Sussex in Sussex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Kuser Lodge: An Inn, A Mansion, A Museum
High Point State Park
The Kuser Family Transformed the High Point Inn
Twin brothers John and Anthony Kuser, purchased the High Point Inn and the surrounding property in 1910. The sprawling mountain resort became the summer retreat of Anthony Kuser and his wife, Susie Dryden Kuser.
The Kusers tore down more than a third of the 300-foot building to convert the rustic, Adirondack-style inn into their private summer home. They remodeled what remained in the Colonial Revival style with massive columns and large porches. The mountaintop mansion was the home of Kuser vacations for a dozen years and became a landmark.
The Gift of the Lodge: A Public Resource for 50 years
In 1923 the Kusers donated their summer home and more than 10,000 acres to the State of New Jersey. The lodge became the park office and a museum. By the late 1930s the building boasted one of the largest museums in the state. The Kuser Lodge also was the scene of numerous ceremonies, meetings and social functions. Massive fireplaces warmed sightseers on chilly days and visitors could rent rooms on upper floors for overnight stays.
By the 1960s the building was showing signs of disrepair. The poor condition of the Kuser Lodge forced its closing to the public in 1977. In 1995, following considerable controversy, the Lodge was demolished.
The Kuser Years
1904 Thomas Edison, once a guest at the High Point Inn, invents the first sound motion picture.
1908 The Kusers purchase the High Point Inn. The Ford Motor Company introduces the Model “T.”
1913 The 16th Amendment creates the Income Tax.
1914-1918 World War I
1916 The National Park Service is established.
1920 The 18th Amendment, Prohibition, goes into effect.
1922 The first section of the Appalachian Trail is completed in Bear Mountain State Park, NY.
1923 The Kuser family donates High Point to the State of New Jersey.
Erected by The State of New Jersey.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 41° 19.07′ N, 74° 40.133′ W. Marker is in Sussex, New Jersey, in Sussex County. Marker is on New Jersey Route 23, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located off the loop road in High Point State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sussex NJ 07461, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. High Point: An Early Haven for Sightseers & Sportsmen (here, next to this marker); The Gift of a State Park (here, next to this marker); Public Parks: Refuge & Recreation for All (here, next to this marker); Life of the Inn & Mansion 1890 ~ 1996 (a few steps from this marker); The High Point Inn 1890 ~ 1910 (a few steps from this marker); The Heart of the Park 1923 ~ 1950 (a few steps from this marker); The Inn Transformed 1910 ~ 1923 (a few steps from this marker); To the South (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sussex.
More about this marker. Several pictures of the Kuser Lodge appear on the marker. The first shows the Lodge overlooking Lake Marcia, and has a caption of “After the Kuser family donated their land to the State of New Jersey, the lodge became the park office and a museum.” A second picture depicts the Manor House in High Point Park, NJ with the caption “Although the mansion no longer stands, the curved stone wall in the foreground, the trees and the sloping walk remain.” The final picture is of the inside of the Lodge at High Point Park, NJ. The caption reads “The interior of the lodge retained its rustic character. Shown here is the central room at the main entrance of the lodge, looking towards the dining room.”
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker was replaced by The Heart of the Park 1923 ~ 1950 marker
Also see . . . High Point State Park. Outdoorplaces.com website. (Submitted on November 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,662 times since then and 200 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.