Rahway

Rahway, New Jersey
—  City  —
Rahway highlighted in Union County. Inset; Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Rahway, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°36′26″N 74°16′50″W / 40.607153°N 74.280531°W / 40.607153; -74.280531Coordinates: 40°36′26″N 74°16′50″W / 40.607153°N 74.280531°W / 40.607153; -74.280531
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Union
Incorporated	April 19, 1858
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
• Mayor	Richard B. Proctor (term ends December 31, 2015)[1]
• Administrator	Peter H. Pelissier[2]
Area[3]
• Total	4.028 sq mi (10.434 km2)
• Land	3.897 sq mi (10.094 km2)
• Water	0.131 sq mi (0.340 km2)  3.26%
Elevation[4]	20 ft (6 m)
Population (2010 Census)[5][6][7][8]
• Total	27,346
• Density	7,016.8/sq mi (2,709.2/km2)
Time zone	Eastern Standard Time (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	07065[9]
Area code(s)	732/848
FIPS code	3403961530[10][11][3]
GNIS feature ID	0885363[12][3]
Website	http://www.cityofrahway.com

Elm Ave. looking west, Early 1900s

Rahway ( /ˈrɔːweɪ/) is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Manhattan and 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Staten Island. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 27,346.^[5][6][7]

History

Rahway and the surrounding area were once the home of the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, and tradition states that the city was named after Rahwack, a local tribal chief.^[13] Formal European settlement began in 1664 with the purchase by the English from the Lenape of the Elizabethtown Tract, which encompassed lands from the mouth of the Raritan River and included all of present-day Union County as well as parts of Somerset, Middlesex, Morris and Essex counties. The Seventeenth Century Clark House is one of the oldest buildings in the state.

Rahway saw action during the American Revolutionary War because of its proximity to Staten Island, Elizabethtown and Perth Amboy. In January 1777, rebels were victorious against the British in the Battle of Spanktown, which resulted in the death of some 100 British troops. The battle was named this after Rahway's original name given to it by the first settlers, Spanktown.^[13]

The Merchants' and Drovers' Tavern resides at the corner of St. Georges and Westfield Avenues. The earliest buildings at the site date to 1795 and the property remains one of Rahway's most prominent historical landmarks.^[14] George Washington visited Rahway during his travel to New York City prior to his presidential inauguration in 1789. A marker across the street from the tavern reads:^[15]

Here, on April 23, 1789, on his way to New York City, Washington

was received by troops from Elizabethtown and Newark. He was

entertained at the inn kept by Samuel Smith by gentlemen of the town.

Following the Revolution, Rahway became the home of the first national mint to create a coin bearing the inscription E pluribus unum.^[16] A United States Post Office established in Rahway was one of only six in the entire state in 1791.

Rahway grew due to its location along the major stagecoach and later, railroad lines between New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The navigable Rahway River, which flows through the city, also aided the city's commercial growth.

As immigrants from Britain, Ireland and Germany streamed into what was then Rahway Township in the 1850s, Rahway became incorporated as a city by an act of the State Legislature on April 19, 1858 from portions of Rahway Township in Union and Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County. In 1860, the portion of Rahway that had been part of Middlesex County was transferred to Union. On March 13, 1861, the remainder of Rahway Township became part of Rahway City.^[17]

The first municipal elections for the Mayor and Council were conducted on April 19, 1858, and the Council held its first meeting on May 3, 1858.

The city became home to dozens of major manufacturers, including the Regina Music Box Company, Wheatena, Mershon Bros. and, most importantly, Merck & Co., which was established in Rahway in 1903, when George Merck moved his small chemical company to Rahway from New York City.^[18] The company remained in Rahway through the presidency of George W. Merck and after.

The national decline in industry after World War II led to the closure of most of Rahway's major manufacturing facilities (except for Merck) and a general deterioration of the city's central business district.

Geography

Rahway city is located at 40°36′26″N 74°16′50″W / 40.607153°N 74.280531°W / 40.607153; -74.280531 (40.607153,-74.280531). According to the United States Census Bureau, Rahway city had a total area of 4.028 square miles (10.434 km²), of which, 3.897 square miles (10.094 km²) of it is land and 0.131 square miles (0.340 km²) of it (3.26%) is water.^[19][3]

Rahway is bordered to the Northwest by Clark, to the Northeast by Linden and to the South by Woodbridge in Middlesex County.

The city is home to about ten parks. The best-known park is Rahway River Park, which is maintained by Union County, and is also partially located in Clark. The park hosts a number of baseball fields, picnic areas, a lake and a public pool.^[20]

Rahway River and water tower

The Rahway River travels through Rahway, entering from Clark at Rahway River Park. The river receives the waters of Robinsons Branch at Elizabeth Avenue between West Grand Avenue and West Main Street, and then receives the waters of the South Branch at East Hazlewood Avenue and Leesville Avenue. Finally the river leaves Rahway to enter the city limits of Linden and Carteret before flowing into the Arthur Kill.

