Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Scotch Plains is a township
in Union County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.
as early as 1684. It later served as a stop on the stage coach line between New York
and Philadelphia. The Ash Swamp in Scotch Plains was the scene of a key action in the Battle of Short Hills
, on June 26, 1777, which included skirmishes as Washington's forces moved along Rahway Road in Scotch Plains toward the Watchung Mountains
. Scotch Plains is home to the house of Aunt Betty Frazee, whose retort to Lord Cornwallis led the British to find their bread from friendlier bakers in the same battle. The simple farmstead of Betty and Gershom Frazee, a type of structure that rarely survives the centuries, is today the object of a restoration effort by local organizations.
What is now Scotch Plains was originally incorporated as Fanwood Township on March 6, 1878, by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
from portions of Plainfield Township
and Westfield Township
. Portions of the township were taken to form Fanwood Borough
on October 2, 1895. Fanwood Township was renamed to Scotch Plains as of March 29, 1917, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.
Scotch Plains was home to the Shady Rest Country Club, the nation's first African-American country club, and its pro, John Shippen, the first African-American golf professional, who led the 1892 U.S. Open in the final round before finishing fifth. The Shady Rest clubhouse hosted Cab Calloway and other greats as a local center for African-American culture in the 1920s and 1930s. It is preserved today as the Scotch Hills Municipal course.
A much more complete history of the town can be found on pp. 4–6 of the PDF version of Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual), (Oct. 28, 1999, produced by the town's newspaper of record at the time)as well as on the town's website.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²), of which, 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²) of it is land and 0.11% is water.
of 2000, there are 22,732 people, 8,349 households, and 6,295 families residing in the township . The population density
is 2,503.3 inhabitants per square mile (966.6/km2). There are 8,479 housing units at an average density of 933.7 per square mile (360.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township is 78.88% White, 11.30% African American, 0.09% Native American, 7.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 3.94% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,349 households out of which 36.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% are married couples
living together, 8.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% are non-families. 20.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.16.
In the township the population is distributed with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.8 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the township is $99,214, and the median income for a family is $111,970. Males have a median income of $63,648 versus $43,714 for females. The per capita income
for the township is $39,913. 3.0% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
According to BusinessWeek
, Scotch Plains is the most affordable suburb in New Jersey for 2009.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a four-member Township Council. Council members are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis. The Mayor and the Councilmembers are the only elected officials in the Township government. The Chief of Police is Brian Mahoney.
, members of the Scotch Plains Township Council are Mayor
Nancy M. Malool, Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola, Kevin Glover, Michael "Mickey" Marcus and William "Bo" Vastine.
, which is shared with the Borough of Fanwood
, are located in Scotch Plains. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are five elementary schools —
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (PreK-4; 463 students),
J. Ackerman Coles School (K-4; 519),
Evergreen School (PreK-4; 405),
William J. McGinn School (474) and
School One (389) —
Park Middle School (823) and
Terrill Middle School
(847) for grades 6-8, along with
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
(1,468) for grades 9-12.
Students from School One, Evergreen and Brunner pool into Park Middle School, whereas students from Coles and McGinn feed into Terrill. School One is the only elementary school that teaches English as a second language
.
Another elementary school, Shackamaxon School, was built in 1951 (the same year as Evergreen School) and operated until 1981, when it was leased to the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey as their Jewish Community Center and offices. The Federation bought the building outright five years later. A more complete history of the schools of Scotch Plains-Fanwood can be found on pp. 7–9 of the PDF version of Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual), Oct. 28, 1999.
The Union County Vocational Technical Schools
includes the Union County Magnet High School
, the Academy for Information Technology
, the Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences
, the Union County Academy for Performing Arts
, and the Vocational-Technical School. The grouping of different schools is for vocational as well as gifted students, publicly funded by the combined taxes of Union County municipalities.
Union Catholic Regional High School
(often abbreviated UC), a private Roman Catholic
school, brings in students from the far reaches of Union County and even some parts of Essex
and Middlesex
counties. A large number of students come from the Woodbridge
/Colonia
area, where the school had erected a billboard advertisement, now removed.
