Long Branch, New Jersey

Long Branch, New Jersey
—  City  —
Nickname(s): The First Seaside Resort
Motto: Tide In
Map of Long Branch in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Long Branch, New Jersey
Coordinates:
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Monmouth
Incorporated April 11, 1867
Government[1]
 • Type Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
 • Mayor Adam Schneider (2014)[2]
 • Administrator Howard H. Woolley, Jr.[3]
Area
 • Total 6.2 sq mi (16.0 km2)
 • Land 5.2 sq mi (13.5 km2)
 • Water 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km2)
Elevation[4] 23 ft (7 m)
Population (201 Census)[5]
 • Total 30,719
 • Density 4,954.7/sq mi (1,919.9/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07740
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 34-41310[6][7]
GNIS feature ID 0885285[8]
Website http://www.longbranch.org

Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.[5]

Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township. Long Branch was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1903, based on the results of a referendum, replacing the Long Branch Commission.[9]

Contents

Geography

Long Branch is located at (40.297932, −73.990971).[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16 km2), of which, 5.2 square miles (13 km2) of it is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) of it (15.67%) is water. Long Branch is Monmouth County's largest city.

Elberon is an unincorporated area, served as ZIP code 07740, located within Long Branch.

History

Long Branch was a beach resort town in the late 18th century. In the 19th century it was a "Hollywood" of the east, where some of the greatest theatrical and other performers of the day gathered and performed. It was visited by presidents Chester A. Arthur, James A. Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson.[11] Seven Presidents Park, a park near the beach, is named in honor of their visits. The Church of the Presidents, where all seven worshiped, is the only structure left in Long Branch associated with them.

President Garfield was brought to Long Branch in the hope that the fresh air and quiet might aid his recovery after being shot on July 2, 1881, an incident that left the assassin's bullet lodged in his spine. He died here on September 19, 1881, exactly two months before his 50th birthday.[12] The Garfield Tea House, built from railroad ties that carried Garfield's train, is in Elberon.

The famous Long Branch Saloon of the American Old West, located in Dodge City, Kansas, was originally named that by its first owner, William Harris, who had moved west from Long Branch, New Jersey, his hometown.[13]

Originally a resort town with a few hotels and large estates and many farms in the early 20th century, Long Branch grew in population. Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants settled in during this period. By the 1950s, Long Branch like many other towns had developed new residential spots and housing to make room for the growing population. Many of the former farms of Long Branch were transformed into residential suburbs. Many of the estates and a few old historic resorts (with the addition of many new ones) still remain.

With the ascendancy of Hollywood in California as a film capital, Long Branch lost much of its activity as a theater spot. In addition, the opening of the Garden State Parkway allowed shore visitors to access points further south. This added to Long Branch's decline. The civil unrest of the 60s caused riots in neighboring Asbury Park, and many fled the shore cities for the suburban towns west of the beach. Decades later, the older, more dilapidated parts of the resort town were condemned and redeveloped, in part by using eminent domain legislation.

Long Branch still continues, however, to be a popular resort area. Many people from New York City travel or settle in to the area to escape the crowded city and enjoy the benefits of Long Branch's beaches. The area also attracts some tourists from the Philadelphia area as well.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1930 18,399
—
1940 17,408 −5.4%
1950 23,090 32.6%
1960 26,228 13.6%
1970 31,774 21.1%
1980 29,819 −6.2%
1990 28,658 −3.9%
2000 31,340 9.4%
2010 30,719 −2.0%
Population 1930–1990.[14][5]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 31,340 people, 12,594 households, and 7,248 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,008.6 people per square mile (2,318.1/km2). There were 13,983 housing units at an average density of 2,680.9 per square mile (1,034.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.03% White, 18.66% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.08% from other races, and 4.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.67% of the population.

There were 12,594 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,651, and the median income for a family was $42,825. Males had a median income of $37,383 versus $27,026 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,532. About 13.9% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Neighborhoods

There are several distinct neighborhoods and areas in the City of Long Branch, each with its own character, strengths and challenges. Among these are North End (once known as "Atlanticville"), Branchport, Beachfront North and South (including Pier Village, adjacent to the site of the former Long Branch Pier at the foot of Laird Street), Downtown, Uptown, West End and Elberon. As the city's now famous redevelopment initiatives continue to grow in scope and renown, the lower Broadway area (a portion of the city's Downtown) will become an Arts District.