Demographics

Census 2010

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 27,346 people, 10,533 households, and 6,815 families residing in the city. The population density was 7,016.8 inhabitants per square mile (2,709.2 /km²). There were 11,300 housing units at an average density of 2,899.5 per square mile (1,119.5 /km²). The racial makeup of the city was 52.30% (14,301) White, 30.93% (8,457) African American, 0.31% (84) Native American, 4.30% (1,175) Asian, 0.02% (5) Pacific Islander, 8.37% (2,288) from other races, and 3.79% (1,036) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.52% (6,433) of the population.^[5]

There were 10,533 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.23.^[5]

In the city the age distribution of the population shows 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.^[5]

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $58,551 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,355) and the median family income was $77,268 (+/- $9,506). Males had a median income of $56,572 (+/- $3,375) versus $47,832 (+/- $3,542) for females. The per capita income for the city was $28,855 (+/- $1,981). About 5.4% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.^[25]

Census 2000

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 26,500 people, 10,028 households, and 6,728 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,642.7 people per square mile (2,564.3/km²). There were 10,381 housing units at an average density of 2,602.2 per square mile (1,004.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.19% White, 27.07% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.58% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.62% from other races, and 3.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.87% of the population.^[24]

There were 10,028 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.24.^[24]

In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.^[24]

The median income for a household in the city was $50,729, and the median income for a family was $61,931. Males had a median income of $41,047 versus $32,091 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,481. About 5.4% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.^[24]

Government

Rahway City Hall

Local government

The City of Rahway is governed under a Mayor-Council system of municipal government under the Faulkner Act.^[26]

Under the City of Rahway's form of government, all executive and administrative authority is vested in the office of the Mayor who appoints the Business Administrator and department directors. The Mayor of Rahway is Richard B. Proctor (Democrat), who was first elected in 2010 and is serving his first term in office.^[27]

The Business Administrator develops an annual budget for the city, manages the city's departments and oversees its employees. This form of government gives citizens a centralized line of authority for the efficient management of the city’s business.^[2]

There are nine members of the Municipal Council, all elected to four-year terms of office. Six members of the council are elected from each of six wards. The other three members are elected to represent the entire city at large, and come up for election at the same time as the mayor.^[28]

As of 2012^[update], members of the Municipal Council are^[29]:

• First Ward - Robert Rachlin
• Second Ward - Michael Cox, Council Vice President
• Third Ward - Jerry Scaturo
• Fourth Ward - David Brown, Council President
• Fifth Ward - Jennifer Wenson Maier
• Sixth Ward - Samson Steinman
• At Large - James Baker
• At Large - Salvatore Mione
• At Large - Nancy Saliga

Federal, state and county representation

Rahway is in the 10th Congressional district^[30] and is part of New Jersey's 20th state legislative district.^[6][31]

New Jersey's Tenth Congressional District was represented by Donald M. Payne (D, Newark), until his death on March 6, 2012.^[32] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 22nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Scutari (D, Linden) and in the General Assembly by Jerry Green (D, Plainfield) and Linda Stender (D, Scotch Plains).^[33] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).^[34] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).^[35]

Union County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year, with an appointed County Manager overseeing the operations of the county.^[36] As of 2012, Union County's Freeholders are Chairman Alexander Mirabella (Fanwood, term ends December 31, 2012),^[37] Vice Chairman Linda Carter (Plainfield, 2013),^[38] Angel G. Estrada (Elizabeth, 2014),^[39] Christopher Hudak (Linden, 2014),^[40] Mohamed S. Jalloh (Roselle, 2012),^[41] Bette Jane Kowalski (Cranford, 2013),^[42] Deborah P. Scanlon (Union Township, 2012),^[43] Daniel P. Sullivan (Elizabeth, 2013)^[44] and Vernell Wright (Union Township, 2014).^[45][46]

Education

The Rahway Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics^[47]) are four PreK-5 elementary schools — Grover Cleveland School (302 students), Franklin School (549), Madison School (310) and Roosevelt School (650) — Rahway Middle School (844) for grades 6-8 and Rahway High School (1,204) for grades 9-12.

Transportation

Highways

Rahway is served by U.S. Route 1/9, and Route 27. The city is sandwiched in between the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, which are each located about two miles outside of the city limits.

