Califon in Hunterdon County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Greatest Gift
Photographed by Raymond Siwek, December 14, 2023
1. The Greatest gift Marker
This short story about a man who wishes he had never been born was written by historian, novelist, and editor Philip Van Doren Stern. A part-time resident of Hunterdon County, Stern said he had Califon in mind for the story's setting. In 1943, Stern self-published and sent out 200 copies of the 24-page story as Christmas cards. The story went on to become the basis of the 1946 classic film "It's a Wonderful Life". An iron truss bridge is a key feature in the story and film. Stern previously wrote the mystery "The Thing in the Brook" and based its setting on nearby Mountainville and the surrounding area.
Erected 2022 by Califon Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Bridges & Viaducts • Entertainment.
Location. 40° 43.231′ N, 74° 50.252′ W. Marker is in Califon, New Jersey, in Hunterdon County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Raritan River Road, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 76 Main Street, Califon NJ 07830, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey, specifically in Central 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic District of Califon (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Califon Station
this page online
Photographed by Donald Freibergs, January 15, 2023
2. The Greatest Gift Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2023, by Raymond Siwek of Morristown, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,003 times since then and 158 times this year. Last updated on May 27, 2025, by Donald Freibergs of Califon, New Jersey. Photos: 1. submitted on December 15, 2023, by Raymond Siwek of Morristown, New Jersey. 2. submitted on May 24, 2025, by Donald Freibergs of Califon, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
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