Linden, NJ

Linden is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 10,824, reflecting an increase of 1,914 (+36.5%) from the 7,826 counted in the 2000 Census. Linden was incorporated as a borough on February 14, 1894 and reincorporated as a city on March 3, 1926.

Linden is located at 40°19′N 74°38′W (40.323333,-74.611111). According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2), all of it land.

The history of Linden can be traced back to 1692 when Dutch settlers established Fort Nassau on what is now known as Governor's Island near present-day Newark Airport in order to protect New Netherland from British attack during Queen Anne's War and King George's War. The fort was abandoned after two years and became part of an agricultural estate that later became known as Raritan Landing or Raritan Manor after its owner John Stevens acquired it in 1712 and renamed it for his home county in England: Raritan Borough (now part of Hackensack Township). In 1798 Joseph LeConte purchased Stevens' estate and developed it into one of the most fashionable residential areas in northern New Jersey; he named his estate " Linden" after Lindenwood House in Scotland where he had been born and raised.

In 1802 James De Lancey II deeded 8 acres (32 ha) on which Fort Lee had been built to William Livingston for use as a military hospital; this tract eventually became known as Military Park and is now part of downtown Newark. In 1806 Robert Treat Paine purchased de Lancey's interest in Military Park; he subsequently erected several buildings there that formed the nucleus of what later became Rutgers University campus—the first university founded by Americans outside North America—and laid out streetscape that still survives today including Washington Place (now College Avenue), Clinton Place (now Broad Street), Orange Street (now Harrison Street), Elm Street (now College Avenue South) and Pine Street (now College Avenue North).

In 1809 Paine sold his property to Samuel Blatchford who developed it into one of Newark's first suburbs; among Blatchford's many constructions were Blatchford Hall at Essex & Orange Streets which served both educational and social purposes—it still stands today—and Blatchford Mansion at Orange & Washington Streets which later became home to Rutgers University president Frederick Ayer Jr..

In 1840 John Stevens II acquired Linden from his father John Stevens I; during his ownership period several notable buildings were erected including Stevens Hall at Bloomfield & Jefferson Streets which served both educational and social purposes—it still stands today—and Stevens Mansion at Bloomfield & Garfield Streets which later became home to Bergen County Freeholders chairman Edward Jablonski who donated it to Rutgers University along with other properties constituting its current campus in 1870 .

During World War II , due largely to restrictions placed by President Franklin D Roosevelt on nonessential civilian travel , many residents fled Linden for safer neighborhoods outside the city ; however , by 1960 many had returned due to suburbanization trends within Bergen County . Today , despite having lost some high-profile businesses over time such as Kmart , Sears Roebuck , Lord & Taylor Department Store etc., Linden remains a vibrant community with numerous small businesses providing goods and services not available elsewhere within Bergen County .

One important development during Linden 's recent history has been its transformation from an industrial town into an urban center ; this process began with large-scale redevelopment projects undertaken beginning in 1970s aimed at revitalizing downtown along with adjacent neighborhoods such as Weequahic Park , Haddon Heights Village etc.; these projects were followed by others throughout 1990s onwards resulting in increased residential density throughout town while also improving infrastructure such as public transportation . Today , while there are still areas within town undergoing redevelopment - most notably around Interstate 80 - overall Linden has become one of the most desirable places to live within northeastern New Jersey with prices consistently outpacing those found elsewhere within Bergen County .