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

The Van Kirk Homestead

Photographed by Tom Golembiewski, April 28, 2026

1. The Van Kirk Homestead Marker

Inscription. The Van Kirk Homestead Thomas, who settled in Sparta ca.1775, bought this land in 1780 for 9300 lbs. He was a blacksmith, farmer, justice of the peace and an original trustee of the Hardyston (Sparta) Presbyterian Church — 1786.

His descendants were involved in farming, church, local and county government, education and military service.

It remained a family farm until the board of education bought most of it in 1996. The remainder is still occupied and farmed by two of his descendants.

Presented by the Mulls and Van Kirks
Sparta Register of Historic Sites — 2007

Erected 2007.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 41° 3.33′ N, 74° 36.702′ W. Marker is in Sparta Township, New Jersey, in Sussex County. It is on Main Street (County Route 517) half a mile north of West Mountain Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 336 Main Street, Sparta NJ 07871, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Van Kirk Homestead and Museum (here, next to this marker); The New Jersey School of Conservation (approx. 1.3 miles away);

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Sparta Township Incorporated (approx. 1½ miles away); Sparta (approx. 1½ miles away); Sparta War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Old Schoolhouse and Firehouse Museum (approx. 2 miles away); The Sterling Mine (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Works of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Concentrating Company (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sparta Township.

Also see . . . Van Kirk Museum Sparta - Historical Society. (Submitted on May 9, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Tom Golembiewski, April 28, 2026

2. The Van Kirk Homestead Marker

The Van Kirk Homestead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Golembiewski, May 28, 2025

3. The Van Kirk Homestead

Home of the Sparta Historical Society and Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.