Westbrook-Bell House in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Old Mine Road Historical Buildings
The Westbrook-Bell House is located on Old Mine Road at the northern end of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey. If using Google Maps for directions, search “Westbrook-Bell House and Ancient Minisink Westbrook Family Burial Ground.”
The house is situated very far from the road, and no unauthorized vehicles are allowed down the driveway. There is an area big enough to park one car along Old Mine Road, and I doubt you’ll find yourself fighting for this parking space at any time of the year. It is a 200-yard walk (.1 mile) to the house. It is not open to the public, but you can walk the grounds.
The Westbrook-Bell House is the oldest house within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It was built around 1730 by Johannes Westbrook, one of the first settlers to the area. He was such an early settler than he actually bought land from the Indians. The house remained in the Westbrook Family for nine generations, passing into the Bell Family through marriage.
The Bells sold the house and property to George Browning in 1956. Colin Browning was the owner when the United States government acquired the house in the early 1970s in preparation for a lake that would soon flood the area when the Tocks Island Dam was completed. The project was cancelled in 1975, and the government ended up with hundreds of abandoned buildings on its hands, including the Westbrook-Bell House, all of which became part of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Right side of the Westbrook-Bell House in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The two-story section of the house is thought to have been built first. The one-story section, which contains the original kitchen, most likely came later. The house was extensively modified around 1860 and again in 1955.
Right side of the Westbrook-Bell House in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Left side of the Westbrook-Bell House in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
There are two barns on the property, one of which looks like it’s about to collapse (and may well have by the time you read this article). There’s nothing that keeps you from walking around inside other than common sense. I, for one, don’t plan on being inside when it falls down. I did take a photo from the doorway.
Barn on the Westbrook-Bell House property in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Dilapidated barn on the Westbrook-Bell House property in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Inside the dilapidated barn on the Westbrook-Bell House property in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
There is also an outhouse that has been modernized with two toilet seats just in case you are in desperate need of a restroom.
Outhouse on the Westbrook-Bell House property in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Modernized outhouse on the Westbrook-Bell House property in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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Last updated on February 5, 2024
