Author Archives: njgate

Mantua Township, New Jersey

Mantua Township was formed as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1853 from portions of Greenwich Township. Portions of the township were taken to form East Greenwich Township (February 10, 1881) and Pitman (May 24, 1905).[21] The township is named after Mantua, in Italy[22] or for a Mantua sub-tribe of the Lenape Native Americans.[23][24]

Weehawken, New Jersey

The name Weehawken is generally considered to have evolved from the Algonquian language Lenape spoken by the Hackensack and Tappan. It has variously been interpreted as “maize land”, “place of gulls”, “rocks that look like trees”, which would refer to the Palisades, atop which most of the town sits, or “at the end”, among other suggested translations.[15][16][17]

Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey

Springfield was formed as a township on April 14, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township and Newark Township, while the area was still part of Essex County, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey’s first 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857, with portions remaining in Essex County used to create Millburn. Other portions of the township have been taken to form New Providence Township (November 8, 1809, now known as Berkeley Heights), Livingston (February 5, 1813), Summit (March 23, 1869) and Cranford (March 14, 1871).[22] The township’s name derives from springs and brooks in the area.[23]

Madison, New Jersey

Located along the Morris and Essex Lines it is noted for Madison’s historic railroad station becoming one of America’s first commuter railroads, attracting well-to-do families from nearby Manhattan. It remains a popular commuter town for residents who work in New York City. The community maintains a population of nearly 18,000 residents.[20] It is known as “The Rose City” and was named in honor of President James Madison.[2][21]

New Milford, New Jersey

New Milford was authorized to be incorporated as a borough on March 11, 1922, from what remained of Palisades Township, subject to approval in a referendum (which took place on April 18, 1922). With the creation of New Milford, Palisades Township (which had been created in 1871) was dissolved.[21][22][23] The borough is believed to have been named for Milford, Pennsylvania.[24]