Rumson is an affluent community Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,137.
Rumson was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1907, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, based on the results of a referendum held on June 18, 1907.[7]
Geography
Rumson is located at 40°22′11″N 74°00′06″W / 40.369644°N 74.001667°W / 40.369644; -74.001667 (40.369644, -74.001667).[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.8 km2), of which, 5.2 square miles (13.5 km2) of it is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) of it (27.76%) is water.
Public parks include Meadowridge Park, Piping Rock Park, Riverside Park, Rogers Park, Victory Park and West Park.[9]
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1930 |
2,073 |
|
—
|
| 1940 |
2,926 |
|
41.1% |
| 1950 |
4,044 |
|
38.2% |
| 1960 |
6,405 |
|
58.4% |
| 1970 |
7,421 |
|
15.9% |
| 1980 |
7,623 |
|
2.7% |
| 1990 |
6,701 |
|
−12.1% |
| 2000 |
7,137 |
|
6.5% |
| Est. 2007 |
7,226 |
[3] |
1.2% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[10] |
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 7,137 people, 2,452 households, and 1,988 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,366.0 people per square mile (527.9/km2). There were 2,610 housing units at an average density of 499.5/sq mi (193.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.77% White, 0.24% African American, 0.06% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population.
There were 2,452 households out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the borough the population was spread out with 31.9% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median resident age is 39.2 years old. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $120,865, and the median income for a family was $140,668. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $47,260 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $73,692. About 3.4% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 0.7% of those age 65 or over.
The ancestries of residents are: Irish (33.4%), German (17.9%), Italian (16.4%), English (13.8%), Polish (6.2%), United States (5.3%).[11]
History
Legend has it that the borough's name is derived from early settlers who bought the piece of land now known as Rumson from the Native Americans for some rum. But as far back as 1663, long before the area was officially named Rumson, Native Americans called it “Navarumsunk”. Over the years it has been shortened to “Rumson”. In 1907, Rumson was officially incorporated as a Borough. Other names Rumson has been known by include Black Point, Port Washington, and Oceanic.[12]
Rumson was purchased by English settlers in pieces. The first purchase is dated January 25, 1665, and it included parts of Middletown. The rest of the area was purchased April 7, 1665 and June 5, 1665.
Rumson is known for its many sprawling turn of the century estates located along the shores of the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers and along historic Rumson Road, which serves as one of Rumson's main thoroughfares. Rumson's many old estates were built as summer homes for wealthy New York bankers and industrialists. The oldest of Rumson's homes was the Tredwell House, named after a family that summered here for almost 100 years. The oldest part of the house being from 1670 once occupied 700 acres, it was the second oldest building in Monmouth County as of June 2006, when it was destroyed by fire.[13]
In the Nineteenth Century Rumson's summer residents enjoyed many activities, such as swimming and boating in the adjacent Navesink River and, the Atlantic Ocean, or taking a wagon ride. In winter, residents used the river for ice boating.
Originally a summer colony for wealthy New Yorkers, Rumson is today an upscale suburb of New York. Many of Rumson's residents work in the financial services industry and commute to Wall Street on the high speed ferry that leaves from nearby Atlantic Highlands. The ferry ride is 35 minutes to the foot of Wall Street or slgithly less than an hour to Midtown Manhattan. Transportation to New York is also available via New Jersey Transit train service from Middletown or Red Bank.
Government
Local government
Rumson is governed by the Borough form of government, with a mayor and a six-member Borough Council. The mayor serves a four-year term. Borough Council members serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year. All officials are elected at-large on a partisan basis.[1]
The Mayor of Rumson is John E. Ekdahl, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2011. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Shaun Broderick (2011), Joan P. DeVoe (2010), Joseph K. Hemphill (2010), Mark E. Rubin (2009) and Frank Shanley (2009).and Benjamin Day (2009).Rumson Borough and Council, Borough of Rumson. Accessed June 29, 2008. Page shows incorrect 2011 term-end dates for DeVoe and Hemphill as of date accessed.</ref>
Rumson is a participating municipality in an initiative to study regionalizing their municipal police force with one or more municipalities. The borough received a grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in the amount of $40,950 along with the Boroughs of Fair Haven, Little Silver, Oceanport and Shrewsbury to hire professional consultants to conduct the study on their behalf. A report is due before the end of 2007.
