Historic N.J. house for sale dates back to the heyday of the Sussex Railroad

A bed and breakfast. An organic farm. These are just some of the possibilities for a 170-year-old house on nearly 12 acres in rural New Jersey.

The Wantage home dates back to the hey day of the Sussex Railroad, when exports of iron ore, dairy and other agricultural products developed the economy of Sussex County.

Built in 1855, the more than 7,000 square foot, three-story home was thought to be a mercantile train stop, but local historian and author Bill Truran, said the tracks were actually located about 50 yards from where the home stands.

“There was an old railroad that went from Sussex Borough up to Unionville, NJ and onward,” he said. “Perhaps local lore has that it was a stop, but there’s no station. And the big house was a residence.”

It could’ve been a whistle stop. Whistle stops were where a train would blow its whistle when getting near and if people were gathered it would stop and pick them up. “This would satisfy needs in rural areas where every few miles they knew they could catch the train,” he said.

The home was painted by local artist Louis Larsen around 1900 and is included in Truran’s book, “Country Lanes: Portrait of a Century Past.”

“I stood in the field above and took a photo around 2010 when putting my book together,” Truran said. “It looked pretty much the same.”

The eight-bedroom, four full- and one half-bathroom home is currently listed for sale for $989,000.

It has been on and off the market since May 2024 when it was listed for $1.275 million. The price was decreased in July to $1.225 million, then $1.1 million in September and $999,900 in October. It was taken off the market in November and relisted for $989,000 Jan. 31.

“It’s so unique that a lot of people need a lot of time in the space to take it in,” said Eva Bonnner of Realty Executives Exceptional, the listing agent. “It’s nothing like a normal residence. It’s been modernized but it’s so unique in the layout and the space – even just the property around it.”

The area is dotted with preserved farms and the property has panoramic views of rural vistas, with no neighbors in sight.

The home has original features including bread ovens, seven fireplaces, wide-plank pumpkin Pine floors, 8-foot pocket doors and exposed hand hewn beams.

“For those people who would want to do a bed and breakfast, this has unmatched potential,” she said. ”There’s a door off the kitchen where you can walk to the herb garden in the front and pick what you need."

It sits on 11.7 acres, has a pole and animal barn which each have electric and plumbing, a spring-fed pond, mature gardens and more.

Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? Do you have tips about New Jersey’s real estate market? Unusual listings? Let us know.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.