Union Township, Union County, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Union is a Township
in Union County
, New Jersey
, United States. In the 18th century, the area that is now Union was then called Connecticut Farms. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population increased to a record high of 56,642.
Union Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on November 23, 1808, from portions of Elizabeth Township
, while the area was still part of Essex County
. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Linden Township
(March 4, 1861), Roselle Park
, (March 22, 1901), Kenilworth
(May 13, 1907) and Hillside
(April 3, 1913).
to the east, Elizabeth
to the southeast, Roselle Park
and Kenilworth
to the south and Springfield Township
to the west. Northwest of the township lies Millburn
, to the north lies Maplewood
and to the northeast lies Irvington
, all in Essex County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 54,405 people, 19,534 households, and 14,162 families residing in the township. The population density
was 5,968.1 people per square mile (2,303.3/km²). There were 20,001 housing units at an average density of 2,194.1 per square mile (846.8/km²). An example of a diverse city in the United States
, the racial makeup of the township was 67.66% White, 19.76% African American, 0.15% Native American, 7.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.44% from other races
, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.93% of the population.
There were 19,534 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples
living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $59,173, and the median income for a family was $68,707 (these figures had risen to $68,979 and $80,260 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $45,299 versus $35,604 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $24,768. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% 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, in addition to voting as a member of the Township Committee, presides over the meetings of the committee and carries out ceremonial duties.
, members of the Union Township Committee are Mayor, Joseph Florio, Deputy Mayor, Clifton People, Jr., Suzette Cavadas, Manuel Figueiredo and Anthony Terrezza.
Union is in the
serves students in preschool through grade twelve. The ten schools currently in operation (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
are six K-4 elementary schools —
Battle Hill School (441 students),
Hannah Caldwell School (550),
Connecticut Farms Elementary School (458),
Franklin School (496),
Livingston School (427) and
Washington School (581) —
Central Five-Jefferson School for grade 5 (567), both
Burnet Middle School (1,020) and
Kawameeh Middle School for grades 6 though 8 (713) and
Union High School
for grades nine through twelve (2,449).
The annual operating budget for the district is approximately 91 million dollars. The district employs 635 professional staff and 380 support personnel. The enrollment of students in the district was 7,776 as of the 2008-09 school year.
Union was threatened with being the first town north of the Mason-Dixon Line
to suffer from penalties as a result of school segregation. The area of Vauxhall was primarily black and Jefferson Elementary School was disproportionately black compared to the rest of the town. Union avoided problems by converting Jefferson Elementary into a sixth-grade only school called Central 6 and bused the Jefferson students to all the other elementary schools. It was later renamed Central 5 and is now used as a one-year school for fifth-grade students.
Union is also home to Kean University
, several private nursery schools, two Roman Catholic elementary schools: St. Michael's and Holy Spirit, and the Deron School, a private school for learning disabled students ages 5–13.
, one of the last battles between British and American forces during the American Revolutionary War
. On June 6, 1780, British troops, led by Hessian
General Wilhelm von Knyphausen
, boarded boats on Staten Island
bound for Elizabeth
, New Jersey
. At midnight, 5,000 troops started to land. They expected the Continental Army
to give little resistance, believing that they were tired of the war and were poorly fed and paid. They also expected the citizens of New Jersey to welcome them. They were wrong on both counts and were unable to make their way to and through the Hobart Gap
.
, Interstate 78
, U.S. Route 22
, and Route 82 (Morris Avenue).
Union
has an NJ Transit rail station on the Raritan Valley Line
, (formerly the mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad
) which opened in 2003. NJ Transit also provides bus service to New York City
and New Jersey points.
Former Rahway Valley Railroad
freight line, now abandoned, crosses through Union. This line, presently licensed to Morristown & Erie Railroad, is in the process of revitalization after which it will link NJ Transit's Morris & Essex lines at Summit to Staten Island.
Newark Liberty International Airport
is approximately six miles east of Union.
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...
in Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, 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. In the 18th century, the area that is now Union was then called Connecticut Farms. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population increased to a record high of 56,642.
Union Township was incorporated as a township 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 November 23, 1808, from portions of Elizabeth Township
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, while the area was still part of 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...
. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Linden Township
Linden, New Jersey
- Local government :, the Mayor of Linden is . The former longtime Mayor of Linden is 82-year-old John T. Gregorio, who served as mayor of Linden for 30, nonconsecutive years and was repeatedly tagged with scandal during his mayoral career, including one felony conviction, later pardoned, which...
(March 4, 1861), Roselle Park
Roselle Park, New Jersey
Roselle Park is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 13,297....
, (March 22, 1901), Kenilworth
Kenilworth, New Jersey
Kenilworth is a Borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,914.Kenilworth was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 13, 1907, from portions of Cranford and Union Township, based on the...
(May 13, 1907) and Hillside
Hillside, New Jersey
Hillside is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 21,404.Hillside was incorporated as a township on April 3, 1913, from portions of Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1913.The town...
(April 3, 1913).
Geography
The Township of Union is located on the northern-central edge of Union County and is bordered by eight municipalities: HillsideHillside, New Jersey
Hillside is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 21,404.Hillside was incorporated as a township on April 3, 1913, from portions of Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1913.The town...
to the east, Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
to the southeast, Roselle Park
Roselle Park, New Jersey
Roselle Park is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 13,297....
and Kenilworth
Kenilworth, New Jersey
Kenilworth is a Borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,914.Kenilworth was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 13, 1907, from portions of Cranford and Union Township, based on the...
to the south and Springfield Township
Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey
Township of Springfield is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population increased to a record high of 15,817....
to the west. Northwest of the township lies Millburn
Millburn, New Jersey
Millburn is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 20,149.Millburn Township was created as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1857, from portions of Springfield Township.Millburn also...
, to the north lies Maplewood
Maplewood, New Jersey
Maplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 23,867.-History:...
and to the northeast lies Irvington
Irvington, New Jersey
Irvington is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 53,926, a decline of 11.2% from the 60,695 residents enumerated in the 2000 Census.-Geography:...
, all in 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...
.
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 township has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²), all of it land.
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 54,405 people, 19,534 households, and 14,162 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 5,968.1 people per square mile (2,303.3/km²). There were 20,001 housing units at an average density of 2,194.1 per square mile (846.8/km²). An example of a diverse city in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the racial makeup of the township was 67.66% White, 19.76% African American, 0.15% Native American, 7.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.44% 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 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.93% of the population.
There were 19,534 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% 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, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $59,173, and the median income for a family was $68,707 (these figures had risen to $68,979 and $80,260 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $45,299 versus $35,604 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 $24,768. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Union 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, in addition to voting as a member of the Township Committee, presides over the meetings of the committee and carries out ceremonial duties.
