| Burlington, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| City of Burlington | |
| The City of Burlington highlighted in Burlington County. Inset map: Burlington County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of Burlington, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Burlington |
| Formed | October 24, 1693 |
| Royal Charter | May 7, 1733 |
| Incorporated | December 21, 1784 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) |
| • Mayor of Burlington, New Jersey | Dr. James Fazzone (term ends 2011)[1] |
| • Administrator | Eric Berry[2] |
| Area[3] | |
| • Total | 3.72 sq mi (9.6 km2) |
| • Land | 3.00 sq mi (7.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.72 sq mi (1.9 km2) 19.35% |
| Elevation[4] | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[5][6] | |
| • Total | 9,920 |
| • Density | 2,666.7/sq mi (1,033.3/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 08016[7] |
| Area code(s) | 609 |
| FIPS code | 34-08920[8][9] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885174[10] |
| Website | www.burlingtonnj.us |
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920.[5][6]
Burlington was first incorporated on October 24, 1693, and was reincorporated by Royal Charter on May 7, 1733. After American independence, the city was incorporated by the State of New Jersey on December 21, 1784. On March 14, 1851, the city was reincorporated and enlarged.[11]
Burlington was originally the county seat of Burlington County, but in 1796 as the population moved away from the Delaware River the county seat was moved to Mount Holly Township, which was a more central location.[12]
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The council of West Jersey Proprietors purchased roughly 30 miles (48 km) of riverfront land in 1676 from the Lenape Native Americans. Burlington was founded on part of that land by settlers (primarily Quakers) in 1677, and served as the capital of the province until 1702, when West Jersey and East Jersey were combined into a singe Crown Colony.[13]
Burlington takes its name (including the county name) from the English east-coast town of Bridlington, of which, Burlington was a district but is now amalgamated into the larger Bridlington town.[14]
The Quakers formally established their congregation in 1678. Initially, they met in private homes and between 1683 and 1687, Francis Collings constructed a hexagonal meeting house of brick. Over the next century the membership grew substantially and a larger building was needed. The present meeting house on High Street was built in 1783 in front of the old meeting house and cemetery. The cemetery predated the first building. A tablet commemorates the fact that of the Native American leader King Ockanickon, a loyal friend of the English settlers, was buried here in 1681. The oldest gravestone is inscribed "D.B. 1726." Many notable Quakers are also buried here.[15]
One of the oldest buildings in Burlington is known as the Revell House. Originally built in 1685 for George Hutchinson, it stood on East Pearl Street. The property was soon purchased by Thomas Revell, one of the original European settlers. Local tradition associates this house with young Benjamin Franklin who received gingerbread as he was en route from Boston to Philadelphia.[16] In the early 19th century the house was purchased by the Annis Stockton Chapter of the DAR to become their clubhouse. The Colonial Burlington Foundation acquired and restored it in the 1950s.[15]
Many institutions established in the 18th century continue to function in the 21st century. After the Quakers, the second oldest religious congregation in Burlington were the Episcopalians. Their original church, Old St. Mary's, remains the oldest church in Burlington and New Jersey. The congregation was founded in 1702 by George Keith and John Talbot. Talbot became the first minister and laid the cornerstone for the church in 1702. He served as the church's rector until 1725. The congregation prospered, and the church became the see of the Anglican bishops of New Jersey. In 1846, under the leadership of Bishop and Rector George Washington Doane, construction was begun on New St. Mary's. This early Gothic Revival architecture church was designed by Richard Upjohn, who also designed Trinity Church at the foot of Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.[17]
The Library Company of Burlington was organized in 1757 as a "free" library open to the public as well as members. There were 60 members of the original Library Company each paying ten shillings per year to support the institution. The Library received a Charter from King George II of Great Britain in 1758. The Library's books were kept in members' homes for a few years—Thomas Rodman's at 446 South High Street and after 1767—Robert Smith's at 218 High Street. In 1789 the Library moved to its own building.[15] The Library is currently in a stone building that was built on West Union Street in 1864. The Burlington Library is the oldest continuously operating library in New Jersey and the nation's seventh oldest.[18]
The Endeavor Fire Company was organized in 1795 and was one of the four companies in the Burlington Fire Department when it was organized almost a century later. Endeavor was the first permanent fire fighting organization in Burlington and remains one of the oldest fire companies under its original name in the state.[19] By 1882, the Company had relocated to their present building, which was erected in 1852 as a Market House.
