Pequannock Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,888.
Pequannock Township includes neighborhoods known as Pequannock and Pompton Plains, each of which is served by their own separate post office.
Pequannock (in the name of the Township and of the Pequannock River) is thought to have been derived from the Lenni Lenape Native American word "Paquettahhnuake", meaning, "cleared land ready or being readied for cultivation".[7] Pompton has been cited by some sources to mean "a place where they catch soft fish."[8]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 7.2 square miles (18.7 km²), of which, 7.1 square miles (18.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (1.94%) is water.
The Township of Pequannock is located in eastern Morris County, along Route 23, approximately five miles north of the interchange of Route 23 with Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 46. Interstate 287 crosses the northwest corner of the Township, with a full interchange just north of the Township in the Borough of Riverdale. Pequannock Township is located 35 miles West of New York City.[9]
History
The name for the area goes back at least as far as March 1, 1720, when it was referred to as "Poquanick", a precinct in Hunterdon County. Formed as "Poquanock Township" on March 25, 1740 as one of the largest townships in the region, this 6.96-square-mile (18.0 km2) bedroom community composed of Pompton Plains in its northern portion and old Pequannock in its southern was once a vast 176-square-mile (460 km2) region of rural farmland settled by the Dutch after its purchase by Arent Schuyler and associates in 1695 & 1696. The township was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships on February 21, 1798.[10]
Over time, several municipalities were split off from the township:[10]
During the American Revolutionary War, both Comte de Rochambeau & George Washington's troops camped on what is now the site of the Pequannock Valley Middle School. While Washington stayed at the Schuyler-Colfax House in nearby Pompton, unproven oral history states that he attended church services in the First Reformed Church located in Pompton Plains, also known as the Pompton Meeting House, which had been constructed in 1771. The Mandeville Inn, located on the site of where the soldiers had camped during the war, was built in 1788 and was once owned by Garret Hobart, later Vice President of the United States. The stone with the engraved date is now located inside the Pequannock Valley Middle School when the Inn was demolished and replaced with the school in 1950.
During the Civil War, Pequannock was a stop on the underground railroad. The Giles Mandeville House (also built in 1788), a field and quarry-stone structure located at 515 Newark-Pompton Turnpike, which served as a waypoint for many runaway slaves, still stands today in use as the Manse of the adjacent First Reformed Church since 1953.
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1930 |
2,104 |
|
—
|
| 1940 |
2,856 |
|
35.7% |
| 1950 |
5,254 |
|
84.0% |
| 1960 |
10,553 |
|
100.9% |
| 1970 |
14,350 |
|
36.0% |
| 1980 |
13,776 |
|
−4.0% |
| 1990 |
12,844 |
|
−6.8% |
| 2000 |
13,888 |
|
8.1% |
| Est. 2007 |
16,769 |
[3] |
20.7% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[11] |
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 13,888 people, 5,026 households, and 3,829 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,965.1 people per square mile (758.4/km²). There were 5,097 housing units at an average density of 721.2/sq mi (278.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.60% White, 0.30% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.91% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.94% of the population.
There were 5,026 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $72,729, and the median income for a family was $84,487. Males had a median income of $61,093 versus $38,523 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,892. About 2.5% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Since 1957, the Township operates under a Council-Manager Plan E form of government under the Faulkner Act. The Council consists of five members elected at large to three-year terms in office on a staggered basis with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting, the members of the Council elect one of their members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor. The Township Council hires a Township Manager, who serves as the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the Township.[1][12]
Pequannock's Township Council consists of Mayor Nicholas Kapotes (term ends December 31, 2008), Deputy Mayor Joseph L. Jorgensen (2010), Ed Engelbart (2008), Louis A. Skvarca (2010) and Joel D. Vanderhoff (2007).[13]
Federal, state and county representation
Pequannock Township is in the Eleventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 26th Legislative District.[14]
New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District, covering western portions of Essex County, all of Morris County, and sections of Passaic County, Somerset County and Sussex County, is represented by Rodney Frelinghuysen (R, Harding Township). 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 26th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph Pennacchio (R, Pine Brook) and in the Assembly by Alex DeCroce (R, Morris Plains) and Jay Webber (R, Morris Plains).[15] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[16]
Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two or three seats up for election each year.[17] As of 2008[update], Morris County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom,[18] Deputy Freeholder Director Gene F. Feyl,[19] Douglas R. Cabana,[20] William J. Chegwidden,[21] John J. Murphy, James W. Murray[22] and Jack J. Schrier.[23][24]
Education
The Pequannock Township School District serves public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[25] are three K-5 elementary schools — Stephen J. Gerace (366 students), Hillview (399 students) and North Boulevard (364 students) — one middle school grades 6-8 Pequannock Valley Middle School (612 students), and Pequannock Township High School for grades 9-12 (790 students).
