Cedar Grove, New Jersey

Cedar Grove, New Jersey is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, located approximately 18 miles west of New York City and near the Passaic River. The township is home to several historic sites, including the Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove and the Cedar Grove Township Municipal Building, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cedar Grove is also close to the Essex County Park System, which includes Branch Brook Park, Verona Park, and Glenfield Park. The township is bordered by Montclair, New Jersey, Verona, New Jersey, Little Falls, New Jersey, and North Caldwell, New Jersey.

History

The area now known as Cedar Grove Township, New Jersey was originally settled by the Lenape Native American tribe, who were later displaced by Dutch West India Company colonists. The township was officially formed in 1892 from portions of Verona Township, New Jersey and Montclair, New Jersey, and was named after the numerous cedar trees in the area. During the American Revolutionary War, the township was a key location for Continental Army troops, who were led by George Washington and Nathanael Greene. The township is also home to the Cedar Grove Historical Society Museum, which showcases the history of the area and is affiliated with the New Jersey Historical Society and the Smithsonian Institution. Nearby historic sites include the Thomas Edison National Historical Park and the Morristown National Historical Park.

Geography

Cedar Grove Township, New Jersey is located in the New York metropolitan area and is situated near the Watchung Mountains. The township has a total area of 4.5 square miles and is bordered by the First Watchung Mountain to the east and the Second Watchung Mountain to the west. The Garden State Parkway and U.S. Route 46 pass through the township, providing access to nearby cities such as Newark, New Jersey and Paterson, New Jersey. The township is also close to the Delaware River and the Hudson River, which offer scenic views and recreational opportunities. Nearby parks and nature reserves include the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the High Point State Park, and the Stokes State Forest.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Cedar Grove Township, New Jersey was approximately 12,411 people, with a population density of 2,700 people per square mile. The township has a diverse population, with a mix of Italian-American, Irish-American, and German-American residents. The median household income in the township is around $83,000, and the median home value is approximately $340,000. The township is also home to a number of community organizations, including the Cedar Grove Rotary Club, the Cedar Grove Lions Club, and the Cedar Grove Chamber of Commerce. Nearby institutions include the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Rutgers University, and the Seton Hall University.

Government

The government of Cedar Grove Township, New Jersey is a Faulkner Act (Optional Municipal Charter Law) form of government, with a Mayor and a five-member Township Council. The township is also part of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Richard Codey and in the New Jersey General Assembly by John McKeon and Mila Jasey. The township has a number of community services, including the Cedar Grove Police Department, the Cedar Grove Fire Department, and the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad. Nearby government institutions include the Essex County Courthouse, the New Jersey State House, and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Education

The Cedar Grove School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and includes Cedar Grove High School, Memorial Middle School, and several elementary schools. The district is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the New Jersey School Boards Association. The township is also home to a number of private schools, including the Cedar Grove Catholic School and the Montclair Kimberley Academy. Nearby institutions include the Caldwell University, the Bloomfield College, and the New Jersey City University. The township is also close to the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress.

Notable people

Cedar Grove Township, New Jersey is the hometown of several notable individuals, including Joe Piscopo, a comedian and actor who appeared on Saturday Night Live, and Chris Wragge, a news anchor who worked for CBS News and NBC News. The township is also the former home of William Carlos Williams, a poet and writer who was associated with the Imagist movement and the Beat Generation. Other notable residents include Allen Ginsberg, a poet and writer who was a leading figure in the Beat Generation, and William Burroughs, a writer and artist who was known for his experimental style. Nearby notable institutions include the Princeton University, the Columbia University, and the Yale University. The township is also close to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Guggenheim Museum.