Norgate, Nassau and Pine Knoll

Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 April 2010 01:35 Written by Laura Nawrocik Tuesday, 13 April 2010 12:40

Between the 1950 and 1970 U.S. census, the population of Lawrence Township doubled, from 8,499 residents to 19,567.  The reason for the jump?  The tree-lined sprawling Nassau/Norgate/Pine Knoll subdivisions that stretch from just south of Darrah Lane to Franklin Corner Road on both sides of Princeton Pike.  The area was built in five sections from roughly 1955 to 1968 – Norgate I and Nassau I west of Princeton Pike, Norgate II and Nassau II east of Princeton Pike, and Pine Knoll in the area around Ben Franklin School.

Historically speaking, it may be easy to overlook this area since it is “only” about 50 years old.  While it is young compared to older subdivisions in Slackwood and the Village, this now-mature area still has a rich history.  Three houses in the Lawrence Township inventory of historic structures share the landscape with the modern ranches, colonials and split-levels.  The Rising Sun Tavern, Benjamin Johnson House and Smith-Ribsam House are all remarkable structures that serve as private residences and enhance the landscape of the neighborhood.  The Rising Sun, located at the corner of Darrah Lane and Princeton Pike, dates to the 1820s and remained in the Smith family from the time it was built until the mid-1990s.  Next door to the tavern is the Johnson House, which at one time was attached to the Rising Sun.  The Johnson House dates to the 1880s.  The third historically significant house, Smith-Ribsam, was also built by the Smith family, original settlers of the township who owned most of the land that eventually became Nassau/Norgate/Pine Knoll.  This house on Pine Knoll Drive is on the National and NJ Registers and dates to 1740.  The beautifully preserved house was built in stages by various residents and features large gardens and some original outbuildings.

Older, non-historic homes also dot Princeton Pike, which runs through the center of the development.  The Pike itself has historic significance, starting out as the Princeton-Trenton Turnpike that connected the capital city with the university.  Eventually, the Pike became part of a well-traveled set of roadways that stretched to New Brunswick and points north.  Because of its location between New York and Philadelphia, travelers would stop at the Rising Sun or stay at the Princessville Inn, which has a lengthy history of its own and will be the subject of a later post.

Finally, one of the more notable historic aspects of the area is the variety of trees that one notices.  After passing out of the Smith family, the Smith-Ribsam house was owned by the Ribsam family, famous for their centuries-old landscaping and florist businesses around Mercer County.  Some of the land that eventually became this post-WW II subdivision was once used to grow trees and plants for the family business.  In an homage to that heritage, the builders planted a wide variety of trees in the neighborhood.  Today you can still see the ginko, dogwood, oak, pine, birch and numerous other species lining the streets.  Streets, coincidentally, that tend to be named after some of the flowers and trees that once grew on the farm.

The Smith-Ribsam House, c. 1977.