Pleasant Valley, Monmouth County, New Jersey

Largely starting as a farming community; Apples and a type of potato called "giant" were a common crop for the area (a giant potato is roughly about the size and shape of an American football)."Record Price for farms at Holmdel", Asbury Park Press, June 19, 1917, Page 7 In 1916, the area "broke all records, harvesting 100 barrels of potatoes per acre."Potato Yield Heavy Price Remains High", Asbury Park Press, August 26, 1916, Page 2 The area was also known for horse farms in the 1800s. One famous trotter came from this area. In 1849, George M. Patchen was foaled. He stood 16 hands high. He was bred by HF Sickles and in 1860 trotted a record 2:23.5 at Union Course, NY.John Hankins Wallace, Wallace Year Book - Trotting and Pacing, American Trotting Register Association, 1887, pg 292 Colonel Baker reported using this horse during the 1862 Second Manassas Campaign of the 1st DC Cav.La Fayette Curry Baker, History of the United States Secret Service, Philadelphia, LC Baker, 1867, page 330

In the 1950s, the area was known for pheasant hunting. This was largely due to the Pleasant Valley Game Protective Association action to release 500 pheasants in the area, the day before hunting season started. The practice went on till 1960."Morton Allen ExFarmer in Holmdel", Asbury Park Press, August 3, 1960, Page 2

The scene of armed conflict during the Revolutionary War, there were skirmishes between patriot forces and the Tories and Pine Robbers;"Farm at Holmdel Purchased by May", Asbury Park Press, Nov 14 1933, Page 16 reports of British foraging in this area and taking hogs, cattle and sheep back to New York were common."Pleasant Valley Livestock Taken by British", Asbury Park Press, September 3, 1914, Page 4"Lincroft in History", Asbury Park Press, October 29, 1939, Page 10 In 1778, an attack on the farm of Daniel P. Schenck resulted in his death. After breaking off the attach and leaving, his wife pursued the Tories and Pine Robbers and killed one of the attackers."Waterborne Minute Men of Revolution Harassed British", Asbury Park Press, July 10, 1949, Page 3 Another documented revolutionary war fight happened on June 21, 1781 in this area. The evidence of this fighting after the war was documented in the pension of Walter Hier. He received 16 shilling, 8 pence a month for receiving a wound to his right arm "by a sword or cutlass" during hand-to-hand fighting at Pleasant Valley."Neversink Battle Recalled", Asbury Park Press, July 9, 1967, Page 15 A four-pound cannon was placed on a farm in the area as a signal gun. When fired, the enemy was near and the local patriots would know to rally at a local farm."Revolutionary Period", Asbury Park Press, May 5, 1974, Page 27

• The area had one school called "The Pleasant Valley School"."Marlboro", Asbury Park Press, September 10, 1918, Page 5 The school had one teacher who was teaching 1-8th grades. The teacher was required to "act at the school as a combined principal, teacher, janitor and children's nurse.""Freehold's New Mayor", Asbury Park Press, January 13, 1946, Page 5 Now demolished, the school house was located on the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Reids Hill Road.
• Collier High School is located in Pleasant Valley. It is an alternative high school for children with special needs.

• Built by Col. Asher Holmes, Old Kentuck is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Extensively remodeled in the 1940s"Lincroft", Asbury Park Press, June 3, 1942, Page 9 the property is currently in a state of significant decay.
• Before getting to route 34, in the northeast corner of Pleasant Valley Road is an old Dutch Colonial house. This residence was constructed circa 1700. "It is perhaps the finest example of early Dutch architecture in Monmouth County"."Broker Buys Faraway Farm", Asbury Park Press, September 28, 1946,
• In 1967, the following properties were identified as historic locations in Pleasant Valley by the New Jersey Historic Sites Division:"Marlboro Group Acts to Preserve Historic Pleasant Valley Section", Asbury Park Press, June 18, 1967, Page 8
• Luyster House - Original Construction date and builder unknown.
• Smock House
• Collier Estate
• Gordon House - Original house built 1750 additions built circa 1800 & remodeled in 1940.
• Cox Farm
• Halloran Farm
• Old Kentuck - Built 1770.
• Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse site
• Schanck Farm
• Smock Farmhouse
• Reid Farmhouse
• Lake Farmhouse
• John Schanck House - Built circa 1697.
• Garret Schank House - Built circa 1690.
• Daniel Schanck House
• Embree House
• Schanck House
• Cannon Hill Farm
• Raymere House - Built by Jacob Van Doren in 1753.
• Indian Log Schoolhouse
• Applegate Homested
• John Holmes House

• In 1971, a historic marker was placed on Pleasant Valley Road near the barn where the Trotter George M. Patchen was born. The marker was placed by the (now defunct) Pleasant Valley Historic Society"Patchen Race Day Scheduled, Asbury Park Press, July 7, 1971
• In 1967, the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a historic marker in the Pleasant Valley commemorating the area as the "Hornets Nest"."Sandy Hook Park Program Described for DAR Chapter", Asbury Park Press, March 31, 1967, Page 12Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 103, 1969, Page 180 The plaque reads "The Hornets Nest - In the American Revolution, Pleasant Valley, From Marlboro thru Holmdel, was Called the Hornets Nest by the British because the men here, Besides regular army duty, constantly stung them by capturing and sinking ships in sandy hook bay and seizing the Tories to exchange for prisoners. - Placed by Monmouth Court House Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution 1967""The Hornets Nest", Red Bank Register, September 28, 1973

• Sponsored by the Monmouth County Hunt Racing Association, in the 1930s the area was known for lending its name to the "Pleasant Valley Cup". This is a cup won in a half mile horse race."Sea Chart Victor in 1933", Asbury Park Press, October 18, 1934, Page 14 The requirement for entering the race is that the horse has to come from a farm "owned by a Monmouth County farmer". The winner received a trophy cup and $50.00"Fifth Annual Meet of County Hunt Racing Association", Asbury Park Press, October 4, 1930, page 15"Two races for Farmers", Asbury Park Press, October 10, 1933, Page 12"Coq Bruyere to Defend Cup in Annual Hunt Race Meet", Asbury Park Press, October 20, 1939, Page 14
• There were Two plane crashes in the area:
• On June 29, 1932, Pleasant Valley was the site of a plane crash. The plane was piloted by State Trooper Douglas Stender. He sustained injuries in the crash and lost site in one eye as a result of the crash."Stender Will Lose Sight Of One Eye", Asbury Park Press, June 30, 1932, Page 4
• On November 16, 1939, Paul Tergis crashed his plane after engine trouble on a farm. He reportedly escaped injury."Pilot Escapes as Plane Crashes near Holmdel", Asbury Park Press, November 17, 1939, Page 1

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Category:Marlboro Township, New Jersey

Category:Unincorporated communities in Monmouth County, New Jersey

Category:Unincorporated communities in New Jersey