Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey
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- see also: Springfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey for another township in New Jersey with the same name
Springfield Township is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 14,429.
The little known, but extremely critical, Battle of Springfield was fought here, the last of many battles of the American Revolutionary War to be fought in New Jersey.
Springfield is the home of the Baltusrol Golf Club, which was the host to the 2005 PGA Championship. It has also hosted other golf Major Championships, including the U.S. Open, held on seven occasions at Baltusrol, most recently in 1993.
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[edit] History
Springfield is celebrated as the site of a Battle of Springfield between the American Continental Army and British forces on June 23, 1780. The British, under Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, advanced from Elizabethtown about 5 o'clock in the morning. They were opposed by General Nathanael Greene, but owing to the superior number of the enemy he was compelled to evacuate Springfield, which was then burned by the British. During the action the Rev. James Caldwell, chaplain in the New Jersey brigade, is said to have distributed the Watts hymn books from the neighboring Presbyterian Church among the soldiers for wadding, saying at the same time, "Now put Watts into them, boys." This battle prevented further advance on the part of the British. The American loss was about 15 and that of the British about 150.
Some historical landmarks from the Revolution still stand: the Cannon Ball House, which has since been converted into a museum was (according to the township's official website) "Built circa 1741 and served as a farmhouse at the time of the Revolutionary War. During the Battle of Springfield (June 23, 1780) the British used it as a hospital. ... It was one of only three buildings left standing when all others including the Presbyterian Church where Reverend James Caldwell had taken Watts hymnbooks for rifle wadding, were set on fire. ... In later years the house became a tavern to serve travelers on Morris (Ave) Turnpike. The farmland was later sold off, and it served then as a private residence. The property Was acquired by the Springfield Historical Society in 1955. It has become known as The Cannon Ball House because a cannonball was found on the west side embedded in a beam. ... The Cannon Ball House has five revolutionary era rooms, some American Civil War items, early tools, a Battle diorama and a colonial garden. It has just been (1998) renovated to its original appearance and color."[1] Springfield's First Presbyterian Church, which had been burned by the British, was rebuilt, using much of the original structure and it remains at # 37 Church Mall to this day.
[edit] Geography
Springfield Township is located on the northern edge of Union County and is bordered by Millburn to the north in Essex County, by Union Township to the east, by Kenilworth to the southeast, by Westfield and Cranford to the south, by Mountainside to the southwest and by Summit to the northwest.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 13.3 km² (5.2 mi²), all land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 14,429 people, 6,001 households, and 4,014 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,081.8/km² (2,801.8/mi²). There were 6,204 housing units at an average density of 465.1/km² (1,204.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 89.72% White, 3.72% African American, 0.02% Native American, 4.69% Asian, 0.96% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.14% of the population.
There were 6,001 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $73,790, and the median income for a family was $85,725. Males had a median income of $55,907 versus $39,542 for females. The per capita income for the township was $36,754. About 1.8% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
The Township of Springfield was established on April 14, 1794, and on that date held their first Township Meeting. This meeting was held pursuant to an Act of the New Jersey Legislature passed at Trenton on May 27, 1793.
Under the Township Form of Government, the Township Committee consists of five Committee members, two elected one year, two the following year and then one the next year, with each elected for a three-year term. At the Organization meeting held usually on the first day of January, the committee elects their Chairman, who by courtesy is called Mayor, but the official title is "Chairman of the Township Committee".[2]
The current members are Mayor Clara T. Harelik, Deputy Mayor Kenneth Faigenbaum, Steven Grau, Mark Hurwitz and Harold Poltrock[3].
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Springfield Township is in the Seventh Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 21st Legislative District.[4]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, covering portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Somerset County and Union County, is represented by Mike Ferguson (R). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 21st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield) and in the Assembly by Jon Bramnick (R, Westfield) and Eric Munoz (R, Summit). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).
Union County is governed by a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. As of the January 2006 reorganization, Union County's Freeholders are: Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, Angel G. Estrada, Chester Holmes, Adrian O. Mapp, Rick Proctor, Deborah P. Scanlon, Daniel P. Sullivan and Nancy Ward.
[edit] Education
The Springfield Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district are:
- Edward V. Walton Early Childhood Center (grades Pre K- 2; 625 students)
- James Caldwell Elementary School (grades 1 - 6; 298 students)
- Thelma L. Sandmeier Elementary School (grades 3 - 5; 240 students)
- Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School (grades 6 - 8; 480 students)
- Jonathan Dayton High School (grades 9 - 12; 513 students)
[edit] Transportation
A number of major highways and roadways pass through Springfield, including Interstate 78, Route 24, Route 59 and Route 124, as well as CR 509 Spur and CR 577.
New Jersey Transit provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan in New York City and yo New Jersey points.
Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately ten miles east of Springfield.
[edit] Historical Transporation
The Rahway Valley Railroad passed through the community, and during the early 20th Century offered both frieght and passenger service, but is currently out of service.
A trolley line called the Morris County Traction Company, ran trolley service through Springfield to/from Newark and Morris County, in the early part of the 20th Century.
[edit] Interesting facts
- All of the township's schools are named after famous Springfieldians. For instance, the township's High School is named after Jonathan Dayton, a famous regional patriot, and one of the signers of the United States Constitution.
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Springfield Township include:
- Jeffrey Ross, Comedian (born Jeffrey Ross Lifschultz)
- Herbert I. Olarsch, Directer of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (1993)
- Claudio Reyna, Professional Soccer Player.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Springfield Township History, accessed December 4, 2005
- ^ Springfield Municipal Government, accessed April 12, 2006
- ^ Springfield Township Administration, accessed April 12, 2006
- ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 55, accessed August 30, 2006
- ^ USA's Reyna personifies perseverance, USA Today, June 2, 2006
[edit] External links
- Official Township Website
- Springfield Public Schools
- Springfield Public Schools's 2004-2005 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Springfield Public Schools
- Battle of Springfield Reenactment Website
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