Somerville, New Jersey
Somerville, New Jersey | |
---|---|
Borough | |
Borough of Somerville | |
Daniel Robert House -- Borough hall and library | |
Map highlighting Somerville's location within Somerset County. Inset: Somerset County's location within New Jersey | |
Census Bureau map of Somerville, New Jersey | |
Coordinates: 40°34′11″N 74°36′28″W / 40.56975°N 74.607682°WCoordinates: 40°34′11″N 74°36′28″W / 40.56975°N 74.607682°W[1][2] | |
Country | United States |
State | New Jersey |
County | Somerset |
Incorporated | March 25, 1863 (as town) |
Reincorporated | April 16, 1909 (as borough) |
Named for | Somerset, England |
Government[3] | |
• Type | Borough |
• Body | Borough Council |
• Mayor | Brian G. Gallagher (R, term ends December 31, 2019)[4][5] |
• Administrator / Clerk | Kevin Sluka[6] |
Area[1] | |
• Total | 2.362 sq mi (6.118 km2) |
• Land | 2.331 sq mi (6.038 km2) |
• Water | 0.031 sq mi (0.080 km2) 1.31% |
Area rank |
383rd of 566 in state 16th of 21 in county[1] |
Elevation[7] | 62 ft (19 m) |
Population (2010 Census)[8][9][10] | |
• Total | 12,098 |
• Estimate (2015)[11] | 12,202 |
• Rank |
203rd of 566 in state 9th of 21 in county[12] |
• Density | 5,189.5/sq mi (2,003.7/km2) |
• Density rank |
105th of 566 in state 4th of 21 in county[12] |
Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
• Summer (DST) | Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4) |
ZIP codes | 08876[13][14] |
Area code(s) | 908[15] |
FIPS code | 3403568460[1][16][17] |
GNIS feature ID | 0885398[1][18] |
Website |
www |
Somerville is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 12,098,[8][9][10] reflecting a decline of 325 (-2.6%) from the 12,423 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 791 (+6.8%) from the 11,632 counted in the 1990 Census.[19] It is the county seat of Somerset County.[20][21]
Somerville was originally formed as a town on March 25, 1863, within a portion of Bridgewater Township. Somerville was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 16, 1909, based on the results of a referendum held on May 4, 1909, at which point it was fully set off from Bridgewater Township.[22][23]
The borough is named for Somerset in England.[24][25]
History
Early development
Somerville was settled in colonial times primarily by the Dutch who purchased land from the English proprietors of the colony. The Dutch established their church near what is today Somerville and a Dutch Reformed minister or Domine lived at the Old Dutch Parsonage from about 1754. The early village grew up around a church, courthouse and a tavern built at a crossroads shortly after the American Revolution. The name "Somerville" was taken from four brothers of the Somerville family, William, Edward, John and James from Drishane and Castlehaven, County Cork, Ireland, who first founded the town in the 1750s. Somerville was originally a sparsely populated farming community, but rapidly grew after the completion of the railroad in the 1840s and development of water power along the Raritan River in the 1850s. Early industry included brick making from the plentiful red clay and shale on which Somerville is built. While much of the borough features distinctive Victorian architecture in several neighborhoods and along its Main Street, other periods are represented. National Register sites in Somerville include the white marble 1909 Somerville Court House and the wooden and stone colonial Wallace House (today a museum) where George Washington spent a winter during the American Revolutionary War. Near the Wallace House is the Old Dutch Parsonage, where Reverend Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, a founder and first president of Rutgers University, then called Queens College, lived. Register listed Victorian structures include the James Harper Smith Estate (privately owned), St. John's Episcopal Church and rectory, and the Fire Museum (a vintage fire house). Other notable, register eligible structures are the Victorian train station (privately owned) and the municipal building, the former Robert Mansion.[26]
Originally the center of local commerce, the borough has evolved into a destination for boutique retail and dining. Modern highways today surround and traverse Somerville, including U.S. Route 22, U.S. Route 202, U.S. Route 206 and Route 28 and is within 5 miles (8.0 km) of Interstate 287 and Interstate 78, making it an important hub in central New Jersey.
