This Day in History: 1896-06-22

An historic log cabin 150 years old was destroyed by fire in the mountains west of Mahwah. Local tradition has it that Washington stayed here when his troops used the old route on their way to Morristown, Springfield, and Pompton. Superstitious people believe the house was the site of a tragic love affair and haunted by the ghost of a jilted lover. It also was supposed to have a secret passageway leading to a mountain outlet by which slaves escaped from the pursuers.  The cabin had 2 rooms and a loft with cement filling the chinks between the logs. (Bristow)