Readington Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Readington Township is a Township
located in the easternmost portion of Hunterdon County
, New Jersey
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,126. Nationwide, Readington Township ranks 87th among the Highest-income places in the United States with a population of at least 10,000.
Whitehouse Station is a census-designated place
and unincorporated area located within Readington Township.
Created by Royal Charter of King George II
, "Reading" Township was formed July 15, 1730 from portions of Amwell Township
. It was the first new township created after Hunterdon became a county. The Township was incorporated as Readingtown Township, one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships, on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were annexed by Tewksbury Township
in 1832 and 1861.
Containing almost forty-eight square miles, it remains the largest township in the County. Over 8000 acres (32.4 km²) of land have been preserved. Readington Township is bounded on the north by the Lamington River
and Rockaway Creek; to the east by Somerset County
, which existed as the boundary between East and West Jersey from 1688–1695; to the south, the South Branch of the Raritan River
; and to the west by the old West Jersey
Society's line which crosses the Cushetunk Mountains.
, the township has a total area of 47.8 square miles (123.8 km²), of which, 47.7 square miles (123.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.25%) is water.
Readington Township borders Raritan Township
, Clinton Township
, and Tewksbury Township
. Readington Township also borders Branchburg
in Somerset County
.
Cushetunk Mountain
is a ring-shaped mountain located in Readington Township and Clinton Township. Once an active volcano, the diabase
mountain was formed a hundred and sixty million years ago. The Lenape
called the mountain "Cushetunk" meaning "place of hogs" after the wild hogs found there. In the 1960s, the valley was filled with water to create Round Valley Reservoir
.
of 2000, there were 15,803 people, 5,676 households, and 4,410 families residing in the township. The population density
was 331.4 people per square mile (127.9/km²). There were 5,794 housing units at an average density of 121.5 per square mile (46.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.14% White, 0.76% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.53% from other races
, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.05% of the population.
There were 5,676 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.3% were married couples
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $95,356, and the median income for a family was $106,343. Males had a median income of $66,778 versus $48,385 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $41,000. About 0.7% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve 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, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor. The Mayor serves as chair of the Township Committee and has the powers vested in the mayor's office by general law.
, members of the Readington Township Committee are Mayor
Frank L. Gatti (2011), Deputy Mayor Thomas S. Auriemma (2012), Julia C. Allen (2011), Beatrice Muir (2012), Donna Simon (2013).
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
, Readington Township leans very strongly towards Republican Party
on the national and state levels. In the 2008 Presidential Election
, Republican John McCain
received 61% of the vote, defeating Democrat Barack Obama
, who received around 37%. In the 2009 Gubernatorial Election
, Republican Chris Christie received 70% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine
, who received around 21%.
serve students in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Three Bridges School (PreK-3; 414 students),
Whitehouse School (K-3; 450),
Holland Brook School (4-5; 503) and
Readington Middle School (6-8; 771).
Students in public school for grade 9 - 12 attend the Hunterdon Central High School, part of the Hunterdon Central Regional High School District, which serves students in central Hunterdon County. Students from Delaware Township
, East Amwell Township
, Flemington Borough
, Raritan Township
and Readington Township attend Hunterdon Central High School.
, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the country. It is also home to the personal and commercial lines of insurance of Chubb Corporation, and the Quick Chek Corporation, which operates over 100 convenience stores throughout New Jersey and New York.
Readington's business climate benefits from its proximity to major highways, Princeton
, Bridgewater Township
and other centers of business in central New Jersey
.
, U.S. Route 202
, Route 22 and Route 31 all pass through the township. The township is also served by the New Jersey Transit
in White House
, offering service on the Raritan Valley Line
to Newark Penn Station
and Hoboken Terminal
, with connecting service to Penn Station New York
in Midtown Manhattan
.
celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007. The event held at Solberg-Hunterdon Airport
is the largest summertime hot air balloon festival in North America.
in Readington resulted in the death of an FBI agent. FBI Agent Barry Lee Bush, assigned to the Newark FBI Office, was investigating a string of bank robberies in Central New Jersey, was airlifted to a New Brunswick hospital where he was pronounced dead. All three suspects were caught.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
located in the easternmost portion of Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
, 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...
. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,126. Nationwide, Readington Township ranks 87th among the Highest-income places in the United States with a population of at least 10,000.
Whitehouse Station is a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and unincorporated area located within Readington Township.
