Author Archives: njgate

Franklin, known as the “Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World,”[22] is located over a rich ore body containing more than 150 minerals, many of them fluorescent and 25 of which are found nowhere else on earth. Settled in the 17th century, the village known as Franklin Furnace after Benjamin Franklin,[23][24][25] developed near iron mines and iron smelting operations located along the Wallkill River. In the early 19th century, zinc deposits in the area began to be developed commercially. For most of the century many small companies mined zinc and iron in the Franklin area. In 1897 all zinc mining efforts merged into the New Jersey Zinc Company, which was a major controlling factor in the development of Franklin. Immigrants from Russia, Britain, Hungary and Poland joined the work force at the mine. The population, 500 in 1897, had swelled to 3,000 by 1913. On March 18, 1913, the Borough of Franklin was incorporated from portions of Hardyston Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 23, 1913.[26]

Fairfield Township was formed by Royal charter on May 12, 1697, from portions of the Cohansey Township area, while still part of Salem County, and was formed as a precinct in the newly created Cumberland County on January 19, 1748. It was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of the initial group of 104 townships in the state by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. Portions of the township were taken to form Downe Township (September 26, 1772), Millville Township (February 24, 1801) and Lawrence Township (February 17, 1885).[20]

The borough had the 27th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 4.179% in 2020, compared to 3.470% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.[19]

Greenwich Township has at various times been a part of most of Northwestern New Jersey’s counties. The township was first mentioned in official documents on October 9, 1738, as a part of Hunterdon County. On March 15, 1739, it became part of the newly formed Morris County. On January 22, 1750, portions of the township were taken to form Hardwick Township. On June 8, 1753, Sussex County was created, and Greenwich Township was shifted again. Portions of the township were taken on May 30, 1754, to form both Mansfield Township and Oxford Township. The township was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. It found its current home when Warren County was formed on November 20, 1824. On April 8, 1839, portions of the township were taken to create Franklin Township and Harmony Township. On March 7, 1851, Phillipsburg was created from parts of Greenwich, and Pohatcong Township went off on its own as of January 1, 1882.[21] The township was named for Greenwich, England.[22]

The borough’s name is of Lenape Native American origin, deriving from “Mënàskunk” meaning “Place to Gather Grass or Reeds”.[21] Manasquan, Maniquan, Mannisquan, Manasquam, Squan, and Squan Village are variations on the original pronunciation and spelling. The borough’s name has also been described as deriving from “Man-A-Squaw-Han” meaning “stream of the island of squaws”,[22] “an island with enclosure for squans”,[23] “island door”[24] or “point” / “top”.[25] Manasquan, Maniquan, Mannisquan, Manasquam, Squan, and Squan Village are variations on the original pronunciation and spelling.

It is part of the New York metropolitan area, as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area. The township may be named for Mendham, Suffolk, England,[21][22] or it may derive from the Native American word mendom (meaning “raspberry”) or for an Earl of Mendham.[23][24]

Morris Plains was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1926, from portions of Hanover Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 15, 1926.[20][21] The borough’s name comes from Lewis Morris, colonial governor of New Jersey.[22][23]

It is located on the southeast shore of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest lake and a major recreational resource.

Andover was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1864, from portions of Newton Township, which was split up on that date and dissolved. Portions of the township were taken to form Fredon Township (February 24, 1904) and Andover borough (March 25, 1904). Portions of the township were ceded to Newton town in both 1869 and 1927.[20]

The Lenape Native Americans who settled on the banks of the Rancocas Creek in what is present-day Hainesport called the area Sandhickney.[20] The first European settlers were Quakers who arrived in 1677.[20]