Sussex, NJ

Sussex is a town located in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 9,827,[10] reflecting an increase of 1,569 (+25.4%) from the 7,959 counted in the 2000 Census.[11]

The town is situated on the eastern bank of the Raritan River and borders Franklin Township to the south and west; Wantage Township to the north; and Newton to the east. The boroughs of Franklin Park and Wantage Heights are located within Sussex Borough.

The area that would become Sussex was first settled by Europeans around 1683 as part of Newark Valley. The community was known as " Sussex" because it was part of a large tract granted by King Charles II to his brother-in-law Sir George Carteret (1st Baronet) in 1664.[12] In 1714, Carteret sold his share in what became known as " Sussex Manor" to John Frelinghuysen (the father-in-law of General James Frelinghuysen),[13] who established a flour mill on Mill Brook near what is now downtown Sussex.[14][15][16] By 1773 there were about 100 homes and businesses in what would become Sussex.[17] The first post office opened at Mill Brook on October 3, 1773,[18] with John Hays as postmaster.[19][20][21][22][23][24]

In 1802, when New Jersey became a state, much of Newark Valley became part of Bernards Township,[25] but some areas remained within Bernards including what would become known as "Old Brighton".[26][27] On April 11, 1838,[28], residents voted to incorporate as a village under the name "Brighton".[29][30]:2 The new village consisted mostly of farms that had been divided among several owners after being purchased by Eliakim Hastings from Lord Berkeley in 1739 for £3200 ($6700).[31]:5 Hastings had come over from England with his family in 1683 and built one of New Jersey's earliest mills on Mill Brook near where present day Brighton stands.[32]:6 In 1840 Brighton had about 300 residents,[33]:7 although it had no churches or schools at that time. In 1855 Brighton annexed portions of neighboring Newton Township[34]:8 increasing its population to about 1,000 people.[35]:9 In 1860 Brighton erected its first public building – a schoolhouse – which still stands today at 131 Main Street.[36]:10 On March 26th 1865 voters approved incorporation as a city under the name "Brighton".[37]:11 At this time there were about 2200 residents living in what would become downtown Brighton;[38]:12 most were farmers who worked along Mill Brook or owned small businesses such as blacksmiths or general stores.

In 1870 Brighton began construction on its first bridge across Mill Brook – which still exists today – connecting Old Brighton (now Franklin Park) with downtown Brighton; this bridge also served as an entrance into downtown for vehicles arriving from Wantage Township via Route 22A/County Route 544 (now County Route 548).[39](fn1) By 1890 there were about 4500 people living in what would become downtown Sussex;[40](fn2) most were employed at factories located along Railroad Avenue (present day Main Street).

In 1896 construction began on an electric railway line connecting Bloomfield (then called East Bloomfield) with Long Branch via Bloomfield Junction near present day Livingston Manor; this line eventually extended all the way down into Wantage Township before terminating at Mine Hill station near Mine Hill Road/Route 22A.(fn3)[41](fn4)[42](fn5)[43](fn6)[44]) This railway played an important role in developing suburban areas outside central Sussex Borough such as Newton and Franklin Park.(fn7)[45](fn8)[46](fn9)(note: see map below for more detail).

As early as 1898 plans were being made for development along Railroad Avenue which ran through downtown:[47]- [49]- [51]- [53]- [55]- [57]- [59]- [61]. These plans included constructing residential neighborhoods consisting primarily of single family homes; erecting commercial buildings such as grocery stores and banks; and installing sidewalks, streetlights and other municipal amenities.(note: see map below for more detail).

By 1906 development had progressed sufficiently that representatives from various business interests met together to form The Citizens' Committee For Development Of Downtown Sussex which drafted plans for beautifying Railroad Avenue - plans which ultimately came to fruition.(note: see map below for more detail).

By 1910 most residential neighborhoods had been constructed - including Forest Hills (#1), Elmwood (#2), Arlington (#3), Maplewood (#4), Highland (#5), Regency (#6), Windsor Hills (#7), Towneplace (#8), Country Club Estates (#9) & Willowbrook (#10); while commercial buildings such as banks & movie theaters had been erected throughout downtown.(note: see map below for more detail).

During World War I many men enlisted from southeastern New Jersey - many coming directly from towns like Brighton - joining forces with soldiers stationed throughout America fighting overseas.; upon their return many veterans settled down into newly constructed homes within newly developed suburbs outside central Sussex Borough suchas Highland Park & Willowbrook Village(note: see map below for more detail).

After World War II new housing developments continued to be constructed outside central Sussex Borough including Woodlands Estates #11 & #12 (1948); Willowbrook Terrace #13-#16 (1950); Country Club Estates #17-#20 (1952); Laurel Glen #21-#24 (1954); Laurel Glen II #25-#28(1960); Woodlands Estates III #29&30(1965); Willowbrook Terrace IV #31&32(1968).[52],[53],[54],[56],[57],[58],[60], fn 10