Federal, state and county representation
Rumson is in the 12th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th Legislative District.[14]
New Jersey's 12th congressional district, covering portions of Hunterdon County (8 municipalities), Mercer County (9), Middlesex County (12), Monmouth County (14) and Somerset County (1), is represented by Rush D. Holt Jr. (D).[15] New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township) and in the Assembly by Mary Pat Angelini (R, Ocean Township) and Dave Rible (R, Wall Township).[16] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[17]
Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of 2009[update], Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow (D, Freehold Township), Freeholder Deputy Director John D'Amico, Jr. (D, Oceanport), Lillian G. Burry (R, Matawan), Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan) and Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven).[18]
Education
The Rumson School District serves public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[19]) are Deane-Porter Elementary School (K-3, 381 students) and Forrestdale Middle School (4-8, 591 students).
Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, a regional, four-year comprehensive public high school, serving students from both Fair Haven and Rumson.[20]
Private Schools in Rumson are Holy Cross School and Rumson Country Day School.
Wildlife on the Rumson shore.
Noted residents
Noted current and former residents of Rumson include:
- James C. Auchincloss (1885-1976), served eleven terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1943–1965 as a Republican from New Jersey's 3rd congressional district. Auchincloss was a member of the Rumson borough council from 1930-1937 and served as mayor of Rumson from 1938-1943, until he was elected to Congress.[21]
- Thomas Barbour (1884-1946), general naturalist and herpetologist; Director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University.[citation needed]
- William Warren Barbour (1888-1943), Represented New Jersey in the United States Senate from 1931-37 and 1938-48. Barbour was a member of the Rumson Borough Council in 1922 and served as mayor of Rumson from 1923-1928.[22]
- John Berry, software developer, co-founder of Net2Phone.
- Jon Bon Jovi (born 1962), rock star, actor and former resident, currently lives along the Navesink River in Middletown (across the river from Rumson).[23][24]
- Charles Briggs (born 1920), jazz musician, and frontman of Charlie Briggs & the Brigadiers.[25]
- Peter Hood Ballantine Cumming (1910-1988), mayor in 1950s[26]
- Pete Dawkins (born 1938), former U.S. Army Brigadier General, Heisman Trophy winner, Rhodes Scholar, and businessman. Dawkins ran in 1988 for the United States Senate seat held by Frank Lautenberg, losing 54%-46%.[27]
- Randy Foye (born 1983), NBA Point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves.[28]
- Mason Welch Gross (1911-1977), TV quiz show personality and academic who served as the sixteenth President of Rutgers University.[29]
- Kevork Hovnanian (1923-2009), businessman and home builder, founder of Hovnanian Enterprises.[30]
- Kristjan Järvi (born 1972), conductor.[31]
- Neeme Järvi (born 1937), Estonian-born conductor who emigrated to the United States and settled in Rumson, with his musician sons Paavo and Kristjan.[31]
- Paavo Järvi (born 1962), conductor.[31]
- Queen Latifah (born 1970), actress.[32]
- Heather Locklear (born 1961), actress, lived in Rumson while married to Richie Sambora.[33]
- Enrique Marcatili (born 1925), winner of the IEEE's Baker Prize and pioneer in optical fiber research.[34]
- John A. Mulheren (1949-2003), philanthropist and New York financier.[citation needed]
- Bob Ojeda (born 1957), Former pitcher in the major leagues, pitched for the Mets, Yankees, Indians, Red Sox and Dodgers between 1980 and 1994. Most notably was his Game 3 win for the Mets in the 1986 World Series; a game that would turn the series around and allow the Mets to defeat the Red Sox.[35]
- Rob Petitti (born 1982), offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL.[36]
- James Randi (born 1928), "The Amazing Randi" Stage magician and scientific skeptic.[citation needed]
- Nelson Riddle (1921-1985), arranger and composer. Riddle spent his summers as a teen in Rumson and attended high school in Rumson during his senior year.[37]
- Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), rock 'n roll musician.[38]
- Richie Sambora (born 1959), guitarist for Bon Jovi, lived in Rumson for a short time.[33]
- Sergei Rachmaninoff (1878-1943), Russian-born composer had a home in Locust[39][citation needed]
- Henry Selick (born 1952), stop motion director, producer and writer who is best known for directing both The Nightmare Before Christmas, and James and the Giant Peach.[40]
- Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) actor and singer had a summer house here.[citation needed]
- Melissa Stark (born 1973), former NFL sideline correspondent.[citation needed]
- Broeck Steadman, science fiction illustrator.[41]
References
- ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 58.