Created by Royal Charter of King George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
, "Reading" Township was formed July 15, 1730 from portions of Amwell Township
Amwell Township, New Jersey
Amwell Township was a Township that existed in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States, from 1708 to 1846.The Township was established by a royal patent on June 8, 1708, from Queen Anne, the first sovereign of the combined kingdom of Great Britain, while the area was part of West Jersey...
. It was the first new township created after Hunterdon became a county. The Township was incorporated as Readingtown Township, one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships, on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were annexed by Tewksbury Township
Tewksbury Township, New Jersey
Tewksbury Township is a Township located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and is located within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 5,993...
in 1832 and 1861.
Containing almost forty-eight square miles, it remains the largest township in the County. Over 8000 acres (32.4 km²) of land have been preserved. Readington Township is bounded on the north by the Lamington River
Lamington River
The Lamington River, known as the Black River upstream of Pottersville, is a tributary of the North Branch Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.-Tributaries:*Bamboo Brook*Cold Brook* Rockaway Creek*Tanners Brook-External links:*...
and Rockaway Creek; to the east by Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, which existed as the boundary between East and West Jersey from 1688–1695; to the south, the South Branch of the Raritan River
South Branch Raritan River
The South Branch Raritan River is a tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.The source of the South Branch is the outflow from Budd Lake, a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast of Hackettstown...
; and to the west by the old West Jersey
West Jersey
West Jersey and East Jersey were two distinct parts of the Province of New Jersey. The political division existed for 28 years, between 1674 and 1702...
Society's line which crosses the Cushetunk Mountains.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 township has a total area of 47.8 square miles (123.8 km²), of which, 47.7 square miles (123.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.25%) is water.
Readington Township borders Raritan Township
Raritan Township, New Jersey
Raritan Township is a Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,185...
, Clinton Township
Clinton Township, New Jersey
Clinton Township is a Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 13,478....
, and Tewksbury Township
Tewksbury Township, New Jersey
Tewksbury Township is a Township located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and is located within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 5,993...
. Readington Township also borders Branchburg
Branchburg Township, New Jersey
Branchburg Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,459....
in Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
.
Cushetunk Mountain
Cushetunk Mountain
Cushetunk Mountain is a ring shaped mountain in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located in Readington and Clinton Township. The Lenape called the mountain "Cushetunk" meaning "place of hogs" after the wild hogs found there...
is a ring-shaped mountain located in Readington Township and Clinton Township. Once an active volcano, the diabase
Diabase
Diabase or dolerite is a mafic, holocrystalline, subvolcanic rock equivalent to volcanic basalt or plutonic gabbro. In North American usage, the term diabase refers to the fresh rock, whilst elsewhere the term dolerite is used for the fresh rock and diabase refers to altered material...
mountain was formed a hundred and sixty million years ago. The Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
called the mountain "Cushetunk" meaning "place of hogs" after the wild hogs found there. In the 1960s, the valley was filled with water to create Round Valley Reservoir
Round Valley Reservoir
The Round Valley Reservoir in Clinton Township of the U.S. state of New Jersey was formed in 1960 when the New Jersey Water Authority constructed two large dams and flooded a large valley in the state's Hunterdon County. The reservoir is named after the naturally formed circular valley surrounded...
.
Villages
- Readington VillageReadington VillageReadington Village is an unincorporated community in Readington, New Jersey, United States that is centered around the converging of Readington Road, Hillcrest Road, Centerville Road and Brookview Road. It is located on Holland Brook, originally named Amanmechunk, which means large creek in the...
- the oldest settled village in the township, along Holland BrookHolland BrookHolland Brook is a stream in central New Jersey, running through Readington and Branchburg. It is the last tributary of the South Branch Raritan River before it combines with the North Branch Raritan River... - Whitehouse Station- a village in the western section of Readington near Cushetunk Mountain and the location of the township's railroad station
- Three BridgesThree Bridges, New JerseyThree Bridges is an unincorproated community in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States, on the South Branch Raritan River, named for the three original bridges there which crossed the river. Farmers, John Vlerebone and Harriet Foster Cline were original land owners in the area of Three Bridges...
, small community that once had a passenger rail station - CentervilleCenterville, New JerseyCenterville was a hamlet in Readington Township, New Jersey along Campbell's Brook and Old York Road. Centerville grew up because of a tavern that marked the halfway point on the long Swift Sure Stage Line route from New York to Philadelphia. The hamlet had a school, a store, a post office, a...
, a hamlet that was located on the halfway point on the Swift Sure Stage route between New York City and Philadelphia - StantonStanton, New JerseyStanton is an unincorporated community at the base of Round Mountain in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. The community dates back to the 17th century and was settled by the Dutch. It was originally called Housel's after Johannes Housel, who had a farmstead along Dreahook Road in the...
