I have posts on the wonderful Garden State of New Jersey in my blog, and on several cities dear to me, I am doing again this post in my black and white series, no pictures, There is already many years not there since 2007 but I still remember dearly my first encounter in May 10 1974 ; memories forever, A bit long but worth it ,me think ; these are my other cities that visited long ago and no pictures to show but remember them dearly, maybe left one out but will come back, eventually, , Therefore, this is my humble hommage to the saga of my story of New Jersey USA continue ……. !!! Hope you enjoy the posts as I
For reference, the State of New Jersey borders on the west by the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware, on the north by New York State, and on the south east by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s capital city is the historic Trenton and its biggest city is metropolitan Newark. Sitting in what we call, the Tri-State area of NJ, NY, and CT (Connecticut) was my area of Central NJ. The name for the State was given in reference to the Isle of Jersey given in honor of Sir George Carteret, a native of the island and on which these land was given in the 17C. New Jersey is divided into three geographical regions, such as North Jersey, under the influence of New York city ; Central Jersey, my area and we can call it neutral. Then, South Jersey in the valley of the Delaware and near the city of Philadelphia as influences. The State is divided into 21 Counties and 566 towns, last count.
There are too many so the description on them will be brief ,just to remember their names forever in my blog,
Jersey City is located directly across from New York City. It is the county seat of Hudson County. Jersey City is served by several highways, including the New Jersey Turnpike, Interstate 78, U.S. Route 1/9, and New Jersey Route 440. The Holland Tunnel (Interstate 78) connects Jersey City to Manhattan.Glorious ! My Dad’s sister’s husband sisters lived here and we went often, The New Jersey tourist office on Jersey City : https://visitnj.org/city/jersey-city
Hoboken is located near New York City, specifically the Hoboken Terminal faces the West Village and Chelsea neighborhoods of Manhattan. It is , also, in the Hudson county, It is the city where the first baseball game in history is said to have taken place, on June 19, 1846; although this claim is not factually accurate, it has been established as such by convention. It is the birthplace of singer and actor Frank Sinatra. And the first City in USA that I touch as were given lunch welcome by my Dad’s sister who lived there (now in Miami) ! The official New Jersey tourist office on Hoboken : https://visitnj.org/city/hoboken
Union City is a city in Hudson County. It is the most densely populated city in America. The city is part of Greater New York. Two major waves of immigration, first of German speakers and then of Spanish speakers, greatly influenced the development and character of Union City. Its two nicknames, “Embroidery Capital of the United States” and “Havana on the Hudson”, reflect important aspects of that history. It is considered the 2nd largest concentration of Cubans outside of Cuba, We visited often for shopping and eating with my parents, Just the official City of Union City : https://www.ucnj.com/
Weehawken is a township located in Hudson county at the western end of the Lincoln Tunnel, which connects to New York City and the island of Manhattan.Its a continuation from the town above,lots of good memories here too.
The New Jersey tourist office on Weehawken : https://visitnj.org/nj/weehawken/attractions
West New York is located on the New Jersey Palisades across from New York City, in Hudson County. Very much a continuation on Bergenline Avenue of the two cities above north-south, The town of West New York on parking/parks : https://www.westnewyorknj.org/pages/parking-services/facilities/
Elizabeth is located in Union County of which it is the county seat ; it is approximately 20 km from Manhattan (NYC), It has a large Portuguese pop and I played soccer there around high school time. The New Jersey tourist office on Elizabeth : https://visitnj.org/city/elizabeth
East Rutherford is located in Bergen County. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, situated 11 km from Midtown Manhattan. East Rutherford is home to the Meadowlands Sports Complex, which includes the Meadowlands Arena and MetLife Stadium, and formerly housed Giants Stadium. The arena is best known as the former home of the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils and the National Basketball Association’s New Jersey Nets. Back in the 1970’s was home of the New York Cosmos of the NASL where Pele,Franz Beckenbauer ,Carlos Alberto, Johans Neeskens, etc played and I went to see them ! See DreamWorks Water Park, and Nickelodeon Universe, The New Jersey tourist office on East Rutherford : https://visitnj.org/metlife-stadium
Rahway is located in Union County,The city is 15 miles (24 km) of Manhattan and 5 miles (8.0 km) of Staten Island (NYC) Rahway is served by U.S. Route 1/9, Route 27, and Route 35. The city is sandwiched between the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, which are each located about two miles outside of the city limits, back in my times it was best known for a huge prison there, The City of Rahway on its history : https://www.cityofrahway.com/205/The-History-of-Rahway
