Haddonfield, New Jersey

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Haddonfield is a borough located in Camden County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough had a total population of 11,659.

Haddonfield highlighted in Camden County
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Haddonfield highlighted in Camden County

Haddonfield was the second municipality in New Jersey (after Cape May) to set up a historical preservation district. In keeping with the historic appearance of the borough, some candidates for commissioner give out colored ribbons to their supporters in lieu of the more common yard signs.

From Prohibition to the present day, the borough has not issued any liquor licenses. However, it was at the Indian King Tavern of Haddonfield in the winter of 1777 that the New Jersey General Assembly met and declared that New Jersey was a free and independent state.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Downtown Haddonfield in June.
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Downtown Haddonfield in June.

Haddonfield is located at 39°53′47″N, 75°2′9″W1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 7.4 km² (2.9 mi²). 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.05% water.

The Cooper River forms the border between Haddonfield and Cherry Hill. Haddonfield shares land borders with Haddon Township, Haddon Heights, Barrington, and Tavistock.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 11,659 people (flat from 11,628 in the 1990 census, and down from 12,337 in 1980), 4,496 households, and 3,255 families residing in the borough. The population density is 1,590.7/km² (4,124.7/mi²). There are 4,620 housing units at an average density of 630.3/km² (1,634.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough is 96.47% White, 1.27% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 4,496 households out of which 35.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% are married couples living together, 7.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% are non-families. 24.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.57 and the average family size is 3.09.

In the borough the population is spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough is $86,872, and the median income for a family is $103,597. Males have a median income of $73,646 versus $44,968 for females. The per capita income for the borough is $43,170. 2.2% of the population and 1.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

[edit] Special Events

Throughout the year, Haddonfield hosts many events. There are events such as the townwide sidewalk sale in the summer, and the fall festival in October. The fall festival is an event where community organizations may have booths along Kings Highway and there is scarecrow-making for kids. There is also the famous Haddonfield Crafts & Fine Arts Festival, where a large variety of vendors line the main street. One of the more major events is First Night, a New Year's Eve celebration of the arts, with a variety of performances. There is also the car show.

There are also events such as historic house tours and designer show houses. Many streets also choose to have a block party at some point during the year. Block parties are a great way for neighbors to get to know each other.

[edit] Transportation

Haddonfield has a PATCO Hi-Speedline station that links it directly to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and other towns in Camden County. New Jersey Transit runs several bus lines through Haddonfield, most of which stop at the PATCO station. Most travel through Haddonfield is in the form of car. There are some congestion problems plaguing the town and borough commissioners have been holding numerous meetings to correct the problem, although there have been few improvements. Haddonfield also prides itself in being walkable. Most streets have sidewalks, and due to the small size of the town, it is highly possible to walk to any part of town.

The Borough presently has a traffic campaign using the slogan Haddonfield Drives 25 stating the only speed limit in the borough is 25 mph for all streets and roadways within the borough.

[edit] History

The Haddonfield area was occupied by Lenni Lenape Native Americans. The Lenape disappeared from the local area when settlers arrived. Arrowheads and pottery shards have been found by residents by the banks of the Cooper River, hinting that there was an Indian settlement in Haddonfield at one point in time.

Haddonfield was founded by Elizabeth Haddon (1680-1762), whose Quaker father, John Haddon, bought a 500 acre (2 km²) tract of land in the English colony of West Jersey to escape religious persecution. Elizabeth set sail alone from Southwark, England to the New World in 1701. Shortly after her arrival, she made a marriage proposal to John Estaugh, a Quaker minister, and they were married in 1702.

The Indian King Tavern, built in 1750, played a significant role in the American Revolution, and remains today as a state historical site and museum.

In 1838, William Estaugh Hopkins was digging in a marl pit (now known as Hopkins Pond) when he uncovered large bones. He had the bones on display at his home, Birdwood. In 1858 these bones sparked the interest of a visitor, William Foulke. Hadrosaurus foulkii, the first full skeleton of a dinosaur found in North America, was dug out from the marl pit in 1858 by Foulke. The entire skeleton was completely assembled in 1868 and was put on display at Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, where it remains available for public viewing.

The Jersey Devil allegedly terrorized Haddonfield in 1859.[citation needed]

In 1875, Haddonfield became the first community to cede from Haddon Township and become a self-governing borough.