- ^ USGS GNIS: Borough of Rumson, Geographic Names Information System, accessed October 24, 2007.
- ^ a b Census data for Rumson borough, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2008.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 184.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Borough Parks, accessed July 10, 2006.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ Rumson, New Jersey, city-data.com. Accessed July 28, 2007.
- ^ Rumson Borough Website, Borough of Rumson. Accessed September 6, 2006.
- ^ Burning questions, Asbury Park Press, June 16, 2006.
- ^ 2008 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 63. Accessed September 30, 2009.
- ^ Municipalities, Congressman Rush D. Holt Jr. Accessed June 29, 2008.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 6 June 2008.
- ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 21, 2009.
- ^ Data for the Rumson School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 30, 2008.
- ^ Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School District 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 30, 2008. "The boroughs of Rumson and Fair Haven are residential communities zoned principally for single family dwellings. These adjacent communities are located in Northern Monmouth County, within forty miles of New York City and within a mile of the Atlantic Ocean."
- ^ Congressional biography, accessed December 24, 2006.
- ^ Congressional biography of William Warren Barbour, accessed January 7, 2006.
- ^ Intindola, Brendan. "Rich and famous mourn Wall Street's John Mulheren", Forbes, December 19, 2003. Accessed June 5, 2007. "Mr. Bon Jovi, a fellow resident of Rumson and lead singer of the rock band Bon Jovi, was among the long line of mourners who stood outside waiting to enter the gray, shingled church."
- ^ Sanctuary Sound, accessed September 10, 2006. "Sanctuary Sound was originally built in the basement of Jon Bon Jovi’s Rumson ranch home."
- ^ Stravelli, Gloria. "Riddle’s sweet sounds still play on heartstrings: Legendary bandleader, arranger, composer got his start in Rumson", Atlanticville, February 13, 2004. Accessed August 12, 2008.
- ^ "Peter H. B. Cumming, 78, Retired Executive". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEFDB1230F93BA25752C1A96E948260. Retrieved 2008-06-29. "Peter Hood Ballantine Cumming, a retired executive and former mayor of Rumson, N.J., died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Little Silver, N.J. He was 78 years old."
- ^ Panel Formed to Back Senate Bid by Dawkins, The New York Times, April 1, 1987. "Mr. Dawkins is 48 years old and has purchased a home in Rumson."
- ^ O'Neil, Dana Pennett. "Foye honored to represent Timberwolves at tonight's lottery.", Philadelphia Daily News, May 22, 2007. Accessed November 11, 2008. "Foye, who grew up in nearby Newark and recently bought a home in Rumson, said he was glad the team asked him to make the short drive."
