Howell Works (later the Howell Works Company ) was a bog iron -based production facility for pig iron which was established in New Jersey in the early 19th century by American engineer and philanthropist James P. Allaire . It is notable as one of the earliest American examples of a company town .
94-612: Allaire purchased the Howell Works property to provide pig iron for his Allaire Iron Works in New York , which was at the time a leading manufacturer of marine steam engines . The Howell Works also manufactured its own lines of cast iron products. Allaire eventually transformed the Howell Works into an almost completely self-sufficient community, with its own housing and food supply for the workforce, its own post office, church, school and company store , even its own currency. After bog iron
188-460: A student–teacher ratio of 8.7:1. Schools in the district (with 2021–22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Wolf Hill Elementary School with 310 students in pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade and Maple Place Middle School with 248 students in grades 5–8. For ninth through twelfth grades , public school students attend Shore Regional High School ,
282-550: A countywide basis are Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon (R, 2025; Ocean Township ), Sheriff Shaun Golden (R, 2025; Howell Township ) and Surrogate Rosemarie D. Peters (R, 2026; Middletown Township ). As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,331 registered voters in Oceanport, of which 990 (22.9%) were registered as Democrats , 1,219 (28.1%) were registered as Republicans and 2,122 (49.0%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were no voters registered to other parties. In
376-479: A failure, delivering a cruising speed of only 12.73 knots, well under the specified speed of 15 knots, and they were later replaced with a more conventional power plant. In addition to the engines directly contracted for, the Navy also requisitioned a number of merchant steamships powered by Allaire engines and converted them into warships. Some of these vessels had been built prior to the war, while others were built during
470-444: A female householder with no husband present and 28.3% were non-families. Of all households, 24.6% were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.12. 23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
564-474: A female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.18. In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
658-521: A furnace used for manufacturing pig iron from the natural resource of bog iron . Allaire renamed the furnace the Howell Works , and over the next 20 years used it to source most of his pig iron, during which time Howell Works grew to be a substantial and largely self-sufficient community, complete with its own church, school, company store and farmland. In 1824, the Allaire Works built the engine for
752-613: A grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in the amount of $ 40,950 along with the Boroughs of Fair Haven , Little Silver , Shrewsbury and Rumson to hire professional consultants to conduct the study on their behalf. A report delivered in July 2008 recommended that Fair Haven, Little Silver and Rumson should consider a network of shared police services, with consideration of inclusion of Oceanport and Shrewsbury deferred to
846-530: A large three-storey charcoal depot storing charcoal, bog iron and flux; the company store and the church; a carriage house and stables; a bakery, gristmill and slaughterhouse; a blacksmith, carpentry shop and wheelwright; an enamelling furnace; numerous row houses for married employees; and finally Allaire's mansion, which included a dormitory wing for the Works bachelors, managed by a housekeeper. The blast furnace now included two smaller furnaces or cupolas in addition to
940-404: A new four-story brick building at a cost of $ 7,000 to house the steadily expanding range of goods for sale. The Store's goods included meat, fish and dairy products stored in the basement; hardware, flour, coffee, wine, liquor, groceries, ironware and other goods on the ground floor; and a wide range of furniture to suit buyers of different means on the second floor. The top floor held bulk items and
1034-463: A part-time basis if they so desired. Lessons were held inside the chapel and provided by the resident minister—retained by Allaire at a salary of $ 500 per year—and an assistant. By 1836, Howell Works had expanded to its peak operation and size. By this time, the Works employed 400 to 600 workers, including not only those who lived in the Works community but many people from the surrounding region. The Works had expanded to over sixty buildings, including
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#17328580641461128-559: A peninsula, jutting into the Shrewsbury River . Unincorporated communities , localities and place names within the borough include Elkwood Park, Fort Monmouth, Gooseneck Point, Port-au-peck and Sands Point. The 2010 United States census counted 5,832 people, 2,227 households, and 1,597 families in the borough. The population density was 1,833.7 per square mile (708.0/km ). There were 2,390 housing units at an average density of 751.5 per square mile (290.2/km ). The racial makeup
