Maplewood, New Jersey


Maplewood is a suburban township in Essex County, New Jersey, 12 miles west of Manhattan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 23,867, reflecting a decline of 1 person from the 23,868 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 2,216 from the 21,652 counted in the 1990 Census.

History

When surveying the area now known as Maplewood, Robert Treat found several trails used by Lenape tribes of Algonquian Native Americans, though there was only sparse pre-European settlement. These paths form the basis for what are the township's main thoroughfares today.
The first European settlers arrived around 1675, primarily English, Dutch and French Puritans who had earlier settled Hempstead, Long Island, and Stamford, Connecticut, via Newark and Elizabeth. They had acquired most of today's Essex County from the Native Americans and followed three trails that roughly correspond to South Orange Avenue, Springfield Avenue and Ridgewood Road. These three routes resulted in the development of three separate communities that coalesced to become Maplewood and South Orange. Those who came from Newark on the trail that now corresponds to South Orange Avenue settled the area that became South Orange village.
Six families came up today's Ridgewood Road and established scattered farms around a center that became Jefferson Village, named after Thomas Jefferson. This settlement, which roughly corresponds to downtown Maplewood today, developed several mills and orchards. John Durand, the son of Hudson River school painter Asher Brown Durand, describes the place as a picturesque but slightly backward community with close ties to Springfield. The apple harvest was apparently quite impressive and included the "Harrison" and "Canfield" varieties. By 1815, there were approximately 30 families in the community. Although the residents of the area were predominantly Presbyterian, the first house of worship was a Baptist chapel in 1812. This was in use until 1846 and fell into disrepair until 1858, when it was taken into use as a Methodist Episcopal church.
Those who came up today's Springfield Avenue settled on a hill crest near today's intersection between Tuscan and Springfield Avenue and established a hamlet known as North Farms. Over time, this community became known as the Hilton section. It became a stagecoach stop between Newark, Jersey City, and Morristown and thereby a center for trade and light manufacturing. The village changed its name from North Farms to Middleville in 1830, and then to Hilton in 1880 when it was granted a post office. In 1855, Seth Boyden settled in what was then Middleville to retire but innovated a number of agricultural products, especially berries. Boyden also built and put into operation the first steam engines to service the railroad through Maplewood. The area became known for its orchards and related industries, including cider mills and rum distilleries, as well as honey and livestock.
In 1802, Jefferson Village and North Farms were named as districts within the Township of Newark.
The three communities developed and functioned independently, each establishing their own school associations: South Orange established the Columbian School in 1814, which would form the basis of Columbia High School; North Farms established the North Farms Association in 1817; and Jefferson Village the Jefferson Association in 1818. In 1867, when the State of New Jersey established public education through the School Law, the newly appointed County Superintendent merged the three associations into one school district, which was formalized in 1894 as the South Orange-Maplewood School District. James Ricalton, a teacher born in New York of Scottish parents who became the school district's first permanent teacher, helped set the high standard of education that persists in the school district to this day.
Maplewood was originally formed as South Orange Township, which was created on April 1, 1861, from portions of Clinton Township and what was then the Town of Orange. Portions of the township were taken to form South Orange village and Vailsburg borough The name of the township was changed to Maplewood on November 7, 1922.
When the Morris and Essex Railroad from Newark was extended to the area in 1838, a land speculator by the name of John Shedden built a railroad station in Jefferson Village and named it Maplewood. This name came to comprise areas known as Hilton, Jefferson Village, and areas previously part of Springfield. In 1868, farms were subdivided into parcels for residential housing and the area became a commuter suburb. The 1920s saw significant growth in new residents and structures.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 3.879 square miles, including 3.877 square miles of land and 0.002 square miles of water. A pond is in Memorial Park, the Rahway River runs through the township and there is a municipal pool club with four man-made pools of water; the remainder of the area is land.
The township shares a border with West Orange and South Orange to the north, Newark and Irvington to the east, Union to the south, and Millburn to the west.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Hilton and Valley View.

Climate

Maplewood has a Warm-summer humid continental climate.

Demographics

Census 2010

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $101,463 and the median family income was $122,102. Males had a median income of $83,656 versus $57,422 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,404. About 1.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 23,868 people, 8,452 households, and 6,381 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,207.1 people per square mile. There were 8,615 housing units at an average density of 2,240.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 58.78% White, 32.63% Black, 0.13% Native American, 2.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races, and 4.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.23% of the population.
There were 8,452 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the township, the age distribution of the population shows 28.0% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $79,637, and the median income for a family was $92,724. Males had a median income of $57,572 versus $41,899 for females. The per capita income for the township was $36,794. 4.4% of the population and 3.4% of families were below the poverty line. 4.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

In 2018 Brooke Lea Foster of The New York Times described Maplewood as one of several "least suburban of suburbs, each one celebrated by buyers there for its culture and hip factor, as much as the housing stock and sophisticated post-city life."