Union County College
has a facility in Scotch Plains.
There is also a Catholic school, St. Bartholomew Academy, which offers education from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.
, formerly the mainline of the Central Railroad of New Jersey
. A passenger station is located in Fanwood
. NJ Transit also provides bus service to New York City
and New Jersey points. Another rail line, the Lehigh Line
, carries freight trains through the southernmost tip of the township.
Newark Liberty International Airport
is approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) east of Scotch Plains, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport
, a general aviation
facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey
. Newark Liberty International Airport
is also easily accessible via New Jersey Transit
train.
The only two major roads that pass through are Route 28 for a brief stretch in the central part and U.S. Route 22
in the north.
The township is accessible from limited access in neighboring communities, such as Interstate 78
in both Watchung
and Berkeley Heights
, the Garden State Parkway
in Clark
and Interstate 287
in Edison Township
.
Sterling Chase
Berwyck Chase
Canterbury
Goodman's Crossing
Crestwood
The Reserve
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
in Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.
History
The area known as Scotch Plains was first settled by Europeans, including many Scottish QuakersReligious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
as early as 1684. It later served as a stop on the stage coach line between New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Philadelphia. The Ash Swamp in Scotch Plains was the scene of a key action in the Battle of Short Hills
Battle of Short Hills
The Battle of Short Hills was a conflict between a Continental Army force commanded by Brigadier General William Alexander , and an opposing British force commanded by Lieutenant General William Howe...
, on June 26, 1777, which included skirmishes as Washington's forces moved along Rahway Road in Scotch Plains toward the Watchung Mountains
Watchung Mountains
The Watchung Mountains are a group of three long low ridges of volcanic origin, between 400 ft. and 500 ft. high, lying parallel to each other in northern New Jersey in the United States...
. Scotch Plains is home to the house of Aunt Betty Frazee, whose retort to Lord Cornwallis led the British to find their bread from friendlier bakers in the same battle. The simple farmstead of Betty and Gershom Frazee, a type of structure that rarely survives the centuries, is today the object of a restoration effort by local organizations.
What is now Scotch Plains was originally incorporated as Fanwood Township on March 6, 1878, by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
from portions of Plainfield Township
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
and Westfield Township
Westfield, New Jersey
Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 30,316. The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract....
. Portions of the township were taken to form Fanwood Borough
Fanwood, New Jersey
Fanwood is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,318.Fanwood was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 2, 1895, from portions of Fanwood Township , based on the results of a...
on October 2, 1895. Fanwood Township was renamed to Scotch Plains as of March 29, 1917, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.
Scotch Plains was home to the Shady Rest Country Club, the nation's first African-American country club, and its pro, John Shippen, the first African-American golf professional, who led the 1892 U.S. Open in the final round before finishing fifth. The Shady Rest clubhouse hosted Cab Calloway and other greats as a local center for African-American culture in the 1920s and 1930s. It is preserved today as the Scotch Hills Municipal course.
A much more complete history of the town can be found on pp. 4–6 of the PDF version of Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual), (Oct. 28, 1999, produced by the town's newspaper of record at the time)as well as on the town's website.
Geography
Scotch Plains is located at 40.638252°N 74.373914°W (40.638252, −74.373914).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²), of which, 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²) of it is land and 0.11% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there are 22,732 people, 8,349 households, and 6,295 families residing in the township . The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is 2,503.3 inhabitants per square mile (966.6/km2). There are 8,479 housing units at an average density of 933.7 per square mile (360.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township is 78.88% White, 11.30% African American, 0.09% Native American, 7.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 3.94% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,349 households out of which 36.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% are married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% are non-families. 20.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.71 and the average family size is 3.16.
In the township the population is distributed with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.8 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the township is $99,214, and the median income for a family is $111,970. Males have a median income of $63,648 versus $43,714 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township is $39,913. 3.0% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
According to BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek
Bloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
, Scotch Plains is the most affordable suburb in New Jersey for 2009.
