Fredon offers plenty of open land and a sense of community
Fredon derives its name from a German word meaning “place of freedom” – and certainly the open countryside in southern Sussex County conjures a feeling of freedom. It’s roughly 18 square miles, and nearly half the land is devoted to farms. “You’ll see houses on lots that are 10 acres,” says Seema Wu, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. But there’s a strip along state Route 94 reminiscent of Main Street America, with the area’s lone school, town hall, pizza place, civic center and park. Historic buildings remain standing, too. The Fountain House was once the place of rest for travelers, and it endures as a restaurant. This country township has an inventive dining scene, with one farmstand going viral for its bacon and French toast ice cream. The Coursen mansion, built in 1805 by Dutch settlers, is preserved as a testament to the area’s early growth. Today, over 3,000 people live in this community that's about 50 miles from Newark and 60 miles from New York City.
Lodestar Park is a cornerstone of the community
Outdoor recreation is part of Fredon’s rural identity. Lodestar Park is one of the community’s most prominent fixtures, especially as it’s located across from the elementary school and town hall. There’s a playground, a walking trail and multiple athletic fields and courts. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed. The experience gets more rugged and immersive at Whittingham Wildlife Management Area, which attracts hunters and bird watchers. The west end brings access to the Paulinskill Valley Trail, which follows the path of a former railroad line. Today, it’s open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders.
Many of Fredon's homes built in the 1980s and 2000s
“One of the appeals of Fredon compared to a suburb in Morris County, for example, is that you get more land for your money,” says Nicole Haslett, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “And in general, there’s definitely more land out in this direction, in terms of lot sizes.” And yet, the lifestyle is not so spaced out that people struggle to know their neighbor. “Fredon has plenty of developments built in the last 30 years with that residential feel you associate with a suburban community,” says Haslett. “Of course, it’s still rural, so you have farmland estates on bigger tracts of land or houses situated along main roads.” Housing styles are congruent with the countryside surroundings, by focusing on taking up space rather than being economical in form. “The most popular styles are colonial farmhouses, but ranchers are sought after, too,” says Haslett. “A four-bed, one-bath, one-garage rancher will go for $400,000. Colonials will sell around $650,000 to $700,000. These were built in the early 2000s, or even the late 80s, when Fredon’s two big building booms occurred. Then you have mansion-style modern traditionals that are $900,000 and up.”
Kittatinny Regional High aims to improve athletic facilities
Fredon Township School is the sole educational institution in Fredon, and it receives a B-minus from Niche. The school covers kindergarten through sixth grade, and has a student-teacher ratio of 9-to-1. Students can then go to Kittatinny Regional High, which also earns an overall B-minus, as well as an A in the teachers category. The school features a “Week of Lights” in the fall, where athletic teams play night games. The LED lighting used is temporary, and serves the dual function of raising awareness around the need for new athletic facilities. In 2024, the school participated in a T-Mobile competition to secure $5,000 in funding and hopes to acquire more.
State Route 94 is key to traveling the area
There’s really one significant commercial road in Fredon, running the entire length of this locality. “Route 94 is the most popular highway in the area,” says Haslett. “It’s where you’ll find a lot of your stores, gas stations and so on. Residential communities are based on smaller sideroads.” Public transportation is limited until 2026, when commuter rail service is expected to resume in neighboring Andover. Still, a car will be essential to reach the station, as no shuttles are planned between Andover and Fredon. Newark Liberty International Airport is about 55 miles away. Newton Medical Center is about 3 miles away.
The Circle is considered one of the best restaurants in the state
Despite the lack of a walkable downtown lined with businesses – typically where restaurants are concentrated – there’s a compelling dining scene in Fredon. “The Circle is considered one of the best places in the entire state to eat,” says Wu. “It’s a bucket list location.” Situated in a beige colonial home, it would be easy to mistake The Circle for a residence instead of a restaurant. But inside, patrons enjoy a white tablecloth setting with rustic wood beams and rugged stone. The menu leans toward a contemporary American style, served up as a six-course meal. Windy Brow Farms found a surge in popularity when it blended Taylor Ham into its French toast ice cream recipe. Taylor Ham is something of a New Jersey specialty, existing somewhere between sweet Canadian bacon and savory American bacon. The bakery and coffee shop on site also attract attention. Specialty drinks include inventive concoctions like strawberries and cream matcha. Grocery shopping takes place at the Shop Rite in neighboring Newton. “Or people will go to Sparta, it’s only 20 minutes away,” says Wu. Sparta’s White Deer Plaza is known throughout the region for its quirky boutiques housed in Tudor-style buildings.