- ^ Devlin, John C. "Mason Welch Gross, Ex-Head of Rutgers; Led the University During a Time of Growth and Sharp Political Controversy Was 66", The New York Times, October 12, 1977. "Dr. Mason Welch Gross, president of Rutgers University from 1959 to 1971, died yesterday in Riverview Hospital, Red Bank, N.J., after a long illness. He was 66 years old and lived at 18 Monmouth Avenue, Rumson, N.J."
- ^ Willis, David P. (2009-09-24). "Homebuilder leaves legacy of philanthropy". Asbury Park Press. http://www.app.com/article/20090925/BUSINESS/909250363/1003. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
- ^ a b c Wise, Brian. "A Maestro And His Plans For Reshaping An Orchestra", The New York Times, April 18, 2004. Accessed November 4, 2008. "A year after the incident, the Jarvi family -- his wife, Lillia; his sons, Paavo and Kristjan; and his daughter, Maarika -- packed their bags and settled in Rumson."
- ^ "The Robertson Treatment Vol. 6.7; Queen Latifah holding court in Hollywood!", Baltimore Afro-American, March 28, 2003. Accessed December 11, 2007. "'I've always loved musicals,' admits the actress who was born Dana Owens."
- ^ a b Rumson's patrols, alarms keep criminals at bay, Asbury Park Press by Dina Maasarani, August 19, 1998. "Police also keep a file on every home with an alarm system and, of course, know exactly where celebrities including Bruce Springsteen, Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora, and Jon Bon Jovi live."
- ^ Kamin, Arthur Z. "State Becomes a Part of Celebrating Marconi's Achievements", The New York Times, October 23, 1994. Accessed July 6, 2008. "Meanwhile, Dr. Enrique Marcatili of Rumson, recently retired from AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel and a pioneer in optical fiber research, delivered a major address Sept. 24 in Cesena, Italy, at a conference sponsored by the Guglielmo Marconi Foundation near the University of Bologna."
- ^ Hoffman, Jan. "Ex-Ballplayer's Comeback From a Near-Death Free Fall", October 19, 1999. Accessed July 28, 2007. "And so to a grand new home, hidden in Rumson, N.J."
- ^ Rob Petitti player profile, National Football League Players Association. Accessed July 23, 2007. "Hometown: Rumson, NJ... Rob Christopher Petitti was a two-time all-division, all-shore, all-county and all-New Jersey Group 1 selection at Rumson-Fairhaven High School in Rumson, N.J. He was a three-year starter as a two-way lineman that recorded 90 tackles over his final two prep campaigns."
- ^ Cotter, Kelly-Jane. "A Daughter's Devotion", Asbury Park Press, June 15, 2008. Accessed July 7, 2008. "Nelson lived with his parents in Ridgewood but the family rented rooms in a house in Rumson during the summer. Riddle enjoyed the teen music scene in Rumson so much that he asked to spend his last year of high school in the borough. He and his mother stayed in the rental, and his father visited on weekends."
- ^ Many celebrities seek respite from Hollywood's hoopla, Gainesville Sun by Amy Reinink. "Bruce Springsteen made a name for himself singing about the downtrodden working man in the swamps of Jersey, and still lives in Rumson, N.J., in the county where he was born."
- ^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9505E4DE123DF930A15752C0A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
- ^ Beckerman, Jim. "A Fuzzy Nightmare, Brought to Screen", The Record (Bergen County), April 7, 1996. Accessed December 13, 2007. "We were literally rolling a 20-foot peach, says Selick, a Rumson native..."
- ^ Nash, Margo. "Jersey Footlights", The New York Times, March 24, 2002. Accessed July 7, 2008. "The rubbery reptiles powered by compressors roll their eyes, snort and move ever so slightly. After a day of painting near a stegosaurus snorting nneerrr, every minute or so, Mr. Steadman said, he got in the habit of snorting himself, even after returning to his home in Rumson."
External links
New home construction in Rumson.
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New Borough Hall construction.
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Battle of Black Point Historical Marker.
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Rumson World War I Memorial.
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"Teddy's Playground" in local park.
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