, a small village near Round Mountain that has carried the names of Mount Pleasant, Housel's Hill, Waggoner's Hill and Stanton - WhitehouseWhitehouse, New JerseyWhitehouse is a village in Readington Township, New Jersey along the Jersey Turnpike, just west of Mechanicsville.In 1722, Abraham Van Horn purchased in Readington along the Rockaway Creek. He built a grist mill and saw mill here...
- a village on the old Jersey Turnpike, north of Whitehouse Station - MechanicsvilleMechanicsville, Hunterdon County, New JerseyMechanicsville was a village in Readington Township, New Jersey located along the Jersey Turnpike, just east of Whitehouse near the intersection of Lamington Road. The village once had a tavern, a store, numerous mechanic shops as well as a number of residences...
the eastern section of Whitehouse Village on the Jersey Turnpike - PotterstownPotterstownPotterstown is a village along the western border of Readington Township, New Jersey. Potterstown once was home to taverns, a blacksmith, a store house, a wheelwright and a pottery shop which gave the village its name It is along an old Raritan Path and on the Jersey Turnpike. Aray Van Guinea, a...
, a small village at the western edge of the township - Pleasant RunPleasant Run VillagePleasant Run was a village in Hunterdon County, Readington Township, New Jersey along Campbell's Brook . The village consisted of farms, a schoolhouse and a general store. The brook was named after John Campbell, who purchased the land around it in 1685....
, a small village along Pleasant RunPleasant Run (New Jersey)Pleasant Run is a stream in central New Jersey, running through Readington and Branchburg. It is a tributary of the South Branch Raritan River. The brook is about seven miles in length running from its headwaters near Cushetunk Mountain, an extinct volcano surrounding Round Valley Reservoir, to...
(formerly Campbell's Brook) - Dart's MillDart's Mill Historic DistrictDart's Mill is a historic village in Readington Township, New Jersey on the South Branch of the Raritan River. Several mills were built here in the early 18th century. In its height a merchant, blacksmith, store and complex of mills were here . The last mill at this site burnt down in 1994. ...
, a hamlet centered around a former mill complex on the South Branch Raritan RiverSouth Branch Raritan RiverThe South Branch Raritan River is a tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.The source of the South Branch is the outflow from Budd Lake, a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast of Hackettstown... - DreahookDreahookDreahook was a village in Readington Township, New Jersey at the intersection of CR-620/Dreahook Rd and CR 523. The name is a corruption of Driehoek , which is the dutch word for triangle...
, a former village near Readington Road and Main Street that was taken from the Dutch word for triangle because of the configuration of the roads at the time - Stilwells, a hamlet one and a half miles south of Whitehouse Station named after the Stilwell family
- Rowland's MillsRowland's MillsRowland's Mills or Rowland Mills was a village on the western edge of Readington, New Jersey. In 1760, a gristmill was erected at this site, followed by a sawmill around the time of the U.S. Revolutionary War A village grew up around the mill complex in the early 19th century along the road...
, a deserted village on the South Branch Raritan RiverSouth Branch Raritan RiverThe South Branch Raritan River is a tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.The source of the South Branch is the outflow from Budd Lake, a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast of Hackettstown... - Barley SheafBarley SheafBarley Sheaf was a hamlet in Readington Township, New Jersey, named for the grain once grown in the region. The hamlet was on Barley Sheaf Road between CR 629 and CR 523. The village at one time housed a general store, a post office, blacksmith, creamery, a hotel and numerous farmsteads. Today...
, a former hamlet within Readington Township, also known as Campbellsville and Farmersville - Holcomb Mills, was a village along the South Branch Raritan RiverSouth Branch Raritan RiverThe South Branch Raritan River is a tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.The source of the South Branch is the outflow from Budd Lake, a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast of Hackettstown...
- Cushetunk, was a village near Cushetunk Mountain and the railroad line
- New Bromley, was a small village on the Rockaway Creek that was once home to William Paterson
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 15,803 people, 5,676 households, and 4,410 families residing in the township. 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 331.4 people per square mile (127.9/km²). There were 5,794 housing units at an average density of 121.5 per square mile (46.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.14% White, 0.76% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.53% 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 2.05% of the population.
There were 5,676 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.3% 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, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $95,356, and the median income for a family was $106,343. Males had a median income of $66,778 versus $48,385 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 township was $41,000. About 0.7% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Readington Township is governed under the TownshipTownship (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve 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, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor. The Mayor serves as chair of the Township Committee and has the powers vested in the mayor's office by general law.
, members of the Readington Township Committee are Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Frank L. Gatti (2011), Deputy Mayor Thomas S. Auriemma (2012), Julia C. Allen (2011), Beatrice Muir (2012), Donna Simon (2013).
Federal, state and county representation
Readington Township is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district. The township was relocated to the 16th state legislative district 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. The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
Politics
Like most towns in Hunterdon CountyHunterdon County, New Jersey
Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
, Readington Township leans very strongly towards Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
on the national and state levels. In the 2008 Presidential Election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Republican John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
received 61% of the vote, defeating Democrat Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, who received around 37%. In the 2009 Gubernatorial Election
New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009
The New Jersey gubernatorial election of 2009 took place on November 3, 2009. Democratic Governor Jon Corzine was running for a second term and was being challenged by Republican Chris Christie, Independent Christopher Daggett and nine others, in addition to several write-in candidates...
, Republican Chris Christie received 70% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
, who received around 21%.
Education
The Readington Township Public SchoolsReadington Township Public Schools
The Readington Township Public Schools is a community public school district that serves students in grades kindergarten through grade eight from Readington Township, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States....
serve students in grades kindergarten through grade eight. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data 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
Three Bridges School (PreK-3; 414 students),
Whitehouse School (K-3; 450),
Holland Brook School (4-5; 503) and
Readington Middle School (6-8; 771).
Students in public school for grade 9 - 12 attend the Hunterdon Central High School, part of the Hunterdon Central Regional High School District, which serves students in central Hunterdon County. Students from Delaware Township
Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 4,478 people, 1,643 households, and 1,302 families residing in the township. The population density was 121.9 people per square mile . There were 1,701 housing units at an average density of 46.3 per square mile...
, East Amwell Township
East Amwell Township, New Jersey
-History:During the American Revolutionary War, a small but important skirmish occurred in East Amwell when local militia under Capt. John Schenck ambushed a party of British dragoons near Larison's Corner...
, Flemington Borough
Flemington, New Jersey
Flemington is a borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 4,581. It is the county seat of Hunterdon County....
, Raritan Township
Raritan Township, New Jersey
Raritan Township is a Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,185...
and Readington Township attend Hunterdon Central High School.
Business
Readington Township is home to the global headquarters of Merck & Co.Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the country. It is also home to the personal and commercial lines of insurance of Chubb Corporation, and the Quick Chek Corporation, which operates over 100 convenience stores throughout New Jersey and New York.
Readington's business climate benefits from its proximity to major highways, Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, Bridgewater Township
Bridgewater Township, New Jersey
Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. , the township population was 44,464.Bridgewater Township was originally created by Royal Charter on April 4, 1749, from portions of the Northern precinct, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of...
and other centers of business in central New Jersey
Central Jersey
Central Jersey is a common designation for a region of the state of New Jersey in the United States of America. Trenton is considered the boundary between designated "North Jersey" and "South Jersey"...
.
Emergency services
Readington Township is served by a full-time Police Department, two ambulances staffed by the Whitehouse Rescue Squad (primarily paid staff), and four volunteer Fire Companies.EMS & Rescue Services
- The Whitehouse First Aid & Rescue Squad Station 22 Rescue was formed in 1950 and provides the lead EMS & Rescue coordination for the Township under the leadership of Chief Jeff Herzog. They are a blended department, led by paid staff members, and have a few volunteer EMT's that provide additional assistance with other rescue operations, and some EMT's. 22 Rescue has two stations. One at the Three Bridges Fire Department, and one in Whitehouse Station.
Fire Departments
The following volunteer fire departments serve the Township:- East Whitehouse Volunteer Fire Co. (Station 31 Fire)
- Readington Volunteer Fire Co. (Station 32 Fire)
- Three Bridges Volunteer Fire Co. (Station 33 Fire)
- Whitehouse Station Volunteer Fire Co. #1 (Station 22 Fire)
Transportation
Interstate 78Interstate 78 in New Jersey
Interstate 78 is an east–west route stretching from Union Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania to New York City. In New Jersey, I-78 is called the Phillipsburg–Newark Expressway and the Newark Bay Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike...
, U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
, Route 22 and Route 31 all pass through the township. The township is also served by the New Jersey Transit
New 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...
in White House
White House (NJT station)
White House is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line, in the village of Whitehouse Station in Readington, New Jersey. The station is on the east side of Main Street in the center and the station building has subsequently been turned into a branch library for the...
, offering service on the Raritan Valley Line
Raritan Valley Line
The Raritan Valley Line is a diesel-engine-powered commuter rail service operated by New Jersey Transit , originating out of Pennsylvania Station, located in Newark, New Jersey, with most trains terminating at the Raritan station, located in Raritan, New Jersey.Some weekday trains continue further...
to Newark Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (Newark)
Pennsylvania Station is a major transportation hub in Newark, New Jersey. Located at Raymond Plaza, between Market Street and Raymond Boulevard, Newark Penn Station is served by the Newark Light Rail, New Jersey Transit commuter rail, Amtrak long distance trains, the PATH rapid transit system, and...
and Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal is one of the New York Metropolitan area's major transportation hubs. The commuter-oriented intermodal facility, is located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey...
, with connecting service to Penn Station New York
Pennsylvania Station (New York City)
Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...
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...
.
Community
The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of BallooningQuick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning has been held annually at the Solberg Airport in Readington Township, New Jersey since 1983. Its lead sponsor is Quick Chek Food Stores. In 2007, the festival hosted around 125 special shape and sport hot air balloons. It also had music concerts,...
celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007. The event held at Solberg-Hunterdon Airport
Solberg-Hunterdon Airport
Solberg-Hunterdon Airport , also known as Solberg Airport is located in Readington Township, New Jersey, United States.-History:Founded in 1941 by aviation pioneer Thor Solberg, Solberg Airport is a small general aviation airport located in central New Jersey. In 1985 Mr...
is the largest summertime hot air balloon festival in North America.
FBI Shootout
On April 5, 2007, a shootout near a PNC Bank branch on U.S. Route 22U.S. Route 22
U.S. Route 22 is a west–east route and is one of the original United States highways of 1926, running from Cincinnati, Ohio, at US 27, US 42, US 127, and US 52 to Newark, New Jersey, at U.S. Route 1/9 near the Newark Liberty International Airport.US 22 also carries the names of the William...
in Readington resulted in the death of an FBI agent. FBI Agent Barry Lee Bush, assigned to the Newark FBI Office, was investigating a string of bank robberies in Central New Jersey, was airlifted to a New Brunswick hospital where he was pronounced dead. All three suspects were caught.
Museums
Readington is home to several museums and offers many programs for adults and children. The Bouman-Stickney Homestead is located off of Dreahook Road in the hamlet of Stanton. Coldbrook School, the site of living history programs for the township's elementary school children is in the northern section of town, and the Eversole-Hall House is located on Route 523, next to the Municipal building. Taylor's Mill was built around 1760 by John Taylor. The township plans to make Taylor's Mill a fourth township museum because it is the only remaining pre-revolutionary mill in the town and of its role of providing troops with food during the Revolutionary War.Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Readington Township include:- Jack CustJack CustJohn Joseph "Jack" Cust III is an American professional baseball designated hitter and outfielder who is a free agent. Cust attended Immaculata High School in Somerville, New Jersey...
(born 1979), a professional baseball player with the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, currently resides in Readington Township. - Jonathan JenningsJonathan JenningsJonathan Jennings was the first Governor of Indiana and a nine-term congressman from Indiana. Born in Readington, New Jersey, he studied law with his brother before immigrating to Indiana in 1806 where he took part in land speculation...
(1784–1834), first Governor of IndianaGovernor of IndianaThe Governor of Indiana is the chief executive of the state of Indiana. The governor is elected to a four-year term, and responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of many agencies of the Indiana state government. The governor also shares power with other statewide...
, serving from 1816 to 1822. - Robyn KenneyRobyn KenneyRobyn Kenney is a field hockey midfielder from the United States, who earned her first senior career cap vs Russia on May 2, 2002. Kenney attended Boston University...
(born 1979), field hockey player. - William MarchantWilliam MarchantWilliam Marchant was a playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for writing the play that served as the basis for the 1957 Walter Lang movie, The Desk Set....
(1923–1995), playwrightPlaywrightA playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
and screenwriterScreenwriterScreenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, best known for writing the play that served as the basis for the 1957 Walter LangWalter LangWalter Lang was an American film director.-Early life:Walter Lang was born in Memphis, Tennessee. As a young man he went to New York City where he found clerical work at a film production company. The business piqued his artistic instincts and he began learning the various facets of filmmaking...
movie, The Desk SetDesk SetDesk Set is a 1957 American romantic comedy film directed by Walter Lang and starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn...
.
External links
- Readington Township website
- Readington Township Public Schools
- Data for the Readington Township 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...
- Hunterdon Central Regional High School District
- Data for Hunterdon Central Regional High School, 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...
- Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance
- Branchburg Rescue Squad
- Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad
- Whitehouse First Aid & Rescue Squad