Vineland, New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Vineland, New Jersey | |
| Motto: "A Harvest of Opportunities in the Heart of the Northeast" | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Cumberland |
| Incorporated | February 5, 1952[1] |
| Government | |
| - Type | Faulkner Act Mayor-Council |
| - Mayor | Perry D. Barse |
| - Mayor-elect | Robert Romano |
| Area | |
| - Total | 69.0 sq mi (178.7 km²) |
| - Land | 68.7 sq mi (177.9 km²) |
| - Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) 0.42% |
| Elevation [2] | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Population (2006)[3] | |
| - Total | 58,271 |
| - Density | 819.2/sq mi (316.3/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 08360, 08361, 08362 |
| Area code(s) | 856 |
| FIPS code | 34-76070[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0881466[5] |
| Website: http://www.vinelandcity.org/ | |
Vineland is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 56,271. Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton are the three principal New Jersey cities of the Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses those three cities and all of Cumberland County for statistical purposes.
Vineland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 28, 1880, from portions of Landis Township, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. On July 5, 1952, Vineland borough and Landis Township were merged to form Vineland city, based on the results of a referendum held on February 5, 1952.[1][6][7]
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[edit] History
Charles K. Landis purchased 20,000 acres (81 km²) of land in 1861, near Millville, New Jersey and along an existing railroad line with service to Philadelphia, to create his own utopian city. The first houses were built in 1862, and train service was established to Philadelphia and New York City, with the population reaching 5,500 by 1865.[8]
In addition to banning the sale of alcohol, Landis required that purchasers of land in Vineland had to build a house on the purchased property within a year of purchase, that 2½ acres of the often-heavily wooded land had to be cleared and farmed each year, and that adequate space be placed between houses and roads to allow for planting of flowers and shade trees along the routes through town. Landis Avenue was constructed as a 100-foot (30 m) wide and about 1-mile (2 km) long road running east-west through the center of the community, with other, narrower roads connecting at right angles to each other.[9]
After determining that the Vineland soil was well-suited for growing grapes (hence the name), Landis started advertising to attract Italian grape growers to Vineland, offering 20 acres of land that had to be cleared and used to grow grapes. Thomas Bramwell Welch founded Welch's Grape Juice, and purchased the locally-grown grapes to make "unfermented wine" (or grape juice).[9]
Vineland was incorporated in 1880.
[edit] Geography
Vineland is located at (39.480415, -75.014013)[10].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.0 square miles (178.7 km²), of which, 68.7 square miles (177.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (0.42%) is water. Of all the municipalities in New Jersey to hold the label of 'city,' Vineland is the largest in total area (Hamilton Township, Atlantic County is the largest municipality.) Additionally, Vineland is home to the largest farmer's cooperative on the east coast, the Vineland Produce Auction. Vineland was also the birth place of Welch's Grape Juice and previously had the Palace of Depression until it was burnt down. The Palace is currently being rebuilt.
Vineland borders Deerfield Township, Millville, and Maurice River Township. Vineland also borders Salem County, Gloucester County, and Atlantic County. The city is approximately 38 miles (61 km) from the Atlantic Ocean.
The main street in Vineland is Landis Avenue. The traditional downtown area is located several blocks east and west of the intersection of Landis Avenue and the Boulevard. The Boulevard is a pair of roads that flank the main north/south railroad which connected Vineland with Cape May to the south and Camden/Philadelphia to the north. After many years of decline there has been much recent activity to restore the vitality of "The Avenue" and the center city area. New construction includes a new transportation center, courthouse, post office, elementary school / community center and sidewalk upgrades. In 2006, Vineland was designated a Main Street Community and, through the work of this group, money has been earmarked to continue this improvement through property and facade improvements, business retention and marketing.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 21,603 |
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| 1940 | 24,439 | 13.1% | |
| 1950 | 29,573 | 21.0% | |
| 1960 | 37,685 | 27.4% | |
| 1970 | 47,399 | 25.8% | |
| 1980 | 53,753 | 13.4% | |
| 1990 | 54,780 | 1.9% | |
| 2000 | 56,271 | 2.7% | |
| Est. 2006 | 58,271 | [3] | 3.6% |
| Population 1930 - 1990[11] | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 56,271 people, 19,930 households, and 14,210 families residing in the city. The population density was 819.2 people per square mile (316.3/km²). There were 20,958 housing units at an average density of 305.1/sq mi (117.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.47% White, 13.62% African American, 0.54% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 14.01% from other races, and 3.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.00% of the population.
