Stillwater Township, New Jersey
| Stillwater Township, New Jersey | |
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| — Township — | |
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| Coordinates: 41°4′10″N 74°51′34″W / 41.06944°N 74.85944°WCoordinates: 41°4′10″N 74°51′34″W / 41.06944°N 74.85944°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Sussex |
| Incorporated | December 27, 1824 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Type | Township (New Jersey) |
| • Mayor | George Scott (2012) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 28.4 sq mi (73.5 km2) |
| • Land | 27.1 sq mi (70.2 km2) |
| • Water | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km2) |
| Elevation[2] | 705 ft (215 m) |
| Population (2007)[3] | |
| • Total | 4,312 |
| • Density | 157.3/sq mi (60.8/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 07875 |
| Area code(s) | 973 |
| FIPS code | 34-70890[4][5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882262[6] |
| Website | http://www.stillwaternj.us |
Stillwater Township is a Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. It is a farming community with a small "village." Stillwater is known for its lakeside summer residences, abundant limestone and lime kilns. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 4,267.
Crandon Lakes (2000 Census population of 1,150) is a census-designated place and unincorporated area split between Hampton Township and Stillwater Township.
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Stillwater Township as its 40th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[7]
Stillwater was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 27, 1824, from portions of Hardwick Township.[8]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 28.4 square miles (74 km2), of which, 27.1 square miles (70 km2) of it is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) of it (4.44%) is water. The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley which is a section of the 700 mile long Great Appalachian Valley that stretches from Canada to Alabama.
Stillwater is the home of Swartswood State Park, established in 1914 as the first State Park established by the state of New Jersey. In the center of the park lies the Little Swartswood and Swartswood Lake. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 706 |
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| 1940 | 679 | −3.8% | |
| 1950 | 816 | 20.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,339 | 64.1% | |
| 1970 | 2,158 | 61.2% | |
| 1980 | 3,887 | 80.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,253 | 9.4% | |
| 2000 | 4,267 | 0.3% | |
| Est. 2007 | 4,312 | [3] | 1.1% |
| Population 1930 - 1990.[9] | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 4,267 people, 1,494 households, and 1,154 families residing in the township. The population density was 157.3 people per square mile (60.7/km²). There were 2,030 housing units at an average density of 74.9 per square mile (28.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.96% White, 0.16% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.09% of the population.
There were 1,494 households out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the township the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $63,750, and the median income for a family was $71,563. Males had a median income of $48,580 versus $35,505 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,933. About 1.6% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Surrounding communities
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Walpack Twp | Sandyston Twp | |
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Hampton Twp | |||
 Stillwater Twp  |
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| Hardwick Twp | Frelinghuysen Twp | Fredon Twp |
[edit] History timeline
- 1741, Casper Shafer built the Stillwater gristmill about half a mile from the present mill site.
- 1764, the Stillwater gristmill was moved to its present location and commercially operated there until 1955. This makes the Casper and Abraham Shafer Grist Mill Complex one of the oldest, continuously operating, water-powered gristmills in the State of New Jersey.
- December 27, 1824, the township was created by an act passed by the New Jersey Legislature.[10]
- 1844, the gristmill is rebuilt and powered by water from the Paulins Kill. Casper's son, Nathan Armstrong Shafer lived in Whitehall Manor, which he built near what is now the center of the village. Aline Murray Kilmer, the widow of poet Joyce Kilmer, lived the last decade of her life at Whitehall, passing away there on October 1, 1941.
- Early 1900s, Swartswood Lake became a major resort. Weekenders took the train into nearby Blairstown through the 1940s to stay at such places as the North Shore Inn, The Casino, and The Dove Island Inn (now a private home). Later, summer cabins became popular with Brooklyn weekenders.
- 1910, the Stillwater creamery was built. Borden, Inc. later took control of the creamery.
- 1920s, the Paulinskill River was dammed to create Paulinskill Lake and many summer residences sprang up. These summer cottages have grown into what is now a year-round community.
Today the Presbyterian Church is the most prominent feature in Stillwater village. Opposite the church is the former Stillwater Academy, an old schoolhouse. The old schoolhouse is now home to the Stillwater Historical Museum. Stillwater was, and still is, primarily agricultural. The area is dotted with lime kilns, which used to burn lime to enrich the soil, but are now obsolete, becoming lost to history and the overgrowth of vegetation. An intact kiln still exists on Millbrook Road, a little more than two miles from Stillwater village.
[edit] Government
[edit] Local government
Stillwater is governed under the Township form of government with a five-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 or two seats coming up for election each year.[1] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.
As of 2011[update], members of the Stillwater Township Committee are Mayor George Scott (2012), Deputy Mayor Timmy Fisher (2013), Charles Gross (2013), William Morrison (2011) and Anita Straway (serving until November 2011 for the unexpired term ending in 2012).[11]
[edit] Emergency services
As of 2010, the Township Committee disbanded the Stillwater Police Department. Pending a lawsuit against the township, the New Jersey State Police assumed police coverage 24/7.[12]
The Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company, and the Swartswood Volunteer Fire Department provide fire and rescue services to the township. The Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company also provides services to Hardwick Township, in Warren County, along with Blairstown Hose Company #1. Stillwater also provides Ice Rescue services to the western portion of the county.
Stillwater Station houses CAFS Pumper 42-62, Rescue-Pumper 42-61, Tanker/Pumper 42-71, and utility and special operations 42-81. Swartswood Station houses Pumper 45-62, Tanker 45-71, and Utility 45-81.
Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad provides Emergency Medical Services to the township, utilizing two full-size ambulances, and first response vehicles. EMS coverage is supplemented by The Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company's First Responder Division.
[edit] Federal, state and county representation
Stillwater Township is in the 5th Congressional district. New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
Stillwater Township is in the 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).[13]
Sussex County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders whose five members are elected at-large on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. As of 2011, Sussex County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Richard A. Zeoli (R, term ends December 31, 2012; Byram Township)[14], Deputy Director Susan M. Zellman (R, 2012; Stanhope)[15], Phillip R. Crabb (R, 2011; Franklin)[16], Parker Space (R, 2013; Wantage Township)[17] and Richard Vohden (R, 2013; Green Township).[18][19]
[edit] Politics
As of March 23, 2011, out of a 2010 Census population of 4,099 in Stillwater, there were 3,009 registered voters (73.4% of the population, vs. 65.8% in all of Sussex County). Of registered voters, 468 (15.6% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,354 (45.0% vs. 39.3% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 1,183 (39.3% vs. 44.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were four voters registered to other parties (three Greens and one Libertarian).[20]
On the national level, Stillwater is a stronghold for the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 65% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received 33%.[21] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 60% of the vote here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama, who received 37%.[22] This gives Stillwater Township a Cook PVI of R+15.
[edit] Education
The Stillwater Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The Stillwater Township School had an enrollment of 401 students as of the 2008-09 school year.[23]
The students of middle and high school age in public school for grades 7-12 attend Kittatinny Regional High School located in Hampton Township, which serves students who reside in Fredon Township, Hampton Township, Sandyston Township, Stillwater Township and Walpack Township.[24] The high school is located in Hampton, about seven minutes outside of the County seat of Newton.
[edit] See also
- Harmony Hill Methodist Church (Stillwater, New Jersey)
- Paulins Kill
- Stillwater Cemetery (Stillwater, New Jersey)
- Stillwater Presbyterian Church (Stillwater, New Jersey)
[edit] References
- ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 110.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Stillwater, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Census data for Stillwater township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 27, 2008.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100", New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.
- ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 232.
- ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
- ^ Snell, James P. (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Centennial ed., Harmony, NJ: Harmony Press, 1981, pg. 383
- ^ Stillwater Township Committee, Stillwater Township. Accessed April 2, 2011.
- ^ Keller, Elisa D. "Stillwater disbands police department", New Jersey Herald, December 4, 2009. Accessed April 2, 2011.
- ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
- ^ Richard A. Zeoli, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Susan M. Zellman, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Phillip R. Crabb, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Parker Space, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Richard A. Vohden, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Sussex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 6, 2011.
- ^ "http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-sussex-co-summary-report.pdf
- ^ http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/presidential_sussex_co_2004.pdf
- ^ http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/08-gen-elect-presidential-results-sussex.pdf
- ^ Data for the Stillwater Township School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 2, 2011.
- ^ Kittatiny Regional School District 2010 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 2, 2011. "Located in beautiful, rural Sussex County in northwest New Jersey, Kittatinny Regional School District serves the five municipalities of Fredon Township, Hampton Township, Sandyston Township, Stillwater Township and the Township of Walpack."
[edit] Reading List
McCabe, Wayne T. and Kate Gordon. A Penny A View...An Album of Postcard Views...Stillwater, N.J. (Newton, NJ: Historic Preservation Alternatives, 1995).
[edit] External links
- Stillwater Township web site
- Stillwater Township School
- Stillwater Township School's 2009–10 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- Data for the Stillwater Township School, National Center for Education Statistics
- Kittatinny Regional High School
- Skylands Guide to Stillwater
- Skylands Guide to Stone Mills
- Virtual tour of the village of Stillwater
- The Township Journal, community newspaper
- Historical Society of Stillwater Township
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