Author Archives: njgate

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.

The area had been known as Smith’s Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as “Butt’s Bridge” and “Butts’ Bridge”), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill.[21]

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]

Old Tappan was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 18, 1894, from portions of Harrington Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier.[19] The borough was formed during the “Boroughitis” phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.[20] On April 23, 1896, additional territory was annexed from Harrington Township.[19] The borough’s name is derived from the Tappan tribe of Native Americans.[21]

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

Berlin was incorporated as a township on April 11, 1910, from portions of Waterford Township. Portions of the township were taken on March 29, 1927, to form Berlin Borough, based on the results of a referendum held on April 26, 1927.[20] The township was named for the city of Berlin, Germany.[21]

What is now Rochelle Park was originally incorporated as Midland Township on March 7, 1871, from portions of New Barbadoes Township. Portions of the township were taken to form the boroughs of Delford (on March 8, 1894; now Oradell), Maywood (June 30, 1894), Riverside (also June 30, 1894; now River Edge) and Paramus (March 2, 1922). Rochelle Park was formed as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 5, 1929, replacing Midland Township, based on the results of a referendum held on that same day that passed by a 503–69 margin.[20] The main impetus behind the change in name was to avoid confusion with the nearby community of Midland Park.[21] The township was named for the port city of La Rochelle, France.[22][23]

Hightstown was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1853, within portions of East Windsor Township. The borough became fully independent around 1894. Additional portions of East Windsor Township were annexed in 1913, 1915 and 1927.[20] The traditional explanation is that the borough was named for John and Mary Hight, who established a tavern in the area in the 1750s.[21][22][23][24]

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]

Oceanport was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1920, from portions of Eatontown Township (now Eatontown), based on the results of a referendum held on May 11, 1920.[20]