South Orange, New Jersey

South Orange, New Jersey. Located in Essex County, New Jersey, it is a vibrant village with a rich history, home to Seton Hall University, Columbia High School (New Jersey), and the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The village has a strong connection to nearby Newark, New Jersey, Maplewood, New Jersey, and West Orange, New Jersey, with many residents commuting to these cities for work or education. The village is also close to New York City, with many residents traveling to the city for entertainment, culture, or business, often passing through Penn Station (New York City) or Port Authority Bus Terminal.

History

The history of the village dates back to the 17th century, when it was part of the Elizabethtown Tract, a large tract of land purchased by John Ogden (pioneer) and other settlers from the Lenape Native American tribe. The village was later part of the Newark Township, New Jersey, before becoming an independent village in 1869, with the help of notable figures such as Theodore Dwight Weld and Angelina Grimké. During the American Civil War, the village was a stop on the Underground Railroad, with many abolitionists, including William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass, passing through the area. The village has also been home to many notable events, including the 1967 Newark riots, which affected nearby Newark, New Jersey, and the 2000 United States presidential election, which saw Al Gore and George W. Bush campaign in the state.

Geography

The village is situated in the Rahway River valley, with the Rahway River flowing through the village, and is surrounded by the Watchung Mountains to the west and the Newark Bay to the east. The village is bordered by Maplewood, New Jersey to the north, West Orange, New Jersey to the west, and Newark, New Jersey to the east, with New York City located just a few miles away, accessible by New Jersey Transit or Amtrak. The village has a number of parks and nature reserves, including the South Mountain Reservation, which offers hiking and biking trails, as well as stunning views of the New York City skyline and the Hudson River. The village is also close to the Newark Liberty International Airport, which provides flights to destinations around the world, including John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the village had a population of 16,198, with a diverse range of residents, including African Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Asian Americans, and European Americans. The village has a strong sense of community, with many residents involved in local organizations, such as the South Orange Village Center Alliance and the South Orange-Maplewood School District. The village is also home to a number of cultural events, including the South Orange International Film Festival and the South Orange Farmers Market, which features produce from local farms, such as Duke Farms and The Frelinghuysen Arboretum.

Government

The village is governed by a Mayor-council government, with a Mayor of South Orange, New Jersey and a six-member South Orange Village Council. The village is also part of the Essex County, New Jersey government, with residents electing representatives to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The village has a number of community organizations, including the South Orange Police Department and the South Orange Fire Department, which work to keep the village safe, along with neighboring departments, such as the Newark Police Department and the Maplewood Police Department.

Education

The village is served by the South Orange-Maplewood School District, which operates several schools, including Columbia High School (New Jersey), Maplewood Middle School, and South Orange Middle School. The village is also home to Seton Hall University, a private Catholic university founded by James Roosevelt Bayley and William Theodore Council, which offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including degrees from the Stillman School of Business and the Seton Hall University School of Law. The village has a number of other educational institutions, including the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Rutgers University-Newark, which offer programs in fields such as engineering, business, and law, with notable alumni, including Queen Noor of Jordan and Cory Booker.

Notable people

The village has been home to many notable people, including Presidents of the United States, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who often visited the village, as well as Supreme Court justices, such as William Rehnquist and Sandra Day O'Connor, who have ties to the village. The village has also been home to many notable actors, including Michael Imperioli and Cynthia Nixon, who have appeared in films and television shows, such as The Sopranos and Sex and the City. Other notable residents include musicians, such as Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, who have performed at venues, such as the Prudential Center and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and authors, such as Philip Roth and Richard Ford, who have written about the village and its surroundings, including the New Jersey Shore and the Delaware River. The village has also been home to many notable athletes, including Paul Robeson and Shaquille O'Neal, who have competed in sports, such as football and basketball, at venues, such as MetLife Stadium and Prudential Center.