West Orange, NJ

West Orange is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 27,814,[10][11] reflecting an increase of 1,564 (+5.4%) from the 26,948 counted in the 2000 Census,[12] which had in turn increased by 2,724 (+10.1%) from the 24,388 counted in the 1990 Census.[13]

West Orange was incorporated as a town on April 6, 1894,[14] and became a city on November 3, 1926.[15][16] The city was named for West Orange Township's location west of Newark.[17][18][19][20]

The history of West Orange can be traced back to 1798 when two Quaker families purchased land along what is now Springfield Avenue and developed it into farms. The first house built in what would become West Orange was erected by Joshua Haines on his farm near present-day Mountain Road and Springfield Avenue. In 1806 he built a gristmill on Mill Brook which powered his sawmill and other businesses. By 1840 there were several businesses located along Springfield Avenue including a blacksmith shop (owned by James Brown), a wagon shop (owned by Ebenezer Fenton), two general stores (owned by John Witherspoon and David Sisson), and a tavern operated by Joseph Pemberton.[21] In 1851 Elias Boudinot purchased 640 acres (2 km2) from Joshua Haines[22], laid out streets and started selling lots for homesites. He named his development "Boudinotville" after himself but later changed the name to " West Orange".[23][24] The first post office opened at Boudinotville on October 2nd 1850 under the name "West Bloomfield".[25][26]

In 1854 Elias Boudinot organized the first public school district in West Orange with five schools: one for boys at 8th Street and Springfield Avenue; one for girls at 9th Street; one for boys at 10th Street; one for girls at Madison Avenue; and one co-educational school which served both white students from Boudinotville as well as those living in Newark who were attending public schools.[27][28] A second public school district was organized in 1865 with six schools: three elementary schools (grades 1-3) – located at 8th Street & Springfield Ave., 9th St./ Madison Ave., & 10th St./ Springfield Ave.; one high school (grades 4-8) – located at Madison Ave.;[29]; two daycare centers – located at 5th & Madison Avenues[30]; and finally an orphanage/children's home operated by Sisters of Charity - opened in 1870 on land donated by Elias Boudinot next to his home on Springfield Avenue near present day Park Place Boulevard).[31][32]

The rapid growth of West Orange during this period can be attributed to several factors including its central location within Essex County between Newark to its north and Bloomfield to its south; easy access via railroads running through town along tracks that had been laid down years earlier connecting Newark with points east such as Boston,[33],[34],[35],[36],[37],[38],[39], Philadelphia,[40], Baltimore,[41], Washington D.C.,[42], Richmond,[43], Charlotte,[44], Atlanta[45]) as well as points west such as Pittsburgh[46]; availability of inexpensive land due to its rural character until recently surrounded almost entirely by undeveloped forest; strong business community led initially by Quakers who were early settlers followed later by others drawn to its excellent transportation links plus ample space for expansion given its small size relative to larger cities such as Newark or Bloomfield; establishment early on of civic organizations such as Rotary Club [47]; establishment early on of churches including Presbyterian Church [48](1868), Methodist Episcopal Church [49](1872), Congregational Church [50](1875), Baptist Church [51](1879), Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden [52](1886)[53]), Woman’s Christian Temperance Union [54](1874); establishment early on of newspapers including The Sentinel [55](founded 1888) & The Press Democrat [56](founded 1890)[57]); plus active participation throughout this period from local residents in various philanthropic endeavors such as establishing funds specifically designated for educational purposes or supporting local charities through donations made directly or through membership dues paid into these organizations.[58]- See also List Of Historic Places In West Orange Township