, members of the Union Township Committee are Mayor, Joseph Florio, Deputy Mayor, Clifton People, Jr., Suzette Cavadas, Manuel Figueiredo and Anthony Terrezza.
Federal, state and county representation
Union Township is split between the 7th and 10th Congressional districts.Union is in the
Mayors of Union
| # | Mayor | Years in Office | Party | Terms | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Leonard | 1879–1883 | 1-4 | First Term | |
| 2 | James A. Burnett | 1884–1885 | 5 & 6 | ||
| 3 | John Leonard | 1886 | 7 | Second Term | |
| 4 | James B. Woodruff | 1887–1891 | 8-12 | Five Consecutive Terms | |
| 5 | John Tunison | 1892–1893 | 13 & 14 | Two Consecutive Terms | |
| 6 | Daniel H. Beach | 1894–1895 | 15 & 16 | Two Consecutive Terms | |
| 7 | William P. Bonnell | 1896 | 17 | ||
| 8 | John H. Doremus | 1897 | 18 | First Term | |
| 9 | Daniel H. Beach | 1898 | 19 | Third Term | |
| 10 | William A. Bainbridge | 1899 | 20 | ||
| 11 | John H. Doremus | 1900 | 21 | Second Term | |
| 12 | Daniel H. Beach | 1901 | 22 | Fourth Term | |
| 13 | John H. Doremus | 1902–1903 | 23 & 24 | Third & Fourth Terms | |
| 14 | Walter A. Miller | 1904–1905 | 25 & 26 | Two Consecutive Terms | |
| 15 | Daniel B. Wade | 1906 | 25 | First Term | |
| 16 | John H. Doremus | 1907 | 26 | Fourth Term | |
| 17 | Daniel H. Beach | 1908 | 27 | ||
| 18 | Daniel B. Wade | 1909 | 28 | ||
| 19 | Gottlieb Schnabel | 1910 | 29 | ||
| 20 | Daniel H. Beach | 1911 | 30 | ||
| 21 | Howard B. Kline | 1912 | 31 | ||
| 22 | Gottlieb Schnabel | 1913 | 32 | ||
| 22 | Daniel H. Beach | 1914 | 33 | ||
| 23 | Cornelius E. Blanchard | 1915 | 34 | ||
| 24 | George A. Bashford | 1916 | 35 | ||
| 25 | Daniel H. Beach | 1917 | 36 | ||
| 26 | Harry Schmitt | 1918 | 37 | ||
| 27 | George A. Bashford | 1919 | 38 | ||
| 28 | Daniel H. Beach | 1920–1921 | 39 & 40 | ||
| 29 | George A. Bashford | 1922 | 41 | ||
| 30 | Ambrose B. Kline | 1923 | 42 | ||
| 31 | Charles W. Wink | 1924–1926 | 43-45 | ||
| 32 | Ambrose B. Kline | 1927–1928 | 46 & 47 | ||
| 33 | Gustav Hummel, Jr. | 1929–1931 | 48-50 | ||
| 34 | Max A. Schoenwalder | 1932–1933 | 51 & 52 | ||
| 35 | Charles Schramm | 1934–1939 | 53-58 | Resigned in 1939. | |
| 36 | Fred Edward Biertuempfel | 1939–1973 | Republican | 59-93 | |
| 37 | Samuel Rabkin | 1973 | Republican | 93 | Finished Biertuempfel's term. Rabkin field named after him. |
| 38 | Anthony E. Russo | 1974 | Democrat | 94 | |
| 39 | James C. Conlon | 1975 | Republican | 95 | |
| 40 | John S. Zimmerman | 1976 | Democrat | 96 | |
| 41 | Edward Goodkin | 1977 | Republican | 97 | |
| 42 | James C. Conlon | 1978–1980 | Democrat | 98 & 99 | |
| 43 | Edward Weber | 1981 | Democrat | 100 | |
| 44 | James C. Conlon | 1982 | Republican | 101 | |
| 45 | Anthony E. Russo | 1983 | Democrat | 102 | |
| 46 | 1984 | 103 | |||
| 47 | 1985 | 104 | |||
| 48 | 1986 | 105 | |||
| 49 | Diane Heelan | 1987 | Republican | 106 | Union's first female mayor |
| 50 | 1988 | 107 | |||
| 51 | 1989 | 108 | |||
| 52 | 1990 | 109 | |||
| 53 | Anthony E. Russo | 1991 | Democrat | 110 | |
| 54 | 1992 | 111 | |||
| 55 | 1993 | 112 | |||
| 56 | Jerome Petti | 1994 | Democrat | 113 | |
| 57 | Greg Muller | 1995 | Republican | 114 | |
| 58 | Jerome Petti | 1996 | Democrat | 115 | |
| 59 | Greg Muller | 1997 | Republican | 116 | |
| 60 | Anthony L. Terrezza | 1998–1999 | Democrat | 117-118 | |
| 61 | 2000 | 119 | |||
| 62 | Peter A. Capodice | 2001 | Democrat | 120 | |
| 63 | Patrick Scanlon | 2002 | Democrat | 121 | |
| 64 | Brenda C. Restivo | 2003 | Democrat | 122 | |
| 65 | Anthony L. Terrezza | 2004 | Democrat | 123 | |
| 66 | Joseph Florio | 2005 | Democrat | 124 | |
| 67 | Peter A. Capodice | 2006 | Democrat | 125 | |
| 68 | Brenda C. Restivo | 2007 | Democrat | 126 | Second Term |
| 69 | Clifton Peoples Jr. | 2008 | Democrat | 127 | Union's first African-American Mayor |
| 70 | Anthony L. Terrezza | 2009–2010 | Democrat | 128-129 | |
| 71 | Joseph Florio | 2011 (Currently mayor) | Democrat | 130 | Second term as mayor. |
Education
The Union Public School DistrictUnion Public School District
The Union Public School District is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in preschool through grade twelve from Union Township, in Union County, New Jersey, United States....