Burlington has been the home of many notable people including John Lawrence, a politician and his son, Captain James Lawrence. The elder Lawrence served in the State Assembly, as Mayor of Burlington, New Jersey in 1769, and as a member of the Provincial Council from 1771 to 1775. Unfortunately, he was suspected of being loyal to the British during the Revolution, which ended his career. His son was born on October 1, 1781 and became a legend during the war of 1812 with the command "Don't Give Up the Ship."[20] Lawyer and writer, James Fenimore Cooper, was also from Burlington, New Jersey who wrote The Last of the Mohicans.
The building at 301 High Street houses is the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in New Jersey. It originally was a dwelling and was converted to commercial use around 1845 by William Allinson, a druggist, local historian, and leading Quaker abolitionist. The building was a center of anti-slavery activity. John Greenleaf Whittier denounced slavery from the doorstep and local tradition holds that fugitive slaves hid in tunnels under the building.[15]
During the 19th century, Burlington City was known for the quality and quantity of its manufacturing. The shoe industry rivaled shipbuilding and canning in prominence.[15] The 1850 Federal Census indicates that the largest number of men were employed in the shoe industry followed closely by carpentry and bricklaying. J. Frank Budd got his start in the shoe business at a Burlington shoe company just after the Civil War. In 1887, J.F. Budd broke ground for a children's "shoeworks" at the corner of Penn and Dilwyn Streets. The company employed approximately 325 people and operated six days a week for ten hours a day. The J.F. Budd Baby Shoe Company billed itself as the "largest baby shoe plant in the world."[19]
The commercial activity helped sponsor the City's cultural activity. In 1839, a Lyceum was erected as a venue for lectures, concerts, and public meetings. It served in that capacity until 1851 when it was turned over to the city to become City Hall. A new facade was built. The municipal offices' move was concurrent with the adoption of a new City charter.[19] The Oneida Boat Club was organized in 1873 by a group of 10 members. Over the next few years, the club grew rapidly and in 1876, they dedicated their newly-built clubhouse on the banks of the Delaware River at York Street. The Oneida is the oldest continuously operating boat club on the Delaware River.[15] During this century, the City of Burlington grew in a grid pattern off of the main crossroads of High and Broad Streets. Blocks of attached rowhouses built in the latest architectural style characterize the City as a 19th century town.
Burlington's waterfront park is the result of urban renewal and flood control projects in the late 1960s and 1970s. The shoreline improvements—revetments, walkways, etc. -- span the entire Delaware riverfront from the Burlington-Bristol Bridge to the Assiscunk Creek. The old waterfront industries, ferry terminals and docks have all been demolished and replaced by an open, grassy park and a tree-lined waterfront esplanade.[15] The Oneida Clubhouse narrowly escaped demolition during the urban renewal campaign. Fortunately, it was saved and renovated. However, the new esplanade added land between the building and river's edge creating a landlocked Boat Clubhouse.
Burlington Coat Factory was founded in 1924 as a wholesaler of ladies coats and outerwear. The modern company was formed in 1972 when Monroe Milstein purchased a warehouse in the outskirts of the city of Burlington, and started selling coats and outerwear. The company started gradually adding apparel, including suits, shoes, and accessories, and has branched out to include baby items and linens, all clothing at discount prices. The original Burlington Coat Factory relocated to a new store in the fall of 2008.