1222-409: A recluse, leaving the property largely unchanged but lacking the funds to fully maintain it. As the derelict buildings gradually fell into disrepair, locals dubbed the location "Deserted Village". After Hal Allaire's death in 1901, the property was purchased by W. J. Harrison. Harrison sold it in 1907 to Arthur Brisbane , then the world's wealthiest journalist , for the sum of $ 68,000. Brisbane leased
1316-560: A regional high school that also serves students from the constituent districts of Monmouth Beach , Sea Bright and West Long Branch . The high school is located in West Long Branch and is part of the Shore Regional High School District. As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 613 students and 55.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.0:1. Seats on
1410-479: A river passage to New York City. Allaire's initial capital raising fell through and Newbold promptly sued for the balance, but Allaire was able to refinance. He took full possession of the property in 1823. He renamed the property Howell Works , in honor of Benjamin Howell. The 5,000-acre (20 km) property purchased by Allaire contained a large swathe of swampland — from which the renewable resource of bog iron
1504-566: A second phase. Oceanport is located in the 6th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 13th state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone ( D , Long Branch ). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For
1598-600: A ship in which Allaire was part-owner, William Gibbons , ran aground and was destroyed. In the same year, the Howell Works furnace blew out and production there temporarily ceased. The following year, the Panic of 1837 plunged America into a severe recession, and later that year, the steamboat Home , wholly owned by Allaire and largely uninsured, sank with the loss of 100 lives, damaging Allaire's reputation and leaving him short of capital. Allaire had up until this point in his career been able to borrow to meet cash shortfalls, but with
1692-672: A staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as director and another as deputy director. As of 2024 , Monmouth County's Commissioners are Director Thomas A. Arnone ( R , Neptune City , 2025), Susan M. Kiley (R, Hazlet Township , 2024), Erik Anderson (R, Shrewsbury , 2026), Nick DiRocco (R, Wall Township , 2025), and Deputy Director Ross F. Licitra (R, Marlboro Township , 2026). Constitutional officers elected on
1786-406: A staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Oceanport is a " weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of
1880-511: A total area of 3.80 square miles (9.83 km ), including 3.17 square miles (8.22 km ) of land and 0.62 square miles (1.61 km ) of water (16.39%). The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Little Silver and Shrewsbury to the northwest, Long Branch to the east, Eatontown to the southwest and West Long Branch to the southeast. It shares water borders to the northeast with Monmouth Beach and Rumson and forms
1974-511: Is a borough situated in the Jersey Shore region, within Monmouth County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey , specifically Central Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 6,150, an increase of 318 (+5.5%) from the 2010 census count of 5,832, which in turn reflected an increase of 25 (+0.4%) from the 5,807 counted in the 2000 census . Oceanport
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#17328580641462068-423: Is followed by a number, which represents the last two digits of the year in which the vessel is known to have operated at the given location; No.=number of engines; Cyl.=diameter of engine cylinder(s) in inches; Str.=engine stroke in feet; Type=engine type. Types of engine include: AC=annular compound; B=beam; C=compound; CB=compound beam; C=crosshead. Crosshead engines built by this company are almost certainly all of
2162-488: Is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on
2256-536: The North River Steamboat , the world's first commercially successful steam-powered vessel. Allaire and Fulton struck up a friendship, and Allaire provided fittings for later vessels built by Fulton. Following Fulton's death in 1815, Allaire leased his plant and equipment from the Fulton and Livingstone families, and entered a partnership with Fulton's chief engineer, Charles Stoudinger. Allaire and Stoudinger built
2350-625: The North River Steamboat , the world's first commercially successful steam-powered vessel. Allaire subsequently became interested in marine steam engine technology, and in 1815 he established a plant in New York for the production of such engines, the Allaire Iron Works. Allaire soon ran into supply problems with his new ironworks. With little demand in the United States for the high quality pig iron necessary for building marine steam engines,
