The principal community and mailing identity for much of Independence Township. Route 46, municipal offices, schools, churches, farms and many local businesses use the Great Meadows address.
Warren County Community Guide
Independence & Liberty Townships
Great Meadows · Vienna · Mountain Lake
Explore two neighboring Warren County townships connected by the Great Meadows community, shared schools, rural landscapes and easy Route 46 access. Independence brings the broad Great Meadows valley, local farms, community recreation and Island Dragway; Liberty adds the wooded Mountain Lake setting, lake recreation and a strong environmental focus.
Mountain Lake · Photo by Joe Thomas, courtesy of Liberty Township
One connected local guide: Independence and Liberty are separate municipalities with their own governments, but daily life overlaps through the Great Meadows ZIP code, the Great Meadows Regional School District, Route 46, recreation, emergency-service relationships and nearby shopping and services. NJTGO covers both townships together while clearly identifying which municipality each resource belongs to.
5,469Independence Township
2020 Census population
2020 Census population
2,670Liberty Township
2020 Census population
2020 Census population
8,139Combined 2020 population
07838Great Meadows ZIP Code
PreK–8Shared Great Meadows Regional schools
WarrenCounty
Communities Within the Shared Guide
The municipal names do not always match the mailing addresses residents and businesses use. These three community names are especially important when navigating the area.
An unincorporated community in the western portion of Independence Township, historically associated with Route 46 and the township's agricultural landscape.
The defining community of Liberty Township, centered on Warren County's largest natural glacial lake and a wooded residential and recreation landscape.
Explore the Complete Independence & Liberty Guides
Use the dedicated shared guides for local businesses, dining, property information, visiting, classifieds and employment across both townships.
Business & Shopping
Route 46 businesses, local services, healthcare, automotive, home services, farms and everyday shopping.
Open Business & Shopping → Food & DrinkRestaurants, pizza, takeout, farm-fresh food, markets, casual dining and local beverage options.
Open Food & Drink → Real EstateRural homes, lake-area property, acreage, zoning, taxes, land-use considerations and buyer resources.
Open Real Estate → Visiting & LodgingMountain Lake, motorsports, outdoor recreation, nearby lodging, trip planning and local attractions.
Open Visiting & Lodging → ClassifiedsLocal items, community notices, farm-related goods, garage sales, pets, lost and found and announcements.
Open Classifieds → JobsLocal employers, schools, municipal opportunities, regional job resources and Warren County employment.
Open Jobs →About Independence & Liberty
Independence Township was established by the New Jersey Legislature in 1782 from Hardwick Township, when the area was still part of Sussex County. It became part of Warren County during the county's formation and later lost territory when Hackettstown and Allamuchy were created.
The township remains strongly rural. Its streams and the Great Meadows drain toward the Pequest River, while farmland, single-family homes, Route 46 businesses and recreation shape the modern community.
Liberty Township was formed in 1926 from portions of Hope Township and marks its 100th year in 2026. Mountain Lake is the township's defining natural feature and one of the most recognizable landscapes in this part of Warren County.
Liberty combines lake-area homes, forested hills, rural roads and community recreation. Municipal planning and environmental programs place particular emphasis on protecting the Mountain Lake watershed.
The Great Meadows landscape: Independence Township's history is tied closely to the broad meadow and wetland system that ultimately feeds the Pequest River. Agriculture became a major part of the local economy after drainage work made commercial vegetable production possible, and farming remains visible throughout the area today.
Local Government
The townships share community institutions but maintain separate municipal governments, budgets, zoning, public works and elected Township Committees.
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
908-637-4133
- Township Committee form of government
- Mayor: Robert Giordano
- Municipal office hours generally Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Local police department and municipal public works
- Land Use Board, recreation and environmental functions
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
908-637-4579
- Township Committee form of government
- 2026 Mayor: John Inscho
- Municipal office hours generally Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Land Use Board, Environmental Commission and Recreation Commission
- Public works and Mountain Lake-related municipal services
Public Safety
Emergency
Call 911 for police, fire or medical emergencies in either township.
