This cache is part of the Kittatinny Valley State Park Interpretive Geo-trail, created to highlight the natural and historic features of the park through the family-friendly sport of geocaching.
Sarah Hill built the old stone farmhouse (now the KVSP Visitor Center) on the west side of Andover Long Pond (Lake Aeroflex) in 1825, using the native limestone in its construction. In 1836, she sold her 120-acre farm for $3000 to William Drake, who had his initials carved into the date stone near the western roof peak of the farmhouse. In 1851, Albert and Nancy Puder (picured above, circa 1900) purchased the farm and resided there with her mother, two domestic servants, and a number of farmhands, until Albert's death in 1903. Most of Puder’s farm outbuildings still remain, adjacent to the stone dwelling. His widow Nancy then sold the farm to Frederick Hussey, Sr., of East Orange, for $5000 in 1906.
Frederick Hussey, Sr., made a fortune in the whaling industry and in New York City real estate. Using the native limestone and local stone masons, he greatly enlarged the old farmhouse and built a matching carriage house. His son, Frederick Hussey, Jr, owner of the Aeroflex Corporation, pioneered research into helicopters and hydroplanes, and invented the electromagnetic gimbal mount that steadies cameras for aerial photographs. In 1957, Hussey paved a 300-acre alfalfa field and filled swampland bordering Gardners Pond to create a 2,004-foot runway for his Aeroflex Airport. Facilities included six hangars and an Advisory Tower. Upon its completion, Aeroflex became the first helicopter operator in the State of New Jersey. The property was used for aeronautical research until Hussey's death in 1977. His widow Nell operated the property until her death in 1985. Her heirs sold the property to Joseph LoRe, a prominent manufacturer of paints and pigments, whose wife Barbara established the Rubicon Arabian Stables, providing a world-renowned breed of Arabian horses.
After Mr. LoRe’s untimely death in a traffic accident in 1991, the family’s financial situation worsened. Mrs. LoRe had the property extensively logged, which subsequently left an extensive network of logging trails, many of which provided future hiking paths. The Ramapo Bank foreclosed on the mortgage and took possession of the property in July of 1993. On September 9, 1994, the land was purchased with Green Acres funding and Kittatinny Valley State Park was born.
The Visitor Center opened in the former Hill-Hussey Stone House in September 2003, having previously occupied the picturesque 1874 Slater House on the south shore of Lake Aeroflex.