serves students in preschool through grade twelve. The ten schools currently in operation (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 six K-4 elementary schools —
Battle Hill School (441 students),
Hannah Caldwell School (550),
Connecticut Farms Elementary School (458),
Franklin School (496),
Livingston School (427) and
Washington School (581) —
Central Five-Jefferson School for grade 5 (567), both
Burnet Middle School (1,020) and
Kawameeh Middle School for grades 6 though 8 (713) and
Union High School
Union High School (New Jersey)
Union High School is a comprehensive community public high school located in Union Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Union Public School District. In the late 1960s, a new high school was built, expanding on the existing Burnet Junior High School structure...
for grades nine through twelve (2,449).
The annual operating budget for the district is approximately 91 million dollars. The district employs 635 professional staff and 380 support personnel. The enrollment of students in the district was 7,776 as of the 2008-09 school year.
Union was threatened with being the first town north of the Mason-Dixon Line
Mason-Dixon line
The Mason–Dixon Line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It forms a demarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and...
to suffer from penalties as a result of school segregation. The area of Vauxhall was primarily black and Jefferson Elementary School was disproportionately black compared to the rest of the town. Union avoided problems by converting Jefferson Elementary into a sixth-grade only school called Central 6 and bused the Jefferson students to all the other elementary schools. It was later renamed Central 5 and is now used as a one-year school for fifth-grade students.
Union is also home to Kean University
Kean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
, several private nursery schools, two Roman Catholic elementary schools: St. Michael's and Holy Spirit, and the Deron School, a private school for learning disabled students ages 5–13.
History
Union Township was the site of the Battle of Connecticut FarmsBattle of Connecticut Farms
The Battle of Connecticut Farms, fought June 7, 1780, was one of the last major battles between British and American forces in the northern colonies during the American Revolutionary War. Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, in command of the British garrison at New York City, made an attempt...
, one of the last battles between British and American forces during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. On June 6, 1780, British troops, led by Hessian
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
General Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Wilhelm Reichsfreiherr zu Innhausen und Knyphausen was a general from Hesse-Cassel. He fought in the American Revolutionary War, during which he led Hessian mercenaries on behalf of the British Empire.-Biography:His father was colonel in a German regiment under the Duke of Marlborough...
, boarded boats on Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
bound for Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
, 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...
. At midnight, 5,000 troops started to land. They expected the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
to give little resistance, believing that they were tired of the war and were poorly fed and paid. They also expected the citizens of New Jersey to welcome them. They were wrong on both counts and were unable to make their way to and through the Hobart Gap
Hobart Gap
The Hobart Gap is a strategic pass and road through the Watchung Mountains in Northern New Jersey. The confluence of the two branches of the Rahway River is located here...
.
Transportation
Union is traversed by a network of local and regional roadways including the Garden State ParkwayGarden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
, Interstate 78
Interstate 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 22
U.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...
, and Route 82 (Morris Avenue).
Union
Union (NJT station)
Union Station is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line, in Union Township, Union County, New Jersey. Completed in 2003 at a cost of $24.8 million, it is Union's first passenger train station since the 1920s on the Rahway Valley Railroad short line. It filled the eight...
has an NJ Transit rail station 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...
, (formerly the mainline of the Lehigh Valley Railroad
Lehigh Valley Railroad
The Lehigh Valley Railroad was one of a number of railroads built in the northeastern United States primarily to haul anthracite coal.It was authorized April 21, 1846 in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and incorporated September 20, 1847 as the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad...
) which opened in 2003. NJ Transit also provides bus service to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and New Jersey points.
Former Rahway Valley Railroad
Rahway Valley Railroad
The Rahway Valley Railroad was a shortline railroad in the Northeastern United States which connected the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Roselle Park and the Central Railroad of New Jersey in Cranford with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western in Summit...
freight line, now abandoned, crosses through Union. This line, presently licensed to Morristown & Erie Railroad, is in the process of revitalization after which it will link NJ Transit's Morris & Essex lines at Summit to Staten Island.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
is approximately six miles east of Union.
Parts and sections of Union
- Five Points, Area around the junction of Galloping Hill Rd, Chestnut St, Salem Rd, Delaware Ave, Walton Ave, and Tucker Ave.
