This New Jersey Town Was The Inspiration For A Legendary Christmas Movie

There is a small town in New Jersey that has been credited with being the inspiration for one of the most legendary holiday movies ever made.

When the holiday season approaches, one of the time-honored traditions we all have is to watch the great Christmas movies that instantly bring us back to our childhood, and all the warm memories that go along with it.

Among those great Christmas flicks is the legendary ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’. Did you know that a town right here in New Jersey inspired this classic holiday flick?

A great article on the website Only In Your State explains how the town of Califon was the inspiration that led to George Bailey and this timeless movie being household names.

While the director of the movie was actually inspired by Seneca Falls, NY, the writer of the book the movie was based on, a Rutgers graduate named Philip Van Doran Stern, was none other than Hunterdon County’s little, quaint town of Califon.

The article reminds us that there is even a bridge in town that looks amazingly close to the one shown in the famous ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ scene. That is pretty awesome.

I always watch this classic movie at least once during the holiday season, and I will again this year. And when I do, I will be viewing it with a little extra New Jersey pride.

Maybe this year you can take a trip to Califon after you see the movie for an added layer of appreciation. It’s an adorable little town.