With a bit of rudimentary real-estate searching we were able to discover the address of the house, and from there we found a few nibbles of information from the town's website:
"Built in 1783. During the 1890's G.W. Nixdorff ran a general store in the northern section of this house."
So says a 1984 guide to historic sites in the township. 1783? We're just getting older by the minute now. The northern section would be on the left from the road, the taller portion of the house.
But then,
"HISTORIC NAME: Matthews-Nixdorf House
The 1868 Atlas of Morris County identifies this as the residence of J. Matthews. At the time, it must have been a farmhouse reached by a lane from Valley Road, as Mountain Avenue was not created until the 1870s.
At the turn of the 20th century the northern section of the building was a general store operated by A. W. Nixdorf."
Well, this explained a few things, but raised even more questions. We now knew that the house was built long before the road, which explains its uncomfortable proximity to said road. We also now have the names of two of the previous owners, which should help in further research.
And we immediately dubbed the house "The Nixdorf."
But already there are contradictions: Is it Nixdorff, or Nixdorf? One 'f' or two? A.W. or G.W.?
Clearly, we had only begun to plumb the Nixdorf's secrets.
More information from the report:
STYLE: Vernacular
FOUNDATION: Fieldstone
EXTERIOR WALL FABRIC: Clapboard and shingles
FENESTRATION: 2/2 and replacement 1/1 sash
ROOF: Gable roof
ADDITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
South portion of house appears to be older: East Jersey cottage type. Centered entry in pedimented portico with two panel Greek Revival style door.