2444-403: The 2004 presidential election , Republican George W. Bush received 60.5% of the vote (2,078 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 38.3% (1,316 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (28 votes), among the 3,433 ballots cast by the borough's 4,317 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 79.5. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 75.2% of
2538-408: The 2016 presidential election , Republican Donald Trump received 59.2% (1,997 votes) of the vote, ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 37.0% (1249 votes) among the total 3,375 ballots cast. In the 2012 presidential election , Republican Mitt Romney received 59.8% of the vote (1,836 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 39.1% (1,200 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (32 votes), among
2632-644: The 2024-2025 session , the 13th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Declan O'Scanlon ( R , Little Silver ) and in the General Assembly by Vicky Flynn (R, Holmdel Township ) and Gerard Scharfenberger (R, Middletown Township ). Monmouth County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on
2726-739: The New Jersey Department of Transportation . Route 71 brushes the edge of Oceanport, while CR 537 passes directly through the borough. NJ Transit has a limited-service stop at the Monmouth Park station for Monmouth Park Racetrack , offering seasonal service from May through October. Service is available on the North Jersey Coast Line south to Belmar , Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head or north to points such as Long Branch , Newark , Hoboken Terminal and Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan . NJ Transit local bus service
2820-567: The Union cause during the American Civil War . Following the war, the Allaire Works, like many other American marine engineering companies, fell on hard times, and in 1869 it was wound up, whereupon its equipment was purchased by John Roach , who also hired its best employees for his own company, the Morgan Iron Works . Amongst the many notable achievements of the Allaire Works, it supplied
2914-580: The engine cylinder for the first steamship to cross the Atlantic , Savannah , pioneered the use of the compound engine in steamships, and built the engines for two winners of the coveted Blue Riband . The company also supplied the engines for at least 17 U.S. Navy warships during the American Civil War . James Peter Allaire founded his first company, a brass foundry , at 466 Cherry Street, New York , in 1804. In 1807, Allaire received an order from steamboat pioneer Robert Fulton for brass fittings for
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3008-405: The poverty line , including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over. Monmouth Park , a thoroughbred horse race track, is home to the annual Haskell Invitational Handicap . The choice to put the track in this small community in 1946 was made because of its prime location at the shore and its accessibility for New Yorkers and North Jersey folk who make up the majority of
3102-584: The 2,450 ballots cast by the borough's 4,401 registered voters, yielding a 55.7% turnout. Students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in public school are educated by the Oceanport School District . The district also includes students from Sea Bright , a non-operating district that was subject to a mandatory merger with Oceanport in 2009. As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 562 students and 65.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for
3196-419: The 3,087 ballots cast by the borough's 4,379 registered voters (19 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 70.5%. In the 2008 presidential election , Republican John McCain received 56.9% of the vote (1,982 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.4% (1,408 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (40 votes), among the 3,481 ballots cast by the borough's 4,475 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.8%. In
3290-455: The 4,912-ton monitor USS Puritan ; however delays in supply of the ship's 20-inch Dahlgren smoothbore cannon prevented the vessel from seeing wartime service. The Allaire Works also supplied the engines in 1864 for the 4,215-ton Wampanoag class screw sloop USS Madawaska . Intended to be a very fast ship, Madawaska was fitted with experimental vibrating-lever engines designed by Navy architect John Ericsson . The engines proved
3384-411: The Allaire Iron Works had only one engine and one boiler on its books. The company soldiered on until 1869 when Cornelius Vanderbilt sold its plant and equipment at auction, which were bought by John Roach at scrap metal prices. Vanderbilt was wealthy enough to survive the slump, but had apparently decided to move his assets into railroads by this time. After the auction, the property of the Allaire Works
3478-399: The Allaire Iron Works remained productive through the 1840s. In this period, engines were supplied for steamboats such as Isaac Newton in 1846, C. Vanderbilt in 1847, and Commodore in 1848 (the names for the latter two reflecting Vanderbilt's growing influence in the company). Engines were also supplied for the sister ships Bay State and Empire State in 1846–47, the former of which was
