Category Archives: NJ Cities Gates services

The territory that would become Clark was originally a part of several early settlements. The Robinson Plantation House[18][19] and The Squire Hartshorne House, buildings from the late 17th century,[20] are remnants of the era. The Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge was the site of a skirmish preceding the Battle of Short Hills.[21] In 1858, after the City of Rahway was incorporated, the area of present-day Clark was designated as the 5th Ward of Rahway. Clark was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1864, from portions of Rahway.[22] The township was named for Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.[23] Portions of the township were taken to form Cranford Township (March 14, 1871) and Winfield Township (August 6, 1941).[22]

What is now Robbinsville Township was originally incorporated as Washington Township (named for George Washington[24]) by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1859, from portions of East Windsor Township.[25] On November 6, 2007, voters approved by a vote of 1,816 to 693[26] a measure that changed the township’s name from Washington Township (the name of five other municipalities in New Jersey) to Robbinsville, named after a settlement within the township. The official changeover took place January 1, 2008, as signs and other items with “Washington” on them began to be changed.[27]

The first European settlers in Tenafly were Dutch immigrants, who began to populate the area during the late 17th century. The name “Tenafly” is derived from the early-modern Dutch phrase “Tiene Vly” or “Ten Swamps” which was given by Dutch settlers in 1688.[22][23] Other derivations cite a Dutch-language connection to its location on a meadow.[24][25]

Under the terms of an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1865, Haddon Township was incorporated from portions of Newton Township. The following communities were subsequently created from the Haddon Township: Haddonfield (April 6, 1875), Collingswood (May 22, 1888), Woodlynne (March 19, 1901), Haddon Heights (March 2, 1904), Audubon (March 13, 1905) and Oaklyn (also March 13, 1905).[20] The township was named for early settler Elizabeth Haddon.[21]

The Norfolk Southern Railway’s Lehigh Line (formerly the mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad with a mix of mainline trackage combined long leased to the Central Railroad of New Jersey by its builder Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company), runs through Phillipsburg on its way cross river to Easton, Pennsylvania. The Belvidere Delaware Railroad was leased in 1871 and later acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad, connecting the lower Poconos to Trenton, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

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]

Sparta was organized as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1845, from portions of Byram Township, Frankford Township, Hardyston Township and (the now-defunct) Newton Township.[20] The township was named after the existing community of Sparta, which had been settled and named years before,[21] the name likely coming from Sparta, Greece.[22] Ogdensburg borough was incorporated on February 26, 1914, from portions of Sparta Township.[20]

Cinnaminson was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1860, from portions of Chester Township (now known as Maple Shade Township). Portions of the township were taken to form Delran Township (February 12, 1880), Riverton (December 18, 1893) and Palmyra (April 19, 1894).[21]

As of the 2020 United States Census, Harrison’s population was 19,450,[17][18][19][19][20] reflecting an increase of 5,830 (+42.8%) from the 13,620 counted in the 2010 Census, which had in turn decreased by 804 (−5.6%) from the 14,424 counted in the 2000 Census.[21] Once considered “the beehive of industry”, the town is undergoing a residential renewal, particularly along the Passaic River.[22]

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]