Butler, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Butler is a Borough
in Morris County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,539.
Butler was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on March 13, 1901, from portions of Pequannock Township
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.96%) is water.
of 2000, there were 7,420 people, 2,868 households, and 2,024 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,568.9 people per square mile (1,377.3/km2). There were 2,923 housing units at an average density of 1,405.9 per square mile (542.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.89% White, 0.62% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races
, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.11% of the population.
There were 2,868 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples
living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $57,455, and the median income for a family was $66,199. Males had a median income of $45,975 versus $35,815 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $27,113. About 2.5% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
and in 1868 the Newbrough Hard Rubber Company built a factory, both based along the Pequannock River
. These were two significant economic entities that contributed to the growth of the Borough. In 1871, the New Jersey Midland Railroad extended track through Butler from Paterson
, making an important transportation connection for both passengers and freight. The northern terminus for the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway
's passenger service was located at Butler until 1966. The railroad still carries freight through Butler.
The growing town was given the name "Butler" in 1881 after Richard Butler, who had taken ownership of the Hard Rubber Company. A Post Office was established and a larger railroad station was built. This station has been the Borough Museum since about 1977. The Hard Rubber Company eventually merged with other businesses and became the American Hard Rubber Company in 1898. A "Soft" Rubber Company built a factory just along Main Street. The town continued to grow as other factories and supporting businesses were established. The population in 1920 was 2,265 people. By 1950, it was 4,063.
Butler's largest fire began just after midnight, February 26, 1957, when one of the nation's largest rubber reclaiming mills (Pequanoc Rubber Company, Main Street) was destroyed by a blaze estimated to have caused a loss of as much as $3 million at the time. The mill occupied the site on upper Main Street, an irregular shaped complex 600 feet by 300 feet and 3 to 4 stories high; it produced over 100 tons of reusable sheet rubber daily from 200 tons of scrap. One Butler Heights resident remembers the fire being so bright she could read a newspaper in her yard at 3am at a distance of a mile. The glow reportedly was visible for 100 miles, mutual aid response was required by volunteer fire companies from a dozen nearby fire companies.
Numerous organizations exist in town and, along with the neighboring towns of Kinnelon
and Bloomingdale, many "Tri-Boro" organizations serve the area, including the local Little League & Volunteer First Aid Squad.
Butler was the location of a health resort run by Benedict Lust
called "Yungborn" that opened on September 15, 1896.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. 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.
, the Mayor
of Butler is Robert W. Alviene, whose term of office ends December 31, 2013. members of the Borough Council are
Council President Edwin Vath, Robert Fox, Robert Meier, Verdonik Raymond, Stephen Regis and Judith Woop.
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
serves students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Aaron Decker School serves grades K-4 (387 students),
Richard Butler School serves grades 5-8 (266) and
Butler High School
serves grades 9-12 (553). Students from Bloomingdale attend Butler High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship
with the Bloomingdale School District
.
St. Anthony of Padua School is a Catholic school
operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
.
bus service is provided on the 194 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in Midtown Manhattan
and on the 75 to Newark
.
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,539.
Butler was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on March 13, 1901, from portions of Pequannock Township
Pequannock Township, New Jersey
Pequannock Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,888....
.
Geography
Butler is located at 40.999497°N 74.346326°W (40.999497, -74.346326).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), of which, 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.96%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,420 people, 2,868 households, and 2,024 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,568.9 people per square mile (1,377.3/km2). There were 2,923 housing units at an average density of 1,405.9 per square mile (542.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.89% White, 0.62% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.11% of the population.
There were 2,868 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $57,455, and the median income for a family was $66,199. Males had a median income of $45,975 versus $35,815 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $27,113. About 2.5% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
The area now known as Butler was originally called "West Bloomingdale" and was sparsely populated. Water power brought manufacturing entities to the area. In 1857, The Pequannock Valley Paper Company moved from Bergen CountyBergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
and in 1868 the Newbrough Hard Rubber Company built a factory, both based along the Pequannock River
Pequannock River
The Pequannock River is a tributary of the Pompton River, approximately 20 miles long, located in northern New Jersey in the United States....
. These were two significant economic entities that contributed to the growth of the Borough. In 1871, the New Jersey Midland Railroad extended track through Butler from Paterson
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
, making an important transportation connection for both passengers and freight. The northern terminus for the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway
New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway
The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway , also known as the Susie-Q, or simply the Susquehanna, is a Class II American freight railway operating over 500 miles of track in the northeastern states of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It was formed in 1881 from the merger of several...