3572-440: The Allaire Works include those for United States —a 140-foot steamer said to be the first American steamboat to issue tickets (rather than "way-bills") to passengers —and for James Kent , North Carolina , South Carolina and other Hudson River steamers. As Allaire's business grew, he found it increasingly difficult to source adequate amounts of quality pig iron from which to manufacture his engines. The best quality pig iron
3666-457: The Allaire Works to 1828 included Sun , Commerce , Swiftsure and Pilot Boy . The Allaire Works built compound engines decades before the advantages of such engines became widely recognized in the shipbuilding industry. In the 1830s, the Allaire business empire reached the peak of its expansion. The Howell Works in New Jersey was producing a surplus of pig iron, enabling Allaire to diversify into
3760-460: The Allaire Works was one of the world's first companies dedicated to the construction of marine steam engines , supplying the engines for more than 50% of all the early steamships built in the United States . James P. Allaire retired from the company in 1850 when it was taken over by Cornelius Vanderbilt . During Vanderbilt's ownership, the Allaire Iron Works made a significant contribution to
3854-562: The American "square" type, rather than the Steeple type; DA=direct-acting; DS=double screw; GS=geared screw; HBA=horizontal back-acting; I=inclined; O=oscillating; S=screw; St=steeple; SL=side-lever; V=vertical; VB=vertical beam; VL=vibrating-lever. The following table lists warships powered by Allaire Iron Works engines. This list is confined to vessels that were designed and built as warships, and does not include merchant ships commissioned into
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3948-537: The Cherry St. plant, Allaire renamed it the Allaire Iron Works . In 1817, the Allaire Iron Works supplied the engine cylinder for Savannah , the first steamship to make a transatlantic crossing . The cylinder, one of the largest then built, had a diameter of 40 inches, while the piston had a stroke of 5 feet. Savannah was not a commercial success, and following her return voyage from Europe , her engine
4042-682: The Deserted Village to the Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts for twenty years. Following Brisbane's death in 1936, his widow bequeathed the property's 10,000 acres (40 km) to the State in 1941, in accordance with her late husband's wishes. It thereby became known as Allaire State Park . In 1957, a group of locals established an organization for the restoration and maintenance of the old Howell Works Company site, which they renamed Allaire Village . The non-profit organization, Allaire Village Inc., runs
4136-628: The Great Lakes, and the Long Island Sound steamer Plymouth Rock (1854). The Allaire Iron Works made a substantial contribution to the Union cause during the American Civil War, providing the engines for at least seven warships, while at least another ten merchant ships with Allaire engines were purchased or chartered by the U.S. Navy and converted into warships. In 1861, the Allaire Works built
4230-616: The Navy. Legend: Type=ship type. Types include - G=gunboat; SS=screw sloop; DEG=double-ended gunboat; M=monitor; SF=screw frigate. Built=Year of ship launch, or completion where launch date is unknown; Builder=Name of ship builder; Disp.=displacement in tons; No.=number of engines; Cyl.=diameter of engine cylinder(s) in inches; Str.=engine stroke in feet; Type=engine type. Types of engine include: DA=direct acting; DS=double screw; HBA=horizontal back-acting; I=inverted; S=screw; VL=vibrating-lever. See marine steam engine for explanation of various engine types. Oceanport Oceanport
4324-624: The Presidency of the Allaire Iron Works—;according to one report, through the machinations of his brother-in-law John Haggerty, who may have been scandalized by the former's marriage to a young woman 26 years his junior in 1846. Cornelius Vanderbilt subsequently gained control of the company, appointing T. F. Secor , former proprietor of T. F. Secor & Co. , as its manager. After the Vanderbilt takeover, an increasing percentage of
4418-486: The Works was formally declared bankrupt . In 1850, James Allaire was forced out of the management of the Allaire Iron Works in New York by his erstwhile business partners, and retired with his second wife Calicia and their only son Hal to the former Howell Works property. By 1854, there were only ten employees working at Howell Works. After Allaire's death in 1858, ownership of the property passed first to his wife and later to their son Hal. Hal Allaire lived as something of
4512-593: The borough council selected Bryan Keeshen from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Robert F. Proto until he resigned after the November 2019 general election. In a special meeting held in August 2015, the borough council selected Stuart Briskey from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill
