Lambertville

Lambertville, New Jersey
—  City  —
Map of Lambertville in Hunterdon County. Inset: Location of Hunterdon County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Lambertville, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°22′07″N 74°56′35″W / 40.368563°N 74.943049°W / 40.368563; -74.943049Coordinates: 40°22′07″N 74°56′35″W / 40.368563°N 74.943049°W / 40.368563; -74.943049
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Hunterdon
Incorporated	March 1, 1849
Government[1]
• Type	Faulkner Act (Small Municipality)
• Mayor	David M. DelVecchio (term ends December 31, 2013)[2]
Area[3]
• Total	1.298 sq mi (3.359 km2)
• Land	1.154 sq mi (2.988 km2)
• Water	0.144 sq mi (0.372 km2)  11.07%
Elevation[4]	79 ft (24 m)
Population (2010 Census)[5][6][7]
• Total	3,906
• Density	3,386.1/sq mi (1,307.4/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	08530[8]
Area code(s)	609 Exchanges: 397, 773
FIPS code	34-38610[9][10]
GNIS feature ID	0885271[11][3]
Website	http://www.lambertvillenj.org

Lambertville is a city in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 3,906.^[5][6][7]

Lambertville was originally incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1849, from portions of West Amwell Township. The area was reincorporated as a city on March 26, 1872.^[12]

Lambertville is located on the Delaware River in the southwestern portion of Hunterdon County. During the 18th century, the City was named after various operators of ferries across the river to Pennsylvania, ultimately becoming known as Coryell's Ferry, after Emanuel Coryell who owned the Ferry. Coryell's Ferry was the western terminus of the New Jersey portion of the York Road (which is now known as U.S. Highway 202) connecting New York City and Philadelphia. The City was named Lambertville in 1814 when the post office was established, in honor of John Lambert, a local resident, who had served as United States Senator and Acting Governor of New Jersey.^[13]

History

The Delaware River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal were instrumental in the prosperity of Lambertville. In June 1834, the opening of the canal was celebrated with a barge ride from Trenton to Lambertville. The canal's completion was not without hardship. 4,000 Irish immigrants were hired to dig the canal with pick and shovel. During the construction an epidemic of cholera broke out and dozens of men were buried along the banks of the canal and the Delaware River.

Since the 19th century, Lambertville, due to its proximity to the canal and the (now defunct) United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company, became a factory town where the range of products produced went from underwear to rubber bands. After the introduction of the automobile (and of course trucks) made the canals and, ultimately, the railroad obsolete, the factories shut down, one by one.

The town lagged for a long time, most definitely the poorer sibling to its sister city, New Hope, Pennsylvania, which lies across the Delaware River. In the 1970s, young people who had grown up in Lambertville but left to make their fortunes returned with a mission—to re-energize their home town. Ultimately, pioneers like the Jonsdottir art gallery, Hamilton Grill (still the city's most renowned restaurant) and the Lambertville Station eatery (a hotel soon followed), the city began to attract artists and other creative types. These days, much of its 18th and 19th century flavor remains—particularly in its houses, many of which have been restored. The town has become a tourist destination, with many shops, galleries, restaurants, and B&Bs. The canal path offers cyclists, joggers and walkers a level place to exercise and enjoy views of the canal and Delaware River in all seasons.

Geography

Lambertville is located at 40°22′07″N 74°56′35″W / 40.368563°N 74.943049°W / 40.368563; -74.943049 (40.368563,-74.943049). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 1.298 square miles (3.359 km²), of which, 1.154 square miles (2.988 km²) of it is land and 0.144 square miles (0.372 km²) of it (11.07%) is water.^[14] The city borders Delaware Township and West Amwell Township.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal in Lambertville

The Delaware and Raritan Canal flows through the western half of Lambertville, running parallel to the Delaware River. Sections of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park are also located in the city, which include trails and bridges.

Demographics

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 3,906 people, 1,958 households, and 896.8 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,386.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,307.4 /km²). There were 2,075 housing units at an average density of 1,798.8 per square mile (694.5 /km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.30% (3,566) White, 1.95% (76) African American, 0.20% (8) Native American, 1.31% (51) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 4.12% (161) from other races, and 1.13% (44) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.75% (381) of the population.^[5]

There were 1,958 households out of which 15.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.2% were non-families. 41.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.72.^[5]

In the city the age distribution of the population shows 13.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 36.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.^[5]

2000 Census

As of the census^[9] of 2000, there were 3,868 people, 1,860 households, and 939 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,408.6 people per square mile (1,321.6/km²). There were 1,961 housing units at an average density of 1,728.1 per square mile (670.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.65% White, 1.94% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.10% of the population.^[17]

There were 1,860 households out of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.5% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. 3.7% have unmarried partners. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.82.^[17]

In the city the population was spread out with 15.4% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.^[17]

The median income for a household in the city was $52,647, and the median income for a family was $80,669. Males had a median income of $47,313 versus $40,369 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,267. About 4.5% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.^[17]

Government

Local government

Lambertville City Hall, which was constructed in 1871 and has been preserved by the New Jersey Historic Trust^[18]