's passenger service was located at Butler until 1966. The railroad still carries freight through Butler.
The growing town was given the name "Butler" in 1881 after Richard Butler, who had taken ownership of the Hard Rubber Company. A Post Office was established and a larger railroad station was built. This station has been the Borough Museum since about 1977. The Hard Rubber Company eventually merged with other businesses and became the American Hard Rubber Company in 1898. A "Soft" Rubber Company built a factory just along Main Street. The town continued to grow as other factories and supporting businesses were established. The population in 1920 was 2,265 people. By 1950, it was 4,063.
Butler's largest fire began just after midnight, February 26, 1957, when one of the nation's largest rubber reclaiming mills (Pequanoc Rubber Company, Main Street) was destroyed by a blaze estimated to have caused a loss of as much as $3 million at the time. The mill occupied the site on upper Main Street, an irregular shaped complex 600 feet by 300 feet and 3 to 4 stories high; it produced over 100 tons of reusable sheet rubber daily from 200 tons of scrap. One Butler Heights resident remembers the fire being so bright she could read a newspaper in her yard at 3am at a distance of a mile. The glow reportedly was visible for 100 miles, mutual aid response was required by volunteer fire companies from a dozen nearby fire companies.
Numerous organizations exist in town and, along with the neighboring towns of Kinnelon
Kinnelon, New Jersey
Kinnelon is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 10,248. It is a low density, suburban community, with many parks and trails....
and Bloomingdale, many "Tri-Boro" organizations serve the area, including the local Little League & Volunteer First Aid Squad.
Butler was the location of a health resort run by Benedict Lust
Benedict Lust
Benedict Lust, ND, DO, MD , was one of the founders of naturopathic medicine in the first decade of the twentieth century.-Biography:He was born in Michelbach, Germany, in the Black Forest, where he was raised...
called "Yungborn" that opened on September 15, 1896.
Local government
Butler is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. 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.
, the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Butler is Robert W. Alviene, whose term of office ends December 31, 2013. members of the Borough Council are
Council President Edwin Vath, Robert Fox, Robert Meier, Verdonik Raymond, Stephen Regis and Judith Woop.
Federal, state and county representation
Butler is in the 11th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 26th state legislative district. The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
Education
The Butler Public SchoolsButler Public Schools
The Butler Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through 12th grade from Butler, in Morris County, New Jersey, United States....
serves students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are
Aaron Decker School serves grades K-4 (387 students),
Richard Butler School serves grades 5-8 (266) and
Butler High School
Butler High School (New Jersey)
Butler High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Butler, in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Butler Public Schools....
serves grades 9-12 (553). Students from Bloomingdale attend Butler High School as part of a sending/receiving relationship
Sending/receiving relationship
A sending/receiving relationship is one in which a public school district sends some or all of its students to attend the schools of another district. This is often done to achieve costs savings in smaller districts or continues after districts have grown as part of a historical relationship...
with the Bloomingdale School District
Bloomingdale School District
The Bloomingdale School District is a comprehensive public school district serving students in Kindergarten through 8th grade from Bloomingdale, in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States....
.
St. Anthony of Padua School is a Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
The Diocese of Paterson is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, which includes three counties in northern New Jersey: Passaic, Morris, and Sussex. The city of Paterson, third-largest in the state of New Jersey, was chosen as the episcopal see, even though...
.
Transportation
New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
bus service is provided on the 194 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
and on the 75 to Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Butler include:- Kurt AdlerKurt AdlerKurt Adler was an Austrian classical music conductor, chorus master and pianist with a European musical education. He was best known as the chorus master and conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City from 1943 to 1973...
(1907-77), music conductor. - Frederick AldrichFrederick AldrichFrederick Allen Aldrich AB, M.Sc., Ph.D. was a prominent marine biologist and educator. He is best remembered for his research on giant squid....
(1927-91), marine biologistMarine biologyMarine biology is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather...
best known for his research on giant squidGiant squidThe giant squid is a deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by as many as eight species...
. - Benedict LustBenedict LustBenedict Lust, ND, DO, MD , was one of the founders of naturopathic medicine in the first decade of the twentieth century.-Biography:He was born in Michelbach, Germany, in the Black Forest, where he was raised...
(1872-1945), naturopathy pioneer who founded the Yungborn health resort. - Harry L. SearsHarry L. SearsHarry Lloyd Sears Jr. was an American lawyer and Republican Party politician who served for 10 years in the New Jersey Legislature...
(1920-2002), politician who served for 10 years in the New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
.
External links
- Butler Borough website
- Butler Public Schools
- Data for the Butler Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Regional area newspaper