Paterson , Clifton , Garfield , Elmwood Park, New Jersey
93-683: West Orange may refer to: Places [ edit ] West Orange, New Jersey , a township in Essex County West Orange, Texas , a city in Orange County Schools [ edit ] West Orange High School (New Jersey) , a public school in West Orange, New Jersey West Orange High School, Winter Garden , a public school in Winter Garden, Florida West Orange Public Schools ,
186-680: A commuter suburb of New York City ; it is approximately 12 miles (19 km) west of Manhattan . West Orange was home to the inventor Thomas Edison , who also maintained a laboratory and workshop in town. West Orange was originally part of the Native American Hackensack clan 's territory, for over 10,000 years. The Hackensack were a phratry of the Unami tribe of the Lenni Lenape . In their language, "Leni Lenape" means, "the original people." The Acquackanonk sub-tribe were located along
279-522: A branch post office. The West Orange Public Library is located on Mount Pleasant Avenue in this section, just west of Main Street. Downtown West Orange is laid out in the pattern of a traditional town, and is formed around the western termini of two major east–west arteries of the Newark street grid: Central Avenue and Park Avenue. Downtown West Orange has the most urban character of the township's neighborhoods, while
372-493: A diverse and international community. Many of the industries that had made West Orange grow, left the area by the 1960s. This left some urban blight and abandoned warehouses in the Valley, in contrast to wealthy communities on top of the mountains. It is currently home to Kessler Institute, where actor Christopher Reeve rehabilitated, and Daughters of Israel. It is also home to many Jewish synagogues and Korean churches. According to
465-474: A fairly regular basis, homes and businesses in the flood plain become flooded. A plan has been proposed to build a massive 20 miles (32 km) structure, the Passaic River Flood Tunnel , to divert the periodic floodwaters southeasterly into Newark Bay, thus relieving these flooding problems upstream. Some residents have accepted buy-outs from the federal government while the concept of constructing
558-542: A flood tunnel is debated, however, many residents still live within the flood plain and flooding appears to be growing worse as the land in the Passaic River basin continues to be developed. The Little Falls River Gauge along the Passaic River is located just south of the junction with the Pompton River, in an area that frequently floods. Flood stage is 7 feet (2.1 m) at this location. On February 28, 1902, there
651-559: A four-year term. Each member of the council is elected to a four-year term of on a staggered basis, with either three council seats or two seats and the mayoral seat up for election in even-numbered years. Township elections are nonpartisan , with all seats chosen on an at-large basis. In December 2013, the Township Council approved an ordinance that shifted municipal elections from May to the November general election, citing savings from
744-493: A greater share of government aid to municipalities classified as townships. The township derives its name from William III of England or William IV, Prince of Orange , which in turn is derived from the city of Orange. The Eagle Rock Reservation covers 400 acres (160 ha) in West Orange, Montclair and Verona . It was home to many eagles. It currently is the trail head for the Lenni Lenape Trail. Rock Spring
837-473: A massive proglacial lake that formed in North Jersey at the end of the last ice age , approximately 13,000 years ago. That prehistoric lake is now known as Glacial Lake Passaic and was centered in the present lowland swamps of Morris County, forming because of a blockage of the normal drainage path. Eventually, the lake level rose high enough that the water flowed out of a new outlet. The Passaic River found
930-475: A mixture of Victorian, Jazz Age , and Tudor-style houses; large estates; garden apartments; and post-World War II modern houses. The Victorian enclave of Llewellyn Park , one of America's first planned residential communities, is also located on the First Mountain, having been created in 1853 as a site for country homes for the wealthy from New York City. Many blocks on the First Mountain have sweeping views of
1023-759: A new path to the ocean via the Millington Gorge and the Paterson Falls as the glacier that covered the area retreated northward and the lake drained. As a result, the river as we now know it was born. Prior to European colonialization along the Passaic in the late 17th century, the valley was the territory of the Lenape groups now known as the Acquackanonk and Hackensack , who used the river for fishing. To that end they built weirs , or overflow dams, to create pools and where
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#17328445125591116-508: A number of county parks. One notable park is Stanley Park between Summit and Chatham. Other parks along the river are located in Passaic County. As part of the ongoing Newark revitalization effort by the city government, parkland is proposed along the banks of the river. The Passaic River generally is free of industrialization until it reaches the Summit and Chatham border. The upper portion of
1209-606: A public school system in West Orange, New Jersey West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District , a public school system in Orange County, Texas West Orange-Stark High School , a high school of the West Orange-Cove Consolidated ISD Other uses [ edit ] West Orange Trail , a multi-use trail in Orange County, Florida Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with
1302-429: A special issue of the magazine and quickly became its best-selling issue, confirming readers' interest in stories involving the Passaic River. Antabanez intentionally did not want the special issue to be a history lesson of New Jersey or the river but instead wanted it to be a Huckleberry Finn -style adventure story. In his canoe, Nightshade, Antabanez visits the most dangerous parts of the Passaic, along with several of
1395-401: A turnout of 35.8%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Democrat Jon Corzine received 59.3% of the vote (8,168 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 32.9% (4,530 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.2% (858 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (100 votes), among the 13,773 ballots cast by the township's 29,898 registered voters, yielding a 46.1% turnout. West Orange
1488-574: A very small stream that begins from a spring located approximately 1000 feet south west of the pond at the bend in Spring Hill Road. This spring is the likely true headwater of the Passaic River. Leaving Dubourg Pond the river travels northeast and crosses Corey Lane before entering the Buck Hill Tract Natural Area . However At this point, the river begins to generally flow south, through Morristown National Historical Park , and forms
1581-527: Is a river , approximately 80 miles (130 km) long, in Northern New Jersey . The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey, called the Great Swamp , draining much of the northern portion of the state through its tributaries . In its lower (southern) portion, it flows through
1674-475: Is a suburban township in Essex County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the township's population was 48,843, an increase of 2,636 (+5.7%) from the 2010 census count of 46,207, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,264 (+2.8%) from the 44,943 counted in the 2000 census . West Orange is both an inner-ring suburb of New Jersey's largest city, Newark , and
1767-622: Is also home to a sizable Orthodox Jewish community. Finally, the westernmost section of West Orange lies along the eastern face of the Second Watchung Mountain , and includes large portions of the South Mountain Reservation . The housing stock in this neighborhood resembles that of Pleasantdale, as well as those of the adjacent suburban townships of Millburn and Livingston . The 2010 United States census counted 46,207 people, 16,790 households, and 11,753 families in
1860-643: Is also host to the annual Head of the Passaic Regatta that has been held since 2001. Commercial transport on the Lower Passaic hasn't entirely died. On December 3, 2008, a barge was loaded with biodiesel at the former W.A.S. Terminals in Newark, now Passaic River Terminals. Innovation Fuels LLC, one of the terminal's tenants, has plans to continue to sell two barge loads a month of biodiesel to customers in Europe. This
1953-632: Is an outdoor mall with stores that include ShopRite, restaurants and an AMC Theatres Fork and Screen dine-in movie theater. The 350,000-square-foot (33,000 m ) mall, the largest of its type in Essex County, was purchased in 2016 by Clarion Partners . The Jersey Rockhoppers hockey team of the Eastern Professional Hockey League , formed for the 2008–09 season, played home games at the Richard J. Codey Arena . The arena also used to be
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#17328445125592046-636: Is governed by a directly elected county executive , with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners . As of 2024 , the County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. ( D , Roseland ), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026. The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at
2139-578: Is located at the bottom of the Turtle Back Rocks—currently at the corner of Northfield Avenue and Walker Road, West Orange. The water from the spring was considered to have healing powers since Native American times. By the 19th century, visitors from New York City would come to West Orange to drink the water from this spring for its supposed curative powers. West Orange became a resort or country retreat—with boating, fishing, and an Amusement Park at Crystal Lake near Eagle Rock Reservation. In 1901,
2232-694: Is located at the peak of the Watchung Mountains. This vantage point over the valleys east to Manhattan had a strategic value for Lenni Lenape warriors, and later George Washington's troops during the American Revolution. The wooded South Mountain Reservation has rocks shaped like the backs of large turtles. The area is now known as "Turtle Back Rock Picnic Area" and gives its name to the Turtle Back Zoo . The Turtle Back Rocks were considered sacred to
2325-530: Is set off by two large parks: the South Mountain Reservation along its southwestern borders with Maplewood , Millburn and South Orange , and the Eagle Rock Reservation along its northeastern borders with Montclair and Verona . The township straddles the transition between the low-lying Newark Bay basin and the high terrain of the Watchung Mountains . Fishing and kayaking is available on
2418-533: Is split between the 10th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 27th state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, West Orange had been split between the 8th Congressional District and the 10th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections. In
2511-460: Is the first commercial barge in the river in over 15 years. Although they experienced some delays with the County drawbridges that have been neglected for years and had some problems with shoaling due to the lack of maintenance dredging, they remain undeterred and the Passaic River represents the cheapest and most efficient method to ship their cargo to its customers. The Passaic River can be accessed via
2604-417: The 1967 Newark riots and Civil Rights Era led to further settlement of West Orange. The 1970 opening of Interstate 280 made West Orange a popular "bedroom community" suburb for commuters to New York City. This coincided with changes to immigration laws re-opening the country to Asian immigration in 1965, and 1980s desegregation of American suburbs. By the 1990s, West Orange had become a "melting pot", home to
2697-560: The 2000 United States census there were 44,943 people, 16,480 households, and 11,684 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,708.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,431.9/km ). There were 16,901 housing units at an average density of 1,394.7 per square mile (538.5/km ). The racial makeup of the township was 67.6% White , 17.5% African American , 0.14% Native American , 8.09% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 3.52% from other races , and 3.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 10.04% of
2790-409: The 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 71.3% of the vote (15,214 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 27.9% (5,950 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (177 votes), among the 21,491 ballots cast by the township's 32,061 registered voters (150 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 67.0%. In the 2008 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 67.8% of
2883-452: The FBI . While there has been a decline in the industrial use of the river, recreational use has increased since the early 1990s. There has been a long tradition of high school rowing by Kearny (since 1968), Belleville (1942, New Jersey's first public high school crew team), and Nutley High Schools and, in 1990, the historic Nereid Boat Club (founded in 1868) was revived, broadening participation in
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2976-557: The Passaic River . They were part of the Algonquin language family, and known as "Delaware Indians" by the 18th century. They identified themselves with the totem of the Turtle. They were hunter-gatherers, matrilineal, and had cultural traditions such as wedding ceremonies. Northfield Avenue and Old Indian Road in West Orange, remain as original Hackensack trails. Their main settlement was where
3069-697: The Passaic River Basin Flood Advisory Commission . In January 2011 a report was issued, mentioning the 2010 flood, and the result was for municipalities to change their master plans and change local flood damage prevention ordinances, which would include such things as elevating structures, and to stop expansion into flood zones. The areas considered prone to continual flooding are Acid Brook, Buttermilk Falls, Haycock Brook, Mahwah River, Masonicus Brook, Packanack Brook, Pequannock River, Plog Brook, Pompton River, Ramapo River, Third River, Wanaque River, and Wolf Creek. On August 30, 2011 there
3162-635: The Rahway River originates at Crystal Lake and passes through the township in South Mountain Reservation . West Orange borders the Essex County communities of Essex Fells , Livingston , Millburn , Maplewood , Montclair , Orange , Roseland , South Orange and Verona . Unincorporated communities , localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Crestmont, Crystal Lake, Llewellyn Park , Pleasantdale , and Saint Cloud. The township has an eclectic mix of neighborhoods and housing types, which roughly correspond to
3255-515: The Rahway River . West Orange is governed by Plan B of the Mayor-Council system of municipal government pursuant to the Faulkner Act , as implemented on July 1, 1962, by direct petition. The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a five-member township council. The mayor is directly elected to
3348-535: The United States Census Bureau , the township had a total area of 12.13 square miles (31.41 km ), including 12.00 square miles (31.09 km ) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.32 km ) of water (1.01%). It is located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) west of downtown Newark and 12 miles (19 km) west of New York City . West Orange is in the New York metropolitan area . The West Branch of
3441-729: The United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For the 2024-2025 session , the 27th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John F. McKeon ( D , West Orange ) and in the General Assembly by Rosy Bagolie (D, Livingston ) and Alixon Collazos-Gill (D, Montclair ). Essex County
3534-670: The Vietnam War . The cleanup of the dioxin contamination on the bottom of the river is the subject of a major environmental lawsuit regarding the responsibility for the cleanup. In 2008, the EPA reached a settlement with Occidental Chemical Corporation and Tierra Solutions Inc. to clean a portion of the polluted river. A New Jersey Superior Court judge, ruling in July and September 2011, stated that Occidental and Maxus Exergy Corporation (a subsidiary of YPF ) are liable for remediation in other portions of
3627-641: The 1500s and 1600s, the territory was disputed and transferred many times between the Hackensack, Dutch, Scottish, Swedes, and English colonists. Due to the wars between the Native Americans and European settlers, most European settlers stayed East of the Hudson River. In 1664, the English took possession of Dutch New Netherland . On October 28, 1664, The English purchased 780 square miles (2,000 km ) of land from
3720-420: The 20,933 ballots cast by the township's 28,418 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 73.7. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Democrat Barbara Buono received 56.0% of the vote (6,350 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 42.9% (4,863 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (125 votes), among the 11,580 ballots cast by the township's 32,390 registered voters (242 ballots were spoiled), for
3813-654: The Dundee Dam at the Eighth Street/Locust Ave Bridge in Wallington where the dredged Wallington Reach channel begins. Proceeding beyond the Wallington Reach, the river remains navigable via a series of maintained channels to its final destination, Newark Bay . It passes Passaic , Clifton again, then Nutley and Belleville on the west; it flows past Rutherford , Lyndhurst , and North Arlington to
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3906-617: The Hackensack tribe disputed this purchase, and said it was not included in the Elizabethtown Purchase. On July 11, 1667, Treat settled the purchase through Samuel Efsal, a Lenni Lenape interpreter. He then founded "New Ark" or Newark , establishing it as a Puritan theocracy, as had been done in Milford, CT. The Newark territory kept extending West as the English overthrew the Dutch and claimed or purchased more Hackensack territory. This expansion
3999-626: The Hackensack, from Staten Island to the Passaic River on the North to the Raritan River on the South, for about 154 English pounds. This is known as the "Elizabethtown Purchase." In 1666, Puritan Captain Robert Treat moved south to New Jersey from Connecticut and purchased a tract of land from Governor Carteret , west of the Passaic River and 8 miles (13 km) east of what is currently West Orange. However,
4092-475: The Native Americans. The Native Americans were hunter-gatherer tribes who would overlap territories and occasionally had tribal wars, but did not "own" land. They believed in taking only what was immediately necessary from nature, and considering the needs of the next seven generations. This hospitality at first benefited the European settlers, who struggled in the wilderness after reaching North America's shores. In
4185-460: The Newark and New York City skylines. Beyond the high ridge traced by Prospect Avenue, West Orange becomes a patchwork of post-World War II suburban neighborhoods, interspersed with pockets of older Victorian homes, as well as golf courses, professional campuses, and shopping centers. Pleasantdale, a walkable business district in this part of the township, includes a number of restaurants, office buildings, stores, and houses of worship. Pleasantdale
4278-672: The Rockaway is joined by its own tributary, the Whippany River . Southwest of Lincoln Park it passes through the Great Piece Meadows , where it turns abruptly eastward and is joined at Two Bridges by its major tributary, the Pompton River , then meandering through Little Falls, New Jersey as it drops over a fall, across some rapids, and under Passaic County Route 646 and an abandoned railroad trestle . The river flows northeast into
4371-532: The Valley is home to a growing arts district, the West Orange Arts Center, Luna Stage and a sizable African American community. West of Downtown, the neighborhoods of West Orange become increasingly suburban as one ascends the steep hill of the First Watchung Mountain along Northfield, Mount Pleasant, or Eagle Rock Avenue. The housing stock in the neighborhoods of Hutton Park and Gregory is
4464-400: The abandoned buildings and factories that relied on the Passaic years ago. In addition to the river and the decaying structures that surround it, he also researched murders that involved the Passaic River, including the horrific case of Jonathan Zarate, who attempted to dump the mutilated body of his 16-year-old neighbor in the river but was thwarted by a police officer who happened to pass by at
4557-1445: The annual election in November. Essex County's Commissioners are: Robert Mercado (D, District 1 – Newark 's North and East Wards, parts of Central and West Wards; Newark, 2026), A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (D, District 2 – Irvington , Maplewood and parts of Newark's South and West Wards; Newark, 2026), Vice President Tyshammie L. Cooper (D, District 3 - Newark: West and Central Wards; East Orange , Orange and South Orange ; East Orange, 2026), Leonard M. Luciano (D, District 4 – Caldwell , Cedar Grove , Essex Fells , Fairfield , Livingston , Millburn , North Caldwell , Roseland , Verona , West Caldwell and West Orange ; West Caldwell, 2026), President Carlos M. Pomares (D, District 5 – Belleville , Bloomfield , Glen Ridge , Montclair and Nutley ; Bloomfield, 2026), Brendan W. Gill (D, at large; Montclair, 2026), Romaine Graham (D, at large; Irvington, 2026), Wayne Richardson (D, at large; Newark, 2026), Patricia Sebold (D, at-large ; Livingston, 2026). Constitutional officers elected countywide are: Clerk Christopher J. Durkin (D, West Caldwell, 2025), Register of Deeds Juan M. Rivera Jr. (D, Newark, 2025), Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura (D, Fairfield, 2024), and Surrogate Alturrick Kenney (D, Newark, 2028). Passaic River The Passaic River ( / p ə ˈ s eɪ . ɪ k / pə- SAY -ik or locally / p ə ˈ s eɪ k / pə- SAYK )
4650-455: The boundary between Morris and Somerset counties. In its current path, it passes through the southeast edge and drains Lord Stirling Park then along the western edge of the Great Swamp , which it drains through several small tributaries including Black Brook. The river passes through a gorge in Millington and then turns abruptly northeast, flowing through the valley between Long Hill to
4743-401: The city of Hackensack is today. They would travel to the ocean or mountains to hunt for food. The Passaic River runs in an upside-down V shape—8 miles (13 km) west and east, and 13 miles (21 km) north of West Orange. In the centuries prior to industrial development, the Passaic River and Watchung Mountains were major geographic landmarks amidst the untouched wilderness. West Orange
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#17328445125594836-501: The city of Paterson , where it drops over the Great Falls of the Passaic . On the north end of Paterson, it turns abruptly south, flowing between Paterson and Clifton on the west and Hawthorne , Fair Lawn , Elmwood Park , Garfield on the east, next through the city of Clifton. At Elmwood Park it begins to form Dundee Lake , created by the Dundee Dam built in 1845. The river becomes navigable 2.5 miles (4.0 km) downstream of
4929-468: The combined elections estimated as much as $ 100,000 per cycle. As of 2023 , the Mayor of West Orange is Susan McCartney, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Township Council are Michelle Casalino (2024), Asmeret Ghebremicael (2026), H. William Rutherford (2024), Susan Scarpa (2026) and Tammy Williams (2024). In September 2015, the Township Council selected Michelle Casalino to fill
5022-534: The decline of industry along the river, it still suffers from substantial degradation of water quality . The sediment at the mouth of the river near Newark Bay remains contaminated by pollutants such as dioxin . The dioxin was generated principally by the Diamond Shamrock Chemical Plant in Newark, as a waste product resulting from the production of the Agent Orange defoliation chemical used during
5115-404: The early emergence of the area as the center of industrial mills. Much of the lower river suffered severe pollution during the 19th and 20th centuries because of industrial waste discharges to the river and improper waste disposal practices on adjacent land. Although the health of the river has improved due to implementation of the 1972 Clean Water Act and other environmental legislation , and
5208-474: The east. In its lowest reaches, it flows along the northeast portion of the city of Newark on the west, passing Kearny , East Newark , and Harrison on the eastern bank. Near downtown Newark it makes an abrupt easterly bend, then south around Ironbound , joining the Hackensack River at the northern end of Newark Bay, a back bay of New York Harbor . The Passaic River formed as a result of drainage from
5301-540: The farm decades later, to reunite with his mother Mary. Nathaniel and Amos never returned. Nathaniel died of smallpox in New York. A plaque to Mary Williams was erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1922. West Orange was initially a part of Newark township, and remained so until November 27, 1806, when the territory now encompassing all of The Oranges was detached to form Orange Township . On April 13, 1807,
5394-453: The first government was elected. On January 31, 1860, Orange was incorporated as a town , and on April 3, 1872, it was reincorporated as a city. Almost immediately, Orange began fragmenting into smaller communities, primarily because of local disputes about the costs of establishing paid police, fire and street departments. South Orange was organized on April 1, 1861, Fairmount Township (an independent municipality for less than one year that
5487-408: The first uphill automobile test took place called the Eagle Rock Hill Climb. Llewellyn Park , the first planned community in America, is located within West Orange, and was designed by entrepreneur Llewellyn Haskell and architect Alexander Jackson Davis in 1857. Llewellyn Park is considered among the best examples of the "Romantic Landscape" movement of that period. Thomas Edison was one of
5580-417: The fish could be trapped. Many of these archeological sites are still present and, in some cases, in good condition. The river was highly significant in the early industrial development of New Jersey. It provided a navigable route connected by canals to the Delaware River starting in the late 18th century. It also was an early source of hydropower at the Great Falls of the Passaic in Paterson, resulting in
5673-460: The industry spread to Fort Lee, New Jersey , in 1907, which offered inexpensive land for movie production studios that could be located in close proximity to New York City . In response to the demands by the Edison Trust for royalties from studios, independent studios located in the Fort Lee area started to relocate to what is now Hollywood, California , where they could operate in good weather year-round, out of reach of Edison and his trust. In
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#17328445125595766-431: The late 1800s, the Valley region of West Orange was home to 34 hat factories, known as the hat making capital of the country. It is currently under redevelopment as 'Hat City' or 'The Valley Arts District'. Until its closure in 1983, the Orange Quarry Company was located in West Orange, where bluestone was mined. Post-World War II, there was a real estate development boom in West Orange. In the 1960s, " white flight " from
5859-445: The lower few miles (kilometers) of the river mainly are industrialized. The Passaic River is known for chronic flooding problems during periods of heavy rainfall or snow-melt, especially where the Pompton River joins the Passaic River on the border of Fairfield, Lincoln Park, and Wayne . The two rivers form a sizable flood plain in this area. Building has been allowed in the flood plain and during extreme weather events that occur on
5952-492: The many residents. Thomas Edison's Laboratory , currently a National Historical Park , was where he developed the inventions that earned more than 1,000 patents, including the light bulb, stock ticker and recorded sound. The laboratory grounds also include the Black Maria —America's first movie studio, the birthplace of Hollywood. The whole idea of a movie industry was first born in West Orange. The town's movie industry rapidly began to spreading to surrounding areas. Eventually
6045-426: The most urbanized and industrialized areas of the state, including along Downtown Newark . The lower river suffered from severe pollution and industrial abandonment in the 20th century. In April 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $ 1.7 billion plan to remove 4.3 million cubic yards (3.3 million cubic metres) of toxic mud from the bottom of lower eight miles (13 km) of
6138-432: The mountains—in what is now Llewellyn Park. It was still untouched wilderness. In 1702, New Jersey became a royal colony of England. By 1706 what is now West Orange—was considered part of Essex County in the East Jersey territory. By the 1700s West Orange was known as part of the Newark Mountains. During the American Revolution, the valleys were populated by farms and mills. The area on Main Street now known as "Tory Corner"
6231-409: The nation and one of the biggest clean-ups project ever undertaken. The decline of manufacturing on the lower river has left a post-industrial landscape of abandoned and disused factories and other facilities. In particular, the stretch of the river along downtown Newark came to be regarded in the latter decades of the 20th century as particularly wretched. Starting in the 1990s, the lower river became
6324-432: The population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 83.2 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income
6417-399: The population. There were 16,480 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
6510-420: The population. Of the 16,790 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18; 53.1% were married couples living together; 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.0% were non-families. Of all households, 25.5% were made up of individuals and 12.6% 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 3.28. 23.7% of
6603-548: The practice facility for the New Jersey Devils from 1986 to 2007. The New Jersey Daredevils, a special needs hockey team formed in 2002 that plays in the SHI (Special Hockey International League), uses the arena for home games and practices. Annually in October, the Daredevils host a Halloween themed tournament for Special Hockey International teams (including the Daredevils themselves) called Frankenfest. Frankenfest has been going on every October since 2009. The New Jersey Devils Youth Hockey team also plays here as well. The township
6696-399: The redistricting that took effect in 2013, 18,122 residents in the eastern third of the township were placed in the 10th district, while 28,085 residents in the western portion of the township were placed in the 11th District. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by LaMonica McIver ( D , Newark ). New Jersey is represented in
6789-582: The river, above Summit and Chatham, are more natural in appearance and the river has more of a young river character in places. The middle portion of the river flows through natural marshlands and forested areas in Essex County, which are generally inaccessible, and then through heavily populated areas of Passaic County where it is accessible via parallel roads and parks. Lower portions of the river, south of Paterson are wider, more industrialized, and more mature in nature. Kearny Riverbank Park and Riverbank Park in Newark both provide waterfront access. The banks of
6882-475: The river. In 2013, several corporate defendants agreed to pay the State of New Jersey $ 130 million for ecological damages related to Passaic River pollution. However, it is unclear as to whether the state will actually use this money for clean-up efforts. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued notices in 2009 banning commercial fishing and advising the general public that fish caught in
6975-405: The river. It is considered one of the most polluted stretches of water in the nation, and the project is one of the largest toxic cleanups ever undertaken in the nation. The Passaic River rises in the center of Mendham , in southern Morris County . According to Google Maps the river begins at Dubourg Pond located on private land between Spring Hill Road and Hardscrabble Road. This pond is fed by
7068-526: The run in the 2004 short story, "From Out of the River", by beat laureate Spencer Hash. The river, and especially its Great Falls, plays a large part in William Carlos Williams 's epic poem Paterson . From 2006 to 2008, writer Wheeler Antabanez traveled the Passaic River and its shores, chronicling his adventures in a special issue of Weird NJ magazine. Nightshade on the Passaic was released as
7161-580: The seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Patty Spango until her resignation from office. On November 8, 2016, Councilwoman Casalino was elected to a four-year term. Officers of the municipal court as of 2014 were: As of March 2011, there were a total of 30,561 registered voters in West Orange, of which 14,166 (46.4%) were registered as Democrats , 3,273 (10.7%) were registered as Republicans and 13,108 (42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were no voters registered to other parties. In
7254-673: The sport of rowing on the Passaic River. In 1999, the Passaic River Rowing Association became the second rowing club along the banks of the Lower Passaic River. Today, the rowing community is very active through the two Rowing Clubs ( Nereid Boat Club and Passaic River Rowing Association) and ten high school crews that include Kearny, Belleville, Nutley, Don Bosco Prep , St. Peter's Preparatory School , Montclair, Ridgewood, Teaneck, Westfield, North Arlington (2012-13 School Year), and St. Benedict's Prep . The Passaic River
7347-524: The subject of federal and state urban restoration efforts, which have resulted in new construction along the riverfront, the city of Newark has constructed a riverfront walk from the Jackson Street Bridge to the Bridge Street Bridge . It is landscaped with trees, plants, flowers, and benches. Construction of office buildings has also taken place, including a regional headquarters building for
7440-409: The tidal Passaic River (from Dundee Dam to the mouth at Newark Bay) should not be eaten. The fish consumption advisories remain in effect as of 2020. In April 2014 EPA announced a $ 1.7 billion plan to remove 4.3 million cubic yards (3.3 × 10 ^ m ) of toxic mud from the bottom of lower eight miles (13 km) of the river. It is considered one of the most polluted stretches of water in
7533-515: The title West Orange . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=West_Orange&oldid=780883975 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Place name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages West Orange, New Jersey West Orange
7626-399: The town was $ 69,254, and the median income for a family was $ 83,375. Males had a median income of $ 52,029 versus $ 39,484 for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 34,412. About 4.6% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over. Developed by Sol Atlas , Essex Green Shopping Center
7719-512: The township's geographic features. Generally, the township has four distinct neighborhoods: The oldest and most densely populated part of the township is Downtown West Orange, which lies in the low basin along the township's eastern border with the city of Orange and Montclair . Main Street, in this section, is home to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park , as well as the municipal building, police headquarters, and
7812-494: The township. The population density was 3,836.0 per square mile (1,481.1/km ). There were 17,612 housing units at an average density of 1,462.1 per square mile (564.5/km ). The racial makeup was 57.15% (26,406) White , 26.58% (12,284) Black or African American , 0.38% (174) Native American , 7.96% (3,680) Asian , 0.02% (10) Pacific Islander , 4.82% (2,227) from other races , and 3.09% (1,426) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 16.20% (7,487) of
7905-448: The vote (15,423 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 29.3% (6,667 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (154 votes), among the 22,740 ballots cast by the township's 30,260 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.1%. In the 2004 presidential election , Democrat John Kerry received 64.7% of the vote (13,535 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 34.0% (7,118 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (186 votes), among
7998-513: The west and the Second Watchung Mountain to the east. It forms the boundary between Morris and Union counties as it passes Berkeley Heights , New Providence , and Summit . Near Chatham it turns north, forming the boundary between Morris and Essex counties. It passes Livingston and Fairfield , where it flows through the Hatfield Swamp and is joined by the Rockaway River just after
8091-425: Was $ 88,917 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 4,480) and the median family income was $ 106,742 (+/− $ 5,256). Males had a median income of $ 65,854 (+/− $ 4,548) versus $ 43,223 (+/− $ 2,769) for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 43,368 (+/− $ 2,021). About 4.9% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over. As of
8184-410: Was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.19. In the township the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males. The median income for a household in
8277-416: Was another flood with a 14.19 feet (4.33 m) crest. The flood control issue had been considered as far back as 1870 and there were studies in 1939, 1948, 1962, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1987, and 1995 with minimum results from report suggestions. A poem about the river was written by John Alleyne Macnab in 1890, and put to music by Fountains of Wayne . The river hosted a group of Inuit plantation workers on
8370-653: Was called Williamstown, after two brothers Nathaniel and Benjamin Williams. Nathaniel and his two eldest sons were Loyalists to the British crown, and gathered other Loyalists for meetings. Nathaniel took his eldest sons James and Amos to join the British Army in 1777, and never returned. Meanwhile, Nathaniel's wife Mary Williams stayed on the farm with her younger children. Her farm house had been built in 1720. She gave freely to Washington's revolutionary troops. James finally returned to
8463-399: Was effected primarily by individual property owners, who would purchase tracts of land bit by bit. Sometimes they would name it after themselves or where they were from in Europe. Often the borders were not clearly defined, and few if any maps remain. In 1678, Anthony Olive became the first European to settle in what is now West Orange. He was of Dutch origin. He started a farm at the base of
8556-401: Was later to become part of West Orange) on March 11, 1862, and East Orange on March 4, 1863. West Orange (including what had been the briefly independent municipality of Fairmount) was incorporated as a township on April 10, 1863, and was reformed as a town on February 28, 1900. In 1980, West Orange again became a township to take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated
8649-465: Was severe flooding of the river. On October 10, 1903, one of the worst floods on record happened. The water crest was 17.50 feet (5.33 m) and severe flooding of Little Falls, Paterson, as well as many other areas along the river. Other high crests were: 12.91 feet (3.93 m) on April 7, 1984; 11.88 feet (3.62 m) on April 18, 2007; and 11.87 feet (3.62 m) on March 16, 2010. On April 23, 2010, Governor Chris Christie issued an order creating
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