In years past, Long Branch was a major destination for beachgoers, along with Asbury Park, and enjoyed an upscale connotation with tourists. Long Branch is home to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, named for the United States presidents who visited the fashionable resort town, including Ulysses S. Grant, Chester A. Arthur, Rutherford Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Woodrow Wilson and James Garfield.[15]

Long Branch's previous fame as the Nation's First Seaside Resort was waning in the years following World War II.[16] The defining moment marking the end of this era occurred on June 8, 1987 when the largest fire in the history of the city destroyed the landmark amusement pier and adjoining Haunted Mansion, "Kid's World" Amusement Park and other businesses.[17]

Planned development

Broadway Center is a planned entertainment and commercial hub of Long Branch, as envisioned by the City Government and Thompson Design Group, who created the Master Plan for the city.

This complex brings together retail shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and two performing arts theaters as well as 500 new residences sitting atop a 1,500 car parking garage. It will be designed by the architectural firms of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK).

Government

Local government

The City of Long Branch is governed under the Mayor-Council form of municipal government under the Faulkner Act. The government consists of a mayor and a five-member City Council, whose members are elected in nonpartisan elections to four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis.[1]

As of July 2010, the Mayor of Long Branch is Adam Schneider, and members of the City Council are Dr. Mary Jane Celli, Joy Bastelli, Kate Billings, John Pallone and Michael Sirianni.[18] The Chief Administrative Officer of the city is Business Administrator and former Councilman Howard H. Woolley, Jr., who has served in the position since 1994.[3]

Councilman John "Fazz" Zambrano resigned from office following a July 20, 2006, federal court appearance at which he pleaded guilty to accepting a $1,000 bribe from an FBI informant. His seat was filled by Jackeline Biddle, a leader in the Puerto Rican community, who served until the November 2006 general election.[19]

Federal, state and county representation

Long Branch is in the 6th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.[20] The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[5]

New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Mary Pat Angelini (R, Ocean Township) and Dave Rible (R, Wall Township).[21] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[22] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[23]

Monmouth County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members who are elected at-large to serve three year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats up for election each year. [24] As of 2011, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan; term ends December 31, 2013)[25], Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley (R, Red Bank; 2012)[26], Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2013), Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; 2011)[27] and Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven, 2011).[28][29][30]

Education

Long Branch's public schools are operated by Long Branch Public Schools, serving children in pre-school through 12th grade. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.[31]

Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[32]) are the district's two preschools Leena W. Conrow School (430 students) and Joseph Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center (359), five elementary schools - Amerigo A. Anastasia School (PK-5; 735), Audrey W. Clark School (3-5; 275), Gregory School (PK-5; 715), Morris Avenue School (K-2; 377) and West End School (PK-5; 263) - along with Long Branch Middle School (6-8; 882) and Long Branch High School (9-12; 1,121).[33]

All Long Branch Public Schools are free, including the Long Branch Preschools which are full-day and accommodate children ages 3–5 years old. Long Branch Schools also have free breakfast each morning for the students. In addition, Long Branch Public Schools provide free summer programs for most of the summer. Long Branch Public Schools at JMF, Gregory Elementary, West End Elementary, and Anastasia Elementary have been constructed within the past few years.

In March 2006, the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation issued a report to Governor Jon Corzine specifically and to the public in general that addressed "Questionable and Hidden Compensation for Public School Administrators". The report disclosed that the Long Branch school district had reported to the New Jersey Department of Education that Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ferraina was receiving a base salary of $193,149 when, as the Commission of Investigation stated, he was actually receiving a total compensation of $305,099, some 58% higher than the amount reported to the State.[34]

Also, there is a private K-8 school, named Seashore School as well as several Jewish and Catholic schools, most notably Holy Trinity and Ilan High School (Catholic and Jewish, respectively).

Commerce

Portions of Long Branch are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).[35]

Transportation

Long Branch is connected to New York City and Northern New Jersey via New Jersey Transit trains running on the North Jersey Coast Line. The Long Branch station marks the end of electrified trackage and passengers continuing south must change to diesel-powered trains. The main train station is only three blocks away from the beach, and a second station is located in the Elberon district just north of the borough of Deal. In the past there were stops in the West End neighborhood and on Broadway, but they were closed to reduce travel time to New York City.