- Brookside Heights (Curreyville), Area west of Vauxhall Road, past Tiffany's Bar & Restaurant
- Vauxhall, Area of Union north of I-78 and west of Stuyvesant Avenue. Aspirant to become own town, only getting as far as getting its own zip code 07088.
- Union Center, Area around the intersection of Morris and Stuyvesant Avenues.
- Putnam Ridge, a section between Suburban Road, Morris Avenue, Twin Oaks Road, and Colonial Avenue.
- Putnam Manor, a wealthy section between Colonial Ave and Salem Road.
- Orchard Park
- Parkside Manor, a three road section off of Union Terrace, feature in the movie She Devil with Roseanne Barr.
- Larchmont Estates, area bordered by Larchmont Reservation (NW and NE edges), Morris Avenue (SW), Liberty Ave (SE), and Joe Collins Park/Larchmont Reservation (NE edge).
- Green Lane, new community between Kean University and Union Station. Suspenders Restaurant & Pub is located here.
- Fairway Drive, community bordering the Galloping Hill Golf Course.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Union Township include:- Aminat Ayinde, the second runner-up from Cycle 12America's Next Top Model, Cycle 12America's Next Top Model, Cycle 12 is the twelfth cycle of America's Next Top Model and the sixth season to air on The CW network. It premiered on March 4, 2009. The cycle's catch phrase is "Get In The Fold." The cycle's promotional song is Lady Gaga's "The Fame".The first half of the cycle took...
of America's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
. - C. Louis BassanoC. Louis BassanoC. Louis Bassano is an American Republican Party politician who served in both the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey Senate, where he represented the 20th Legislative District, which covers portions of Union County, New Jersey.Bassano attended Bloomfield College, where he majored in...
(born 1942) politician who served in both the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
and the New Jersey SenateNew Jersey SenateThe New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
. - David G. BurnetDavid G. BurnetDavid Gouverneur Burnet was an early politician within the Republic of Texas, serving as interim President of Texas , second Vice President of the Republic of Texas , and Secretary of State for the new state of Texas after it was annexed to the United States of America.Burnet was born in Newark,...
(1788–1870), president of the interim government of the Republic of TexasRepublic of TexasThe Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
during 1836. - Freddie 'Red' CochraneFreddie 'Red' CochraneFreddie 'Red' Cochrane , was a professional boxer in the welterweight division who became World Champion in 1941 in that class...
(1915–93), professional boxer in the welterweightWelterweightWelterweight is a weight class division in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like kickboxing, taekwondo and mixed martial arts also began to use it for their own weight division system...
(147lbPound (mass)The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) division who became World Champion in 1941 in that class. - Joe CollinsJoe CollinsJoseph Edward Collins was an American Major League Baseball player, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania....
(1922–1989), first basemanFirst basemanFirst base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
for the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
from 1948 to 1957. A park on Liberty Avenue is named after him. - Steve CovinoSteve CovinoSteve Covino aka "el Covino" , raised in Union Township, Union County, New Jersey, is a Latino Radio Talk Show Host/Disc Jockey on Sirius XM Satellite Radio...
(born 1976), radio host currently on Sirius XM Radio -Octane & Maxim Radio's Covino & Rich Show. - Joseph CryanJoseph CryanJoseph Cryan is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2002, where he represents the 20th Legislative District...
(born 1961) represents the 20th legislative district in the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
. - Jamie Fox (born 1954), political strategist.
- Mildred Barry HughesMildred Barry HughesMildred Barry Hughes was an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and became the first woman elected to the New Jersey Senate, in 1965....
(1902–95), the first woman elected to the New Jersey SenateNew Jersey SenateThe New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
, in 1965. - Ron KarkoviceRon KarkoviceRonald Joseph Karkovice is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round of the 1982 MLB amateur draft, Karkovice would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox on August 17, 1986, and appeared in his final game on September 26,...
[born 1963] Major League baseball Cather from 1986 to 1997 - Amalya Lyle KearseAmalya Lyle KearseAmalya Lyle Kearse is a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and a world-class bridge player.-Legal career:...
(born 1937), a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitThe United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is one of the thirteen United States Courts of Appeals...
. - John Daniel King (1904–82), architect who worked on projects such as the Supreme Court Building in New York City.
