The "Old
Fort", the Phillip J. Weisse/J. Schoenheit Farm, is located
on East Mill Road (Route 24) and was constructed between 1714
and 1876. As with many historic structures the reports on the
Old Fort are contradictory. The building is said to be one of
the oldest houses in the township, with the majority of it's present
form dating from 1774, but other structures are known to precede
this building. Further, it is recorded that, "it was rebuilt
in 1876 by Mr. Shonheit" (Munsell, History
of Morris County, New Jersey p. 374).
An exterior
inspection of the house gives some evidence to its reputed 18th
century erection date. The house is a 2½ story rectangular
random fieldstone building with gable roof and exterior end brick
chimneys. The proportions present an 18th century origin, but
the overall appearance is Victorian. The house is currently stucco
covered, has 2/2 Victorian windows with ltalianate framing, a
late 19th or early 20th century one story porch, an overhanging
gable roof with returns and bracketing, two round head dormers
separated by a large somewhat Eastlake appearing center dormer,
and slate roof with alternating scalloped and rectangular rows
of shingles. While all these characteristics are 19th century,
the 18th century erection date should not be disregarded.