Local bus transportation is provided by New Jersey Transit on the 831 and 837 routes.[36]

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents include:

In popular culture

References

  1. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 58.
  2. ^ 2011 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed July 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Administration, City of Long Branch. Accessed April 4, 2011.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: City of Long Branch, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c d 2011 Apportionment Redistricting: Municipalities sorted alphabetically, New Jersey Department of State, p. 6. Accessed June 30, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  7. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
  8. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  9. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 181.
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  11. ^ (2006) The Year in Review, The Long Branch Historical Museum Association, Page 1.
  12. ^ a b Sharkey, Joe. "The Great Boardwalk Towns of Jersey", The New York Times, August 4, 1991. Accessed July 10, 2007. "Along the 125-mile (201 km) stretch of Jersey seashore, the northernmost of the Great Boardwalk Towns is Asbury Park, a resort that developed in the late 1800s as an alternative to its then vice-ridden neighbor, Long Branch, the town where President James Garfield died from gunshot wounds and thus became the first, but by no means only, local habitue to be dispatched at the hand of a disappointed office seeker."
  13. ^ Kansas Fun Facts and Trivia, Legends of America. Accessed July 21, 2007. "The Long Branch Saloon really did exist in Dodge City, Kansas. One of the owners, William Harris, was a former resident of Long Branch, New Jersey and named the saloon after his hometown in the 1880’s."
  14. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 – 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  15. ^ Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed July 10, 2007. " Long Branch was placed "on the map" in 1869 when President Grant made the city the nation's "Summer Capital," a tradition followed by Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, and Wilson."
  16. ^ "Refuges of the famous saw economic, political change", Asbury Park Press, October 19, 2006. Accessed July 10, 2007. "But the moderate climate and ocean bathing soon helped Long Branch develop a reputation as the nation's 'first seaside resort.'"
  17. ^ Williams, Carol Gorga. "Blaze scarred Long Branch for next 20 years", Asbury Park Press, June 8, 2007. Access January 17, 2011.
  18. ^ City Council, City of Long Branch. Accessed January 17, 2011.
  19. ^ Zambrano admits $1,000 bribe, Asbury Park Press, July 21, 2006.
  20. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 60. Accessed June 30, 2011.
  21. ^ "Legislative Roster: 2010-2011 Session". New Jersey Legislature. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. Retrieved 2010-02-08. 
  22. ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  23. ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/lt/. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  24. ^ Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2011.
  25. ^ Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  26. ^ Deputy Director Freeholder John P. Curley, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  27. ^ Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  28. ^ Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  29. ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  30. ^ Rizzo, Nina. "Monmouth County freeholders sworn into office", Asbury Park Press, January 6, 2011. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  31. ^ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education, backed up by the Internet Archiveas of May 15, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2011.
  32. ^ Data for the Long Branch Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed June 30, 2010.
  33. ^ Schools, Long Beach Public Schools. Accessed April 4, 2011.
  34. ^ "Taxpayers Beware: What You Don't Know Can Cost You", New Jersey State Commission of Investigation, March 2006, pp. 24–25. Accessed April 4, 2011.
  35. ^ Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit, State of New Jersey. Accessed July 28, 2008.
  36. ^ Monmouth County public transportation, New Jersey Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed June 30, 2011.
  37. ^ Krebs, Albin. "The Faces Are Familiar", The New York Times, September 5, 1976. Accessed March 4, 2011. "Richard Anderson, boss of 'The $6-million Man,' who hails from Long Branch..."
  38. ^ Knopper, Steve. "Eagles soaring on a second wind", Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, July 4, 2002. Accessed May 2, 2007. "When Black was a kid in Long Branch, N.J., a cigarette company came through town sponsoring a talent contest."
  39. ^ Frank Budd, database Football. Accessed April 8, 2008.
  40. ^ John Cannon player profile, Database Football. Accessed May 25, 2007.
  41. ^ Klapisch, Bob. "Home Team: The pride of former Yankee Rick Cerone is being the father of daughters Jessica, Carly and Nikki", (201) magazine, June 2010. Accessed March 3, 2011. "Cerone's goes out of his way to dispense this advice. He's divorced, splitting time between his two homes in Woodland Park and Long Branch, making the daily drive to Bergen to see his daughters growing up on and off the field."