Aside from having one of the world's most significant paleontology sites, Haddonfield is also famous for its historic homes, quaint shops and legions of lawyers. A major legal center for the southern half of the state, the town houses the offices of more than 390 attorneys.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

The Borough of Haddonfield has been governed under the Walsh Act since 1913, with three non-partisan commissioners elected for 4-year concurrent terms. Amongst themselves, the Commissioners select a Mayor and may select a Deputy Mayor. Each Commissioner oversees a Department within the Borough. The current commissioners are:[1]

The next election for borough commission is in May 2009.

Though the commission is nominally non-partisan, Colombi is active in the local Republican organization, while Borden is a former county prosecutor in Democratic-controlled Camden County.

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Haddonfield is in the 1st Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 6th Legislative District.[2]

New Jersey's First Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Camden County and Gloucester County, is represented by Rob Andrews (D, Haddon Heights). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 6th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John H. Adler (D, Cherry Hill) and in the Assembly by Louis Greenwald (D, Voorhees) and Pamela Rosen Lampitt (D, Cherry Hill). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Camden County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Camden County's Freeholders are: Louis Cappelli, Jr. (Freeholder Director), Edward McDonnell (Freeholder Deputy Director), Riletta L. Cream, Thomas J. Gurick, Jeffrey L. Nash, Joseph Ripa and Carmen Rodriguez.

[edit] Education

[edit] Public Schools

The Haddonfield Public Schools are a comprehensive public school district serving students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district has one public high school (Haddonfield Memorial High School, 9th-12th), one public middle school (Haddonfield Middle School, 6th-8th), and three public elementary schools (Central, Elizabeth Haddon, and J.F. Tatem, K-5). The school district serves the Borough of Haddonfield using funds mostly obtained through local property taxes. Students from Pine Valley and Tavistock attend the district's schools as part of sending/receiving relationships. While most students are residents, a small number of students are taken on a tuition or voucher basis.

Elizabeth Haddon School, Tatem School, and Central School all serve K-5. Each school has approximately 3 sections in each grade. Facilities are modern and underwent major additions several years ago. The schools all host various events around the school. All schools in Haddonfield are walkable, and many students use this as their method of getting to school.

The Middle school, serving 6-8, currently has approximately 600 students.

[edit] Private schools

Haddonfield is also home to Haddonfield Friends School (Quaker, Pre-K-8), Kingsway Learning Center (special education, ages 5 to 16) and Christ the King (Catholic, K-8). Bancroft NeuroHealth is headquartered in Haddonfield and operates an adjacent special education school and psychiatric facility. In July, 2005, Bancroft began soliciting requests for proposals to purchase its 20 acre property, as a precursor to moving its operations out of Haddonfield. There is currently, however, no specific timeline for any sale or relocation.

[edit] Popular culture

[edit] Noted residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ Haddonfield Borough Commission, accessed June 16, 2006
  2. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 58, accessed August 30, 2006
  3. ^ Official biography at joannacassidy.com
  4. ^ William T. Cahill biography at The Political Graveyard, accessed [{[December 1]], 2006
  5. ^ National Association of Sports Officials profile: Bob McElwee, accessed December 6, 2006
  6. ^ A Man Who Helped Skiers Get on the Snowboard, Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 1998

[edit] External links

[edit] General links

[edit] History links

[edit] Education links

v • d • e
Municipalities of Camden County, New Jersey
(County Seat: Camden)
Boroughs Audubon | Audubon Park | Barrington | Bellmawr | Berlin | Brooklawn | Chesilhurst | Clementon | Collingswood | Gibbsboro | Haddon Heights | Haddonfield | Hi-Nella | Laurel Springs | Lawnside | Lindenwold | Magnolia | Merchantville | Mount Ephraim | Oaklyn | Pine Hill | Pine Valley | Runnemede | Somerdale | Stratford | Tavistock | Woodlynne
Cities Camden | Gloucester
Townships Berlin | Cherry Hill | Gloucester | Haddon | Pennsauken | Voorhees | Waterford | Winslow
CDPs and other Communities Ashland | Barclay-Kingston | Blackwood | Cherry Hill Mall | Echelon | Erlton-Ellisburg | Glendora | Golden Triangle | Greentree | Sicklerville | Springdale
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