Keansburg, New Jersey

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Keansburg, New Jersey
—  Borough  —
Map of Keansburg in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Keansburg, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°26′54″N 74°08′02″W / 40.44833°N 74.13389°W / 40.44833; -74.13389Coordinates: 40°26′54″N 74°08′02″W / 40.44833°N 74.13389°W / 40.44833; -74.13389
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Monmouth
Incorporated April 17, 1917
Government[1]
 • Type Faulkner Act (Council-Manager)
 • Mayor Arthur Boden (2010)
Area
 • Total 16.8 sq mi (43.6 km2)
 • Land 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2)
 • Water 15.7 sq mi (40.8 km2)
Elevation[2] 0 ft (0 m)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 10,105
 • Density 601.5/sq mi (231.77/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07734
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 34-36480[4][5]
GNIS feature ID 0885265[6]
Website http://www.keansburgboro.com

Keansburg (pronounced "kEEns-burg") is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 10,105.[3]

Keansburg was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1917, from portions of both Middletown Township and Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 17, 1917.[7]

Keansburg is part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bay coastline.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Keansburg is located at 40°26′50″N 74°07′52″W / 40.447324°N 74.131226°W / 40.447324; -74.131226 (40.447324, -74.131226).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 16.8 square miles (44 km2), of which 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) is land and 15.8 square miles (41 km2), or 93.58%, is water.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1930 2,190
—
1940 2,904 32.6%
1950 5,559 91.4%
1960 6,854 23.3%
1970 9,720 41.8%
1980 10,613 9.2%
1990 11,069 4.3%
2000 10,732 −3.0%
2010 10,105 −5.8%
Population 1930 - 1990.[9]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 10,732 people, 3,872 households, and 2,563 families residing in the borough. The population density was 9,954.4 people per square mile (3,836.7/km2). There were 4,269 housing units at an average density of 3,959.7 per square mile (1,526.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.31% White, 2.13% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.95% of the population.

There were 3,872 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% 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 3.35.

In the borough the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $36,383, and the median income for a family was $45,438. Males had a median income of $37,229 versus $28,398 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,417. About 15.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

An early morning view of the boardwalk in Keansburg Amusement Park

The land that is now Keansburg was originally home to the Lenni Lenape Native Americans.

On September 3, 1609, the Half Moon, captained by Henry Hudson, is said to have landed on the shores of present-day Keansburg (though some historians argue that the landing and forth-coming explained events took place at the tip of Sandy Hook). Crewmen of the ship were attacked by the Native Americans when they departed the ship, and one man, John Colman, was killed.[10][11] He is reputed to be the first European to be felled by a Native American arrow. It is said that he was buried on the land, in the area that is today the intersection of Carr Avenue and Beachway. It is referred to as "Coleman's Point".

In the time between 1609 and the early 18th century, the land was gradually purchased from the Lenni Lenape with other surrounding areas. The area was inhabited by Dutch, English, and Scottish settlers. In the 18th century, farming proved to be successful on Keansburg's land, with specialties being pears, apples and corn (maize).

An early morning view of the beach in Keansburg circa August 2005

In this time, the town took on the name of Waackaack, pronounced "Way-kay-ack". This is a Lenape Native American term, originally "Wakioak" meaning "Land of Plenty".[12] The area was also widely known as Tanner's Landing from the early 18th century until approximately 1820, so named for the pier at the end of what was Tanner's Landing Road (now Main Street). Tanner's Landing was a principal port for the area for many years.[13]

Though the source of this information does not state exactly when, the land took on its second official name of Granville. The name originated from the importance of the Phillips Mill, and the grain producing farms in the region. The name held until 1880s.

During the century, Granville became home to its own church, two lighthouses and small businesses. Roadways were beginning to form from repeated use of horse and buggies. The beach was already a favorite to visitors. Population was about 300 people, who mostly farmed and clammed for a living.

