Monthly Archives: October 2022

Haddon Heights, New Jersey

Haddon Heights was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 2, 1904, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township and parts of Haddon Township.[18] Haddon Heights is a dry town where alcohol cannot be sold.[19][20] The borough was named for Elizabeth Haddon, an early settler of the area.[21]

Dunellen, New Jersey

Dunellen was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 28, 1887, when it broke away from Piscataway Township, based on the results of a referendum held on March 23, 1886. Dunellen’s incorporation was confirmed on April 15, 1914.[18] The borough was named for the Dunellen station of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.[19]

Upper Deerfield Township, New Jersey

Upper Deerfield Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1922, from portions of Deerfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 3, 1922.[19][20] The township was named for Deerfield Township, which in turn was named for Deerfield, Massachusetts.[21]

Chester Township, New Jersey

It is known as the “doughnut” around Chester Borough since it completely surrounds it, making it part of 21 pairs of “doughnut towns” in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.[19] The township’s name is derived from Chestershire in England.[20] It is located within the Raritan Valley region.

Brigantine, New Jersey

What is now the City of Brigantine has passed through a series of names and re-incorporations since it was first created. The area was originally incorporated as Brigantine Beach Borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on June 14, 1890, from portions of Galloway Township, based on the results of a referendum held on June 3, 1890. On April 23, 1897, the area was reincorporated as the City of Brigantine City. This name lasted until April 9, 1914, when it was renamed the City of East Atlantic City. On March 16, 1924, Brigantine was incorporated as a city, replacing East Atlantic City and incorporating further portions of Galloway Township.[23] The borough was named for the many shipwrecks in the area, including those of brigantines.[24][25][26]

Mansfield Township, Warren County, New Jersey

What is now Mansfield Township was formed on May 30, 1754, as Mansfield-Woodhouse Township from portions of Greenwich Township, while the area was still part of Sussex County, and was incorporated as Mansfield Township on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey’s initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. The township became part of the newly formed Warren County on November 20, 1824. Portions of the township were taken to form Franklin Township (April 8, 1839) and Washington Township (April 9, 1849).[20] The township was named after William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield.[3]

Glen Ridge, New Jersey

In 1666, 64 Connecticut families led by Robert Treat bought land from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans and named it New Ark to reflect a covenant to worship freely without persecution. The territory included the future towns of Bloomfield, Montclair, Belleville and Nutley. When Bloomfield was established in 1812, Glen Ridge was a section “on the hill” composed mostly of farms and woodlands with the exception of a thriving industrial area along Toney’s Brook in the glen.[20] For most of the nineteenth century, three water-powered mills produced lumber, calico, pasteboard boxes and brass fittings. A copper mine and a sandstone quarry were located on the north side of the brook.[21]