Short Hills, NJ

Short Hills is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 10,811,[10] reflecting an increase of 1,564 (+14.3%) from the 9,501 counted in the 2000 Census.[19]

The township was formed on April 15, 1894 by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Millburn Township and Westwood Township. The name Short Hills is derived from its location near the heights of Short Hills Mountain. The area that would become Short Hills was originally part of a tract purchased by Colonel John Stevens in 1768 and named "Stevens' Purchase". In 1803 Samuel Lawrence acquired about one-third of this tract and renamed it "Lawrence's Purchase". In 1884 Charles W. Cook acquired most of what would become Short Hills and gave it his name.

The first houses were built in 1895 on what is now known as Old Mill Road (Route 27). The village grew slowly at first; there were only about 100 residents by 1910. However, with improved transportation options after World War II (the opening of Route 4), development accelerated in the 1950s and 1960s. Many new homes were built on large lots along major roads such as Routes 27 and 4A (now known as Saddle River Road). This growth has slowed since then but continues to occur at a steady pace due to new construction projects such as those near Glen Ridge Country Club or Saddle River Mall.[20]