Historic Smithville: A South Jersey Gem

GALLOWAY, NJ — A true gem of South Jersey, what now is a popular spot for a day trip had humble beginnings.

Historic Smithville is regarded as a great shopping destination, attracting tourists from all over to walk the cobblestone paths and visit their many "shoppes."

But once, it was simply a one-room stagecoach shop.

James Baremore built the now-Historic Smithville Inn in 1787. It may not have originally been meant as an inn, but it quickly grew into one.

By 1884, it grew six times its original size - but by the turn of the 20th century, it had been abandoned.

It stayed that way until 1949, and then it was bought by Fred and Ethel Noyes in 1952.

At first an antique shop, they turned it into a 42-seat restaurant, which became wildly popular.

The Noyes family grew it into what we now know to be Historic Smithville starting in the 1960s. They purchased historic structures from around South Jersey, bringing them to Smithville and creating a town. The majority of the stores you can find today in the Shoppes at Smithville are these authentic buildings, though some have been rebuilt.

Today, you can enjoy charming shops while walking through this quaint village that really makes you feel like you took a step into the past.

It's almost like you're in a Hallmark movie as you explore the amazing amenities and the wide variety of events hosted here, with craft fairs, festivals, parades and more. There are more than 50 shops and six eateries.

Visit the Historic Smithville website for more information, and take a trip down at any time to enjoy all this village has to offer.