscription. In 1768, Joseph Sharp erected a forge and furnace on the Wallkill River. The village around the Sharp Iron Works became known as Sharpsborough, later becoming Hamburg. Due to the expensive nature of the venture and competing forges, Sharp abandoned the property in 1774. Stephen Ford used it to secretly produce cannonballs for the British during the American Revolution. After reclaiming the property, Joseph Sharp Jr. built the stone grist mill in 1808. Sharp's mill provided the flour for the American troops of the War of 1812. The mill continued to serve the needs of the agricultural community of Sussex County.

Erected 2004 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: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary. 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 1768.

Location. 41° 8.789′ N, 74° 34.638′ W. Marker is in Hamburg, New Jersey, in Sussex County. It

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is on Gingerbread Castle Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamburg NJ 07419, 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 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: George Washington Encampment (approx. 0.9 miles away); Dr. Samuel Fowler (approx. 1.9 miles away); Franklin School (approx. 2.1 miles away); Franklin Furnace (approx. 2½ miles away); The Sterling Mine (approx. 4.4 miles away); Old Schoolhouse and Firehouse Museum (approx. 4.6 miles away); Sussex Borough, New Jersey (approx. 4.6 miles away); Sand Hill Road and Route 94 (approx. 4.7 miles away).

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, January 23, 2010

2. Joseph Sharp's Iron Works Marker

Wheatsworth Mills and Gingerbread Castle portion of Mills image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, January 23, 2010

3. Wheatsworth Mills and Gingerbread Castle portion of Mills

Former Joseph Sharps Ironworks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, January 23, 2010

4. Former Joseph Sharps Ironworks

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,967 times since then and 142 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 29, 2010, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Manahawkin, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.