On Sunday, March 22, 1877, at "half past 9 o'clock," Granville welcomed the newly assigned pastor of the Granville Methodist Episcopal Church, William W. Ramsay. At 19 years of age, Ramsay was slated to serve in the church for one year. His success at the helm of church led to another year in Granville, after which he decided to make the village his permanent home.

Ramsay and his wife, Eliza S. Wood, purchased the land that is 69 Church Street and opened a general store in 1881. In the coming years, Ramsay took greater and greater interest in Granville and eventually arranged a petition to establish a post office. The list of 132 names was passed on to John Kean of Elizabeth, a candidate for Congress. His efforts led to the opening of the post office in 1884, with Mrs. Ramsay serving as its first postmaster. That year, the name Keansburg was adopted.

Further development continued with the creation of postcards depicting the village and land purchases, including some key buys by William A. Gehlhaus and the Keansburg Beach Company. A school was built at the cost of $30,000 in 1890 and sat on what is today the corner of Ramsay Avenue and Church Street (now Fallon Manor).

The boardwalk in Keansburg, New Jersey. The beach is on the opposite side

After the town's decline, small beach houses were cheaply sold and converted into year-round housing. Efforts to reduce crime seem to be working, slowly but surely, in many areas. Further evidence of a possible comeback include the Keansburg beautification project, building of new condominiums across the street from the boardwalk, the construction of a skateboard park, the hiring of a part-time recreation program director and the opening of the first free-standing public library in the borough. The Keansburg Waterfront Public Library, founded in 2004, is the result of a concerted effort on the part of townspeople and the borough government to provide a high quality library with resources that address the needs and interests of the community. Currently, the library is open on a limited basis and is staffed by a part-time library director, library assistant and two additional part-time pages. In spite of this, the library has seen an overwhelmingly positive response from patrons in the community.

[edit] Interesting facts

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Keansburg operates under the Faulkner Act (Council-Manager) form of municipal government. Keansburg is governed by a five-member Borough Council, elected on a non-partisan basis to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even years.[1]

Members of the Keansburg Borough Council are Anthony DePompa (2012), Lisa Strydio (2012), Arthur Boden (2014), Mayor James Cocuzza, Sr. (2014) and George Hoff (2012).[16]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Keansburg is in the 6th Congressional district. New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

Keansburg is in the The 13th district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph M. Kyrillos (R, Middletown Township) and in the General Assembly by Amy Handlin (R, Middletown Township) and Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver).[17]

Monmouth County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members who are elected at-large to serve three year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats up for election each year. [18] As of 2011, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan; term ends December 31, 2013)[19], Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Curley (R, Red Bank; 2012)[20], Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2013), Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; 2011)[21] and Amy A. Mallet (D, Fair Haven, 2011).[22][23][24]

[edit] Emergency services

Keansburg Fire Company #1 was incorporated October 13, 1912. It was the first fire company in town. Located on the corner on Main Street and Manning Place.

The New Point Comfort Volunteer Fire Company, located in Keansburg, was organized in 1912 and incorporated on August 2, 1913 at the New Point Comfort Hotel located on Beachway Avenue. The company was first named the New Point Comfort Chemical Engine Company, and was later renamed the New Point Comfort Fire Company #1. Having its first building on Oak Street, it later moved to a larger property at 192 Carr Avenue in the 1950s, where it is currently located.

New Point Comfort Volunteer Fire Company is one of two fire companies in Keansburg, along with an EMS unit, that make up the Keansburg Fire Department, which was established in 1923.

Two engines, a 1998 e-one Hush and a 2009 e-one Typhoon, and a fire police van are housed in the building, along with a 1947 Antique Mack Pumper, which was purchased new and used for active firefighting services till the 1970s.

In November 1998 the fire company established the Keansburg EMS and housed it on their property, where it is now a separate organization, responding to over 1,600 calls each year in only a one-square-mile area.