Public transportation

New Jersey Transit 115 route provides local service and interstate service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with service on the 62 line to Elizabeth, Perth Amboy and Newark.^[48]

Rahway Train Station serves New Jersey Transit's North Jersey Coast Line and Northeast Corridor Line. The City of Rahway and New Jersey Transit helped fund a US$16 million renovation for the station in 1999 and a public plaza in front of the station was completed in 2001, changes that have spurred cleanup and revitalization downtown.^[49] A new US$11.2 million 524-space parking deck opened across the street from the station in January 2005, helping train commuters and allowing the city to transform old parking lot space into new buildings and residences.^[50] A typical train ride to New York City’s Pennsylvania Station takes 40 minutes.

Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport is located 10.2 miles (16.4 km) northeast of Rahway, approximately a 20 minute drive by car.^[51]

Downtown revitalization

Rahway Public Library, 2006

Beginning in the early 1990s and continuing through the present day, the City of Rahway has rebounded as its downtown began to see the construction of new restaurants, art galleries, market-rate housing and the old Rahway Theatre reopening as the Union County Performing Arts Center]. The theater underwent a $6.2-million renovation and expansion project, completed in 2007. As part of the expansion, the facility was purchased by the County of Union for $1.3 million and leased back for $1 a year.^[52]

In September 1999, remnants of Hurricane Floyd swept across New Jersey and caused severe damage. The Rahway Public Library was on a flood plain and suffered over US$1 million in flood damage. The building was demolished in October 2001 and a new library was constructed and opened on March 22, 2004, behind the city's municipal building along a less flood-prone area of the Rahway River.^[53] The area where the former Rahway Public Library now contains tennis courts and a small playground.

East Jersey State Prison

East Jersey State Prison, formerly known as Rahway State Prison, actually is located in Woodbridge Township at the border with Rahway. The prison's mailing address is in Rahway, leading many to believe the facility was located there. The prison's official name was changed to East Jersey State Prison as of November 30, 1988, at the request of the citizens of Rahway.^[54] East Jersey State Prison is seen at the beginning of the movie, Ocean's Eleven, starring George Clooney. The 1989 movie Lock Up, starring Sylvester Stallone, also was filmed there.^[55]

Noted residents

• Clifford P. Case (1904–82), Representative of the Sixth District of New Jersey in the House of Representatives (1945–1954), United States Senator (R-N.J.) 1955-1979.^[56]
• Abraham Clark (1725–94), signer of the Declaration of Independence, is buried at the Rahway Cemetery.^[57]
• Earl Clark (born 1988), McDonald's High School All-American basketball player who attended the University of Louisville.^[58]
• Joseph T. Crowell (1817–91), Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and President of the New Jersey Senate.^[59]
• Milton Friedman (1912–2006), economist and Nobel Prize winner, was born in New York City but raised in Rahway.^[60]
• Antonio Garay (born 1979), Defensive Tackle for the San Diego Chargers.^[61]
• Wayne Gilchrest (born 1946), U.S. Congressman, was born in Rahway.^[62]
• Janis Karpinski (born 1953), one the first women Brigadier Generals of the Army and former commander of the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq.^[63]
• Dory Previn (born 1929), lyricist and singer-songwriter, born here (as Dorothy Veronica Langan).^[64]
• Dawn Marie Psaltis (born 1970), professional wrestler.^{[citation needed]}
• Freddie Russo (1924–1987), professional boxer.^[65]
• Eric Roberson (born 1976), R&B and soul singer-songwriter.^[66]
• Carl Sagan (1934–1996), Astronomer, lived in Rahway and was a Rahway High School graduate.^[67] Sagan has his own display case in the library on the second floor.
• Chris Smith (born 1953), U.S. Congressman, was born in Rahway.^[68]
• Dexter Strickland (born 1990), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill basketball player.^[69]
• Kurt Sutter (born 1966), screenwriter, director, producer and actor.^[70]
• Nikola Tesla (1856–1943), formed his company, Tesla Electric Light Company, in Rahway.^[71]
• Allan Vache (born 1953), jazz clarinetist and younger brother of Warren Vache.^[72]
• Warren Vache (born 1951), jazz cornetist and veteran of the groups of Benny Goodman, Rosemary Clooney, Benny Carter, Annie Ross and many other jazz notables who was born in Rahway and still lives there.^[72][73]
• Dr. P. Roy Vagelos (born 1929), Retired Merck & Co. CEO, was a graduate of Rahway High School and lived in Rahway for many years.^[74]
• Carolyn Wells (1862–1942), Author and poet who was born in Rahway and is currently interred in Rahway Cemetery.^[75]
• Emmanuel Yarborough (born 1964), 1995 USA World Sumo Champion.^[76]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rahway, New Jersey

• Official municipal web site
• Rahway Public Schools
• Rahway Public Schools's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
• Data for the Rahway Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Rahway Center Partnership
• Union County Arts Center
• History of the Rahway Train Station
• U.S. Census Bureau
• City-Data

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