4606-507: The borough was $ 52,252 (+/− $ 9,172). About 3.1% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,807 people, 2,043 households, and 1,554 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,802.1 inhabitants per square mile (695.8/km ). There were 2,114 housing units at an average density of 656.0 per square mile (253.3/km ). The racial makeup of
4700-406: The borough was 95.71% White , 1.96% African American , 0.07% Native American , 0.79% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.55% from other races , and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population. There were 2,043 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had
4794-475: The business in 1827 to Thomas P. Wallworth. Allaire and Wallworth incorporated the business in 1828 as the Howell Works Company , with a capital of $ 150,000. By 1833, Allaire was the sole owner once again. In 1831, the Howell Works secured a US Postal contract and opened its own Post Office. In the same year, the New Jersey Legislature passed an act prohibiting the use of "tickets" - in effect, banning
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#17328580641464888-487: The company store, but most were shipped north for sale in New York. Allaire established file and screw factories, the latter of which manufactured the first screws made on mechanical lathes. At the peak of Howell Works' production, however, Allaire's business empire suffered a series of financial and other setbacks from which it would never fully recover. In October 1836, his steamship the William Gibbons ran aground and
4982-564: The company's contracts came from Vanderbilt himself, who from this point had most of his new steamboats and steamships engined there, just as most of his shipbuilding contracts went to the same firm, that of his trusted nephew, Jeremiah Simonson. Vanderbilt brought his own ideas to the field of marine steam engineering. Defying the prevailing wisdom, he began powering oceangoing steamships with American walking beam engines, believing that their relative lightness of construction, economy of operation and low maintenance requirements made them preferable to
5076-406: The company's inception in 1816 until its closure in 1867. Names in small print preceded or followed by an arrow in the "Name" column indicate that the engine either originated from or was later installed in the ship so named. This is an incomplete list. Legend: Built=year built; Ton.=gross tonnage; Deployment=original location of operation. Where the original deployment is not known, the location
5170-669: The council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. As of 2023 , the mayor of Oceanport Borough is Independent John F. "Jay" Coffey, II, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023; he had won the 2015 election as a write-in candidate . Members of the Borough Council are Council President Richard A. Gallo Jr. (R, 2023), William Deerin (R, 2024), Bryan Keeshen (R, 2023), Michael O'Brien (R, 2024), Keith Salnick (R, 2025) and Thomas J. Tvrdik (I, 2025). In January 2020,
5264-422: The daily needs of his employees. Consequently, he hired additional artisans: a blacksmith, carpenters, brickmakers to supply bricks for new buildings on the grounds, farmers to grow food and raise cattle, millers, bakers, butchers and so on. In effect, Allaire built an almost entirely self-contained community. In 1824, Allaire sold 50% of the Works to his brother-in-law John Haggerty, who in turn sold his share of
5358-520: The engine and boiler for the last steamboat contracted for by the Fulton shop, the Chancellor Livingstone , which was completed about a year later. Stoudinger himself died shortly after completion of Chancellor Livingstone , after which Allaire decided to move Fulton's equipment from its location in New Jersey to his brassworks at Cherry St., New York. With the consolidation of his business at
5452-463: The engines for two of the 700 ton Unadilla class or "90-day" gunboats , USS Penobscot and USS Winona . The following year, the company supplied the engines for the 1,533-ton screw steamer USS Lackawanna , and for two of the 1,173-ton Sassacus class double-ended sidewheel gunboats, USS Mackinaw and USS Mattabesett . In 1864, the Allaire Works supplied two 100-inch cylinder, 4-foot stroke vibrating-lever engines for
5546-504: The fastest boat on Long Island Sound for some years. In 1849–50, the Allaire Works supplied the engines for two of the original four Collins Line steamers, Pacific and Baltic . The engines for these two vessels were of the side-lever type, with Pacific having a 95-inch cylinder and 9-foot stroke, and Baltic a 96-inch cylinder and 10 foot stroke. Both ships were to become Blue Riband winners by setting speed records for transatlantic crossings. In 1850, James P. Allaire retired from
5640-480: The following month to fill Bertekap's vacant seat. In November 2013, Christopher Paglia was selected by the borough council from among three candidates offered by the Republican committee and appointed to fill the vacant seat of William Johnson, who had resigned to take a position with Monmouth County. Oceanport is a participating municipality in an initiative to study regionalization of their municipal police force with one or more municipalities. The borough received
