A century before the development of the lake communities Augusta was the hub of the township. Later an intersection of two railroads served people and freight, as well as the dairy industry, now only memories of the past. Incorporated in 1797 as a much larger area, Lafayette later separated in 1845 and then Branchville which is completely surrounded by the township, separated and became incorporated in 1898. The township is the home of the Farm and Horse Show, which relocated from Branchville to the Plains Road in 1976 when it needed more acreage for expansion. Now called the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show/The New Jersey State Fair, it is the site of numerous activities and events throughout the year. Another large recreation area is Skylands Park, a ballpark which hosts the New Jersey Cardinals, a Class A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals with seating for 4,300 people.

Acreage in another area of the township with a view of Sunrise Mountain is the municipal park that continues to expand for the recreation activities of both young and old. Along with a pavilion/eating area, there are areas for basketball, softball, soccer and baseball. The township also hosts a complex of buildings owned and operated by Sussex County including a health facility, namely the Homestead, the County Library, the Juvenile Detention Center, the office of the County Weights and Measures and a Fire Training Facility for all county firemen. The old Homestead facility, once called the County Alms House is now used for county offices.

Through the years, the township has evolved from diversified farming to dairying and creameries, railroading, then with better transportation, to a lovely vacationland. Still, today, a rural area dependent on individual wells and septic systems, the development of homes has quite often necessitated a commute to employment out of the area creating a busy highway corridor.