Lambertville is the only city in Hunterdon County and is governed by the Faulkner Act (Small Municipality) form of government. The Faulkner Act allows municipalities to adopt a Small Municipality form of government only for municipalities with a population of under 12,000. The government consists of a Mayor and a four-member City Council, with all positions elected at large in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. Council members serve a term of three years, which are staggered so that one or two seats come up for election each year.^[1]

The Mayor exercises executive power of the municipality. The Mayor presides over Council with voice and vote, but has no veto powers; Exercises executive power of the municipality; Appoints Council committees; Appoints municipal clerk, attorney, tax assessor, tax collector and the treasurer, all with Council confirmation. The Council exercises legislative power of the municipality and also approves Mayor's appointees for municipal clerk, attorney, tax assessor, tax collector and treasurer.

As of 2011^[update], the Mayor of Lambertville is David M. Del Vecchio. Members of the City Council are Council President Steven M. Stegman, Beth Asaro, Wardell Sanders, Jr. and Elaine Warner.^[19]

Federal, state and county representation

Lambertville is in the 12th Congressional district^[20] and is part of New Jersey's 15th state legislative district.^[6][21]

New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District is represented by Rush D. Holt, Jr. (D, Hopewell Township).^[22] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 15th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Shirley Turner (D, Lawrence Township, Mercer County) and in the General Assembly by Reed Gusciora (D, Trenton) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, Ewing Township).^[23] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).^[24] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).^[25]

Hunterdon County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who serve three-year terms of office at-large, with either one or two seats up for election each year on a staggered basis.^[26] As of 2011, Hunterdon County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Matt Holt (Clinton Town), Freeholder Deputy Director Robert Walton (Hampton), William Mennen (Tewksbury Township),George B. Melick (Tewksbury Township), and Ronald Sworen (Frenchtown).^[27]

Transportation

The New Hope-Lambertville Toll Supported Bridge

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission operates the free New Hope-Lambertville Toll Supported Bridge that connects PA 179 in New Hope, PA and NJ 179 while the New Hope-Lambertville Toll Bridge is over the line in Delaware Township. Other major roads that pass through include Route 29, Route 165, U.S. Route 202 and CR 518.

While there are no interstates that pass through, there are several nearby, such as Interstate 78 in Franklin Township and Interstate 95 in Hopewell Township.

Education

The Lambertville City School District serves students in public school for prekindergarten through grade six. Lambertville Public School had an enrollment of 159 students as of the 2009-10 school year.^[28]

Public school students in grades 7 to 12 attend the South Hunterdon Regional High School in Lambertville, part of the South Hunterdon Regional High School District, which served 348 students in southern Hunterdon County in the 2009-10 school year.^[29] Students from Lambertville, Stockton and West Amwell Township attend South Hunterdon Regional High School.^[30]

Community

Annually, in April or May, the city celebrates the return of the shad, a fish popular in the area. The festival includes vendors' booths and others of the like focusing on the area arts community.^[31]

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Lambertville include:

• Bradley M. Campbell (born c. 1961), former head of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.^[32]
• James Gould Cozzens (1903–78), novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner.^[33]
• Elsie Driggs (1898–1992), painter mostly known for her contributions to the Precisionism movement of the 1920s.^[34]
• Jamie Fox (born 1954), political strategist.^[35]
• William Crane Gray, elected first Bishop of the Episcopal Missionary Jurisdiction of Southern Florida in 1892.^[36][37]
• Harry Haenigsen (1900–90), cartoonist best known for his comic strip Penny.^[38]
• William Holcombe (1804–70), first Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota.^[39]
• John E. Hunt (1908–89), represented New Jersey's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1967 to 1975.^[40]
• John Lambert (1746–1823), politician and namesake of Lambertville.^[13]
• Samuel Lilly (1816–80), represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district from 1853 to 1855. Lilly served as the first mayor of Lambertville, serving in office from 1849–1852.^[41]
• Anne Marie Macari, poet.^[42]
• James W. Marshall (1810–85), discoverer of gold at Sutter's Mill in California in 1848.^[43]
• Bror Julius Olsson Nordfeldt (1878-1955), Swedish-born, American artist best known for his seascapes and depictions of New Mexico’s indigenous culture.^[44]
• Erik Peterson (born 1966), member of the New Jersey General Assembly.^[45]
• John Runk (1791–1872), represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1845–1847.^[46]
• Gerald Stern (born 1925), poet and Poet Laureate of New Jersey from 2000 to 2002 ^[47][48]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lambertville, New Jersey

• Official web page for the City of Lambertville
• Hunterdon County web page for Lambertville
• Lambertville Public School
• Lambertville Public School's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Lambertville Public School, National Center for Education Statistics
• Lambertville Chamber of Commerce
• Lambertville Historical Society
• New Hope-Lambertville Route 202 Toll Bridge article at the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission website
• New Hope-Lambertville Toll Supported Bridge article at the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission website
• Art Chatter - Local artists and galleries in the New Hope-Lambertville areas
• Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance

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