5734-399: The high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with three seats assigned to Oceanport. As of 2010 , Oceanport had a total of 31.26 miles (50.31 km) of roadways, of which 25.47 miles (40.99 km) were maintained by the borough, 5.46 miles (8.79 km) by Monmouth County and 0.33 miles (0.53 km) by
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#17328580641465828-590: The historic site in conjunction with the State of New Jersey as a tourist and educational facility. Some of the buildings are still in operation such as the bakery and the general store. The church in the village is also considered the only one in the state with its steeple built on the rear instead of the front. Allaire Iron Works The Allaire Iron Works was a leading 19th-century American marine engineering company based in New York City . Founded in 1816 by engineer and philanthropist James P. Allaire ,
5922-549: The local area. The scrip was issued in a variety of denominations, from tokens worth a few pennies to notes with a value of between $ 1 and $ 10. As Allaire's business grew, Howell Works became a major transportation center. In 1833 Allaire upgraded the original wooden carriage house, built in 1825, with a larger brick building. He established a stagecoach company that ran a freight-wagon line between Howell Works and his depot at Eatontown Dock (modern-day Oceanport ). Later he built another depot at Red Bank further north. To transport
6016-505: The local pig iron industry was in its infancy and unable to supply him with either the quantity or quality he required. The best quality pig iron was imported from the United Kingdom , but high tariffs made it too expensive to purchase. Allaire's solution was to become a manufacturer of pig iron. In 1821, a friend and business associate of Allaire's, Benjamin B. Howell, began leasing a bog-iron furnace in Monmouth County, New Jersey , which
6110-481: The low center-of-gravity, but more complex, British-designed side-lever and oscillating types. Other American marine engine manufacturers quickly followed his example, and walking beams became the preferred engine type for oceangoing American sidewheel steamships until the introduction of the much more economical surface condensing compound engine in the early 1870s. During the 1850s, the Allaire Works supplied engines to such notable ships as Buckeye State in 1850—only
6204-532: The main furnace, all of which were housed in a large casting shed and adjoined by an office, bridgehouse and wheelhouse (the latter containing a large waterwheel to pump air into the furnace). The cupolas were added for the production of cast-iron products, which Allaire was able to manufacture as a result of the surplus pig iron from the Works. His company manufactured items including pots, pans, skillets, kettles and other holloware ; along with andirons, pipes, tools and machine castings. Some of these items were sold at
6298-421: The manufacture of household goods in addition to his production of marine engines in New York. Ships supplied with Allaire-built engines in this period included Frank , New Haven , Rhode Island and Massachusetts . Massachusetts , then the largest ship operating on Long Island Sound , was driven by a pair of beam engines. Allaire had also accumulated considerable interest in steamships by this time. In 1836,
6392-431: The newly commissioned USS Vanderbilt was employed in a year-long hunt for the notorious Confederate raider CSS Alabama , but without success. Other Allaire powered ships commissioned by the Navy included Harriet Lane , James Adger , Magnolia , Rhode Island , R. R. Cuyler and Western World , all built before the war, and Fort Jackson and the ferries Clifton and Shokokon , built during
6486-544: The pig iron from Red Bank to New York , Allaire purchased Cornelius Vanderbilt 's steamer Bellona and established the first regular steam packet service between the two localities. Other steamboats used by Allaire to transport goods and supplies to and from the Howell Works included the Frank , David Brown , Osiris , Iolas and Orus . Allaire expanded the Howell Works Company Store in 1835 by constructing
6580-405: The recession affecting demand for his products, he was obliged to look elsewhere for working capital. In 1842, he sold shares in the Allaire Iron Works, which was incorporated for the sum of $ 300,000. Shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt and Allaire's brother-in-law John Haggerty were thus able to eventually gain a controlling interest in the company. With the capital infusion from incorporation,
6674-447: The seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Council President Robert Lynch until his resignation from office the previous month. Briskey served on an interim basis until the November 2015 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office. In March 2015, councilmember Jerry Bertekap resigned from office, leaving a vacancy in the term expiring December 2015. The borough council selected John Patti