Downtown today
Main Street Somerville maintains most of its historical buildings, although many are now boutique specialty shops and second hand shops. Somerville has quite a diverse and large selection of restaurants that draw people from the surrounding area. In many ways, Somerville remains Somerset County's downtown, and is the heart of its designated Regional Center. Several of the factories in Somerville were abandoned and replaced with modern office buildings or remodeled as apartments. Somerville today and historically has had an important African American community, a distinguished member of which was Paul Robeson. Another famous Somerville native was famed character actor Lee Van Cleef. One of the founders of modern American Dance, Ruth St. Denis, made her professional debut at Somerset Hall, once a vaudeville theatre and today a local restaurant. The mix of modern amenities and an interesting and diverse past make Main Street, Somerville a unique destination for dining, strolling and visiting.
Future redevelopment
The shopping center on the west side of the downtown area was demolished and a new shopping center, town homes and other amenities will be built on the shopping center land and on adjacent land in the former borough landfill to the south. Ground was broken for a new "world class" ShopRite supermarket in March 2011 and opened in November 2011.[27] Borough planners envision a transit village style redevelopment centered around the Somerville train station.[28]
Hurricane Floyd
Somerville was hit hard by Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, despite its having been downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it impacted the vicinity. The borough received a record 13.34 inches (339 mm) of rain over three days during the slow moving storm, causing significant flooding and considerable damage.[29]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.362 square miles (6.118 km2), including 2.331 square miles (6.038 km2) of land and 0.031 square miles (0.080 km2) of water (1.31%).[1][2] The borough's territory is flat land. Somerville borders the Raritan River to the south.
The borough borders Bridgewater Township, Hillsborough Township and Raritan.[30]
Climate
Somerville's climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70s and 80s and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 20s and 30s.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 84.40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 19.10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 22 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 19 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Somerville is 45.93 inches (1,167 mm). Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is July with an average rainfall of 4.81 inches (122 mm).
Climate data for Somerville, New Jersey | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average high °F (°C) | 36.9 (2.7) |
39.8 (4.3) |
49.2 (9.6) |
60.4 (15.8) |
71.0 (21.7) |
79.3 (26.3) |
84.4 (29.1) |
82.3 (27.9) |
74.9 (23.8) |
63.9 (17.7) |
52.9 (11.6) |
41.7 (5.4) |
61.4 (16.3) |
Average low °F (°C) | 19.1 (−7.2) |
20.6 (−6.3) |
28.3 (−2.1) |
37.3 (2.9) |
47.2 (8.4) |
56.5 (13.6) |
61.9 (16.6) |
60.7 (15.9) |
52.8 (11.6) |
40.7 (4.8) |
32.8 (0.4) |
24.8 (−4) |
40.2 (4.6) |
Source: SOMERVILLE 4 NW Weather station (2011). "Somerville, NJ Weather". Somerville, NJ Weather Data. Open Publishing. Retrieved March 28, 2011. |
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1870 | 2,236 | — | |
1880 | 3,105 | 38.9% | |
1890 | 3,861 | 24.3% | |
1900 | 4,843 | 25.4% | |
1910 | 5,060 | 4.5% | |
1920 | 6,718 | 32.8% | |
1930 | 8,255 | 22.9% | |
1940 | 8,720 | 5.6% | |
1950 | 11,571 | 32.7% | |
1960 | 12,458 | 7.7% | |
1970 | 13,652 | 9.6% | |
1980 | 11,973 | −12.3% | |
1990 | 11,632 | −2.8% | |
2000 | 12,423 | 6.8% | |
2010 | 12,098 | −2.6% | |
Est. 2015 | 12,202 | [11][31] | 0.9% |
Population sources: 1870-1920[32] 1870[33] 1880-1890[34] 1890-1910[35] 1910-1930[36] 1930-1990[37] 2000[38][39] 2010[8][9][10] |
2010 Census
The 2010 United States Census counted 12,098 people, 4,591 households, and 2,778 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,189.5 per square mile (2,003.7/km2). The borough contained 4,951 housing units at an average density of 2,123.8 per square mile (820.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 65.64% (7,941) White, 12.15% (1,470) Black or African American, 0.34% (41) Native American, 11.37% (1,375) Asian, 0.07% (9) Pacific Islander, 6.34% (767) from other races, and 4.09% (495) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 23.75% (2,873) of the population.[8]
Out of a total of 4,591 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.20.[8]
In the borough, 21.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years. For every 100 females the census counted 107.3 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 106.7 males.[8]
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $69,836 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,384) and the median family income was $80,461 (+/- $9,281). Males had a median income of $45,929 (+/- $5,005) versus $46,540 (+/- $3,751) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,272 (+/- $2,145). About 3.6% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.[40]
2000 Census
As of the 2000 United States Census[16] there were 12,423 people, 4,743 households, and 2,893 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,262.4 people per square mile (2,032.4/km2). There were 4,882 housing units at an average density of 2,068.0 per square mile (798.7/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 71.21% White, 12.93% African American, 0.19% Native American, 7.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.10% from other races, and 3.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.00% of the population.[38][39]
There were 4,743 households of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18, 44.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 31.4% 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 2.49 and the average family size was 3.15.[38][39]
The borough population consists of 21.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.1 males.[38][39]
The median income for a household in the borough was $51,237, and the median income for a family was $60,422. Males had a median income of $40,585 versus $32,697 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,310. About 4.8% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.[38][39]
Government
Local government
Somerville is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The governing body consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[3] The Borough form of government used by Somerville, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[41][42] The Borough Council elects a member to serve as Council President to act in the absence of the Mayor. Each council member is appointed by the Mayor to one of six standing committee's during the Annual Reorganization Meeting held on January 1 of each year.