Holy Spirit is a Catholic school serving grades PK-8 operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson.[26]. In addition, there is Kolbe Immaculata School (K-12), the Netherlands Reformed Christian School (PK-12) and Chancellor Academy (9-12).
Transportation
Two major roadways exist within the township; Interstate 287 crosses the northwest corner and Route 23 runs near the eastern boundary.
The Mountain View and Lincoln Park New Jersey Transit stations are both near Pequannock, offering service on the Montclair-Boonton Line to Hoboken Terminal.
Bus service is provided by New Jersey Transit on the 193, 194 and 197 lines to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, the 75 line to Newark and local service on the 748 route.[27]
Downtown Pompton Plains is 19.8 miles (31.9 km) from Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth, 14.1 miles (22.7 km) from Teterboro Airport, 13.7 miles (22.0 km) from Morristown Municipal Airport in Hanover Township, 11.5 miles (18.5 km) from Greenwood Lake Airport in West Milford, 6.6 miles (10.6 km) from Essex County Airport and 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from Lincoln Park Airport in Lincoln Park Borough.
Media
Pequannock is served By NYC TV stations. It is served by the newspapers The Star Ledger, The Daily Record, and the Record of Bergen County NJ
Notable residents
Some notable former and current residents include:
- Jason Biggs (born 1978), actor, American Pie - born in Pompton Plains.[28]
- Peter Cameron (born 1959), author.[29]
- Derek Jeter (born 1974), shortstop for the New York Yankees - born in Pequannock.[30]
- Danny Kass (born 1982), Olympic snowboarder, born in Pompton Plains.[31]
- Davana Medina, figure competitor.[32]
- Susan Misner (born 1971), actress who has appeared on films and television, including roles in One Life To Live, The Bronx Is Burning, Rescue Me and Chicago.[33]
- Criss Oliva (1963-1993), lead guitarist and co-founder of Savatage, born in Pompton Plains
- Ryan Ward, actor, Far From Heaven - born in Pequannock
- Karen Young (born 1958), actress.[34]
References
- ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 121.
- ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Pequannock, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Census data for Pequannock township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 5, 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.
- ^ Morris County profile of Pequannock Township, accessed November 9, 2006.
- ^ Town Information - Pequannock, accessed November 9, 2006.
- ^ Ed Englebart
- ^ a b "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 196.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ About Pequannock Township, Pequannock Township, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 26, 2006. Accessed March 3, 2008.
- ^ Township Council 2007, Pequannock Township. Accessed November 8, 2008. Source shows 2007 term-end date for Vanderhoff as of date accessed.
- ^ 2008 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 62. Accessed September 30, 2009.
- ^ 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.
- ^ What is a Freeholder?, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed February 6, 2008.
- ^ Margaret Nordstrom
- ^ Gene F. Feyl
- ^ Douglas R. Cabana
- ^ William J. Chegwidden
- ^ James W. Murray
- ^ Jack J. Schrier
- ^ Meet the Freeholders, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed February 6, 2008.
- ^ Data for the Pequannock Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed October 5, 2008.
- ^ Morris County Elementary / Secondary Schools, Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. Accessed July 26, 2008.
- ^ Passaic County Bus/Rail Connections, New Jersey Transit. Accessed July 19, 2007.
- ^ Kirkland, Bruce. "Jason Biggs proud of American Pie films", Toronto Sun, August 6, 2001. Accessed July 21, 2007. "Biggs, who was born May 12, 1978, in Pompton Plains, N.J., is the son of Gary Biggs, the manager of a shipping firm, and Angela Biggs, a nurse."
- ^ Biography of Peter Cameron, accessed January 3, 2007.
- ^ The Derek Jeter File, USA Today, September 17, 2002.
- ^ Danny Kass profile, United States Ski Team. Accessed June 3, 2007.
- ^ Pasquale, Don. "Pro advice: Davana Medina reveals her secret formula for sexy BI's and TRI's", Muscle & Fitness, December 2005. Accessed June 3, 2007. "CURRENT RESIDENCE Pompton Plains, New Jersey"
- ^ Rohan, Virginia. "Pompton Plains native is having fun as risqué ex-nun", The Record (Bergen County), July 17, 2007. Accessed July 19, 2007. "'I loved growing up in Pompton Plains. It really was a lovely small town. It's not small anymore,' says Misner, who studied dance, from age 11 to 18, with Nancy King at the King Centre for the Performing Arts in Wanaque."
- ^ Dicker, Ron. "Young's Star Rises in Midlife", San Francisco Chronicle, August 27, 2006. Accessed July 21, 2007. "A Pequannock, N.J., native and graduate of Douglass College, the women's school at Rutgers University, Young got her start on a film called 'Deep in the Heart' (1983)."
External links
