Author Archives: njgate

Greenwich Township was first formed on March 1, 1695, and was formally incorporated as one of New Jersey’s initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Over the centuries, portions of the township were taken to form Woolwich Township (March 7, 1767), Franklin Township (January 27, 1820), Spicer Township (March 13, 1844; now Harrison Township), Mantua Township (February 23, 1853), East Greenwich Township (February 10, 1881) and Paulsboro (March 2, 1904).[21] The township was named for Greenwich, England.[22]

The borough is known for the Mendham Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with notable landmarks that include the Phoenix House, which serves as the borough’s municipal building, and the historic Black Horse Inn and Tavern.[22] New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Mendham Borough as the number one place to live in the state in its 2013 rankings of the “Best Places to Live” in New Jersey.[23]

The Wildwoods is used as a collective term for the four communities located on Wildwood island that have “Wildwood” as part of the municipality name—the Borough of Wildwood Crest, City of Wildwood, Borough of West Wildwood and the City of North Wildwood—together with Diamond Beach, a portion of Lower Township situated on the island.[3][22] The city, and the surrounding communities that share the name, derives its name from the wild flowers found in the area.[23]

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]

Brielle was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 10, 1919, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on June 3, 1919.[21] The borough was named for Brielle, a town in the Netherlands.[22]

Demarest was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1903, from portions of Harrington Township and Palisades Township.[21][22] The borough was named for the Demarest family[23] and for the Demarest train station, which had in turn been named for Ralph S. Demarest, who was a director of the Northern Railroad of New Jersey that built the station and represented the area in both the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey Senate in the mid-19th century.[24][25]

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]

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]