Local government
Scotch Plains is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, provides for New Jersey municipalities to adopt a Mayor-Council government.This form of government provides for election of a mayor and five, seven, or nine council members...
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a four-member Township Council. Council members are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis. The Mayor and the Councilmembers are the only elected officials in the Township government. The Chief of Police is Brian Mahoney.
, members of the Scotch Plains Township Council are Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Nancy M. Malool, Deputy Mayor Mary DePaola, Kevin Glover, Michael "Mickey" Marcus and William "Bo" Vastine.
Federal, state and county representation
Scotch Plains is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 22nd state legislative district.Education
All of the schools of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School DistrictScotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District is a regional public school district serving students from two communities in Union County, New Jersey, United States. The district serves students in Prekindergarten through twelfth grade, who come from the Township of Scotch Plains and the...
, which is shared with the Borough of Fanwood
Fanwood, New Jersey
Fanwood is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,318.Fanwood was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 2, 1895, from portions of Fanwood Township , based on the results of a...
, are located in Scotch Plains. Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are five elementary schools —
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (PreK-4; 463 students),
J. Ackerman Coles School (K-4; 519),
Evergreen School (PreK-4; 405),
William J. McGinn School (474) and
School One (389) —
Park Middle School (823) and
Terrill Middle School
Terrill Middle School
Terrill Middle School is a public middle school located in Scotch Plains, in Union County, New Jersey, USA, as part of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, which also serves students from the borough of Fanwood. The school is home to students grades 5-8...
(847) for grades 6-8, along with
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School is a comprehensive regional four-year public high school in Union County, New Jersey, which serves students in Grades 9 through 12 from the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood, operating as part of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School...
(1,468) for grades 9-12.
Students from School One, Evergreen and Brunner pool into Park Middle School, whereas students from Coles and McGinn feed into Terrill. School One is the only elementary school that teaches English as a second language
English language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
.
Another elementary school, Shackamaxon School, was built in 1951 (the same year as Evergreen School) and operated until 1981, when it was leased to the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey as their Jewish Community Center and offices. The Federation bought the building outright five years later. A more complete history of the schools of Scotch Plains-Fanwood can be found on pp. 7–9 of the PDF version of Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual), Oct. 28, 1999.
The Union County Vocational Technical Schools
Union County Vocational Technical Schools
The Union County Vocational Technical Schools are a grouping of schools on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, United States. This organization offers six potential programs to the student, five at the High School level and one at the adult education...
includes the Union County Magnet High School
Union County Magnet High School
The Union County Magnet High School is a magnet public high school located in Scotch Plains on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus, serving the vocational and technical educational needs of students throughout Union County, New Jersey. The Magnet School serves approximately 280...
, the Academy for Information Technology
Academy for Information Technology
The Union County Academy for Information Technology is a full time four-year public high school located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus. The school is part of the Union County Vocational Technical Schools , which serves students in all of Union...
, the Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences
Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences
The Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences is a full-time Vocational Public High School, located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, United States...
, the Union County Academy for Performing Arts
Academy for Performing Arts
The Union County Academy for Performing Arts is a full time four-year public high school located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus. Its first year was the 2008-09 school year. It is currently a part of the info-sessions being held at the Union...
, and the Vocational-Technical School. The grouping of different schools is for vocational as well as gifted students, publicly funded by the combined taxes of Union County municipalities.
Union Catholic Regional High School
Union Catholic Regional High School
Union Catholic Regional High School is a private accredited high school located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Its motto promises to provide a "Quality education in a faith-based environment." Founded in 1962 as separate schools for boys and girls, each with its own separate administration and...
(often abbreviated UC), a private Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
school, brings in students from the far reaches of Union County and even some parts of Essex
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
and Middlesex
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
counties. A large number of students come from the Woodbridge
Woodbridge CDP, New Jersey
Woodbridge is a census-designated place and unincorporated area within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. The population was 18,309 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Woodbridge is located at ....
/Colonia
Colonia, New Jersey
Colonia Colonia Colonia (is a census-designated place and unincorporated area within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 17,811....
area, where the school had erected a billboard advertisement, now removed.