6768-462: The second ship on the Great Lakes to be fitted with a compound engine —and the 3,360-ton Vanderbilt , whose twin 90-inch cylinder beam engines were believed to make her the fastest oceangoing ship operating from New York upon launch in 1856. Other ships fitted with Allaire powerplants in this period include North Star (1853), a transatlantic ocean liner, St. Lawrence (1853), built for operation on
6862-450: The steamboat Henry Eckford , the first steam vessel in the world fitted with a compound engine . The high-pressure cylinder was 12 inches in diameter and the low-pressure cylinder 24 inches, with both having a stroke of 4 feet. In the same year, the Allaire Works also supplied a compound engine for a 200-ton towboat called Post Boy , and another for a small steamer, Linnaeus . Other vessels equipped with compound engines from
6956-683: The track crowd. The Haskell Invitational Stakes , which next to the Triple Crown is horse racing's biggest event, takes place each year in August. In October 2007, Oceanport's Monmouth Park hosted the Breeders' Cup , attracting nearly 70,000 fans over the two days of the event. In June 2018, the Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill sportsbook opened and Monmouth Park became the first location in New Jersey to offer sports betting . Monmouth Park had pushed to legalize sports betting, which
7050-480: The use of currencies other than the state's official currency. Allaire had been planning to issue his own scrip prior to passage of the act. In 1832, he initiated a test case. The courts found that the Allaire scrip did not violate the Act because they were "due bills" (IOU's). Allaire began issuing his workers the scrip, which was redeemable at the company store on the grounds, as well as accepted as payment by businesses in
7144-514: The vote (1,455 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.3% (452 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (29 votes), among the 1,966 ballots cast by the borough's 4,336 registered voters (30 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.3%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 65.9% of the vote (1,615 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 26.2% (641 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.5% (159 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (17 votes), among
7238-422: The war and requisitioned by the Navy as they entered service. The largest and most impressive of these ships was the 3,360-ton oceangoing sidewheel steamer Vanderbilt , launched in 1856, and gifted to the U.S. Navy by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1862. With her 14 knot speed and long operational range, Vanderbilt was an ideal candidate for a pursuit ship, and after being fitted out with a formidable battery of cannon,
7332-554: The war. The Allaire Works also continued to produce engines for commercial vessels during the conflict, such as City of New London , built in 1863, and St. John , which was built in 1864 and used as a hospital ship. Shortly after the end of hostilities, the U.S. government dumped more than a million tons of unwanted shipping onto the market, driving down prices and depriving the shipbuilding industry of new orders. The slump lasted several years, and many ship and marine engine builders were driven to bankruptcy in this period. By 1867,
7426-510: Was Episcopal in keeping with Allaire's personal faith; however, he was tolerant of other faiths and did not require his employees to attend services. A strong believer in education, Allaire did require the children of his employees to attend school, which he provided free of charge. Lessons were held three days a week, from dawn to dusk, for children of both sexes between the ages of about five or six to eleven or twelve. Children old enough to train as apprentices could continue their schooling on
7520-414: Was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males. The median income for a household in the borough was $ 71,458, and the median income for a family was $ 85,038. Males had a median income of $ 57,955 versus $ 39,718 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 33,356. About 1.8% of families and 2.7% of the population were below
7614-499: Was 44.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.5 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $ 89,208 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 18,245) and the median family income was $ 108,958 (+/− $ 21,795). Males had a median income of $ 60,038 (+/− $ 12,383) versus $ 49,415 (+/− $ 5,095) for females. The per capita income for
7708-407: Was 93.36% (5,445) White , 3.00% (175) Black or African American , 0.05% (3) Native American , 1.59% (93) Asian , 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander , 0.67% (39) from other races , and 1.32% (77) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% (236) of the population. Of the 2,227 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18; 59.7% were married couples living together; 9.1% had