As of 2016, the Mayor of Somerville is Republican Brian G. Gallagher, whose term of office expires December 31, 2019. Members of the Somerville Borough Council are Council President Steve Peter (D, 2018), Jane E. Kobuta (D, 2016), Jason Kraska (R, 2017; elected to serve an unexpired term of office), Thompson H. Mitchell (D, 2018), Dennis Sullivan (D, 2017), and Kenneth G. Utter (R, 2016).[4][43][44][45][46][47]
In March 2015, Jason Kraska was chosen by the borough council to fill the vacant seat of Amanda O'Neill, who had resigned from office the previous month after having taken office for a new three-year term in January 2015.[48] He was elected in November 2015 to serve the balance of the term.[45]
Federal, state and county representation
Somerville is located in the 7th Congressional District[49] and is part of New Jersey's 16th state legislative district.[9][50][51] Prior to the 2010 Census, Somerville had been part of the 11th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.[52]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Clinton Township).[53] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021)[54] and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).[55][56]
For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 16th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Christopher Bateman (R, Branchburg) and in the General Assembly by Jack Ciattarelli (R, Hillsborough Township) and Andrew Zwicker (D, South Brunswick). [57] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township).[58] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[59]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Director and Deputy Director from among its members.[60] As of 2016, Somerset County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Patricia L. Walsh (R, Green Brook Township, term ends December 31, 2016)[61], Freeholder Deputy Director Peter S. Palmer (R, Bernardsville, 2017),[62] Patrick Scaglione (R, Bridgewater Township, 2018),[63] Mark Caliguire (R, Skillman in Montgomery Township, 2018),[64] and Brian D. Levine (R, Franklin Township, 2017),[65] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Brett A. Radi (R, Somerville, 2017),[66] Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano (R, Raritan, 2016)[67][68] and Surrogate Frank Bruno (R, Branchburg, 2018).[69]
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 6,565 registered voters in Somerville, of which 1,848 (28.1% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,358 (20.7% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 3,349 (51.0% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 10 voters registered to other parties.[70] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 54.3% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 69.0% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).[70][71]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 62.0% of the vote (2,779 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 36.4% (1,631 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (75 votes), among the 4,516 ballots cast by the borough's 6,952 registered voters (31 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 65.0%.[72][73] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,847 votes (59.9% vs. 52.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,814 votes (38.2% vs. 46.1%) and other candidates with 52 votes (1.1% vs. 1.1%), among the 4,751 ballots cast by the borough's 6,547 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.6% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).[74] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 2,485 votes (53.6% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 2,019 votes (43.6% vs. 51.5%) and other candidates with 58 votes (1.3% vs. 0.9%), among the 4,633 ballots cast by the borough's 5,974 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.6% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).[75]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 59.0% of the vote (1,707 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 38.8% (1,123 votes), and other candidates with 2.2% (64 votes), among the 2,972 ballots cast by the borough's 7,019 registered voters (78 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.3%.[76][77] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,465 votes (46.8% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,265 votes (40.4% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 334 votes (10.7% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.1% vs. 0.7%), among the 3,128 ballots cast by the borough's 6,605 registered voters, yielding a 47.4% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).[78]
Education
The Somerville Public Schools serve students in pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2012-13 school year, the district's three schools had an enrollment of 2,247 students and 180.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.43:1.[79] Schools in the district (with 2012-13 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[80]) are Van Derveer Elementary School[81] (PreK-5; 953 students), Somerville Middle School[82] (6-8; 332) and Somerville High School[83] for grades 9-12 (1,229).[84][85] Students from Branchburg Township attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Branchburg Township School District.[86][87]
