Long Branch, New Jersey

Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township. Long Branch was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1903, based on the results of a referendum, replacing the Long Branch Commission.^[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.0 km²), of which, 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²) of it is land and 1.0 square miles (2.5 km²) of it (15.67%) is water.

History

President Garfield was brought to Long Branch in the hope that the fresh air and quiet might aid his recovery after being shot on July 2, 1881, an incident that left the assassin's bullet lodged in his spine. He died here on September 19, 1881, exactly two months before his 50th birthday.^[10] The Garfield Tea House, built from railroad ties that carried Garfield's train, is in Elberon.

Originally a resort town with a few hotels and large estates and many farms in the early 20th century, Long Branch grew in population. Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants settled in during this period. By the 1950s, Long Branch like many other towns had developed new residential spots and housing to make room for the growing population. Many of the former farms of Long Branch were transformed into residential "suburbs". Many of the estates and a few old historic resorts (with the addition of many new ones) still remain.

With the ascendancy of Hollywood in California as a film capital, Long Branch lost much of its activity as a theater spot. Parts of traditional living areas with old houses were altered to support private projects by eminent domain legislation.

Long Branch still continues however to be a popular resort area. Many people from New York City travel or settle in to the area to escape the crowded city and enjoy the benefits of Long Branch's beaches.

Demographics

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 31,340 people, 12,594 households, and 7,254 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,008.6 people per square mile (2,318.1/km²). There were 13,983 housing units at an average density of 2,680.9/sq mi (1,034.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.03% White, 18.66% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.08% from other races, and 4.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.67% of the population. There were 12,594 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,651, and the median income for a family was $42,825. Males had a median income of $37,383 versus $27,026 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,532. About 13.9% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Neighborhoods

There are several distinct neighborhoods and areas in the City of Long Branch, each with its own character, strengths and challenges. Among these are North End (once known as "Atlanticville"), Branchport, Beachfront North and South (including the tony Pier Village, formerly the Long Branch Pier), Downtown, Uptown, West End and Elberon. As the city's now famous redevelopment initiatives continue to grow in scope and renown, the lower Broadway area (a portion of the city's Downtown) will become an Arts District. One of the first successes of the art district has been the Shore Institute for Contemporary Art on Broadway and Third Avenue.

Long Branch's previous fame as the Nation's First Seaside Resort was waning in the years following World War II.^[14] The defining moment marking the end of this era occurred on June 8, 1987 when the largest fire in the history of the city destroyed the landmark amusement pier and adjoining Haunted Mansion, "Kid's World" Amusement Park and other businesses.

Over the course of the twenty years since the fire, several municipal administrations have tackled the issues relative to the city's rebirth. Only recently has any of these efforts resulted in tangible evidence of a rebirth.

Planned development

Broadway Center is a planned entertainment and commercial hub of Long Branch, as envisioned by the City Government and Thompson Design Group, who created the Master Plan for the city.

This complex brings together retail shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and two performing arts theaters as well as 500 new residences sitting atop a 1,500 car parking garage. It will be designed by the architectural firms of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK).

Government

Local government

The City of Long Branch is governed under the Mayor-Council form of municipal government under the Faulkner Act.

The Mayor of Long Branch is Adam Schneider.^[15] Members of the City Council are David G. Brown, Dr. Mary Jane Celli, Michael DeStefano, Anthony Giordano and Brian Unger^[16] Councilman John "Fazz" Zambrano resigned from office following a July 20, 2006 federal court appearance at which he pleaded guilty to accepting a $1,000 bribe from an FBI informant. His seat was filled by Jackeline Biddle, a leader in the Puerto Rican community, who served until the November 2006 general election.^[17]

The Chief Administrative Officer of the city is Business Administrator and former Councilman Howard "Chubby" Woolley, who has served in the position since 1994.^[1]

Federal, state and county representation

Long Branch is in the Sixth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th Legislative District.^[18]

Education

All Long Branch Public Schools are free, including the Long Branch Preschools which are full-day and accommodate children ages 3-5 years old. Long Branch Schools also have free breakfast each morning for the students. In addition, Long Branch Public Schools provide free summer programs for most of the summer. Long Branch Public Schools at JMF, Gregory Elementary, West End Elementary, and Anastasia Elementary are all brand new within the past few years.

In March of 2006, the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation issued a report to Governor Jon Corzine specifically and to the public in general that addressed "Questionable and Hidden Compensation for Public School Administrators". The report disclosed that the Long Branch school district had reported to the New Jersey Department of Education that Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ferraina was receiving a base salary of $193,149 when, as the Commission of Investigation stated, he was actually receiving a total compensation of $305,099, some 58% higher than the amount reported to the State.^[24]

Also, there is a private K-8 school, named Seashore School as well as several Jewish and Catholic schools, most notably Holy Trinity and Ilan High School (Catholic and Jewish, respectively).

Commerce

Portions of Long Branch are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).^[25]

Transportation

Long Branch is connected to New York City and Northern New Jersey via New Jersey Transit trains running on the North Jersey Coast Line. The Long Branch marks the end of electrified trackage and passengers continuing south must change to diesel-powered trains. The main train station is only three blocks away from the beach, and a second station is located in the Elberon district just north of the borough of Deal. In the past there were stops in the West End neighborhood and on Broadway, but they were closed to reduce travel time to New York City.