  42. ^ Tucker, Mark. Ellington: The Early Years, p. 217, University of Illinois Press, 1995. ISBN 0252065093. "Miley's replacement, June Clark (from Long Branch, New Jersey, Greer's hometown), plays lead trumpet sweetly and accurately, occasionally adding melodic and rhythmic embellishments to make his part hotter."
  43. ^ Basie, Count; and Murray, Albert. Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie, p. 71. Da Capo Press, 2002. ISBN 0306811073. "That is where I used to go to listen to a hell of a combo that June Clark had in there with the great Jimmy Harrison on Trombone. I'm pretty sure that I first met June through Dougie, because both of them were cornet and trumpet players from Long Branch."
  44. ^ Macintyre, A.J. "Paul Joseph Cohen", London Mathematical Society. Accessed March 3, 2011. "Cohen's origins were humble. He was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on 2 April 1934, into a Polish immigrant family."
  45. ^ Tom Constanten - Biography, Country Music Television. Accessed March 3, 2011. "Tom Constanten, composer and second keyboardist for the Grateful Dead, was born on March 19, 1944 in Long Branch, NJ."
  46. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p10345/discography biography, Allmusic.
  47. ^ Bob Davis, database Football. Accessed December 15, 2007.
  48. ^ Guide to the City of Long Branch, New Jersey Documents, accessed September 25, 2006
  49. ^ "Joan Field, Concert Violinist, Finds Relaxation in Native Long Branch" The Shore Press, January 28, 1945.
  50. ^ Fox, Margalit. "Richard T. Gill, Economist and Opera Singer, Dies at 82", The New York Times, October 28, 2010. Accessed October 28, 2010.
  51. ^ Balliett, Whitney. "The Talk of the Town: Sonny Greer", The New Yorker, April 12, 1982. Accessed April 8, 2008. "He was born William Alexander Greer Jr. in Long Branch, New Jersey."
  52. ^ "Vice Presidents of the United States: Garret A. Hobart (1897-1899)", United States Senate. Accessed March 3, 2011.
  53. ^ Nash, Margo. "PHOTOGRAPHY; Beneath The Sea, With Fins And Lens", The New York Times, June 11, 2000. Accessed March 3, 2011. "IN the 19th century, when Long Branch was the first seaside resort in America, Winslow Homer painted seascapes there."
  54. ^ Jim Jeffcoat, database Football. Accessed November 27, 2007.
  55. ^ Norman Mailer, New York State Writers Institute. Accessed May 2, 2007. "Norman Mailer, a formidable presence in American letters for nearly six decades, is the author of novels, creative nonfiction, short stories, essays, and screenplays and an ex political candidate for Mayor of NYC and public persona who was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on January 31, 1923."
  56. ^ Smith, Timothy W. "Mills at 37: The Little Linebacker Who Could", The New York Times, January 9, 1997. Accessed October 25, 2007. "When Sam Mills was growing up in Long Branch, N.J., he loved to tag along with his older brother and play pickup football games with the bigger boys."
  57. ^ Frank Pallone, Jr., Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 30, 2007.
  58. ^ Dorothy Parker's Birthplace: A National Literary Landmark on Jersey Shore. Accessed July 10, 2007.
  59. ^ Robert Pinsky – Poetry , Boston University, accessed May 2, 2007. "Born in 1940 in the seashore resort of Long Branch, New Jersey, Robert Pinsky attended Long Branch High School, Rutgers College, and Stanford University, where he held a Stegner Fellowship in Creative Writing."
  60. ^ Jacoby, Lars. "Zombies a scream for horror aficionado", The Arizona Republic, October 16, 2007. Accessed March 3, 2011. "America's love affair with the undead began in 1968 with the release of director George Romero's Night of the Living Dead, which changed the vision of horror forever. It was at that time 7-year-old Brian Pulido, of Long Branch, N.J., got caught up in the feverish outbreak of the film, which set his life into a dimension of horror he would never escape - and that's just fine with him."
  61. ^ Wilkowe, Ellen S. "Man with a horn", Asbury Park Press, February 8, 2009. Accessed February 4, 2011. "After joining the Jukes Rosenberg moved to the Shore area and lived in Belmar, Long Branch and even across from the Stone Pony he said."
  62. ^ Jay Ryan, The Baseball Cube. Accessed January 13, 2008.
  63. ^ Wagman, Jake. "He is Mount Laurel's Angel", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 21, 2002. Accessed December 26, 2007. "The parents of World Series pitcher Scott Schoeneweis want to set the record straight. Yes, he was born at a hospital in Long Branch, Monmouth County."
  64. ^ Staff. "Fans grab Long Branch cottage where Bruce Springsteen penned 'Born to Run'", The Star-Ledger, December 16, 2009. Accessed March 3, 2003.
  65. ^ Charles Untermeyer, Texas State Cemetery. Accessed November 14, 2007.
  66. ^ Phil Villapiano, database Football. Accessed December 15, 2007.
  67. ^ Lustig, Jay. "Plainfield's Bernie Worrell - Parliament/Funkadelic alum - graduates to his own band", The Star-Ledger, March 19, 2010. Accessed June 30, 2011. "Worrell, who grew up in Long Branch and Plainfield and has lived in Lebanon Township for the past decade, is collaborating with another former Parliament/Funkadelic music director, guitarist DeWayne “Blackbyrd” McKnight, in a new band, SociaLybrium."

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