Immaculata High School is a private, coeducational, Roman Catholic high school, founded in 1962. The school enrolls approximately 850 students in grades 9 to 12.[88] Immaculate Conception School is a Catholic private coeducational day school, founded in 1957, for students in grades Pre-K through 8.[89] Both schools operate under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.[90]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 36.16 miles (58.19 km) of roadways, of which 30.96 miles (49.83 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.90 miles (3.06 km) by Somerset County and 3.30 miles (5.31 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[91]
U.S. Route 22 runs along the northern boundary of Somerville and offers connections to the state highway network. U.S. Route 206 runs along the western boundary of Somerville, via the Somerville Circle, and provides north/south connections to nearby towns.
Interstate 287 is in neighboring Bridgewater Township and is accessible via US Routes 22 and 202/206.
Public transportation
The Somerville train station[92] offers service on New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line, with frequent service to Newark Penn Station, with connecting service to Penn Station New York in Midtown Manhattan.[93]
The closest airport with scheduled service is Newark Liberty International Airport.
Points of interest
- Duke Gardens - Estate of the late tobacco heiress Doris Duke, located in neighboring Hillsborough.
- The Wallace House New Jersey State Historic House Museum - Washington's Headquarters during the Middlebrook Encampment of 1778-1779.[94]
- Old Dutch Parsonage Hew Jersey State Historic Site - First parsonage of the Dutch Reformed Church in Somerset County and home of Rev. Jacob Hardenburgh, a founder and later first President of Queens College (now Rutgers University).
- The Robert Mansion (Somerville Municipal Building) - National Register Property, Alexander Jackson Davis design, classic example of American Gothic architecture.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Somerville include:
- Alicia Albe (born 1977), competitor in rhythmic gymnastics.[95]
- Mary Ellicott Arnold (1876–1968), social activist, teacher and writer best known for her memoir In the Land of the Grasshopper Song.[96]
- Nicole Arendt (born 1969), professional tennis player.[97]
- Frank Asch (born 1946), author of children's literature.[98]
- Christopher "Kip" Bateman (born 1957), politician who has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2008, where he represents the 16th Legislative District.[99]
- Raymond Bateman (1927–2016), politician who served in the New Jersey Senate in the 1960s and 1970s, who was the Republican nominee for Governor of New Jersey in 1977.[100]
- James J. Bergen (1847–1924), politician who served as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.[101]
- Nicholas L. Bissell, Jr. (1947–1996), county prosecutor of Somerset County who fled to Laughlin, Nevada and took his own life after being charged with embezzlement, tax fraud and abuse of power.[102]
- George H. Brown (1810–1865), represented New Jersey's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1853–1855.[103]
- Clarence E. Case (1877–1961), politician who served as acting Republican Governor of New Jersey in 1920, succeeding William Nelson Runyon.[104]
- Alvah A. Clark (1840–1912), represented New Jersey's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1877–1881.[105]
- Kate Claxton (1848–1924), stage actress.[106]
- Royal Page Davidson (1870–1943), educator and inventor.[107]
- Don Elliott (1926–1984), jazz trumpeter, vibraphonist, vocalist, and mellophone player.[108]
- Kevin Foley (born 1987), professional golfer.[109]
- Gene Freed (1930–2009), bridge player and physician.[110]
- Frederick Frelinghuysen, (1753–1804), lawyer, soldier, and senator from New Jersey.[111]
- Mary Exton Gaston (1855–1956), first female physician in Somerville and a "major force in the borough's development".[112]
- Frederick Wilson Hall (1908–1984), Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1959 to 1975.[113]
- Reggie Harrison (born 1951), former professional American football running back for four seasons in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and St. Louis Cardinals.[114]
- Naomi Jakobsson (born 1941), member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 103rd District since 2003.[115]
- Walter J. Kavanaugh (1933–2008), member of the State Senate who represented New Jersey's 16th Legislative District who had been a successful businessman in Somerville and a life member of the Somerville First Aid & Rescue Squad.[116]
- Joyce Kozloff (born 1942),artist whose politically engaged work has been based on cartography since the early 1990s.[117]
- Joe Lis (born 1946), Major League Baseball player who played for Philadelphia, Minnesota, Cleveland and Seattle.[118]
- John Mack (1926–2006), principal oboist with the Cleveland Orchestra.[119]
- Eric Murdock (born 1968), NBA player for the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Vancouver Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, and the Los Angeles Clippers.[120]
- Steven J. Ostro (1946–2008), scientist specializing in radar astronomy.[121]
- Paul Robeson (1898–1976), actor, athlete, bass-baritone concert singer, writer, civil rights activist, Fellow traveler, Spingarn Medal winner, and Stalin Peace Prize laureate.[122]
- Brian E. Rumpf (born 1964), represents the 9th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly.[123]
- Ruth St. Denis (1879–1968), modern dance pioneer, was born in Somerset County near Somerville.[124]
- William Gaston Steele, (1820–1892), represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district from 1861–1865.[125]
- Lee Van Cleef (1925–1989), actor, featured in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, For a Few Dollars More, Escape from New York and many other films and TV series, was an accountant in his hometown before his movie career began.[126]
- Fred Van Eps (1878–1960), banjoist and early recording artist.[127]
- Mauricio Vargas (born 1992), soccer goalkeeper who plays for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League.[128]
- Frederica von Stade (born 1945), mezzo-soprano.[129]
- Daniel Spader Voorhees (1852–1935), New Jersey State Treasurer from 1907–1913.[130]
- Craig Walsh (born 1971), composer.
- Jon Williams (born 1961), NFL player for the New England Patriots.[131]
- Elinor Wylie (1885–1928), poet and novelist, author of Angels and Earthly Creatures, The Orphan Angel and other works.[132]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 2010 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey County Subdivisions, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 21, 2015.
- 1 2 US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- 1 2 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 77.
- 1 2 2016 Mayor and Borough Council, Borough of Somerville. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ 2016 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed June 14, 2016.
- ↑ Clerk-Administrator/Vital Records, Borough of Somerville. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Somerville, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 14, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Somerville borough, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 3, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 8. Accessed January 6, 2013.
- 1 2 3 Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Somerville borough, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed May 3, 2012.
- 1 2 PEPANNRES - Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 - 2015 Population Estimates for New Jersey municipalities, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 22, 2016.
- 1 2 GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Somerville, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed May 3, 2012.
- ↑ Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed August 30, 2013.
- ↑ Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Somerville, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed August 30, 2013.
- 1 2 American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ↑ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed November 26, 2012.
- ↑ US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ↑ Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ Somerset County, NJ, National Association of Counties. Accessed January 21, 2013.
- ↑ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 225. Accessed May 3, 2012.
- ↑ Somerville History, Borough of Somerville. Accessed August 3, 2006.
- ↑ Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 21, 2015.
- ↑ Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 286. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 21, 2015. "Somerset; counties in Maine, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, named from the county in England."
- ↑ History, Borough of Somerville. Accessed May 3, 2012.
- ↑ Mustac, Frank. "Somerville holds groundbreaking for new ShopRite supermarket; Photo gallery", Independent Press, March 22, 2011. Accessed February 3, 2015.
- ↑ Garlic, Tiffani N. "Somerville named a Transit Village", The Star-Ledger, July 8, 2010. Accessed May 3, 2012. "New Jersey officials hope Somerville being named an official Transit Village community by the state Department of Transportation today will help jump-start the local economy."
- ↑ POST STORM REPORT...HURRICANE FLOYD, National Weather Service. Accessed May 3, 2012.
- ↑ Areas touching Somerville, MapIt. Accessed February 3, 2015.
- ↑ Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 22, 2016.
- ↑ Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed August 13, 2013.
- ↑ Staff. A compendium of the ninth census, 1870, p. 260. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ Porter, Robert Percival. Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75, p. 99. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 338. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 718. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ Table 6. New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed June 28, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Somerville borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Somerville borough, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Somerville borough, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 3, 2012.
- ↑ Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.
- ↑ "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 3, 2015.
- ↑ 2016 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Somerville. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ Somerset County Directory 2016, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 31, 2016.
- 1 2 Somerset County - General Election November 3, 2015 Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 31, 2016.
- ↑ Somerset County - General Election November 4, 2014 Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 31, 2016.
- ↑ Somerset County - General Election November 5, 2013 Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 31, 2016.
- ↑ Deak, Mike. "Kraska fills vacancy on Somerville council; Jason Kraska will fill council vacancy created by resignation of Amanda O'Neill", Courier News, March 17, 2015. Accessed May 19, 2016. "Jason Kraska, of Fairview Avenue, was appointed by the borough council on Monday to the council seat formerly occupied by Amanda O'Neill, who resigned late last month. O'Neill, a Republican, was re-elected to a three-year term on the governing body in November."
- ↑ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
- ↑ 2016 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 64, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed July 20, 2016.
- ↑ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
- ↑ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 64, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.
- ↑ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 5, 2012.
- ↑ About Cory Booker, United States Senate. Accessed January 26, 2015. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
- ↑ Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "He currently lives in Paramus and has two children, Alicia and Robert."
- ↑ Senators of the 114th Congress from New Jersey. United States Senate. Accessed January 26, 2015. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
- ↑ Legislative Roster 2016-2017 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 17, 2016.
- ↑ "About the Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ↑ "About the Lieutenant Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ↑ Somerset County Government: At Your Service, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Patricia Walsh, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016.
- ↑ Peter S. Palmer, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016.
- ↑ Patrick Scaglione, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016. A term-end year of 2015 is listed as of date accessed.
- ↑ Mark Caliguire, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016. A term-end year of 2015 is listed as of date accessed.
- ↑ Brian Levine, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016.
- ↑ Biography: Somerset County Clerk Brett A. Radi, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano, Somerset County Sheriff's Office. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Sheriff, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Somerset County Surrogate, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016. A term-end year of 2015 is listed as of date accessed.
- 1 2 Voter Registration Summary - Somerset, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ 2004 Presidential Election: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ "Governor - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ 2009 Governor: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 14, 2013.
- ↑ District information for Somerville School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 3, 2015.
- ↑ School Data for the Somerville Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed January 14, 2013.
- ↑ Van Derveer Elementary School, Somerville Public Schools. Accessed August 13, 2013.
- ↑ Somerville Middle School, Somerville Public Schools. Accessed August 13, 2013.
- ↑ Somerville High School, Somerville Public Schools. Accessed August 13, 2013.
- ↑ New Jersey School Directory for the Somerville Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 13, 2013.
- ↑ 2013-2014 Somerset County Public School Directory, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed February 3, 2015.
- ↑ Somerville High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 2, 2016. "We proudly serve a diverse population of approximately 1,200 students from the communities of Somerville and Branchburg."
- ↑ Somerset County School Districts-Sending/Receiving/Regional, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 2, 2016. "BRANCHBURG K-8; GRADES 9-12 SENT TO SOMERVILLE"
- ↑ About Us, Immaculata High School. Accessed August 21, 2015.
- ↑ About Us, Immaculate Conception School. Accessed August 21, 2015.
- ↑ Find a school, Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Accessed August 21, 2015.
- ↑ Somerset County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.
- ↑ Somerville station, NJ Transit. Accessed October 25, 2014.
- ↑ Raritan Valley Line, NJ Transit. Accessed October 25, 2014.
- ↑ Walalce House / Old Dutch Parsonage, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Parks and Forestry. Accessed August 13, 2013. "General Washington leased the house for use as his headquarters during the Middlebrook Winter Encampment, December 11, 1778, to June 3, 1779."
- ↑ Alicia Albe, USA Gymnastics. Accessed February 3, 2015.
- ↑ Staff. Frontiers, Volume 15, p. 60. Washington State University Press, 1994. Accessed February 3, 2015. "Mary Ellicott Arnold was born in Staten Island, New York, on April 23, 1876, where she lived until the death of her father in 1882, when the family moved to Somerville, New Jersey."
- ↑ New Jersey Tennis Stars, Hangout NJ. Accessed June 12, 2007. "Nicole Arendt of Somerville turned pro in 1991 and is currently ranked 26 in the world in women's doubles. The Hun School of Princeton graduate holds 16 career Women's Tennis Association (WTA) doubles titles and won the tour sportsmanship award in 1993."