There were 19,930 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,076, and the median income for a family was $47,909. Males had a median income of $35,195 versus $25,518 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,797. About 9.8% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
The City of Vineland is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government under New Jersey’s Optional Municipal Charter Law, commonly called the Faulkner Act.[12] There are two separate and co-equal branches of government, each directly elected by the people: the mayor, who serves as chief executive; and the City Council, which functions in a legislative role. Municipal elections are non-partisan. The Mayor and Council serve four-year terms of office elected concurrently.[13]
The current Mayor of Vineland is Perry D. Barse, whose term of office ends on June 30, 2008 (along with all members of the City Council).[14] Members of the Vineland City Council are John Barretta, Jim Forcinito, Sheena Santiago, Barbra Sheftall and Anthony Gioelli.[15]
On July 1, 2008, Barse will be succeeded by Mayor-elect Robert Romano, son of former Mayor Joseph Romano. The new City Council will be composed of Peter F. Coccaro III, Mayra Arroyo, Louis F. Cresci Jr., Edward W. Conrow, and Douglas A. Albrecht, all of whom won their positions in the municipal election on May 13, 2008.[16]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Vineland is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 1st Legislative District.[17]
New Jersey's Second Congressional District, covering all of Atlantic County, Cape May County, Cumberland County and Salem County and portions of Burlington County, Camden County and Gloucester County, is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 1st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Asselta (R) and in the Assembly by Nelson Albano (D, Vineland) and Jeff Van Drew (D, Dennis Township).[18] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[19]
Cumberland County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected at large in partisan elections to serve staggered three-year terms in office, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[20] As of 2008, Cumberland County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Louis N. Magazzu (term ends December 31, 2009), Deputy Director Bruce T. Peterson (2008), Jane Yetman Christy (2008), Joseph Pepitone (2010), Douglas M. Rainear (2010), Joseph P. Riley (2009) and Jeffrey M. Trout (2008).[21]
[edit] Education
Vineland Public Schools operates Vineland's public schools. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.[22] The district is includes three kindergarten schools (Butler Avenue School, Oak and Main Elementary School and South Vineland Elementary School), eight K-5 primary schools (except as noted) — Dane Barse School, Cunningham School (grades 1-5), Marie Durand School, Johnstone School, Max Leuchter School, Dr. William Mennies School and John H. Winslow School — Solve E. D'Ippolito School four grade 6-8 middle schools (except as noted) — Thomas W. Wallace, Jr. School, Landis School, Veterans Memorial School and Anthony Rossi School — and both Vineland Senior High School North (grades 9-10) and Vineland Senior High School South (grades 11-12).
The Cumberland Christian School is a private, nonsectarian coeducational day school located in Vineland, serving students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school has a total enrollment of over 1,000 students. The Cumberland Christian School is a large K-12 private school. The city is also home to two Catholic elementary schools — Bishop Schad Regional School (combining St. Francis and Sacred Heart Schools) and St. Mary's School.
[edit] Points of interest
- Vineland has the only remaining drive-in theater,The Delsea Drive-In, in the state of New Jersey, the state in which they were created in 1932. It is located on Route 47 (Delsea Drive) north of County Route 552.
- The Palace of Depression was built by the eccentric and mustached George Daynor, a former Alaska gold miner who lost his fortune in the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and was known as "The Strangest House in the World" or the "Home of Junk", and was built as a testament of willpower against the effects of The Great Depression. It was razed in 1969.[23]
[edit] Importance
Vineland was formerly the poultry capital of the United States. A huge percentage of the United States' chicken supply came from Vineland. Vineland Poultry Laboratories, which has been since sold several times and is now Lohman Animal Health, was started by Arthur Goldhaft. Dr. Goldhaft is credited with putting "a chicken in every pot" after developing the fowl pox chicken vaccine that saved millions of chickens from death. Dr. Goldhaft's work at Vineland Poultry Laboratories in Vineland, helped protect the world's chicken supply from the fowl pox disease.