Union County College
Union County College
Union County College is an accredited, co-educational, two-year, public, community college located in Union County, New Jersey. As the first and oldest of New Jersey's 19 community colleges, Union County College has been serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The...
has a facility in Scotch Plains.
There is also a Catholic school, St. Bartholomew Academy, which offers education from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.
Transportation
Scotch Plains is bisected by NJ Transit's Raritan Valley LineRaritan Valley Line
The Raritan Valley Line is a diesel-engine-powered commuter rail service operated by New Jersey Transit , originating out of Pennsylvania Station, located in Newark, New Jersey, with most trains terminating at the Raritan station, located in Raritan, New Jersey.Some weekday trains continue further...
, formerly the mainline of the Central Railroad of New Jersey
Central Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey , commonly known as the Jersey Central Lines or CNJ, was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s, lasting until 1976 when it was absorbed into Conrail with the other bankrupt railroads of the Northeastern United States...
. A passenger station is located in Fanwood
Fanwood, New Jersey
Fanwood is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,318.Fanwood was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 2, 1895, from portions of Fanwood Township , based on the results of a...
. NJ Transit also provides bus service to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and New Jersey points. Another rail line, the Lehigh Line
Lehigh Line (Conrail)
The Conrail Lehigh Line is a railroad line in the state of New Jersey operated as part of the North Jersey Shared Assets Area. It runs from Jersey City to Bound Brook along the former main line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad...
, carries freight trains through the southernmost tip of the township.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
is approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) east of Scotch Plains, most conveniently reached via Route 22, and Linden Airport
Linden Airport
Linden Airport , also known as Linden Municipal Airport, is a small general aviation airport located along U.S. Route 1&9 in Linden, a city in Union County, New Jersey, southwest of New York City...
, a general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
facility is in nearby Linden, New Jersey
Linden, New Jersey
- Local government :, the Mayor of Linden is . The former longtime Mayor of Linden is 82-year-old John T. Gregorio, who served as mayor of Linden for 30, nonconsecutive years and was repeatedly tagged with scandal during his mayoral career, including one felony conviction, later pardoned, which...
. Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
is also easily accessible via New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
train.
The only two major roads that pass through are Route 28 for a brief stretch in the central part and U.S. Route 22
U.S. Route 22 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 22 is a U.S. highway stretching from Cincinnati, Ohio in the west to Newark, New Jersey in the east. In New Jersey, the route runs for from the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge over the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, Warren County to Interstate 78 , US 1/9, and Route 21 at the Newark...
in the north.
The township is accessible from limited access in neighboring communities, such as Interstate 78
Interstate 78 in New Jersey
Interstate 78 is an east–west route stretching from Union Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania to New York City. In New Jersey, I-78 is called the Phillipsburg–Newark Expressway and the Newark Bay Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike...
in both Watchung
Watchung, New Jersey
Watchung is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,801.Watchung was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1826, from portions of North Plainfield Township based on the results...
and Berkeley Heights
Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Berkeley Heights is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,183....
, the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
in Clark
Clark, New Jersey
Clark is a township in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,756.-History:...
and Interstate 287
Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
in Edison Township
Edison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
.
News coverage
The town falls in the New York media market, with daily news being based in New York City. Its weekly newspaper of record is the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times, also publisher of the neighboring town's newspaper of record, the Westfield Leader.Housing developments
The following housing developments exist in Scotch PlainsSterling Chase
- New development located off Martine Avenue by Union Catholic.
- Erected in the early 1990s, it used to be a cow farm.
- It has its own tennis courts for residents.
Berwyck Chase
- Located behind Coles School, it was built by the same development company that built Stirling Chase to be a more affordable place to live than Stirling.
- It has its own swimming pool and two tennis courts for residents.
Canterbury
- A small and quiet neighborhood located north of Route 22U.S. Route 22U.S. Route 22 is a west–east route and is one of the original United States highways of 1926, running from Cincinnati, Ohio, at US 27, US 42, US 127, and US 52 to Newark, New Jersey, at U.S. Route 1/9 near the Newark Liberty International Airport.US 22 also carries the names of the William...
completely isolated from the rest of Scotch Plains.