Carteret is located in my former Middlesex County; the only major road passing through it is the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) at Interchange 12. We came often and they were our arch rivals in Football (US) the Thankgivings game is historical ! The City of Carteret on its parks: https://www.carteret.net/parks/
Asbury Park is in Monmouth County; Bruce Springsteen, who grew up in Freehold, made an album titled *Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. And where became a star with the E street band, Asbury Park is from Monmouth County In 2022, Asbury Park’s beach was named one of the best in the world by Money and one of the best in the country by Travel + Leisure ,The New Jersey Music Hall of Fame was founded in Asbury Park in 2005, This was the beginning of casinos in the East and lost lots of money here especially at Caesars Palace casino! The main access road is Route 71 which runs north–south. Other roads that are accessible, and also taken are Route 35. The Garden State Parkway is at least 15 minutes away via either Routes 33 or 66 The official New Jersey tourist office on Asbury Park ; https://visitnj.org/city/asbury-park
Metuchen is in my former Middlesex County. A bedroom community known to play high schools sports against them and my first take of real estate sales with an ERA Clausen & Munson agency, The City of Metuchen on its history ; https://www.metuchennj.org/government/about-metuchen
South Amboy is in my former Middlesex County, This was a passing town and once in a while going for pizzas at Sciortino’s that had a branch in my old town of Perth Amboy (see posts), The City South Amboy on its historic commission ; https://www.southamboynj.gov/page/historic-preservation-commission
Sayreville is in my former Middlesex county ; located on the south banks of the Raritan river, and also located on the Raritan Bay. It is 24 miles (39 km) from Lower Manhattan, 4 miles (6.4 km) from of Staten Island (NYC), and 57 miles (92 km) from Philadelphia, The Garden State Parkway is the most prominent highway serving Sayreville. U.S. Route 9, and Route 35 also pass through, and taken, While they don’t pass directly through Sayreville, the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95), Route 1, are nearby and easily accessible. Again another bedroom community I played soccer in high school and came by to buy a house not materialise as chose Perth Amboy (see posts), The City of Sayreville on its historical society : https://www.sayrevillehistory.com/
South River is in my former Middlesex county, South River has become a center for Belarusian Americans in the postwar-period. The first immigrants from present-day Belarus arrived to South River in the late 19C, Another bedroom community that I played high school soccer and came by on road warrior tours, The City of South River cultural commission : https://www.southrivernj.org/287/Cultural-Arts-Heritage-Commission
Old Bridge is in my former Middlesex County, It is about 25 miles (40 km) from New York City and about 30 miles (48 km) from Newark. The Garden State Parkway passes through Old Bridge on Interchange 120, Other routes, such as U.S. Route 9, Route 18, Route 34, and Route 35 also pass through the township Cheesequake State Park covers 1,600 acres (650 ha), offering recreation opportunities including hiking and camping. Laurence Harbor Beachfront offers 70 acres (28 ha) on the Raritan Bay waterfront, with beaches, playgrounds and fishing available, in addition to a boardwalk and walkways at Paul’s Beach stretching 1.3 miles (2.1 km), Another bedroom community came to played high school soccer, The town of Old Bridge on its history : https://www.oldbridge.com/page/about-us1
Keansburg is located in Monmouth County. Route 36 runs along the borough’s southern border. The Garden State Parkway is accessible via Route 36 in neighboring Hazlet. On the start of the Jersey shore with great beaches and the wonderful Keansburg Amusement Park. Lots of memories here with my parents, The New Jersey tourist office on Keansburg amusement park : https://visitnj.org/nj-amusement-water-parks/keansburg-amusement-park-runaway-rapids-water-park
Keyport is located in Monmouth County A waterfront community located on the Raritan Bay in the Raritan Valley region, Route 35 and Route 36 both pass through in the southern section. The Garden State Parkway is just outside in both neighboring Aberdeen and Hazlet townships at Exit 117, We came here for its antique arts neighborhood and the beachfront, The town of Keyport on its heritage/history : https://keyportonline.com/about/history-culture/
Englishtown is located in Monmouth county, It is entirely surrounded by Manalapan Township The County Route 522 (Wood Avenue) and County Route 527 are the most prominent roads directly serving the borough, Englishtown is home to Freneau Woods Park, a large natural area with hiking trails and woodlands used for recreation and nature programs, We came here to a farm name escapes me the purchase pork products directly, The town of Englishtown on its history : https://www.englishtownnj.com/about
Long Branch is located in Monmouth County that became a seaside resort in the late 18C, named for its location along a branch of the South Shrewsbury river. As a seaside resort, it was visited by U.S. Presidents Chester Arthur, James Garfield, Ulysses Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford Hayes, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson. It is the birthplace of writers Dorothy Parker and Norman Mailer, singer Bruce Springsteen, “The Boss” (born 1949), American pianist Julius Katchen (born August 15, 1926; died April 29, 1969, in Paris), and actor Jeff Anderson (born 1970), who rose to fame in Kevin Smith’s *Clerks* (1994).The New Jersey tourist office on the Long Branch Beach beach and boardwalk: https://visitnj.org/trip-idea/long-branch-beach-and-boardwalk
