Author Archives: njgate

Carlstadt was originally formed as a village by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1860, within Lodi Township. Most sources indicate that the community was named for Dr. Carl Klein, the leader of a group of early German settlers who led the project to establish the community[22][23] though Henry Gannett stated that the name derived from the city of Karlovac in Croatia, which was known as “Carlstadt” in German.[24] The Borough of Carlstadt was incorporated on June 27, 1894, formally set off from Bergen Township.[25][26] 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.[27]

Berlin was incorporated as a borough on March 29, 1927, from portions of Berlin Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 26, 1927.[20]

Upper Freehold Township dates back to 1731, when it was formed from portions of Freehold Township. It was formally incorporated as a township by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Over the years, portions of the township have been taken to form Millstone Township (February 28, 1844), Jackson Township (March 6, 1844) and Allentown (January 20, 1889).[18] The name of the township derives from Freehold Township, which in turn is derived from the word freehold, an English legal term describing fee simple property ownership.[19]

Palmyra was originally incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 19, 1894, from portions of Cinnaminson Township and Riverton. On February 20, 1923, Palmyra was reincorporated as a borough.[21]

Washington was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 20, 1868, from portions of Washington Township.[21] The borough was named for George Washington, one of more than ten communities in the state of New Jersey that were named for the first president.[22][23] The Borough of Washington is surrounded by Washington Township, which is one of five municipalities in the state of New Jersey with the name “Washington Township”.[24]

What is now Emerson was originally formed on April 8, 1903, from portions of Washington Township as the Borough of Etna, the name of a railroad station in the community.[22] The name was changed to Emerson as of March 9, 1909.[3][23] The name came from author Ralph Waldo Emerson.[24][25] The borough calls itself “The Family Town”.[26]

What is now Green Brook was originally created as North Plainfield Township on April 2, 1872, from portions of Warren Township. Portions of the township were taken to form North Plainfield borough (June 9, 1885) and Watchung (March 23, 1926). Green Brook was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 8, 1932, replacing North Plainfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.[1][21]

Milltown was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 29, 1889, from portions of North Brunswick, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. The borough was reincorporated by resolution of the borough council on May 2, 1896. A portion of East Brunswick Township was annexed in 1902.[20] Originally known as Bergen’s Mill, named for Jacob I. Bergen who owned the grist mill,[21] the name is believed to have become “Milltown” from residents “going to the mill in town”.[22]

Mountainside was incorporated as a borough on September 25, 1895, from portions of Westfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.[20]

Midland Park was incorporated as a borough on September 6, 1894, at the height of the “Boroughitis” craze then sweeping through Bergen County that led to the creation of over two dozen new municipalities in the county in that one year alone. The new borough consisted of portions of both Franklin Township and Ridgewood Township. The borough expanded in April 1920 by adding another part of Franklin Township. In a referendum held on June 9, 1931, Midland Park acquired additional land from Wyckoff (which until 1926 had been known as Franklin Township).[21][22] The borough says that Midland Park was named after the New Jersey Midland Railway, which operated the railroad passing through the area of the borough in the 1870s,[22] though elsewhere the name is said to be based on being situated “amid Bergen hills”.[23]