All Roads Lead to Netcong: Exploring the History and Currency of a Northern New Jersey Railroad Hub

This month, our historical journey takes us to the oddly named town of Netcong in northern New Jersey to explore its rich industrial past, its enduring community character, and the unique legacy of its singular national bank.

Nestled in western Morris County, Netcong is a small borough situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Musconetcong, right near the Sussex County border. Covering less than one square mile, the municipality is conveniently reached by several major highways, including Interstate 80, U.S. Routes 46 and 206, and New Jersey Route 183. For commuters and travelers alike, the borough is also served by NJ Transit rail service, which connects the area directly with Hackettstown to the west and Hoboken to the east. Geographically, Netcong sits approximately 45 miles west of Hoboken and about 50 miles west of New York City by road. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the borough recorded a population of 3,375, placing its present population at roughly 3,400 residents who enjoy the compact, historic charm of the community.

The history of Netcong dates back to the early development of western Morris County and the burgeoning iron industry that powered nineteenth-century America. Originally, the settlement was known as South Stanhope because it lay directly across the Musconetcong River from the growing, industrious iron-making community of Stanhope. The establishment of the Musconetcong Iron Works drew numerous workers and their families to the region, and residential homes gradually began to appear on the Morris County side of the river.

Transportation also played an instrumental role in the community’s rapid growth and strategic importance. The Morris and Sussex Turnpike passed through the area in the early nineteenth century, followed by the historic Morris Canal, which was completed through the region in the 1830s. The canal provided an essential means of moving heavy freight, including coal, iron ore, and other manufactured goods, across the state.

The arrival of the railroad later transformed the little settlement into an even more critical transportation and industrial center. The Morris and Essex Railroad reached the area in the 1850s, and Netcong eventually evolved into a significant station on the sprawling Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad system. This vital rail connection linked the community with larger regional markets and strongly encouraged the development of local businesses, retail shops, and factories. Lake Musconetcong itself played an essential industrial role in this network, having been created in 1846 as a dedicated reservoir for the Morris Canal. The lake supplied vital water for the canal’s operation and helped support the diverse industries that developed along its banks.

The settlement formally took the name Netcong in 1889, when it finally received its own dedicated post office. Five years later, on October 23, 1894, the community was officially incorporated as a borough, carved out from portions of both Roxbury and Mount Olive townships. The name Netcong is derived from the Musconetcong River, which itself is named after the Lenape people who originally inhabited the region long before European settlement.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Netcong became increasingly industrialized. The Singer Sewing Machine Company operated an important steel foundry in the borough, while other prominent local industries included silk manufacturing and businesses directly connected to the bustling railroad infrastructure. A wave of European immigration accompanied this industrial boom; Italian immigrants began arriving in significant numbers during this period, particularly from Cesa in the province of Caserta, Italy, drawn by steady employment opportunities in the local foundry and railroad construction projects.

Although Netcong’s heavy industrial importance declined significantly over the course of the twentieth century, its prime geographical location at the crossroads of major transportation routes allowed it to remain a remarkably active and resilient community. The historic railroad station, built in 1903, continues to serve NJ Transit passengers to this day, while Main Street retains much of the traditional architectural character of a classic American railroad town.

Today, Netcong is widely recognized and visited for its scenic lakefront setting, compact and walkable downtown, historic buildings, and convenient access to the surrounding region. Its long, storied history as a vital meeting point for roads, canals, railroads, and eventually modern highways is perfectly reflected in the town’s longtime and apt motto, "All Roads Lead to Netcong."

For much of its twentieth-century peak, Netcong was a compact town that supported just one national banking institution: the Citizens National Bank of Netcong, bearing charter #6692. The bank opened its doors in 1903 and successfully survived through the end of the national currency era. Decades later, in 1964, the institution officially changed its name to the Citizens National Bank of Morris County. This chapter concluded in September 1971, when the bank merged with the First National State Bank of Northwest Jersey.

At the time the Citizens National Bank first opened for business, Netcong was already a thriving, industrious community boasting a significant commercial and business base. During its operational lifetime, the bank issued all types of Series of 1902 notes, as well as Series of 1929 small-size notes in both Type 1 and Type 2 varieties. Historical records indicate that the bank’s total note circulation reached $1.1 million. Of that total, just $2,755 in large notes—along with a considerably higher volume of small notes—remained outstanding by 1935.

Numismatic tracking today shows that 19 large-size notes, including one rare red seal, and approximately 30 small notes are currently reported by collectors. A particularly fine-grade example, a Series of 1902 $20 plain back note featuring the bold, striking pen signatures of H.E. Griggs as cashier and H.H. Nelden as president, highlights the craftsmanship of the era. Vintage ephemera also captures the bank’s physical presence; a charming 1907 postcard shows the bank building shortly after its initial construction, while a 1925 photograph of Main Street places the institution right at the center of the block, with its name clearly painted along the exterior side. The historic brick building still stands prominently on Main Street in Netcong today, though it was recently sold and its classic brick exterior painted white, diverging from the traditional red brick color visible in photographs from just a few years ago.

Beyond its banking heritage, modern Netcong continues to attract visitors and tourists who appreciate its quaint Main Street and surviving historic structures. Among these is the Historic Palace Theater, built in 1919, which originally housed a silent movie theater and Vaudeville house. Lake Musconetcong remains one of the borough’s most attractive natural and historical features. Created in the nineteenth century to serve the Morris Canal, today it offers modern visitors a scenic shoreline for boating, fishing, birdwatching, and peaceful views across the water. Remnants of the historic canal and its original towpath can still be observed by history enthusiasts exploring the Netcong-Stanhope area.

For local historians and memorabilia collectors, the town’s past often reveals unexpected treasures. An interesting vintage 1930s tin sign advertising "3 ½% Savings" accounts at the Citizens National Bank—noting that just $1 could open a savings account at a time when that interest rate was a powerful draw—serves as a tangible reminder of the bank’s deep roots in the community. Such historic advertising pieces continue to spark a broader appreciation for the bygone era of American national banking.

Readers may address questions or comments about this article or national bank notes in general to Mark Hotz at [email protected].