Verona's White Rock a mystery of history

The lore behind the historic White Rock in Verona contains tales of death, miracles and the Ku Klux Klan. 

How much truth lies in those stories varies, according to Verona historian Robert Williams, but the White Rock located near the road that bears its name has been a part of the township for more than 200 years. 

Williams and other members of the Verona Historical society led a tour up the Second Mountain near the Hilltop property to visit the rock. Only a few portions of the basalt boulder still show some white coloring, but the story of the lighter shade dates to the 1800s. 

Many of the stories come from word of mouth, leaving the validity in question, Williams said. Archaeological evidence suggests a Native American presence at the rock many centuries ago, according to the historical society.

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In one story, early settlers of the region came up to the rock during an especially cold winter. According to the tale, the settlers gathered around the White Rock and they asked God for forgiveness, believing the poor weather was a sign of his anger. Supposedly at that point a shaft of light came down on the White Rock, and they took it as a sign God had forgiven them. To show their respect to God, they painted the rock white. 

“How much of that story is true, I don’t know,” Williams said.

The property by the White Rock was home to a prison once upon a time. In another account that Williams confidently said was just an old wives' tale, a prisoner was supposedly caught escaping and shot before he could get away, then buried underneath the rock. 

The history of the rock could also be traced to the Methodist meetings held there in the early 20th century. Williams said it seemed like a logical spot because at the time, when less brush blocked the way, it provided a view of all of Verona. 

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Some time between 1910 and 1915, a resident who lived near the rock said she heard a commotion outside. When she looked out the window, she claimed to see flames emerging from a burning cross allegedly lit by members of the Ku Klux Klan. At the time many Catholics started to come to the primarily Protestant township and it could have upset the KKK, according to Williams.

Members of the Verona Historical Society said they hope to have White Rock declared an official landmark for Verona.

No matter how much truth can be drawn from those stories, the rock became an important fixture for Williams. He recalled searching for its location when he was in high school. It seemed hopeless after he spent much time looking but not finding it until at one point when he realized he was standing right on top of it. Williams also started a tradition of visiting the rock every Christmas, except for one year when he broke his foot. 

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com