Maplewood, New Jersey

Maplewood, New Jersey is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, located about 10 miles west of New York City. The area was originally settled by Lenape Native Americans and was later colonized by English and Dutch settlers, including Robert Treat and John Ogden. Maplewood is situated near the Watchung Mountains and the Passaic River, and is bordered by the towns of Millburn, New Jersey, West Orange, New Jersey, and South Orange, New Jersey. The township is also close to the New Jersey Transit Morris and Essex Lines and the Garden State Parkway.

History

The history of Maplewood dates back to the 17th century, when it was part of the Elizabethtown Tract purchased by John Winthrop and other Puritan settlers from the Lenape Native Americans. The area was later divided into smaller settlements, including Newark, New Jersey and Elizabeth, New Jersey. During the American Revolutionary War, Maplewood was a key location for Continental Army troops, including those led by George Washington and Nathanael Greene. The township was also home to several notable figures, including William Livingston, the first Governor of New Jersey, and Aaron Burr, the third Vice President of the United States. Maplewood was officially incorporated as a township in 1861, and has since grown into a thriving community with a rich history, including its connection to the Underground Railroad and the Women's Suffrage Movement led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

Geography

Maplewood is located in the northern part of Essex County, New Jersey, and is bordered by the First Watchung Mountain and the Second Watchung Mountain. The township has a total area of 3.88 square miles, and is situated near the Passaic River and the Hackensack River. Maplewood is also close to several major highways, including the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 78, and is accessible by public transportation, including the New Jersey Transit Morris and Essex Lines and the New York City Subway. The township's geography is also characterized by its proximity to the New York City metropolitan area, including Manhattan and Brooklyn, and is near several major institutions, including Columbia University and New York University.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Maplewood was approximately 25,000 people, with a diverse range of ages, ethnicities, and incomes. The township has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher, and is home to several major employers, including Prudential Financial and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Maplewood is also a popular destination for families, with several highly-rated schools, including Columbia High School (New Jersey) and South Orange Middle School. The township's demographics are also influenced by its proximity to New York City and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and is near several major cultural institutions, including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Newark Museum.

Government

The government of Maplewood is a Faulkner Act (Optional Municipal Charter Law) Mayor-Council form, with a Mayor of Maplewood, New Jersey and a five-member Township Committee. The township is also part of the Essex County, New Jersey government, and is represented in the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey General Assembly. Maplewood has a strong sense of community, with several active civic associations and community organizations, including the Maplewood Community Coalition and the South Orange-Maplewood School District. The township is also home to several major institutions, including the Essex County College and the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Education

The education system in Maplewood is highly regarded, with several highly-rated schools, including Columbia High School (New Jersey) and South Orange Middle School. The township is served by the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which also includes schools in South Orange, New Jersey. Maplewood is also home to several private schools, including Seton Hall Preparatory School and St. Benedict's Preparatory School. The township's education system is also influenced by its proximity to several major institutions, including Seton Hall University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and is near several major research centers, including the New Jersey Medical School and the Rutgers University.

Notable people

Maplewood has been home to several notable people, including Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author, and Philip Roth, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. The township has also been home to several notable politicians, including Cory Booker, the United States Senator from New Jersey, and Brendan Byrne, the former Governor of New Jersey. Maplewood has also been a popular destination for artists and musicians, including Max Weinberg, the drummer for the E Street Band, and Whitney Houston, the renowned singer. The township is also near several major cultural institutions, including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Princeton University Art Museum, and is home to several notable events, including the Maplewood Arts Festival and the South Orange International Film Festival. Other notable residents include Joe Piscopo, the comedian and actor, Zach Braff, the actor and director, and Rachael Ray, the celebrity chef.