Goodman's Crossing
- Complex of townhouses between Scotch Plains and ClarkClark, New JerseyClark is a township in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,756.-History:...
. - Robinson's Creek runs through it and has been tested by the United States Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
and confirmed to be toxic. http://www.nj.gov/dep/wmm/bfbm/download/96h005f.pdf
Crestwood
- Built in the 1940s, a development of several unique Cape-Cod style homes on the border of Westfield, many of which have been knocked down with newer and larger homes rebuilt.
The Reserve
- K. HovnanianHovnanian EnterprisesHovnanian Enterprises, Inc. is a United States real estate company involved in every aspect of marketing homes, including design, construction and sales. The company works with individual detached housing as well as higher-occupancy dwellings, including townhouses, condominiums and retirement homes...
recently built townhomes ranging from 2,000–2,500 square feet in size, located behind US 22, originally selling for up to $500,000.
Points of interest
- Shackamaxon Country Club is a private golf course, swimming and tennis facility also hosting celebrations, founded in 1916 and is located on Shackamaxon Drive in Scotch Plains. Some of its 130+ acres occupy land in Westfield, New Jersey. (more complete history of The Shack)
- Hillside Cemetery is the burial site of Dudley MooreDudley MooreDudley Stuart John Moore, CBE was an English actor, comedian, composer and musician.Moore first came to prominence as one of the four writer-performers in the ground-breaking comedy revue Beyond the Fringe in the early 1960s, and then became famous as half of the highly popular television...
and SenatorUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
James Edgar MartineJames Edgar MartineJames Edgar Martine was an American Democratic Party politician who served as United States Senator from New Jersey.-Biography:...
. - Bowcraft Amusement ParkBowcraft Amusement ParkBowcraft Amusement Park or Bowcraft Playland is located on U.S. Route 22 West in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, owned and operated by Nicole Kimler. It is a medium size family amusement park with a large selection of rides for children and teens, including two roller coasters. Bowcraft Amusement Park...
is an amusement park located in Scotch Plains on Route 22 West. - The Scotchwood Diner is a diner located on Route 22 West.
- John's Meat Market is the site of Mr. TMr. TMr. T is an American actor known for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team, as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III, and for his appearances as a professional wrestler. Mr. T is known for his trademark African Mandinka warrior hairstyle, his gold jewelry,...
's reality TV show for TV LandTV LandTV Land is an American cable television network launched on April 29, 1996. It is owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, which also owns Paramount Pictures, and networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon...
. - Osborn-Cannonball House Museum is a historic home located at 1840 East. Front Street in Scotch Plains.
- Snuffy's Pantagis Renaissance is a restaurant also often used for wedding celebrations on Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains.
- John H. Stamler Police Academy trains officers and volunteers throughout Union County. It is located on Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains.
- The Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey has its Jewish Community Center and offices on Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains.
- Highland Swimming Club is a private swimming facility with a large L shaped main pool and a smaller kiddie pool, a BBQ area, a small "Snack Shack", and play area named "The Grove". Its highly ranked swim team competes against other private swim clubs in the area in meets held mostly in July. It also hosts an annual swim meet with a club from DerryDerryDerry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Notable residents
Notable current and former resident of Scotch Plains include:- Audrey AssadAudrey AssadAudrey Assad is an American singer-songwriter and contemporary Christian music artist of Catholic faith. Her debut album, The House You're Building, was released through Sparrow Records in July 2010 and went to be named Christian Album of 2010 on Amazon.com and the Christian Breakthrough Album of...
(born 1983), contemporary Christian music artist with Sparrow Records. - Hank BeendersHank BeendersHenry G. "Hank" Beenders was a Dutch-American basketball player....
(1916–2003), early professional basketball player. - Judy BlumeJudy BlumeJudy Blume is an American author. She has written many novels for children and young adults which have exceeded sales of 80 million and been translated into 31 languages...
