Author Archives: njgate

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 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]

Union Beach was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 16, 1925, from portions of Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 16, 1925.[21] A 100-acre (40 ha) farm in the future borough was owned by the Poole family since the days of the American Revolutionary War. Following the development of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, the Poole Farm became the site of the Union Subdivision in 1908,[22] while an area that had been called East Point Beach Estates was renamed Union Beach by developer Charles Carr in 1920.[23]

Jamesburg was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1887, when it was created from portions of Monroe Township, based on the results of a referendum held on March 15, 1887. Jamesburg’s incorporation was confirmed on April 15, 1915.[20]

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]

Mullica Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 13, 1838, from the western section of Galloway Township. Egg Harbor City was created from portions of the township on June 14, 1858, while the Town of Hammonton was created and split off on March 5, 1866.[19]

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]

Woodcliff Lake is also the name of the reservoir that lies primarily within the borough, with a small portion at the southeastern edge located in neighboring Hillsdale.[23][24]

The township has been one of the state’s highest-income communities. Based on data from the 2012–2016 American Community Survey (ACS), NJ.com ranked the township as having the fifth-highest income in the state, with a median household income of $173,473.[20] Based on data from the 2014–2018 ACS, the township residents had a median household income of $162,037, more than double the statewide median of $79,363.[21]

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]