[edit] Education

Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade are served by the Keansburg School District, an Abbott District.[25] Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[26]) are Port Monmouth Road School (PreK-2, 665 students), Joseph C. Caruso School (3-4, 233 students), Joseph R. Bolger Middle School (5-8, 526 students) and Keansburg High School (9-12, 529 students).

[edit] Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Keansburg include:

[edit] Points of interest

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 67.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Keansburg, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Keansburg borough, New Jersey". U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 2. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved September 1, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
  6. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  7. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 180.
  8. ^ "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. 
  9. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  10. ^ Keansburg Historical Society, accessed April 10, 2007.
  11. ^ Roberts, Sam (September 4, 2009). "New York’s Coldest Case: A Murder 400 Years Old". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/nyregion/05murder.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1252080165-+D9yYyiF6xMjibXoyas7fA. Retrieved 2009-09-04. 
  12. ^ Harnes, John A. "Of Wakioak and 'clam diggers'", Asbury Park Press, July 18, 2002. Accessed April 10, 2007. "Since the Lenni-Lenape Indians called the area Wakioak, which meant "land of plenty," this area of Monmouth County south of Raritan Bay has been called many names, including: Colman's Point, Middletown, Granville, Raritan and finally Keansburg, when the community's first post office was created through the efforts of Rep. John Kean and the Rev. William Ramsay."
  13. ^ "Keansburg High School History of Keansburg, at Chapter 5 (Story of the Seas)". Accessed July 23, 2007. "In the early days TANNER'S LANDING, now Main Street Beach, was at the foot of TANNERS LANDING ROAD (Main Street). This was a principle (sic) road going through Monmouth County, as it attached to the "KINGS HIGHWAY", the Landing itself being a Major freight port of the countryside. The first steamboat that came into Monmouth County was to use this landing, it was a sidewheel boat which was commanded by Captain Pennoyer. The Tanner's landing was used as a principal port as late as 1820...Tanners landing was a bee-hive of activity around the Revolutionary War period, because it was a Major port." Also see the map at: "Map of Tanner's Landing, 1851", Keansburg Historical Society.
  14. ^ Spookhouse!
  15. ^ An Historic Theme Study of the New Jersey Heritage Trail Route - CHAPTER IV: The Boardwalk
  16. ^ Borough Council, The Borough of Keansburg. Accessed October 20, 2008.
  17. ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
  18. ^ Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 5, 2011.
  19. ^ Freeholder Director Robert D. Clifton, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  20. ^ Deputy Director Freeholder John P. Curley, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  21. ^ Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  22. ^ Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  23. ^ Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  24. ^ Rizzo, Nina. "Monmouth County freeholders sworn into office", Asbury Park Press, January 6, 2011. Accessed January 7, 2011.
  25. ^ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2008.
  26. ^ Data for the Keansburg School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 31, 2008.
  27. ^ Leith, Rod. "GANG'S EX-LEADER TESTIFYING BEFORE U.S. GRAND JURY", The Record (Bergen County), July 20, 1986. Accessed August 13, 2007. "The Westies reportedly are headed by James "Jimmy" Coonan, a Keansburg man who, investigators said, has been associated both with Paul Castellano and John Gotti, who assumed control of the Gambino family after Castellano's murder last Dec. 16."
  28. ^ Jason Mewes arrest report, The Smoking Gun, accessed April 10, 2007.
  29. ^ 25 NEW FACES OF INDIE FILM 2004, Filmmaker, Summer 2004. Accessed July 24, 2007. "Pucci, who grew up in Keansburg, N.J., appeared in increasingly larger parts at the Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company before landing a part in The Sound of Music on Broadway."
  30. ^ Medal of Honor recipients: World War II (T-Z), United States Army. Accessed December 27, 2007.
  31. ^ McNichol, Dunstan. "Corzine seeks to trim $740K deal for Keansburg schools chief", The Star-Ledger, May 22, 2008. Accessed May 25, 2008.

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