(born 1938), author, lived in Scotch Plains while writing the classic "Fudge" series of children's books. - Derrick CaracterDerrick CaracterDerrick Caracter is a power forward–center for the Los Angeles Lakers.Caracter grew up in Fanwood, New Jersey. He played high school basketball at St. Patrick High School as a freshman, and attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a sophomore, to team with fellow SPF native, and subsequent...
(born 1988), power forwardPower forward (basketball)Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
/centerCenter (basketball)The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the University of Texas-El Paso MinersUTEP Miners men's basketballThe UTEP Miners basketball team is an NCAA Division I men's college basketball team competing in the Conference USA. Home games are played at Don Haskins Center, located on University of Texas at El Paso's campus in El Paso.-Don Haskins Center:...
team who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 NBA Draft. - Donald DiFrancescoDonald DiFrancescoDonald Thomas DiFrancesco was the 51st Governor of New Jersey from 2001 to 2002 by virtue of his status as President of the New Jersey Senate, the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature....
(born 1944), former Governor of New JerseyGovernor of New JerseyThe Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
and Senate President. - Pat DiNizioPat DiNizioPat DiNizio , of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is the lead singer, songwriter, and member of the band The Smithereens, which he formed in 1980 with Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros, from Carteret, New Jersey....
(born 1955), singer/songwriter for The SmithereensThe SmithereensThe Smithereens are a rock band from Carteret, New Jersey, United States. The group formed in 1980 with members Pat DiNizio , Jim Babjak , Mike Mesaros , and Dennis Diken...
. - John GanoJohn GanoJohn Gano was a Baptist minister and Revolutionary War chaplain who allegedly baptized his friend, General George Washington.-Biography:...
(1727–1804), chaplainChaplainTraditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
who baptized George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonGeorge Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. - Ashton GibbsAshton GibbsAshton Gibbs is an American college basketball player with the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team. In 2010-11, Gibbs was an All-Big East First Team selection and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, while in 2009-10, he was named Big East Conference Most Improved Player and...
(born 1990), starting point-guard for the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketballPittsburgh Panthers men's basketballPittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
team. - Scott GoldblattScott GoldblattScott Goldblatt is an American swimmer who specializes in the freestyle.-Biography:Raised in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Goldblatt first began swimming in the children’s pool at his local swim club, Willow Grove Swim Club in Scotch Plains...
(born 1979), swimmer who won a Gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
in Athens and a Silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics2000 Summer OlympicsThe Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney, Australia, with both medals earned in the 4 x 200 m Freestyle Relay. - Jeffrey HammondsJeffrey HammondsJeffrey Bryan Hammonds is a former Major League Baseball player. He attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and Stanford University in California before playing pro ball...
(born 1971), Stanford University baseball star and Olympian, one all star appearance in 13 MLB seasons. - Jerome HinesJerome HinesThe American Jerome A. Hines was a basso opera singer who performed at the Metropolitan Opera from 1946 to 1987...
(1921–2003), opera singer. - Carolyn HouganCarolyn HouganBorn in 1943 to Samuel and Elisabeth Johnson, Carolyn graduated from Scotch Plains High School of New Jersey. She was a Peabody scholar at the now-non-existent Western College for Women. She graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin...
(born 1943), author, who wrote both under her name and with her husband under the name John Case. - Nathan Jones (born 1982), cornerback for the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Bryan MeredithBryan MeredithBryan Meredith is an American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Meredith attended Monmouth University where he was team captain...
(born 1989), All-American goalkeeper at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High SchoolScotch Plains-Fanwood High SchoolScotch Plains-Fanwood High School is a comprehensive regional four-year public high school in Union County, New Jersey, which serves students in Grades 9 through 12 from the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood, operating as part of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School...
, now a goalkeeper with the Seattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
of the MLSMLS- Organizations :* Major League Soccer, the highest level professional soccer league in the United States and Canada* Michigan Lutheran Seminary, a preparatory high-school in Saginaw, Michigan- Commerce :...