Performance venues

The township owns and operates the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts at 10 Durand Road. The Center, a former Christian Science Church, was donated to the town by Jean Burgdorff, a local real estate entrepreneur. The building was transferred to the town on October 15, 1988. In 2008, the township committed to a $130,000 plan to improve the building.

Maplewoodstock

Every year, on the weekend following the weekend closest to July 4, there is a concert in town called Maplewoodstock. The free concert consists of local and national bands performing alongside various stalls showcasing local businesses.

Architecture and landscape

Many of the more recognizable buildings and spaces were the work of famous architects and landscape designers. Most of the schools and the Municipal Building were the work of Guilbert & Betelle. The center of town is dominated by Memorial Park, a design of the Olmsted Brothers. The Olmsted firm was also responsible for the landscaping at Ward Homestead, designed by John Russell Pope, and now known as Winchester Gardens, located on Elmwood Avenue. On the opposite side of town is another Olmsted work, South Mountain Reservation. The Maplewood Theater, designed by William E. Lehman, was where Cheryl Crawford first revived Porgy and Bess.

Popular culture

Fishing and canoeing is available on the East Branch of the Rahway River, which travels through the township.

Government

Local government

Maplewood is governed under the Township form of government, one of 141 of 565 municipalities statewide that use this form. The governing body is a Township Committee, whose five members are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor for a one-year term, and another to serve as Vice Mayor. The Mayor has the responsibility of Chair for the Township Committee meetings with voice and vote. The Mayor is considered the head of the municipal government.
The Township Committee is the legislative body of the municipality and is responsible for enacting the township's laws. The Township Committee is also an executive body. Under this form of government, the elected Township Committee sets policy and overall direction for the Township. The Township staff, under the direction of the Township Administrator, carries out Committee policy and provides day to day services. The Township Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer and is accountable to the Township Committee.
, members of the Maplewood Township Committee are Mayor Frank E. McGehee, Deputy Mayor Dean Dafis, Nancy Adams, Vic DeLuca and Gregory Lembrich.

Federal, state and county representation

Maplewood is located in the 10th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 27th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 16,399 registered voters in Maplewood, of which 9,306 were registered as Democrats, 1,439 were registered as Republicans and 5,645 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 9 voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 84.4% of the vote, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 14.9%, and other candidates with 0.8%, among the 11,924 ballots cast by the township's 17,391 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.6%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 81.9% of the vote, ahead of Republican John McCain with 16.6% and other candidates with 0.7%, among the 13,003 ballots cast by the township's 16,523 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.7%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 76.3% of the vote, outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 22.7% and other candidates with 0.6%, among the 11,943 ballots cast by the township's 15,289 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 78.1.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 69.0% of the vote, ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 29.6%, and other candidates with 1.4%, among the 7,116 ballots cast by the township's 17,502 registered voters, for a turnout of 40.7%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 72.2% of the vote, ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 20.3%, Independent Chris Daggett with 6.2% and other candidates with 0.8%, among the 8,135 ballots cast by the township's 16,202 registered voters, yielding a 50.2% turnout.

Community

Maplewood is a diverse and family-friendly community. The township has a downtown area alternatively known as "the village" or "Maplewood Center" with a movie theater, several upscale and mid-scale restaurants, a small supermarket, independent café, two liquor stores, a toy store and an independent bookstore. The structure of the downtown is largely unchanged since the 1950s. Maplewood won New Jersey Monthly magazine's Downtown Showdown in 2015, with the editor's noting the community's "myriad boutiques, art galleries and notable restaurants".
Maplewood is home to a gayborhood. In June 2018, Maplewood unveiled permanently rainbow-colored crosswalks to celebrate LGBTQ pride across the full year.
Maplewood counts among its residents a large number of theater professionals working in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, owing to the town's convenient rail access and relatively short commute via train into Manhattan. In 2010, a group of 32 of these actors and technicians formed their own repertory theater company and named it Midtown Direct Rep, after the NJ Transit line on which they all commuted.

Education

Maplewood is part of the unified South Orange-Maplewood School District, together with the neighboring community of South Orange. The district has a single high school two middle schools a central pre-school and neighborhood elementary schools in each municipality. As of the 2017–18 school year, the district's nine schools had an enrollment of 7,234 students and 565.3 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 12.8:1. Schools in the district are
Montrose Early Childhood Center,
Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School,
Clinton Elementary School,
Jefferson Elementary School,
Marshall Elementary School,
South Mountain Elementary School,
South Mountain Elementary School Annex,
Tuscan Elementary School,
Maplewood Middle School,
South Orange Middle School and
Columbia High School.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Essex County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
There are approximately 226 streets within Maplewood. Springfield Avenue is a state highway, and four thoroughfares are Essex County roads.

Public transportation

provides passenger rail service to Maplewood station on the Morristown Line and Gladstone Branch to Newark Broad Street Station, Secaucus Junction and New York Penn Station, with connecting service to Hoboken Terminal.
NJ Transit bus service to Newark on the 25, 37 and 70, and to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 107 route. Independent Bus provided bus service on its 31 route.
The township operates the rush-hour Maplewood Jitney service to and from the train station.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Maplewood include: