Author Archives: njgate

Holland Township is located in the northwestern part of Hunterdon County. The Delaware River forms its boundary with Pennsylvania and the Musconetcong River its boundary with Warren County. It was created from Alexandria Township on April 13, 1874, before being dissolved and reabsorbed into Alexandria Township on March 4, 1878. The township was reformed and separated as a municipality of its own again on March 11, 1879. Milford was created on April 15, 1911, from portions of Holland Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 8, 1911.[20] The township was named by Dutch settlers for Holland.[21]

What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. On April 16, 1889, it became the City of Elcho borough, which lasted for a few weeks until the name was changed to the City of Belmar Borough on May 14, 1889. The city acquired its current name, Borough of Belmar, on November 20, 1890.[21] The borough’s name means “beautiful sea” in Italian.[22]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]