Belvidere is a small riverside town that has preserved its Victorian-era look
Hugging a bend of the Delaware River, Belvidere looks much like it did when it was established in the mid-1800s. The community is revered for its collection of historic buildings, a preservation effort that led to the entire town being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. “Every home has a huge line of history,” says Susan DiLeo, the owner of Melchor Realty, which has an office in a Victorian cottage along Greenwich Street. “There’s a lot of pride in ownership. People take good care of their homes and lawns.”
In addition to beautiful homes, Belvidere attracts those looking for a small-town atmosphere and living life at a slower pace. Mom-and-pop shops fill the town center and the nearest national chains are over 10 miles away. “With only 2,500 people, you get to know your neighbors better than other parts of the Garden State,” says Christopher Kruk, the owner of Re/Max Town and Valley II, who grew up in the area and went to Belvidere High.
Historic homes for less than the national median
Belvidere is known for its ornate Victorian architecture that fills blocks surrounding the town center. “Belvidere has more Victorian homes per square mile than any other place in New Jersey, and it’s only one and a half square miles,” Kruk says. The downtown area also features Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares and Colonial Revivals. Ranch-style homes and New Traditional dwellings line winding streets farther out.
Home prices range from around $235,000 to $500,000, with a median of about $370,000, which is lower than the national median. However, particularly large Victorian homes can cost nearly $600,000. “It’s a great town for somebody who is looking for value because it’s more of a distance from the interstates or highways, so homes are more affordable,” Kruk says.
Potential buyers should note that properties close to the Delaware River, the Pequest River and Pophandusing Brook have a flood risk, according to FEMA flood maps.
Shopping, dining and entertainment in the Belvidere Historic District
Historic brick buildings line the blocks north of the Warren County Courthouse and feature locally owned businesses, restaurants and boutiques stocked with books, antiques and records. “There’s a big focus on small and local. There’s no Target in Belvidere. No fast food, no ShopRite and the town likes it that way,” says DiLeo, who loves to grab a coffee from King’s Gambit Coffee Co., which roasts its own beans and serves freshly baked pastries. DiLeo also highlights Harper’s Grill, a longstanding staple for breakfast and lunch. “It’s like ‘Cheers’ there. You know everybody who comes in.” A small market at the corner of Water and Market streets has groceries, but the nearest chain grocers and national retailers are about 13 miles away in Phillipsburg. “You do have to drive 25 minutes to get to a grocery store, but there are a lot of cute local farm stands,” says Emily Broski, a Realtor with Melchor Realty. However, residents don’t have to drive far to see a good show. Belvidere is home to the Country Gate Players, a community theater along Greenwich Street that has been putting on productions since the 1970s.
This town steps back in time for Victorian Day
Revelers don Victorian-era clothing to celebrate Belvidere’s heritage each September with Victorian Day. Held the first Saturday following Labor Day since the late 1980s, the festival features horse-drawn carriage rides, tours of historic homes, reenactments and a garden tea party. “The town crier comes around. It’s a neat event that draws a lot of people in,” Broski says. Live music, craft vendors and an art competition round out the festivities. “There’s also a car show. So, people who don’t care about yesteryear have something modern to enjoy,” Kruk says.
Riverside activities, a few town parks and the natural beauty of Warren County
A town with two rivers, Belvidere is home to many people who love to fish, boat and kayak. “You’ll see people fishing all along the roads. People just pull over and fish,” DiLeo says. A public boat ramp caps Front Street for those looking to launch a vessel in the Delaware River.
A few parks dot the community. Garret D. Wall Park sits opposite the Warren County Courthouse and provides a tree-shaded green space in the center of town. “It’s where kids take their prom pictures,” Kruk says. Hriczak Recreation Fields features two baseball fields and a playground along the banks of the Pequest River. The Belvidere Community Pool is a summertime hotspot. The grounds have courts for tennis, basketball and beach volleyball.
The surrounding area offers more to explore, from hiking around Beaver Brook Wildlife Management Area to camping in Jenny Jump State Forest. “There are numerous wineries and breweries outside Belvidere, and the Pocono Mountains are nearby for skiing and snowboarding,” Kruk says.
A small school system serves Belvidere
Belvidere School District receives a C-plus overall rating from Niche. The small school system has two schools and serves less than 600 students. The C-rated Belvidere Elementary, formerly known as the Oxford Street School, offers pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It shares a campus with Belvidere High, which earns a B-minus.
Several highways are a few miles away for commutes across New Jersey
Country roads connect commuters to highways like U.S. Route 46, State route 31 and Interstates 80 and 78. “A lot of people are commuting far, up to an hour and a half, to places like Middlesex, Somerset and Union County,” says Broski, who adds that many residents also work from home. Belvidere Road, or route 519, is home to St. Luke’s Health Center – Belvidere and offers a scenic drive south to larger communities nearby like Phillipsburg, Lopatcong and Pohatcong. “I love my ride down 519. There are horses and beautiful farms. It’s a nice commute,” DiLeo says. Lehigh Valley International Airport is less than 30 miles away outside Allentown, Pennsylvania, while Newark Liberty International Airport is about 60 miles east.
