Newark-Pompton Turnpike
Encyclopedia
The Newark-Pompton Turnpike (now known in portions of its former route as Pompton Avenue, Route 23, and Bloomfield Avenue), is a roadway in northern New Jersey
that was originally a tolled turnpike. The roadway was first laid out in the mid-18th century and given its name in 1806. As originally designed, it connected Newark
with the area north and west of the Pompton River
in what is now Riverdale
. Its south end is Broadway in Newark; its north end is the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike. As such, it was part of an alternate route between Newark and Paterson
.
In 1917, the road was designated as part of New Jersey State Highway 8. After the 1927 New Jersey State Highway renumbering
, part of the road became NJ 23
, while another section became part of NJ 9 (now CR 506
).
Charlie Barnet
recorded the song Pompton Turnpike which was written by Will Osborne and Dick Rogers about the Meadowbrook, a performance venue during the Big band
era, that is on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. It is now a Macedonian Orthodox Church
. The song was covered as a jazz/blues vocal version by Louis Jordan
, the "King of the Jukebox" in the 1940s.
President Grover Cleveland
was born in a small house on Bloomfield Avenue just west of the Pompton Avenue intersection. The house exists today in its original condition as a tourist attraction in Caldwell
. Cleveland's father's church stands a few tenths of a mile down Bloomfield Avenue from Cleveland's original home.
The road passes through the following New Jersey communities:
To follow the road in Wayne, it is necessary to turn right immediately after crossing the Passaic River
from Little Falls, cross under a railroad trestle, and turn left. NJ 23 bypasses this short stretch of the old road. Unfortunately, it is impossible to return to NJ 23 at the north end of this short stretch.
In Pequannock, the street signs read "Turnpike" to keep the sign short. However, overhead signs placed by Morris County
spell out the entire name of the road.
and Bloomfield
, obtained a charter on February 24, 1806 from the state to build the private road, in the name of the "Newark and Bloomfield Turnpike Company".
Israel Crane eventually became the sole owner of the stock, and the sole operator of this toll road known as the Newark-Pompton Turnpike, which opened with four toll gates at Newark, Montclair, Pine Brook, and Singac. Because of his exclusive control of the turnpike, he was given the title "King Crane."
The "Newark and Bloomfield Turnpike" made the markets of Newark and New York accessible to the farms in the northern and western portions of New Jersey. With this improved transportation Bloomfield and Montclair became commercial centers, with taverns, wheelwrights, blacksmiths and wagon makers.
In 1870, the executors of Mr. Crane's estate sold the Turnpike to the Essex County
Road Board. They widened, graded and macadamized the now public highway, and gave it the name of Bloomfield Avenue.
Between 1933 & 1935, the Newark-Pompton Turnpike was built into a four-lane undivided arterial to connect with US 46
. This was the section north of Route 46 in Wayne up to what is now the exit (Overpass) by the present NJ Transit Route 23 Park/Ride Lot. A new alignment of Route 23 then continued north, removing the state highway from the rest of the Newark-Pompton Turnpike (except for a short ½ mile stretch in Pompton Plains and Riverdale). The Highway continued on a new alignment north through Riverdale, Butler & Kinnelon, connecting to the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike in what was once known as Smith's Mills in West Milford.
During the 1980s, NJ 23 was upgraded from an outmoded arterial to a modern freeway with service roads.
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...
that was originally a tolled turnpike. The roadway was first laid out in the mid-18th century and given its name in 1806. As originally designed, it connected 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...
with the area north and west of the Pompton River
Pompton River
The Pompton River is a tributary of the Passaic River, approximately 8 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States....
in what is now Riverdale
Riverdale, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,498 people, 919 households, and 671 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,215.2 people per square mile . There were 940 housing units at an average density of 457.3 per square mile...
. Its south end is Broadway in Newark; its north end is the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike. As such, it was part of an alternate route between Newark and 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...
.
In 1917, the road was designated as part of New Jersey State Highway 8. After the 1927 New Jersey State Highway renumbering
1927 New Jersey state highway renumbering
In 1927, New Jersey's state highways were renumbered. The old system, which had been defined in sequence by the legislature, was growing badly, as several routes shared the same number, and many unnumbered state highways had been defined...
, part of the road became NJ 23
Route 23 (New Jersey)
Route 23 is a state highway in the northern part of New Jersey in the United States. The route runs from County Route 506 and County Route 577 in Verona, Essex County northwest to the border with New York at Montague Township in Sussex County, where the road continues to Port Jervis, New York as...
, while another section became part of NJ 9 (now CR 506
County Route 506 (New Jersey)
County Route 506 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 10.74 miles from Oak Road in Fairfield to Route 7 at the Passaic River in Belleville.- Route description :...
).
Charlie Barnet
Charlie Barnet
Charles Daly Barnet was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader.His major recordings were "Skyliner", "Cherokee", "The Wrong Idea", "Scotch and Soda", "In a Mizz", and "Southland Shuffle".-Early life:...
recorded the song Pompton Turnpike which was written by Will Osborne and Dick Rogers about the Meadowbrook, a performance venue during the Big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
era, that is on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. It is now a Macedonian Orthodox Church
Macedonian Orthodox Church
The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric or just Macedonian Orthodox Church is the body of Christians who are united under the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, exercising jurisdiction over Macedonian Orthodox Christians in the Republic of Macedonia and in exarchates in the Macedonian...
. The song was covered as a jazz/blues vocal version by Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan
Louis Thomas Jordan was a pioneering American jazz, blues and rhythm & blues musician, songwriter and bandleader who enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as "The King of the Jukebox", Jordan was highly popular with both black and white audiences in the...
, the "King of the Jukebox" in the 1940s.
President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
was born in a small house on Bloomfield Avenue just west of the Pompton Avenue intersection. The house exists today in its original condition as a tourist attraction in Caldwell
Caldwell, New Jersey
Caldwell is a borough located in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey, about outside of New York. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,822....
. Cleveland's father's church stands a few tenths of a mile down Bloomfield Avenue from Cleveland's original home.
The road passes through the following New Jersey communities:
- NewarkNewark, New JerseyNewark 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...
: Bloomfield Avenue (CR 506 SPUR) - BellevilleBelleville, New JerseyBelleville is a Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 35,926.-History:...
: Bloomfield Avenue (CR 506 SPUR) - BloomfieldBloomfield, New JerseyBloomfield is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 47,315. It surrounds the Bloomfield Green Historic District.-History:...
: Bloomfield Avenue (CR 506 SPUR) - Glen RidgeGlen Ridge, New JerseyGlen Ridge is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,527. In 2010, Glen Ridge was ranked as the 38th Best Place to live by New Jersey Monthly magazine....
: Bloomfield Avenue (CR 506 SPUR, CR 506) - MontclairMontclair, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile . There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile...
: Bloomfield Avenue (CR 506) - VeronaVerona, New JerseyVerona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,332.In 2008, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Verona #1 in Essex County and #3 in New Jersey as "Top Places to Live in New Jersey".-History:Verona and several...
: Bloomfield Avenue (CR 506), Pompton Avenue (NJ 23) - Cedar GroveCedar Grove, New Jersey-Climate:Cedar Grove has a humid subtropical climate, with warm/hot humid summers and cool/cold winters. The climate is slightly colder overall during the summer than in New York City because there is no urban heat island effect....
: Pompton Avenue (NJ 23) - West CaldwellWest Caldwell, New JerseyWest Caldwell is an township located in the West Essex area in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey. It is located approximately west of Manhattan and six miles northwest of Newark...
- Little FallsLittle Falls, New JerseyLittle Falls is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,855. It is located about from New York City....
: Newark-Pompton Turnpike (NJ 23) - WayneWayne, New JerseyWayne is a Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, located less than from midtown Manhattan. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 54,069....
: Newark-Pompton Turnpike, NJ 23, Newark-Pompton Turnpike (County Road 683, CR 504County Route 504 (New Jersey)County Route 504 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 15.94 miles from Main Street in Montville County Route 504 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 15.94 miles (25.65 kilometers) from Main Street in Montville County Route...
) - PequannockPequannock Township, New JerseyPequannock Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,888....
: Newark-Pompton Turnpike (CR 504, County Road 660), NJ 23 - RiverdaleRiverdale, New JerseyAs of the census of 2000, there were 2,498 people, 919 households, and 671 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,215.2 people per square mile . There were 940 housing units at an average density of 457.3 per square mile...
: NJ 23, Newark-Pompton Turnpike (CR 511 ALT)
To follow the road in Wayne, it is necessary to turn right immediately after crossing the Passaic River
Passaic River
The Passaic River is a mature surface river, approximately 80 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey,...
from Little Falls, cross under a railroad trestle, and turn left. NJ 23 bypasses this short stretch of the old road. Unfortunately, it is impossible to return to NJ 23 at the north end of this short stretch.
In Pequannock, the street signs read "Turnpike" to keep the sign short. However, overhead signs placed by 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....
spell out the entire name of the road.
History
In 1806, Israel Crane, a prominent businessman closely associated with the development of MontclairMontclair, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile . There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile...
and Bloomfield
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Bloomfield is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 47,315. It surrounds the Bloomfield Green Historic District.-History:...
, obtained a charter on February 24, 1806 from the state to build the private road, in the name of the "Newark and Bloomfield Turnpike Company".
Israel Crane eventually became the sole owner of the stock, and the sole operator of this toll road known as the Newark-Pompton Turnpike, which opened with four toll gates at Newark, Montclair, Pine Brook, and Singac. Because of his exclusive control of the turnpike, he was given the title "King Crane."
The "Newark and Bloomfield Turnpike" made the markets of Newark and New York accessible to the farms in the northern and western portions of New Jersey. With this improved transportation Bloomfield and Montclair became commercial centers, with taverns, wheelwrights, blacksmiths and wagon makers.
In 1870, the executors of Mr. Crane's estate sold the Turnpike to the Essex County
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
Road Board. They widened, graded and macadamized the now public highway, and gave it the name of Bloomfield Avenue.
Between 1933 & 1935, the Newark-Pompton Turnpike was built into a four-lane undivided arterial to connect with US 46
U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46 is an east–west U.S. Highway, running for , completely within the state of New Jersey. The west end is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and Route 94 in Columbia, Warren County on the Delaware River...
. This was the section north of Route 46 in Wayne up to what is now the exit (Overpass) by the present NJ Transit Route 23 Park/Ride Lot. A new alignment of Route 23 then continued north, removing the state highway from the rest of the Newark-Pompton Turnpike (except for a short ½ mile stretch in Pompton Plains and Riverdale). The Highway continued on a new alignment north through Riverdale, Butler & Kinnelon, connecting to the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike in what was once known as Smith's Mills in West Milford.
During the 1980s, NJ 23 was upgraded from an outmoded arterial to a modern freeway with service roads.