Hope Township, New Jersey

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Hope Township, New Jersey
—  Township  —
Map of Hope Township in Warren County. Inset: Location of Warren County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Hope Township, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°54′37″N 74°59′09″W / 40.91031°N 74.98577°W / 40.91031; -74.98577Coordinates: 40°54′37″N 74°59′09″W / 40.91031°N 74.98577°W / 40.91031; -74.98577[1][2]
Country United States
state New Jersey
County Warren
Incorporated April 8, 1839
Government[3][4]
 • Type Township
 • Mayor Timothy McDonough (term ends December 31, 2013)[5]
Area[2]
 • Total 18.837 sq mi (48.788 km2)
 • Land 18.621 sq mi (48.229 km2)
 • Water 0.216 sq mi (0.559 km2)  1.15%
Area rank 152nd of 566 in state
11th of 22 in county[2]
Elevation[6] 436 ft (133 m)
Population (2010)[7]
 • Total 1,952
 • Density 105.5/sq mi (40.8/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (EDT) ([[UTC-4 "]])
ZIP code 07844
Area code(s) 908 Exchange: 459
FIPS code 3404133060[8][2][9]
GNIS feature ID 0882242[10]
Website http://www.hopetownship.com

Hope Township is a township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 1,952.[7] The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley which is a section of the Great Appalachian Valley that stretches 700 miles (1,100 km) from Canada to Alabama.

Hope Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1839, from portions of Knowlton Township and Oxford Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Liberty Township was created March 25, 1926, from portions of the township.[11]

Contents

Geography [edit]

Hope Township is located at 40°54′37″N 74°59′09″W / 40.91031°N 74.98577°W / 40.91031; -74.98577 (40.91031,-74.98577). According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 18.837 square miles (48.788 km2), of which, 18.621 square miles (48.229 km2) of it is land and 0.216 square miles (0.559 km2) of it (1.15%) is water.[1][2]

Demographics [edit]

As of the 2000 United States Census[8] there were 1,891 people, 697 households, and 538 families residing in the township. The population density was 102.2 people per square mile (39.5/km²). There were 747 housing units at an average density of 40.4 per square mile (15.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.25% White, 0.42% African American, 0.42% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 697 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% 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 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $61,319, and the median income for a family was $68,750. Males had a median income of $48,750 versus $34,038 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,902. About 1.1% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over. The Township's economic data (as is all of Warren County) is calculated by the US Census Bureau as part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History [edit]

Hope Township is one of the earliest planned communities in the United States, having been established by German Moravians in 1769. They knew what they wanted to achieve, which is shown on several early planning maps, which detail streets, homes, wells, businesses, farms, a school, tavern and church.

Prior to the arrival of the Moravians, there was no distinct town, but several families farmed on Jenny Jump Mountain, to the south of Hope, in surrounding area and on John Samuel Green, Jr.’s farm in the center of what is now the Village. Throughout the 1760s, Moravians from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania traveled through this area on their way to New England to establish new communities. They lodged overnight with the Green Family who became very impressed with their religion and way of life.

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1930 553
—
1940 646 16.8%
1950 681 5.4%
1960 833 22.3%
1970 1,140 36.9%
1980 1,468 28.8%
1990 1,719 17.1%
2000 1,891 10.0%
2010 1,952 3.2%
Est. 2011 1,946 [12] −0.3%
Population 1930 - 1990.[13]
The Moravian Church in Hope, NJ is now the headquarters for the Bank of Hope.

The Moravians were a religious group whose formal name was the “Unitas Fratrum” or Unity of the Brethren. They were followers of Jan Hus, the reformer from Prague who protested against the Roman Catholic Church in 1415 and was finally burned at the stake for his rebellion. These followers continued to practice his views in Moravia and Bohemia in what is now the Czech Republic, hence the common name “The Moravians”. In the late 17th century this group began to be persecuted and sought shelter away from Bohemia. Count Nicolas Ludwig von Zinzendorf offered them refuge on his lands east of Dresden, Germany and provided a base for them to regroup and pursue their religion. That settlement which remains as the center of the worldwide Moravian religion is called Herrnhut or “The Lord's Watch" inhabitants were not only "under the Lord's watchful care" but were also to be "on watch for the Lord". With the support of Count von Zinzendorf, the Church established over 200 missionary settlements.

After a formal survey of the Village completed on November 26, 1774, the community was officially accepted by The Moravian Church and the name was changed by drawing lots on February 8, 1775 from Greenland to Hope.

After almost 40 years of the Moravian “experiment” in Hope, the community was sold and almost all of the Moravians returned to Bethlehem or Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The basic reason for closing the community was that it was never self-supporting and had declined from its height of population of 147 to under 100 people by the early 19th century. The Church in Germany could no longer subsidize such a small village. Moravians worldwide were selling possessions and even some other entire communities to pay off debts incurred years earlier by Count von Zinzendorf, who heavily mortgaged his lands to give them opportunity back in Germany. Disease and a competitive gristmill also contributed to Moravian Hope's decline.[14]

Government [edit]

Local government [edit]

Hope Township is governed under the Township form of government with a three-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year.[3] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.

