By the turn of the 18th century, more people discovered the “salubrious mountain air” and healthful mineral waters of this mountain paradise and left New York and Brooklyn in the summer.

Most of the early settlers were of British origin, but a group of Germans arrived in the first half of the 19th century. At the same time, an influx of French came to establish a silk industry. “Silk fever” took hold and many residents tried to raise the worms, but the climate was not favorable and the venture was unsuccessful.

Early in the community’s development, Peter Wilcox established a 424 acre track along Blue Brook (Peter’s Hill), constructed a dam and built a grist mill, followed by others establishing grist mills and cider mills in the area. In 1896, the Frey family utilized the abundant local clay for the Frey Pottery Company.

The Italians arrived in the 1880’s, mostly employed as farm laborers. But by the early 1900’s, many were store proprietors in the growing town center around the intersection of Plainfield and Springfield Avenues.

The Free Acres Association was developed as a single tax colony to “give people without means a chance to have a summer home,” On Emerson Lane, it continued as a summer resort until the Depression economy made it necessary to adapt the houses to year-round use. During its heyday, it attracted many talented residents, among whom were artist Will Crawford, writers McKinley Kantor and Theodore Smith and actor James Cagney.

Bell Labs, the first research firm in the Unites States to locate in a suburban area, created a tremendous demand for housing. Many other firms followed, and soon scores of scientists and professionals were buying houses in new subdivisions.

Berkeley Heights, part of New Providence until the late 19th century, is an established residential community with a mix of old and new - though the newer is predominant and the styles are more likely to be colonials, split levels and ranches.