Independence Police
Independence Township maintains its own Police Department. Warren County Communications dispatches officers at 908-852-4440 for non-emergency calls.
Liberty Police Coverage
Liberty Township identifies the New Jersey State Police Washington Station for non-emergency police service. Use 911 for emergencies.
Education
Independence and Liberty share the Great Meadows Regional School District for Preschool through Grade 8. The district currently operates two schools in Great Meadows.
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
908-637-4041
Preschool–Grade 3. Central serves the district's younger students from both Independence and Liberty.
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
908-637-4349
Grades 4–8. The middle school serves students from both townships on the Great Meadows campus.
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
908-852-2800
Great Meadows Regional has a sending/receiving relationship with Hackettstown for high-school students. Families moving into either township register through Great Meadows Regional before high-school enrollment.
Parks, Lake & Recreation
Recreation is one of the strongest reasons these neighboring townships work well as a combined local guide: Independence emphasizes fields and community sports, while Liberty adds the Mountain Lake recreation environment.
At roughly 122 acres, Mountain Lake is identified by Liberty Township as Warren County's largest natural glacial lake. The surrounding watershed lies entirely within Liberty Township.
Swimming, boating, fishing and seasonal community activity are part of the lake environment. Gas-powered motors are prohibited, and visitors should follow current township lake and beach rules.
Independence Township's recreation program uses the Field of Dreams complex off Cemetery Road for organized sports and community recreation. The township provides current field, walking-path and registration information through its Recreation Department.
Liberty Recreation manages seasonal programs including youth soccer, basketball and summer recreation. Mountain Lake Beach and the John R. Fisher Pavilion are important community recreation resources.
Local Highlights
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
908-637-6060
A Great Meadows motorsports landmark operating since 1960. The dragstrip hosts racing events from spring into late fall and remains one of Independence Township's best-known regional attractions.
The Northeast Branch serves the Great Meadows area with books, public computers, meeting rooms and programs for children and adults. It functions as an important shared community resource for both townships.
Independence Township's agricultural landscape still supports farm markets, greenhouses, vegetables, fruit, cider and seasonal local food. Explore the dedicated Food & Drink and Business & Shopping guides for current listings.
History & Heritage
Independence Since 1782
Created from Hardwick Township while the area was still part of Sussex County, Independence predates Warren County itself. Its boundaries were later reduced when Hackettstown and Allamuchy were formed.
Liberty Centennial
Liberty Township was formed from Hope Township in 1926. The township is marking its 100th year in 2026, giving the current year special significance in local civic history.
Agriculture & Industry
Local history includes farming, timber, milling, iron mining near Jenny Jump Mountain, the Morris Canal era and the later development of commercial vegetable production in the Great Meadows.
Mountain Lake Watershed
Mountain Lake is more than a recreation site: its 3,600-plus-acre watershed has been a long-term focus of Liberty Township environmental study, conservation and community stewardship.
Pequest Union Cemetery
Cemetery Road in Independence Township contains Pequest Union Cemetery, a longstanding local burial ground connected with generations of Great Meadows-area families.
Places of Worship & Faith Community
The Great Meadows area has longstanding congregations that reflect the area's local, Catholic and Eastern European religious history. Service schedules and parish contact information can change, so confirm before visiting.
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
The parish remains active and continues a Ukrainian Catholic presence in Great Meadows that dates to the early twentieth century.
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
A longstanding Roman Catholic parish serving the Great Meadows area.
Official & Community Resources
Use current municipal and public-agency sources for permits, taxes, schedules, recreation registration, school information and time-sensitive notices.
Promote a Business Serving Independence or Liberty
NJTGO helps residents and visitors discover local businesses, restaurants, services, attractions and community resources. Basic directory listings do not include external commercial website links; enhanced paid listings and advertising can include additional visibility, promotional details and website links.
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