Freehold is the county seat of Monmouth County, located 100 km from Philadelphia (33 miles/53 km from Manhattan and 17 miles/27 km from Staten Island). Rock musician Bruce Springsteen, born in 1949, was raised in the borough of Freehold. The town is the subject of his song “My Hometown,” from the album *Born in the U.S.A.* See also, Freehold Raceway (famous harness races) , and Freehold Raceway Mall both we have visited.The Borough of Freehold on its history : https://www.freeholdboroughnj.gov/resident/history
Barnegat Township is located in Ocean county, It played a role in the American Revolutionary War, as one of the last skirmishes of the conflict took place near the site of the Cedar Bridge Tavern in 1782. Known as the “Battle of Cedar Bridge,” The Patriots eventually emerged victorious, marking a symbolic end to the Revolutionary War in New Jersey The Lighthouse offers panoramic view of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Inlet and Island Beach State Park. Trails through one of the state’s last maritime forests, birding site for water fowl, fishing, scheduled nature walks and talks. Site of Barnegat Lighthouse on the northern tip of Long Beach Island, regarded as one of the most crucial ‘change of course’ points for coastal vessels.We loved the beach here, The New Jersey tourist office on the Barnegat lighthouse : https://visitnj.org/city/barnegat-light
Seaside Heights is situated within Ocean County on the Jersey Shore, on the Barnegat Peninsula, a long, narrow barrier peninsula that separates the Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. Route 35 and Route 37 both pass through the town and we came on route 35 so many times was one of our favorite spots every summer, intersecting at the Pelican Island approach to the Thomas A. Mathis and J. Stanley Tunney Bridges. The Casino Pier and Funtown Pier are amusement parks, each situated on a pier extending approximately 300 feet (100 m) into the Atlantic Ocean. Breakwater Beach (is a water park situated across the street from Casino Pier. The City of Seaside Heights on its beach : https://www.seaside-heightsnj.org/250/Know-Your-Beach
Island Beach State Park is located just south of Seaside Park on the Barnegat Peninsula in Berkeley Township, Ocean County Another memorable beach area for us back in the 70’s and early 80’s !!! Memories forever, The park is the largest reserve of undeveloped barrier island in New Jersey and one of the largest in the United States Most visitors come for the white sand beach, the ocean waters, and natural backdrop,People can swim, surf, fish, and kayak in the park. The park also allows dune buggy access in the southern portion of the park. There is also a boardwalk extending from Barnegat Bay to the main road allowing boaters access to the beach. On the bayside of Island Beach State Park is an area called Tices Shoal, where boaters gather together and anchor.The locally maintain site on Island Beach State Park : https://www.islandbeachnj.org/
The New Jersey tourist office on the Island Beach State Park : https://visitnj.org/nj-all-beaches/island-beach-state-park
Ocean Township is located on the Jersey Shore in Ocean County The township is included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation’s first National Reserve The Garden State Parkway accessible via Exit 69 and U.S. Route 9 both pass through the township, We came here for its beaches, The New Jersey tourist office on Ocean Township heritage : https://visitnj.org/nj/ocean/attractions
Wildwood is located in Cape May County , A popular Jersey Shore resort destination The city of Wildwood proper constitutes the center of the island communities collectively known as The Wildwoods,They are North Wildwood, West Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. Also part of The Wildwoods are Diamond Beach and a portion of Lower Township on the island 1.8 miles (2.9 km) boardwalk, home to the Morey’s Piers amusement complex and Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis waterparks owned by Morey’s Piers. The boardwalk features a trolley called the “Tramcar”, which runs from end to end.Beach racing, featuring motorcycles and hot rods, takes place every year We came here for the beaches ! Awesome ! The New Jersey tourist office on the Wildwoods : https://visitnj.org/city/wildwoods
Cape May, or Cape May City, is located in the tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County. Cape May became increasingly popular in the 19C and was considered one of America’s finest resorts by the 20C, In 1976, Cape May was designated a National Historic Landmark as the Cape May Historic District, making Cape May the only city in the U.S. to be wholly designated as a national historic district. Route 109 leads into Cape May from the north and provides access to the southern terminus of the Garden State Parkway along with U.S. Route 9 (we took it) in neighboring Lower Township. The Delaware River and Bay Authority operates the Cape May-Lewes Ferry year-round, a 70-85 minute across Delaware Bay to Lewes, Delaware, carrying passengers and cars. The ferry constitutes a portion of U.S. Route 9. We came here for the beaches in summer, The New Jersey tourist office on Cape May : https://visitnj.org/city/cape-may