. - Renaldo NehemiahRenaldo NehemiahRenaldo Nehemiah is an American athlete who dominated the 110 m hurdle event from 1978 until 1981. He was the world record holder and the first man to run the high hurdles in under 13 seconds...
(born 1959), track star who set world record in the 110 meter hurdles, NFL wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
and the only four time winner of ABC's Superstar competition. - Thomas W. OsbornThomas W. OsbornThomas Ward Osborn was a Union Army officer and United States Senator representing Florida.-Early life:Thomas Osborn was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, the son of John and Amelia Osborn. He and his family moved to North Wilna, New York in 1842 where he worked on the family farm until 1854...
(1833–98), Union ArmyUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
officer who represented FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the United States SenateUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. - Joe J. PlumeriJoe J. PlumeriJoseph J. "Joe" Plumeri II is the Chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings , a New York Stock Exchange-listed insurance broker. The company has 17,000 employees in 400 offices, which are located in 120 countries...
(born 1944), Chairman & CEO of Willis Group HoldingsWillis Group HoldingsWillis Group Holdings is a global insurance broker headquartered in the Willis Building, London, United Kingdom. It has more than 400 offices in 120 countries, and approximately 17,000 employees...
and owner of the Trenton ThunderTrenton ThunderThe Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
. - Cynthia SayerCynthia SayerCynthia Nan Sayer is a jazz banjoist and vocalist.Sayer was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, but grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She took up the banjo when she was thirteen years old. She attended Ithaca College in New York and was graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors degree in...
, jazz banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
ist. - Joe ScarpatiJoe ScarpatiJoseph Henry Scarpati, Jr. is a former professional American football safety in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints. He was the holder to Tom Dempsey's record breaking 63-yard field goal...
(born 1943), holder for Tom DempseyTom DempseyThomas Dempsey is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints , Philadelphia Eagles , Los Angeles Rams , Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills . He attended high school at San Dieguito High School and played college football at Palomar College...
's record 63 yards (57.6 m) field goal in 1970. - Marc ShaimanMarc ShaimanMarc Shaiman is an American composer, lyricist, arranger, and performer for films, television, and theatre. He is perhaps best known for writing the music and co-writing the lyrics for the Broadway musical version of the cult John Waters film Hairspray, for which Shaiman won Tony and Grammy...
(born 1959), composer and arranger who has worked on the musical HairsprayHairspray (musical)Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues...
and the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & UncutSouth Park: Bigger, Longer & UncutSouth Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is a 1999 animated musical comedy film based on the animated television series South Park, created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. The film was directed by Parker, who also stars along with the rest of the regular voice cast from the series, including Stone, Mary...
. - Enzo StuartiEnzo StuartiEnzo Stuarti was an Italian American tenor and musical theater performer. After a performing on Broadway under the stage names Larry Laurence and Larry Stuart, he changed his name again and began a recording career in which he released several successful albums...
(1919–2005), tenor, musical theater performer. - Lance ThomasLance ThomasLance Thomas is a 6'8" former forward on the Duke University's men's basketball team. He is from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He started at power forward for Duke's national champion 2010 team. Currently for the NBA D-League 2010-11 season, Thomas is playing for the Austin Toros.- High school...
(born 1988), power forwardPower forward (basketball)Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
/centerCenter (basketball)The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the Duke UniversityDuke UniversityDuke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team and 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball National Champion. - Frank ThorneFrank ThorneFrank Thorne is an American comic book artist-writer, best known for popularizing the Marvel Comics character Red Sonja.-Biography:...
(born 1930), comic book artist and writer best known for popularizing the Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Red SonjaRed SonjaRed Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, is a fictional character, a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, and loosely based on Red Sonya of Rogatino in Robert E. Howard's 1934 short story "The Shadow of the Vulture"...
. - David S. WareDavid S. WareDavid Spencer Ware , is an American jazz saxophonist.Ware grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. He attended the Berklee College of Music and worked in New York City as a cab driver for 14 years, later returning to Scotch Plains to live...
(born 1949), jazz musician.
External links
- Scotch Plains website
- Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District
- Data for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...