Since about 1840 the Clarksburg Inn, about two stagecoach stops away from Cox's Corner, served meals and drink and took in travelers for the night.  About three weeks ago, a large fire decimated most of the building, because the horsehair insulation burned so well!  Now only a shell remains, this historic building is slated for demolition, though another Clarksburg Inn will be built.  A new and better one!





I know I shouldn't be too sad. The Greek/Gothic Revival structure, though pretty authentic looking on the outside, had been renovated so many times in its history that it hardly looked historic inside.

But I remember it when I was a kid, and it was just one of many dark, spooky, but well heeled bars that we used to frequent in our youth.  Along the lines of Moore's Inn, and the Millhurst Tavern.  They used to have great bluegrass bands there, and it was a real country watering hole, with the local horse trainers and horse farm owners hanging out with the local kids.  It defined the tiny village of Clarksburg, nestled in the scenic and rolling  "Back Bone Hills" of Millstone, NJ. The Millhurst has not served customers for at least 20 years, and Moores was moved back and "redone" to look nothing like it's former self, that with its wavy wooden floors and very low ceiling.

Our beef as locals of course is the fact that yet another old building has went away. This is very distressing.  My dream was to one day own a historic restaurant like Clarksburg, or the likes of the Happy Apple, the Chesterfield Inn.

All the more reason that I wait very anxiously to see what the NJ State Historic Preservation Office has to say about our application for the Samuel Rue House. I hope , for this dear old Lady's sake, that they realize that old houses, even if loved, sometimes go away, and do not get saved.  I want this house to stay just as it is for decades to come.

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