Noted residents

In Pop Culture

References

^ ^a ^b Administrator, City of Long Branch. Accessed April 8, 2008.
^ USGS GNIS: City of Long Branch, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.
^ ^a ^b Census data for Long Branch city, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 6, 2007.
^ ^a ^b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 181.
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ (2006) The Year in Review, The Long Branch Historical Association, Page 1.
^ ^a ^b Sharkey, Joe. "The Great Boardwalk Towns of Jersey", The New York Times, August 4, 1991. Accessed July 10, 2007. "Along the 125-mile stretch of Jersey seashore, the northernmost of the Great Boardwalk Towns is Asbury Park, a resort that developed in the late 1800s as an alternative to its then vice-ridden neighbor, Long Branch, the town where President James Garfield died from gunshot wounds and thus became the first, but by no means only, local habitue to be dispatched at the hand of a disappointed office seeker."
^ Kansas Fun Facts and Trivia, Legends of America. Accessed July 21, 2007. "The Long Branch Saloon really did exist in Dodge City, Kansas. One of the owners, William Harris, was a former resident of Long Branch, New Jersey and named the saloon after his hometown in the 1880’s."
^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
^ Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed July 10, 2007. " Long Branch was placed "on the map" in 1869 when President Grant made the city the nation's "Summer Capital," a tradition followed by Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, and Wilson."
^ "Refuges of the famous saw economic, political change", Asbury Park Press, October 19, 2006. Accessed July 10, 2007. "But the moderate climate and ocean bathing soon helped Long Branch develop a reputation as the nation's 'first seaside resort.'"
^ Office of the Mayor, City of Long Branch. Accessed April 8, 2008.
^ City Council, City of Long Branch. Accessed April 8, 2008.
^ Zambrano admits $1,000 bribe, Asbury Park Press, July 21, 2006.
^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 60. Accessed August 30, 2006.
^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
^ About the Governor, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2008.
^ Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed January 29, 2008.
^ Abbott Districts, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2008.
^ data for the Long Branch Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 25, 2008.
^ "Taxpayers Beware: What You Don't Know Can Cost You", New Jersey State Commission of Investigation, March 2006, pp. 24-25. Accessed June 8, 2008.
^ Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit, State of New Jersey. Accessed July 28, 2008.
^ Grace-Kobas, Linda. "Honored literary scholar M.H. Abrams continues his labors (of love)", Cornell Chronicle, June 10, 1999, Accessed May 2, 2007. "Born in Long Branch, N.J., on July 23, 1912, Abrams graduated from public high school and went to Harvard, where he earned his A.B. (1934), A.M. (1937) and Ph.D. (1940) in 18th and 19th century literature, literary criticism and European Romanticism."
^ Knopper, Steve. "Eagles soaring on a second wind", Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, July 4, 2002. Accessed May 2, 2007. "When Black was a kid in Long Branch, N.J., a cigarette company came through town sponsoring a talent contest."
^ Frank Budd, database Football. Accessed April 8, 2008.
^ John Cannon player profile, Database Football. Accessed May 25, 2007.
^ Bob Davis, database Football. Accessed December 15, 2007.
^ Guide to the City of Long Branch, New Jersey Documents, accessed September 25, 2006.
^ Balliett, Whitney. "The Talk of the Town: Sonny Greer", The New Yorker, April 12, 1982. Accessed April 8, 2008. "He was born William Alexander Greer Jr. in Long Branch, New Jersey."
^ Jim Jeffcoat, database Football. Accessed November 27, 2007.
^ Norman Mailer, New York State Writers Institute, accessed May 2, 2007. "Norman Mailer, a formidable presence in American letters for nearly six decades, is the author of novels, creative nonfiction, short stories, essays, and screenplays and an ex political candidate for Mayor of NYC and public persona who was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on January 31, 1923."
^ Smith, Timothy W. "Mills at 37: The Little Linebacker Who Could", The New York Times, January 9, 1997. Accessed October 25, 2007. "When Sam Mills was growing up in Long Branch, N.J., he loved to tag along with his older brother and play pickup football games with the bigger boys."
^ Frank Pallone, Jr., Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 30, 2007.
^ Dorothy Parker's Birthplace: A National Literary Landmark on Jersey Shore. Accessed July 10, 2007.
^ Robert Pinsky - Poetry , Boston University, accessed May 2, 2007. "Born in 1940 in the seashore resort of Long Branch, New Jersey, Robert Pinsky attended Long Branch High School, Rutgers College, and Stanford University, where he held a Stegner Fellowship in Creative Writing."
^ Jay Ryan, The Baseball Cube. Accessed January 13, 2008.
^ Wagman, Jake. "He is Mount Laurel's Angel", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 21, 2002. Accessed December 26, 2007. "The parents of World Series pitcher Scott Schoeneweis want to set the record straight. Yes, he was born at a hospital in Long Branch, Monmouth County."
^ Charles Untermeyer, Texas State Cemetery. Accessed November 14, 2007.
^ Phil Villapiano, database Football. Accessed December 15, 2007.

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