History Marks the Spot: East Hanover

by Erin Feith, Coordinator of Research & Visitor Engagement
February 24, 2026

Morris County’s 39 municipalities are home to a fascinating tapestry of historic sites recognized on the state and national level for their significance. Some famous, some little known, together they preserve the story of the people, industries, and culture that shaped our community. In this blog series, MCHS highlights the sites to be found in each town and how they contributed to the diverse and multifaceted county we live in today.

Ellis Cook House (Halfway House, top photo): John Williams likely constructed the 1½-story structure around 1751 and gave the property to his daughter, Mary, and her husband, Ellis Cook. Their son, also Ellis Cook, inherited the home, which occupied a key location near the Passaic River during the American Revolution. Playing an active role in the conflict, the younger Cook served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Morris County Militia and afterwards was a prominent member in the fledgling nation. He also owned a local tavern, which may have been operated out of his house. With many of its major original architectural features remaining, the home has continued to occupy a place of significance in the community. In 1975, the Ellis Cook House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and today, it is owned by East Hanover Township with plans for it to become a Township museum.

The First Presbyterian Church of Hanover: Founded in 1718, the First Presbyterian Church of Hanover was among the earliest congregations formed in Morris County. Under the leadership of Reverend Jacob Green, who served as pastor from 1746 until his death in 1790, the church endured through a changing landscape in the 18^th century. Following the American Revolution, growth in the local population and increased interest sparked by religious revivals caused church leaders to consider the construction of a new building to replace the existing one. By 1835, the current church was erected by master builder Elijah Hopping, who used some of the original timber in the new structure. While updates have been made over time, the First Presbyterian Church of Hanover retains much of its mid-19^th-century character and continues to be a fixture in the community, being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Hanover Village Historic District: Encompassing the area surrounding the intersection of Hanover Road and Mt. Pleasant Avenue in East Hanover, the district originally contained around 40 contributing structures. The hitherto small, agrarian hamlet gained attention during the American Revolution, both for its proximity to the Passaic River and its notable patriots which included Ellis Cook and Reverend Jacob Green, whose parsonage in the district is a private residence today. Following the conflict, the village saw little major change, retaining its bucolic identity through the opening of the 20^th century. As a result, when Route 10 threatened to disrupt the area in the 1920s, early preservation efforts fought to ensure that the proposed highway ran parallel, rather than through, the area where most 18^th– and 19^th-century structures could still be found. The Hanover Village Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.