Part of the hamlet extends into West Milford Township, Passaic County, New Jersey.

The depot complex originally contained the Sterling Forest, New Jersey post office.

The coming of the railroad was preceded by the construction of a large commercial ice house by the Ringwood Company around 1864.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Yankee great Babe Ruth often rented a cabin in the hamlet for the summer, and was known to play baseball with the local neighborhood children at a small ballfield located there.

Adding to the confusion, there is another fair called The Sterling Renaissance Festival which is located north of Syracuse, NY.