- Larry KubinLarry KubinLawrence William Kubin Jr. is a former American football linebacker who played with the Washington Redskins from 1981 to 1984 in the National Football League. He played college football at Penn State University.Kubin played high school football at Union High School.-References:...
(born 1959), linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who played with the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
from 1981 to 1984. - Kelly KulickKelly KulickKelly Kulick is an American professional bowler from Union Township, New Jersey. She has won eight professional women's bowling titles and one PBA Tour title.-Bowling accomplishments:...
(born 1977), professional bowlerBowler (ten-pin)A bowler is someone participating in the sport of bowling, either as an amateur or professional. In American ten-pin bowling, a bowler is most commonly a member of a team of three to six people...
who became the first woman ever to win a regular Professional Bowlers AssociationProfessional Bowlers AssociationThe Professional Bowlers Association is the major sanctioning body for the sport of professional ten-pin bowling in the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the PBA membership consists of almost 4,300 members worldwide...
tour title. - Artie LangeArtie LangeArthur Steven "Artie" Lange, Jr. is an American actor, comedian and radio personality best known for his tenures with the The Howard Stern Show and the comedy sketch series MADtv....
(born 1967), comedian, actor, and Howard Stern Show sidekick since 2001. - Ray LiottaRay Liotta[File:Ray Liotta is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of Henry Hill in the crime-drama Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese and his role as Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams...
(born 1954), actor. - Elliott MaddoxElliott MaddoxElliott Maddox is an African-American former Major League Baseball American player. Maddox, from 1970 to 1980, played for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators/Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets.-Early and personal life:Maddox attended Union High School in...
(born 1947), professional baseball player with both the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
1974-76 and the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
1978-80. - Matthew John RinaldoMatthew John RinaldoMatthew John "Matt" Rinaldo was an American Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives for twenty years in the 12th congressional district and in the 7th congressional district .Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Rinaldo received a B.S...
(born 1931), represented New JerseyNew JerseyNew 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...
in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for twenty years, in the 12th congressional districtNew Jersey's 12th congressional districtNew Jersey's Twelfth Congressional district is currently represented by Democrat Rush D. Holt Jr. The district is known for its research centers and educational institutions such as Princeton University, Institute for Advanced Study, Johnson & Johnson and Bristol-Myers Squibb.-Voting trends:The...
(1973–1983) and in the 7th congressional districtNew Jersey's 7th congressional districtNew Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Leonard Lance.In the 2008 election, Mike Ferguson did not seek another term. Linda Stender won the Democratic nomination unopposed, while Republican primary voters chose State Senator Leonard Lance in a field of...
(1983–1993). - Karl SchellscheidtKarl SchellscheidtKarl Schellscheidt is an American soccer player, educator and entrepreneur. He was born on April 28, 1968 and was raised in Union, New Jersey. He is the son of soccer coach and player Manfred "Manny" Schellschedit...
(born 1968), soccer player, educator and entrepreneur. - Manfred SchellscheidtManfred SchellscheidtManfred "Manny" Schellscheidt is a German-American soccer coach and former player. Born in Solingen in the Prussian Rhine Province, he emigrated to the United States in the 1970s. He spent three seasons in the North American Soccer League and one in the American Soccer League. He won two U.S...
(born 1941) German-American soccer coach and former player and member of the National Soccer Hall of FameNational Soccer Hall of FameThe National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
. - Darnell StapletonDarnell StapletonDarnell Robert Stapleton is an American football offensive lineman who is currently retired due to knee injuries. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
(born 1985), a former offensive guard for the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
of the National Football League, and an alumnus of Union High School who was a member of the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIIISuper Bowl XLIIISuper Bowl XLIII was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Arizona Cardinals to decide the National Football League champion for the 2008 season. The game was played on February 1, 2009,...
championship team. - Robert WuhlRobert Wuhl-Early life:Wuhl was born in Union, New Jersey to a Jewish family, including a father who worked as a produce distributor. After attending Union High School, Wuhl headed to the University of Houston, where he was active in the drama department and the Epsilon-Omicron Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon...
(born 1951), actor.
External links
- Union Township website
- Union Public School District
- Data for the Union Public School District, 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...
- Living in Union, N.J. - slideshow by The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...