7802-538: Was also used a storage area. The Store also contained the Howell Works Post Office, an apothecary , and an early example of a soda fountain . Customers came from miles around to shop there. At this time, the Store may have been the largest in the entire state of New Jersey. Allaire was not only interested in the physical wellbeing of his employees. In 1832, he built a church on the Howell Works grounds. The Church
7896-454: Was destroyed. In May of the following year, the Panic of 1837 began, triggering a prolonged recession throughout the United States. At about the same time, the Howell Works furnace blew out. The loss of the William Gibbons , along with difficulties in obtaining loans and the loss of product demand caused by the Panic, prevented the Works from returning to full production for two years. Allaire
7990-466: Was divided into a tombstone factory and horse stables. Roach, one of the few marine entrepreneurs to survive and prosper in the postwar period, took the best of the Allaire Works tools, along with its best former workers, and employed them at his newly acquired plant on the East River , the Morgan Iron Works . The following table lists merchant ships with engines supplied by the Allaire Iron Works from
8084-478: Was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1920, from portions of Eatontown Township (now Eatontown ), based on the results of a referendum held on May 11, 1920. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Oceanport as its 4th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey. According to the United States Census Bureau , borough had
8178-407: Was harvested — along with forests to process for charcoal to fuel the bog iron conversion. Allaire eventually purchased an additional 3,000 acres (12 km) of woodland to increase the supply for charcoal making. The basic workforce was divided into three different groups: Because of the area's isolation, Allaire realized he had to provide virtually all the facilities of a small town to satisfy
8272-466: Was imported from Britain , but high tariffs made it uneconomic to use. The pig iron industry in the United States was at this time still in its infancy, and producing neither the quality nor quantity of pig iron required. The only solution was for Allaire to become a manufacturer of pig iron himself. In 1822, in response to a recommendation from a friend, Allaire purchased 7,000 acres (28 km ) of land in Monmouth County, New Jersey , which contained
8366-415: Was known as Monmouth Furnace. After Howell informed Allaire of the property, Allaire decided to raise the capital to purchase it. On 27 April 1822, he purchased the furnace along with 5,000 acres (20 km) of the surrounding land from its owner William Newbold for the sum of $ 19,000. The purchase of the entire property was motivated by the availability of resources for iron-making as well as its proximity to
8460-549: Was legalized by the United States Supreme Court in the case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association . The community is served by area codes 732 and 848 for landlines, Oceanport is served by the 222, 389, 229, 544 and 542 exchanges in Area Code 732. Mobile service is through area codes 732/848 and area code 908 . Oceanport is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which
8554-520: Was made redundant by the increasing availability of iron ore , Allaire closed the Howell Works and eventually retired there with his family. The property remained in private hands until being bequeathed to the state in 1941. Today, the Howell Works is a registered historic site known as Allaire Village . James Peter Allaire founded his first company, a brass foundry , at 462 Cherry Street, New York , in 1804. In 1807, Allaire received an order from steamboat pioneer Robert Fulton for brass fittings for
8648-436: Was removed and sold to Allaire. In 1819, the Allaire Works supplied the engine for Robert Fulton , the first steamship to enter service along the United States coastline (as opposed to working the inland waterways). This engine had a 44-inch-diameter (110 cm) cylinder and a stroke of 5 feet. Robert Fulton helped to demonstrate that steamships were capable of reliable seagoing service. Other engines built in this period by
8742-413: Was rendered redundant by the discovery in the early 1830s of abundant deposits of iron ore and anthracite coal in the state of Pennsylvania . Pennsylvanian pig iron was cheaper to produce than that of the Works. As coal burns hotter than charcoal, the iron was processed to higher quality. The Howell Works furnace was extinguished for the last time in 1846. Some operations continued until about 1850, when
8836-465: Was unable to obtain loans to take possession of his latest steamship, Home , for more than a year after its construction. Soon after he did so, Home sailed only a few voyages before foundering and sinking off North Carolina in October 1837. One hundred people died and the ship was uninsured. The accident cost Allaire $ 89,708, but his reputation suffered more because of the loss of life. Howell Works
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