The Hope Township Committee consists of Mayor Timothy C. McDonough (Independent; term ends December 31, 2012), Deputy Mayor George Beatty (Republican; 2011) and M. John Koonz (Republican; 2010).[4][15]

Constitutional Officers are: Clerk Mary Pat Quinn, Chief Financial Officer Kathleen Reinalda, Tax Collector Stephen Lance, and Tax Assessor Richard Motyka.[4]

Federal, state and county representation [edit]

Hope Township is located in the 5th Congressional District[16] and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.[7][17][18] Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Hope Township had been in the 23rd state legislative district.[19]

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township).[20] 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 Alison Littell McHose (R, Franklin) and Parker Space (R, Wantage Township).[21] Space took office in March 2013, filling the seat vacated by Gary R. Chiusano, who had been chosen to fill a vacancy as Sussex County Surrogate.[22] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township).[23] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[24]

Warren County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders whose three members are elected at-large on a staggered basis with one seat coming up for election each year. At an annual organization held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve sa Freeholder Director and other as Deputy Director. As of 2013, Warren County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Jason Sarnoski (R, Lopatcong Township, 2013) Freeholder Deputy Director Edward J. Smith (R, Asbury / Franklin Township, 2015) and Freeholder Richard D. Gardner (R, Asbury / Franklin Township, 2014).[25] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Patricia J. Kolb (Blairstown Township),[26] Sheriff David Gallant (Blairstown Township) and Surrogate Kevin O'Neill (Hackettstown).[27][28] The County Administrator, Steve Marvin, is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the county and its departments.[29]

Education [edit]

Bergen-Passaic Expressway (Interstate 80) east of Exit 12 in Hope Township

The Hope Township School District served 213 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade, as of the 2008-09 school year.[30]

Students in grades nine through twelve from Harmony Township, Hope Township and White Township attend Belvidere High School in Belvidere as part of sending/receiving relationships with the Belvidere School District.[31]

Transportation [edit]

Interstate 80 (the Bergen-Passaic Expressway) passes through the township, with access via Exit 12 to Hope-Blairstown Road (County Route 521). CR 519 also passes through Hope, and can be accessed by CR 521.

Points of interest [edit]

  • Land of Make Believe is an amusement park centered around "Safe and wholesome recreation", with entertaining rides and attractions that are enjoyed by people of all ages but not so extreme that it scares off younger children.[32]
The gate to the Moravian Cemetery in Hope, NJ appeared in the horror movie, Friday the 13th.
  • Hope, New Jersey, was the location for two scenes in the horror movie Friday the 13th, with the Moravian Cemetery (see photograph to the right) and Hartung's General Store appearing in the film.[33]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.
  3. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 103.
  4. ^ a b c Hope Township, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed March 15, 2011.
  5. ^ 2013 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed May 12, 2013.
  6. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Hope, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 6, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 11. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008. 
  9. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed October 28, 2012.
  10. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008. 
  11. ^ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 246. Accessed October 26, 2012.
  12. ^ Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 26, 2012.
  13. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  14. ^ History of Hope Township, Hope Township. Accessed September 10, 2006.
  15. ^ Township Committee, Hope Township. Accessed March 15, 2011.
  16. ^ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  17. ^ 2012 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 59, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  18. ^ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  19. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 59, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  20. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 5, 2012.
  21. ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed April 25, 2013.
  22. ^ Miller, Jennifer Jean. "George Graham Chosen as Freeholder at Sussex County Republican Convention", TheAlternativePress.com, April 13, 2013. Accessed April 25, 2013. "Graham will fill the freeholder seat that New Jersey Assemblyman Parker Space left to take his new position. Space recently took the seat, which formerly belonged to Gary Chiusano, who in turn, was appointed to the spot of Sussex County Surrogate, following the retirement of Surrogate Nancy Fitzgibbons."
  23. ^ "About the Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  24. ^ "About the Lieutenant Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  25. ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  26. ^ County Clerk's Office, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  27. ^ Message from Surrogate, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  28. ^ Constitutional Officers, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  29. ^ 2012 Official Directory, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2013.
  30. ^ Data for Hope Township School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 15, 2011.
  31. ^ Belvidere High School 2010 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 15, 2011. "Belvidere High School is a small Group I school of approximately 560 students, encompassing grades nine through twelve. Students arrive from the Belvidere K-12 district and three surrounding K-8 districts; Hope, Harmony and White."
  32. ^ About Us, Land of Make Believe (amusement park). Accessed June 26, 2008.
  33. ^ Friday the 13th filming locations, accessed November 25, 2006.

External links [edit]

Municipalities and communities of Warren County, New Jersey, United States
Boroughs
Towns
Townships
CDPs
Blairstown Township Frelinghuysen Township
Knowlton Township Independence Township
  Hope Township  
White Township Liberty Township
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