- ↑ Turner, Patricia. "ART FOR CHILDREN AT RUTGERS", The New York Times, December 13, 1981. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Frank Asch of Somerville, who studied at Rutgers and now lives in rural Connecticut"
- ↑ Biography, Senator Kip Bateman. Accessed February 3, 2015. "Senator Christopher 'Kip' Bateman was born on October 9, 1957 in Somerville."
- ↑ "Interviews with Raymond Bateman", Rutgers University Center on the American Governor. Accessed February 3, 2015. "A lifelong resident of Somerset County, Raymond Bateman was born in Somerville on October 29, 1927, and graduated from Somerville High School in 1945."
- ↑ Sackett, William E. Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens: Biographies and Portraits of the Notable Living Men and Women of New Jersey with informing glimpses into the State's History and Affairs, p. 202. J. J. Scannell, 1918. Accessed July 19, 2016. "JAMES J. BERGEN - Somerville - Jurist Born in Somerville on October 1, 1847, son of John J. Bergen and Mary A. (Park) Bergen."
- ↑ Glaberson, William. "In Prosecutor's Rise and Fall, a Story of Ambition, Deceit and Shame", The New York Times, December 1, 1996. Accessed February 3, 2015. "By the time he was a young lawyer in Somerville, N.J., in the 1970's, he was engaged in a long battle to lose weight, which helped drive home the implausibility of his dream of being an athletic hero."
- ↑ George Houston Brown, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed September 1, 2007.
- ↑ "A Political Microcosm", Time, October 18, 1954. Accessed October 4, 2015. "His uncle, Clarence E. Case, now living in retirement in Somerville, was a state senator and for 23 years a State Supreme Court Justice."
- ↑ Alvah Augustus Clark, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed September 3, 2007.
- ↑ James, Edward T.; James, Janet Wilson; Boyer, Paul S. "Notable American women, 1607-1950: a biographical dictionary", p. 345, Harvard University Press, 1971. ISBN 0-674-62734-2. Accessed June 28, 2009.
- ↑ A Thousand American Men of Mark To-day, p. 306. American Men of Mark, 1917. Accessed February 3, 2015. "ROYAL PAGE DAVIDSON, Educator of Lake Geneva, Wis., was born Oct. 9, 1870, in Somerville, N.J."
- ↑ "DON ELLIOT, 57, JAZZ SINGER, VIBRAPHONIST AND COMPOSER", The New York Times, July 6, 1984. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Mr. Elliott, who was born in Somerville, N.J., was a versatile musician who, in addition to vibraphone, played trumpet, bongos, French horn and mellophone, an adaptation of the French horn that allows the performer to project directly at his audience instead of off to one side."
- ↑ Prunty, Brendan. "First Tee: Somerville's Kevin Foley earns PGA Tour card through Web.com Tour success", The Star-Ledger, September 2, 2013. Accessed February 3, 2015. "Somerville native Kevin Foley earned his way onto the PGA Tour last month, by finishing in the Web.com Tour's money list."
- ↑ "Gene Freed 1930-2009", Daily Bulletin of the 81st Summer North American Bridge Championships, July 5, 2009. Accessed February 3, 2015. "Eugene H. Freed was born in 1930 in Somerville NJ to David and Mildred Freed. He lived there until about age 15, when the family moved to San Diego."
- ↑ Frederick Frelinghuysen, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed May 13, 2012.
- ↑ Burstyn, Joan M. Past and Promise: Lives of New Jersey Women, p. 144. Syracuse University Press, 1996. ISBN 9780815604181. Accessed November 15, 2015.
- ↑ Staff. "Frederick W. Hall, 76, FormerJustice in Jersey", The New York Times, July 9, 1984. Accessed July 5, 2016. "Frederick W. Hall, a former associate justice on the New Jersey State Supreme Court and the author of the landmark Mount Laurel zoning decision, died Saturday at the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, N.J. He was 76 years old and lived in Somerville."
- ↑ Reggie Harrison, NFL.com. Accessed October 4, 2015.
- ↑ Representative Naomi D. Jakobsson (IL), Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 6, 2007.