Trenton is the capital city of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County.Trenton is the only city in New Jersey that is served by three commuter rail transit systems (Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA), Trenton is also the second-smallest of the United States capital cities, We have come to see the New Jersey State Museum , the New Jersey State House, the Old Barracks dating back to 1758 and the French and Indian War, the Trenton Battle Monument built to commemorate the Continental Army’s victory in the December 26, 1776, Battle of Trenton, The NJ Turnpike I95 come down to exit 7a and get on the I195 straight into John Fitch Way or NJ29 road long route then bearing right onto Calhoun street and quickly right onot West State Street and find the NJ State Museum on your right hand side, The New Jersey tourist office on Trenton : https://visitnj.org/city/trenton
Camden is the county seat of Camden County, The idea to come here was the Walt Whitman House which was the last residence of American poet Walt Whitman, in his declining years before his death. It is located at 330 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Also, worthy but not seen is Adventure Aquarium, The Interstate 676 and U.S. Route 30 run through Camden to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge on the north side of the city. Interstate 76 passes through briefly and interchanges with Interstate 676. The New Jersey tourist office on Camden : https://visitnj.org/city/camden
Vineland is located in Cumberland County, The Delsea Drive-In, located on Route 47 (Delsea Drive) north of County Route 552,The Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society, a museum and research library that has been in operation since 1910 and holds a large collection exhibiting the city’s history We came down on route 9 and over SR322 into the town where I helped my Dad sell sundry items to grocery stores there way back in late 70’s. Memories forever. The New Jersey tourist office on the Vineland historical and antiquarian society : https://visitnj.org/vineland-historical-antiquarian-society
Swedesboro is within Gloucester County ,within the Philadelphia metropolitan area Swedesboro, initially named Sveaborg by the Swedish settlers was one of only three settlements established in New Jersey as a part of the New Sweden colony. The oldest extant log cabin in the U.S., C. A. Nothnagle Log House (c. 1640) was built by Antti Niilonpoika Trinity Episcopal “Old Swedes” Church, which was established as a Swedish Lutheran Church in 1703; the present building dates to 1784 , Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, visited the borough as part of a 1976 tour of the United States. The main roads serving Swedesboro are County Route 538 and County Route 551. U.S. Route 322 and the New Jersey Turnpike can be accessed in neighboring Woolwich Township. My memorable thought that in my Dad’s routes serving grocery stores in NJ and into Philadelphia we stopped here and had the best submarine sandwich (hoagie)ever had lol ! The New Jersey tourist office on Swedesboro : https://visitnj.org/city/swedesboro
Princeton is located in Mercer County ;it was founded before the American Revolutionary War. The borough is the home of Princeton University, one of the world’s most acclaimed research universities Princeton is roughly equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia. It is close to many major highways that serve both cities such as the Interstate 95 (NJ Turnpike with closest exit 8A in Monroe Township, exit 8 in East Windsor, and exit 7A in Robbinsville Township) and U.S. Route 1 , The New Jersey governor’s official residence has been in Princeton since 1945, I remember coming here to see Princeton university, and that is all, The New Jersey tourist office on Princeton : https://visitnj.org/city/princeton
Secaucus is located in Hudson County, I came here for the sports companies to see them and to shop at the Mill Creek Mall, There are several large retail areas such as the Secaucus Plaza just off of Route 3, The Mill Creek Mall is a mall on Route 3 on the west side of the Turnpike, Starting with the 2014–15 NBA season, Secaucus became the official review headquarters of the NBA. All reviews of controversial calls and plays take place in the replay center. Sports companies headquartered in Secaucus include Red Bull New York, Major League Baseball’s MLB Network, National Hockey League’s NHL Network, and NBA Entertainment/NBA TV. The town is roughly divided into four parts by the intersecting roads of Route 3, which runs east and west, and the Eastern Spur of the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95), which runs north–south for Exit 16E/17 for Route 3 and Route 495 (which leads to the Lincoln Tunnel), and Exit 15X for the Secaucus Junction station, The New Jersey tourist office on Secaucus : https://visitnj.org/city/secaucus
There you go folks, a bit of nostalgia of my dear New Jersey!!! The efforts of a new country, language, customs and all fruitfully triumph in glory for my parents and I. More proud of my parents who show me the way, the good way. These places will always remain in my heart and soul no matter the years gone by,and wherever in the hole of the Earth I will be living. Now living in France as French, Memories forever for me now glad told in my blog, my history. Again, hope you enjoy these stories and this post on my story of New Jersey USA continue ……. !!! as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 