Califon, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Califon is a borough
in Hunterdon County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,076.
The town was to originally be called California, but was shortened to Califon in order to fit on the welcome sign. Alternatively, the name was related to a bright yellow cattle feed sold during the Gold Rush
.
of the Central Railroad of New Jersey
. The rail line was abandoned in 1976 and now serves as a Hunterdon County-administered rail trail
called Columbia Trail
, which runs south to High Bridge and north to points in Morris County
.
Though the mills were present in the area of Califon for some time prior to its incorporation as a town, it was quite a while before growth became evident in the mid-nineteenth century. It was first called California, from Jacob Neighbor's enthusiasm in the milling business about the time the California Gold Rush
broke out. The Borough was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
from portions of both Lebanon
and Tewksbury
Townships on April 2, 1918.
Local legend has it that California became a regular stop for weekend excursion trains through the countryside. When riders bought their tickets they were issued a voucher good for an ice cream; the train would stop so tourists could wander around and cash in their ice cream coupons. Anxious to exploit this source of outside revenue, residents petitioned the Railroad to let them build a real station, which they did as a community project. The station is said to be the one shown in the picture on the right. Citing the local account again, two sign painters who came to letter the sign rode the train from Dunellen, but the background paint wasn't dry when they arrived. They sat and drank at the hotel, which later burned down. By the time the sign was ready for their artistic touch, the local tale says, "Califon" was as close to California as the inebriated painters could manage.
Califon is also situated just north of the Kenneth Lockwood Gorge on the South Branch of the Raritan River; this pristine stretch of clear water and forest is a well-known treasure for New Jersey trout fishermen.
The Califon Historical Society has registered 170 structures with the National Register of Historic Places
. Califon is a Victorian-style enclave where the houses are marked with the names of the builders and their dates of establishment rather than with street numbers.
The center of Califon is the historic iron bridge spanning the South Branch of the Raritan River, which divides the borough. Recently the State of New Jersey announced they were going to replace the bridge, using the fact that a loaded school bus represented more weight than the aging bridge could safely carry. Incensed citizens objected, protective of the landmark, and found a colorful but simple solution; the school bus stops at one end of the bridge unloading the students, who then walk across to the other side. Then the empty bus, within imposed weight limits, drives across and the students get back on the bus to continue their ride. Thus the bridge was saved. (Account featured on Califon website).
Califon became a regional household name when frequently mentioned by Merv Griffin on his TV show during the 1970s. He and his wife Juliette owned a home in nearby Lebanon Township, which had a Califon mailing address, and, while they were married, they were often seen visiting the village in a fringed-top Bermuda-style resort cart.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 1.02% is water.
Califon borders Lebanon Township
and Tewksbury Township
.
of 2000, there were 1,055 people, 401 households, and 301 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 1,093.2 people per square mile (419.9/km2). There were 410 housing units at an average density of 424.9 per square mile (163.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White, 0.76% Asian, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 401 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.8% were married couples
living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $76,657, and the median income for a family was $85,963. Males had a median income of $59,167 versus $41,125 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $31,064. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the Mayor
of Califon Borough is Charles Daniel. Members of the Califon Borough Council are Council President Gill Smith, Kathleen Anderson, Richard Baggstrom, Michael Medea, Judy Salisbury and Timothy Weiler.
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
serves students in public school for kindergarten through eighth and had an enrollment of 158 students for the 2009-10 school year. Dr. Kathleen Prystash is the district's Chief School Administrator and principal.
Public school students in grades 9 through 12 are served by the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District
. Voorhees High School serves students from Califon Borough, Glen Gardner Borough
, Hampton Borough
, High Bridge Borough
, Lebanon Township
and Tewksbury Township
.
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,076.
The town was to originally be called California, but was shortened to Califon in order to fit on the welcome sign. Alternatively, the name was related to a bright yellow cattle feed sold during the Gold Rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
.
History
Califon was a station on the High Bridge BranchHigh Bridge Branch
The High Bridge Branch was a branch line of the Central Railroad of New Jersey that started in High Bridge, New Jersey at a connection with the CNJ main line and continued north to iron-ore mines in Morris County...
of the Central Railroad of New Jersey
Central Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey , commonly known as the Jersey Central Lines or CNJ, was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s, lasting until 1976 when it was absorbed into Conrail with the other bankrupt railroads of the Northeastern United States...
. The rail line was abandoned in 1976 and now serves as a Hunterdon County-administered rail trail
Rail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
called Columbia Trail
Columbia Trail
The Columbia Trail is a rail trail in rural northwestern New Jersey. It was created from portions of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch and stretches from High Bridge, in Hunterdon County, to Flanders, in Morris County for a total of...
, which runs south to High Bridge and north to points in Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
.