- ↑ Staff. "Walter J. Kavanaugh, former state senator", Asbury Park Press, January 12, 2008. Accessed October 4, 2015. "Born in Bound Brook, on June 30, 1933, Senator Kavanaugh was a lifelong Somerville resident."
- ↑ Joyce Kozoff, United States Department of State. Accessed October 4, 2015. "Born in Somerville, New Jersey, Joyce Kozloff graduated in 1964 from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1967 from Columbia University, New York."
- ↑ Stonger, Karol via Associated Press. "It took seven years, but Joe Lis has finally made it", Eugene Register-Guard, April 3, 1971. Accessed May 15, 2011. "In the off-season he went home to Somerville, working at odd jobs. 'I unloaded freight cars, worked in grocery stores, on track gangs,' he said."
- ↑ "John Mack: 1927 - 2006 - Dean of American oboists. The influence of the principal of the Cleveland Orchestra extended far beyond that city in his many students", Chicago Tribune, July 28, 2006. Accessed August 2, 2007. "John Mack was born in 1927 in Somerville, N.J., and took up the oboe in 6th grade."
- ↑ Eric Murdock, Basketball Reference. Accessed June 28, 2009.
- ↑ Vita Steven J. Ostro, Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Accessed October 4, 2015.
- ↑ Nottle, Diane. "JERSEYANA; Remembering Paul Robeson, in His Jersey Days and Beyond", The New York Times, March 29, 1998. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Later the Robesons settled in Somerville, where he graduated from high school with honors at 16."
- ↑ Assembly Member Brian E. Rumpf, Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 9, 2007.
- ↑ Coelho, Frank. "Bronze landmark plaques to mark historic Somerville buildings", The Messenger-Gazette, January 25, 2011. Accessed May 15, 2011. "AT SOMERSET HALL (now Alfonso's Family Trattoria), Phil Decker, chairman of the Somerville Historic Advisory Committee, shows off a plaque marking the site where Ruth St. Denis (then just Ruth Dennis of Adamsville), the American modern dance pioneer, made her professional debut after a couple of warm-up performances in Adamsville."
- ↑ William Gaston Steele, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 18, 2007.
- ↑ via Associated Press. "Lee Van Cleef, Actor, Dies at 64; Played Villains in Many Westerns", The New York Times, December 17, 1989. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Lee Van Cleef was born in Somerville, N.J., on Jan. 9, 1925. His first job was as a farm worker in his home state. He then worked as an accountant in Somerville before beginning in his movie career in 1950."
- ↑ Fred Van Eps -- Banjoist, Biography by Tim Gracyk. Accessed May 24, 2008.
- ↑ Mauricio Vargas, Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Accessed May 19, 2016. "Vargas' family moved to Costa Rica shortly after his birth in Somerville, New Jersey."
- ↑ Kendall, Leslie. "JERSEY FOOTLIGHTS; Opera Star in Her Home State", The New York Times, April 1, 2001. Accessed May 3, 2012. "Even as a child, Frederica Von Stade, the Somerville-born mezzo-soprano loved to dress up and entertain."
- ↑ Scannell, John James. Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens and State Guide: Biographies of the Notable Living Men and Women of New Jersey with informing glimpses into the State's History, Affairs, Officialism and Institutions 1919-1920 (Volume II), p. 634. J. J. Scannell, 1919. Accessed December 1, 2013. "DANIEL S VOORHEES - Morristown, (32 Maple Avenue) - Lawyer. Born at Somerville, on August 15, 1852."
- ↑ Jon Williams, new England Patriots. Accessed August 13, 2013. "By the time Jon was in third grade, his Dad was in prison on a murder charge. Three of his six siblings would become drug addicts and the streets of Somerville, N.J., were calling for more victims."
- ↑ Staff. "HER WORDS GAIN FAVOR", The Times Leader, June 1, 2003. Accessed April 4, 2011. "According to Elinor Wylie A Biography by Stanley Olson, Wylie was born in 1885 in Somerville, N.J., but spent much of her youth in Philadelphia."
External links
- Borough of Somerville official web site
- Somerville Cable Television
- Downtown Somerville Shopping, Dining & Business Information
- Somerville Public Schools
- Somerville Public Schools's 2014–15 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- School Data for the Somerville Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Somerville Police Department
- Somerset Medical Center
- Somerville Rescue Squad