Vineland also has quite a few registered historical sites, with some on the National Register of Historic Places, including: Aubrey Louis Hanford House - 1894, Coney's Tavern, Daniel R. Morrill House 1868, First Baptist Church, Garrison Hall, Gittone Stadium - 1938, Henry Hartson House, The - 1870, Judge Elias G. Doughty House - ca. 1867, Landis Intermediate School 1928, Myron Kimball House, The - 1895, New Jersey Memorial Home - 1868 (Vineland Soldiers Home) (Torn down in 2005), Research Laboratory, The - (Josiah Wistar Hospital), Sacred Heart Church - 1874, Site of Dr. Thomas B. Welsh Home and Home Factory, Theophilus French House - 1871, Vineland Historical & Antiquarian Society Building - 1910 Vineland's First House, and Vineland's First Post Office.[24]
Additionally, Vineland had New Jersey’s first school for mental health, the Vineland Developmental Center, which now has an east and west campus. These institutions house mentally handicapped women in cottages and are staffed 24/7. Henry H. Goddard, an American psychologist, coined the term "Moron" while directing the Research Laboratory at the Training School for Backward and Feeble-minded Children in Vineland. Also of architectural interest is the Kimball Glass Headquarters, designed by William Lescaze, the architect for the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society building in Philadelphia.
Vineland's founder, Charles K. Landis is also credited by Cyrus Dezfuli in his doctoral dissertation from the University of Pennsylvania, with being the originator of the idea to construct the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
[edit] Transportation
Route 47, Route 55 and Route 56, as well as County Route 540, County Route 552 and County Route 555 all pass through Vineland. Two general aviation airports are located nearby. Vineland-Downstown Airport is located 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of the central business district, and Kroelinger Airport, 3 miles (4.8 km) north.
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Vineland include:
- Nicholas Asselta (1951-), member of the New Jersey Senate, who served on the Vineland Board of Education (1993-96), Vineland Planning Board (1992-93) and Vineland Environmental Commission (1992-93).[25]
- Nelson Albano (1954-) member of the New Jersey General Assembly who represents the 1st legislative district.[26]
- Jeremiah Hacker (1801-1895), Quaker reformer and journalist.
- Alan Kotok (1941-2006), computer scientist known for his contributions to the Internet and World Wide Web.[27]
- Charles K. Landis (1833-1900), founder of Vineland.
- Jeret Schroeder (1969-), former driver in the Indy Racing League.[28]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 120.
- ^ USGS GNIS: City of Vineland, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 16, 2007.
- ^ a b Census data for Vineland city, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 8, 2007.
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ "MERGER CAMPAIGN AROUSES VINELAND; 'Hole' in Jersey 'Doughnut' Fights for Civic Status in February 5 Referendum Merger Defeated in 1929 Wide Interest Noted", The New York Times, November 25, 1951. p. 58
- ^ "NEW CITY SET IN JERSEY; 2 Communities Vote to Merge as Vineland on July 1", The New York Times, February 6, 1952. p. 24.
- ^ Our People of the Century: Charles K. Landis - Founder of a City, Creator of a Dream. Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed August 28, 2007.
- ^ a b THE FOUNDING OF VINELAND AND ITS GROWTH AS AN AGRICULTURAL CENTER, West Jersey and South Jersey Heritage. Accessed August 28, 2007.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 8.
- ^ Vineland's Form of Government, City of Vineland. Accessed July 27, 2006.
- ^ Vineland Mayor's Office, City of Vineland. Accessed July 27, 2006.
- ^ Vineland City Council, City of Vineland. Accessed October 11, 2007.
- ^ Romano, slate win in sweep, The Daily Journal, May 14, 2008.
- ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 65. Accessed August 30, 2006.
- ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
- ^ About Cumberland County Government, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed May 22, 2008.
- ^ County Freeholders, Cumberland County, New Jersey. Accessed May 23, 2008.
- ^ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2008.
- ^ Palace of Depression, Roadside America. Accessed October 2, 2007.
- ^ NEW JERSEY - Cumberland County, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed October 2, 2007.
- ^ Senator Nicholas Asselta, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed October 2, 2007.
- ^ Assembly Member Nelson Albano profile, Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 8, 2007.
- ^ Marquard, Bryan. "Alan Kotok; he tred vanguard of computers with brilliance, wit", Boston Globe, June 6, 2006, accessed April 25, 2007. "Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Kotok was an only child and grew up in Vineland, N.J., where his father owned a hardware store."
- ^ Kallman, Dave. "Road America Notes", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 17, 1996, accessed April 25, 2007. "Other support series: Jeret Schroeder of Vineland, N.J., led a group of 12 Player's / Toyota Atlantic drivers who bettered the track record in provisional qualifying for the race Sunday."
[edit] External links
- Vineland website
- Vineland Public Schools
- Vineland Public Schools's 2006-07 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- National Center for Education Statistics data for the Vineland Public Schools
- Vineland Public Library
- Vineland, New Jersey is at coordinates Coordinates:
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