JOHN MASON HOUSE

THE Walter Schaefer residence, on Calico Lane, serves as a reminder of the change in the industrial life of old Nutley, brought about by abundant water power of the Third River in the early 1800’s.

Built in 1812 by John Mason, the house stands near the site of a cotton mill which operated on the Third River near Vreeland Avenue. This mill site, according to records of Warren Vreeland, who died in 1909, was originally a sawmill, grist mill and tannery combined, belonging to Captain John Speer. An old account book tells of sales of pine boards and veneers which were carted to New York “on the corduroy road across the marshes.” The mill stones of the old grist mill were still discernible in 1907 in the bottom of the Third River that now flows near the Schaefer home.

Reconversion of the mill took place in 1812 and Cotton Mill Pond was the popular name until the whole area again changed hands.

According to the map of 1886, a large parcel of land in and around The Enclosure was purchased by James R. Hay. His family occupied the house as a residence for many years.

The Schaefers purchased the property from the Hay Estate in April 1930. Calico Lane, a recognized street, was made official in 1941 by resolution of Town Commission.