Burlington is located at (40.073110, -74.855693).[21] It is surrounded on three sides by Burlington Township, New Jersey and on one side by the Delaware River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.72 square miles (9.6 km2), of which, 3.00 square miles (7.8 km2) of it is land and 0.72 square miles (1.9 km2) of it (19.35%) is water.[3]
Burlington borders Burlington Township and the Delaware River. The Burlington-Bristol Bridge crosses the Delaware River, connecting Burlington to Bristol, Pennsylvania.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 4,536 |
|
|
| 1860 | 5,174 | 14.1% | |
| 1870 | 5,817 | 12.4% | |
| 1880 | 6,090 | 4.7% | |
| 1890 | 7,264 | 19.3% | |
| 1900 | 7,392 | 1.8% | |
| 1910 | 8,336 | 12.8% | |
| 1920 | 9,049 | 8.6% | |
| 1930 | 10,844 | 19.8% | |
| 1940 | 10,905 | 0.6% | |
| 1950 | 12,051 | 10.5% | |
| 1960 | 12,687 | 5.3% | |
| 1970 | 12,010 | −5.3% | |
| 1980 | 10,246 | −14.7% | |
| 1990 | 9,835 | −4.0% | |
| 2000 | 9,736 | −1.0% | |
| 2010 | 9,920 | 1.9% | |
| Population sources: 1850-1930[22]1930-1990[23] 2000[24] 2010[5][6][25] |
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The 2010 United States Census reported that there were 9,920 people, 2,437 households and 1,052 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of Bridgeton was 58.9% (5,845) White, 33.0% (3,272) African American, 0.2% (18) Native American, 2.0% (201) Asian, 0.0% (4) Pacific Islander, 2.3% (227) from other races, and 3.6% (353) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.5% (645).[5][25]
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 9,736 people, 3,898 households, and 2,522 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,245.1 people per square mile (1,253.0/km2). There were 4,181 housing units at an average density of 1,393.6 per square mile (538.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.18% White, 26.62% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.[24]
There were 3,898 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.09.[24]
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.[24]
The median income for a household in the city was $43,115, and the median income for a family was $47,969. Males had a median income of $38,012 versus $28,022 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,208. About 5.4% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.[24]
The City of Burlington is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government.[26] The Mayor serves a four-year term of office. The Common Council consists of seven members, each serving four-year terms of office: three at-large Councilpersons representing the entire City and one representing each of the four voting wards.
As of 2011[update], the Mayor of Burlington City is Dr. James Fazzone, whose term of office ends December 31, 2011.[27] Members of the City Council are Council President Doug Ghaul (At-Large), Vice President Suzanne Woodard (At-Large), David Babula (At-Large), Barry Conaway (Ward 1), Helen F. Hatala (Ward 3), Ila Marie Lollar (Ward 4) and Jeanette Mercuri (Ward 2).[28]
Burlington is in the 4th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district.[29] The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[6]
New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
7th district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Diane Allen (R, Edgewater Park Township) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Herb Conaway (D, Delanco Township) and Jack Conners (D, Pennsauken Township).[30] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[31] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[32]
Burlington County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose five members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. As of 2011, Burlington County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Bruce D. Garganio (Florence Township, 2012), Deputy Director Christopher J. Brown (Evesham Township, 2011), Joseph B. Donnelly (Cinnaminson Township, 2013), Mary Ann O'Brien (Medford Township, 2012) and Mary Anne Reinhart (Shamong Township, 2011).[33][34]
The City of Burlington Public School District serves students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.[35]
The schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[36]) are Elias Boudinot Elementary School (K - 2; 91 students), Captain James Lawrence Elementary School (K - 2; 191), Samuel Smith Elementary School (PreK - 2; 340), Wilbur Watts Intermediate School (grades 3 - 6; 456), Burlington City Junior School (grades 7 and 8 within the high school) and Burlington City High School (Grades 9 - 12; 812 students). Burlington City High School serves as a receiving school for students in grade nine through twelve from Edgewater Park Township, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Edgewater Park School District.[37]
St. Mary's Hall-Doane Academy, a co-educational, Episcopal college-preparatory school, was founded as St. Mary's Hall, a boarding school for girls, by George Washington Doane in 1837. The name was shortened to Doane Academy in March 2008.[38] All Saints Catholic Grade School (Pre-K though 8th grade) closed in June 2006 with several other Catholic schools in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton due to low enrollment, after 75 years of operation, based on the results of recommendations issues in 2005 that recommended the closure to help improve diocese finances.[39]
The River Line offers service to Camden and Trenton Rail Station, with stations at Burlington South and Burlington Towne Centre, both on West Broad Street.
New Jersey Transit provides service to Philadelphia on the 409, 413 and 419 bus routes.[40]
Burlington is served by Interstate 95, Interstate 295, as well as U.S. Route 130 and Route 413.
The Burlington-Bristol Bridge crosses the Delaware River connecting Burlington to Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. Construction of the bridge started on April 1, 1930, and the bridge opened to traffic on May 1, 1931. The bridge carries NJ 413 and Pennsylvania Route 413.
Notable current and former residents of Burlington include: