Califon, New Jersey
| Califon, New Jersey | |
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| — Borough — | |
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| Coordinates: 40°43′09″N 74°50′12″W / 40.71917°N 74.83667°WCoordinates: 40°43′09″N 74°50′12″W / 40.71917°N 74.83667°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Hunterdon |
| Incorporated | April 2, 1918 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | Charles Daniel (2011)[1] |
| • Administrator | Laura Eidsvaag[2] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km2) |
| • Land | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation[3] | 479 ft (146 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[4] | |
| • Total | 1,076 |
| • Density | 1,076/sq mi (430.4/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07830 |
| Area code(s) | 908 Exchange: 832 |
| FIPS code | 34-09280[5][6] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885176[7] |
| Website | http://www.califonborough-nj.org |
Califon is a borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,076.[4]
The town was to originally be called California, but was shortened to Califon in order to fit on the welcome sign. Alternatively, the name was related to a bright yellow cattle feed sold during the Gold Rush.[8]
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[edit] History
Califon was a station on the High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The rail line was abandoned in 1976 and now serves as a Hunterdon County-administered rail trail called Columbia Trail, which runs south to High Bridge and north to points in Morris County.
Though the mills were present in the area of Califon for some time prior to its incorporation as a town, it was quite a while before growth became evident in the mid-nineteenth century. It was first called California, from Jacob Neighbor's enthusiasm in the milling business about the time the California Gold Rush broke out. The Borough was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of both Lebanon and Tewksbury Townships on April 2, 1918.[9]
Local legend has it that California became a regular stop for weekend excursion trains through the countryside. When riders bought their tickets they were issued a voucher good for an ice cream; the train would stop so tourists could wander around and cash in their ice cream coupons. Anxious to exploit this source of outside revenue, residents petitioned the Railroad to let them build a real station, which they did as a community project. The station is said to be the one shown in the picture on the right. Citing the local account again, two sign painters who came to letter the sign rode the train from Dunellen, but the background paint wasn't dry when they arrived. They sat and drank at the hotel, which later burned down. By the time the sign was ready for their artistic touch, the local tale says, "Califon" was as close to California as the inebriated painters could manage.
Califon is also situated just north of the Kenneth Lockwood Gorge on the South Branch of the Raritan River; this pristine stretch of clear water and forest is a well-known treasure for New Jersey trout fishermen.
The Califon Historical Society has registered 170 structures with the National Register of Historic Places. Califon is a Victorian-style enclave where the houses are marked with the names of the builders and their dates of establishment rather than with street numbers.
The center of Califon is the historic iron bridge spanning the South Branch of the Raritan River, which divides the borough. Recently the State of New Jersey announced they were going to replace the bridge, using the fact that a loaded school bus represented more weight than the aging bridge could safely carry. Incensed citizens objected, protective of the landmark, and found a colorful but simple solution; the school bus stops at one end of the bridge unloading the students, who then walk across to the other side. Then the empty bus, within imposed weight limits, drives across and the students get back on the bus to continue their ride. Thus the bridge was saved. (Account featured on Califon website).
Califon became a regional household name when frequently mentioned by Merv Griffin on his TV show during the 1970s. He and his wife Juliette owned a home in nearby Lebanon Township, which had a Califon mailing address, and, while they were married, they were often seen visiting the village in a fringed-top Bermuda-style resort cart.
[edit] Geography
Califon is located at 40°43′13″N 74°50′12″W / 40.720250°N 74.836533°W (40.720250, -74.836533).[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), of which, 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) of it is land and 1.02% is water.
Califon borders Lebanon Township and Tewksbury Township.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 534 |
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| 1940 | 572 | 7.1% | |
| 1950 | 623 | 8.9% | |
| 1960 | 777 | 24.7% | |
| 1970 | 970 | 24.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,023 | 5.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,073 | 4.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,055 | −1.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,076 | 2.0% | |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[4][11] | |||
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,055 people, 401 households, and 301 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,093.2 people per square mile (419.9/km2). There were 410 housing units at an average density of 424.9 per square mile (163.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White, 0.76% Asian, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 401 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.8% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $76,657, and the median income for a family was $85,963. Males had a median income of $59,167 versus $41,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,064. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Califon is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.[12]
As of 2011[update], the Mayor of Califon Borough is Charles Daniel. Members of the Califon Borough Council are Council President Gill Smith, Kathleen Anderson, Richard Baggstrom, Michael Medea, Judy Salisbury and Timothy Weiler.[13][14]
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Califon Borough is in the 24th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district.[15] The borough was relocated to the 23rd state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment Commission based on the results of the 2010 Census.[4] The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.[15]
New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Clinton Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
The 24th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Steve Oroho (R, Franklin) and in the General Assembly by Gary R. Chiusano (R, Frankford Township) and Alison Littell McHose (R, Franklin).[16] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[17] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[18]
Hunterdon County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who serve three-year terms of office at-large, with either one or two seats up for election each year on a staggered basis.[19] As of 2011, Hunterdon County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Matt Holt (Clinton Town), Freeholder Deputy Director Robert Walton (Hampton), William Mennen (Tewksbury Township),George B. Melick (Tewksbury Township), and Ronald Sworen (Frenchtown).[20]
[edit] Education
The Califon School District serves students in public school for kindergarten through eighth and had an enrollment of 158 students for the 2009-10 school year.[21] Dr. Kathleen Prystash is the district's Chief School Administrator and principal.[22]
Public school students in grades 9 through 12 are served by the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. Voorhees High School serves students from Califon Borough, Glen Gardner Borough, Hampton Borough, High Bridge Borough, Lebanon Township and Tewksbury Township.[23]
[edit] Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Califon include:
- Thomas W. Greelish (1939–91), United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1985 to 1987. Greelish moved to Califon with his family when he was seven years old.[24]
- Merv Griffin (1925–2007), television producer, once owned a farm, formerly owned by the Ferrante family of Bernardsville, a few miles outside of Califon.[25] When he created the game show Wheel of Fortune, he gave a nod to Califon when naming the production company which was specifically responsible for the show. To this day, Wheel of Fortune legally does business as Califon Productions, Inc., although the show is owned by Sony Pictures.[26]
- Francis Burton Harrison (1873–1957), member of the United States House of Representatives and Governor-General of the Philippines under Woodrow Wilson. Harrison retired to Califon a few months before his death in 1957.[27]
- Teddy Schneider (born 1988), soccer player for the New York Red Bulls.[28]
[edit] References
- ^ 2011 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed July 2, 2011.
- ^ Staff Directory, Borough of Califon. Accessed July 2, 2011.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Califon, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b c d 2011 Apportionment Redistricting: Municipalities sorted alphabetically, New Jersey Department of State, p. 4. Accessed June 30, 2011.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Resnick, Abraham. "Where Did This Name Come From", The New York Times, February 25, 1990. Accessed July 3, 2011. "In the western part of the state, Califon is believed to have been named during the California gold rush, because an enterprising mill operator sold a special cattle feed that resembled gold."
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 154
- ^ "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.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 2, 2009. Accessed July 3, 2011.
- ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 110.
- ^ Local Government, Califon Borough. Accessed March 20, 2011.
- ^ The Borough of Califon, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed March 20, 2011.
- ^ a b 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 55. Accessed July 3, 2011.
- ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
- ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/lt/. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ About the Board, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2011.
- ^ Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed February 9, 2011.
- ^ Data for the Califon Public School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 20, 2011.
- ^ 2010-2011 Board of Education Members, Califon Public School. Accessed March 20, 2011.
- ^ Voorhees High School 2010 Report Card Narratives, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 20, 2011. "Voorhees High School has consistently ranked among the top high schools in the state. With an enrollment of 1160 students in grades 9-12, the school serves the communities of Califon, Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township, and Tewksbury Township."
- ^ "Thomas W. Greelish, 51, Ex-U.S. Attorney for N.J.". The Record (Bergen County). 1991-06-25.
- ^ McLellan, Dennis. "Merv Griffin, entertainment mogul, dies", The Record (Bergen County), August 13, 2007. Accessed September 4, 2007. "He stabled quarter horses at his former home in Califon, in Hunterdon County."
- ^ Holl, John. "To Califon, Merv was a regular farm guy", The Star-Ledger, August 14, 2007. Accessed September 4, 2007. "Viewers who pay careful attention to the closing credits on "Wheel of Fortune" will see the game show is produced by Califon Productions, a subtle nod from Merv Griffin, the program's creator, to the Hunterdon County community where he once owned a farm."
- ^ "F.B. Harrison, 83, U.S. Ex-Aide, Dies", The New York Times, November 22, 1957. Accessed March 20, 2011.
- ^ Fensom, Michael J. "Red Bulls sign former Princeton defender Teddy Schneider", The Star-Ledger, April 12, 2011. Accessed July 3, 2011. "The Red Bulls announced today the signing of former Princeton defender Teddy Schneider. Scheider [sic] was a second round pick, No. 31 overall, by the Red Bulls in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft out of Princeton, where he started 65 times in 69 games. A native of Califon and Delbarton alum, the 5-6, 130-pound Schneider will play left back for the Red Bulls."
[edit] External links
- Official Borough website
- Califon Historical Society website
- Hunterdon County webpage for Califon Borough
- Califon Public School website
- Califon Public School's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Califon Public School, National Center for Education Statistics
- North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District
- Califon Area Merchants and Professionals Association
- Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance
- Califon Environmental Commission
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