Though the mills were present in the area of Califon for some time prior to its incorporation as a town, it was quite a while before growth became evident in the mid-nineteenth century. It was first called California, from Jacob Neighbor's enthusiasm in the milling business about the time the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
broke out. The Borough was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
from portions of both Lebanon
Lebanon Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,816 people, 1,963 households, and 1,556 families residing in the township. The population density was 183.5 people per square mile . There were 2,020 housing units at an average density of 63.7 per square mile...
and Tewksbury
Tewksbury Township, New Jersey
Tewksbury Township is a Township located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and is located within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 5,993...
Townships on April 2, 1918.
Local legend has it that California became a regular stop for weekend excursion trains through the countryside. When riders bought their tickets they were issued a voucher good for an ice cream; the train would stop so tourists could wander around and cash in their ice cream coupons. Anxious to exploit this source of outside revenue, residents petitioned the Railroad to let them build a real station, which they did as a community project. The station is said to be the one shown in the picture on the right. Citing the local account again, two sign painters who came to letter the sign rode the train from Dunellen, but the background paint wasn't dry when they arrived. They sat and drank at the hotel, which later burned down. By the time the sign was ready for their artistic touch, the local tale says, "Califon" was as close to California as the inebriated painters could manage.
Califon is also situated just north of the Kenneth Lockwood Gorge on the South Branch of the Raritan River; this pristine stretch of clear water and forest is a well-known treasure for New Jersey trout fishermen.
The Califon Historical Society has registered 170 structures with the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Califon is a Victorian-style enclave where the houses are marked with the names of the builders and their dates of establishment rather than with street numbers.
The center of Califon is the historic iron bridge spanning the South Branch of the Raritan River, which divides the borough. Recently the State of New Jersey announced they were going to replace the bridge, using the fact that a loaded school bus represented more weight than the aging bridge could safely carry. Incensed citizens objected, protective of the landmark, and found a colorful but simple solution; the school bus stops at one end of the bridge unloading the students, who then walk across to the other side. Then the empty bus, within imposed weight limits, drives across and the students get back on the bus to continue their ride. Thus the bridge was saved. (Account featured on Califon website).
Califon became a regional household name when frequently mentioned by Merv Griffin on his TV show during the 1970s. He and his wife Juliette owned a home in nearby Lebanon Township, which had a Califon mailing address, and, while they were married, they were often seen visiting the village in a fringed-top Bermuda-style resort cart.
Geography
Califon is located at 40.720250°N 74.836533°W (40.720250, -74.836533).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 1.02% is water.
Califon borders Lebanon Township
Lebanon Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,816 people, 1,963 households, and 1,556 families residing in the township. The population density was 183.5 people per square mile . There were 2,020 housing units at an average density of 63.7 per square mile...
and Tewksbury Township
Tewksbury Township, New Jersey
Tewksbury Township is a Township located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and is located within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 5,993...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,055 people, 401 households, and 301 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,093.2 people per square mile (419.9/km2). There were 410 housing units at an average density of 424.9 per square mile (163.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White, 0.76% Asian, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 401 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $76,657, and the median income for a family was $85,963. Males had a median income of $59,167 versus $41,125 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $31,064. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Califon is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Califon Borough is Charles Daniel. Members of the Califon Borough Council are Council President Gill Smith, Kathleen Anderson, Richard Baggstrom, Michael Medea, Judy Salisbury and Timothy Weiler.
Federal, state and county representation
Califon Borough is in the 24th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district. The borough was relocated to the 23rd state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district is in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
Education
The Califon School DistrictCalifon School District
The Califon School District is a community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade from Califon, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States....
serves students in public school for kindergarten through eighth and had an enrollment of 158 students for the 2009-10 school year. Dr. Kathleen Prystash is the district's Chief School Administrator and principal.
Public school students in grades 9 through 12 are served by the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District
North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District
The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District is a regional, four-year public high school district, that serves students in grades 9-12 from twelve municipalities in northern Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States....
. Voorhees High School serves students from Califon Borough, Glen Gardner Borough
Glen Gardner, New Jersey
Glen Gardner is a borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. At the time of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,704....
, Hampton Borough
Hampton, New Jersey
Hampton is a Borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,401.What is now Hampton was originally incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature as Junction Borough on February 20, 1895, from portions of both Lebanon...
, High Bridge Borough
High Bridge, New Jersey
High Bridge is a borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 3,648.-History:...
, Lebanon Township
Lebanon Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,816 people, 1,963 households, and 1,556 families residing in the township. The population density was 183.5 people per square mile . There were 2,020 housing units at an average density of 63.7 per square mile...
and Tewksbury Township
Tewksbury Township, New Jersey
Tewksbury Township is a Township located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and is located within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 5,993...
.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Califon include:- Thomas W. GreelishThomas W. Greelishalign="right"|Thomas William Greelish was an American lawyer who served as United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1985 to 1987.-Biography:...
(1939–91), United States Attorney for the District of New JerseyUnited States Attorney for the District of New JerseyThe U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey is the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey. Paul J. Fishman was sworn into office as U.S. Attorney on October 14, 2009 after having been nominated by President Barack Obama. He succeeded Ralph J. Marra, who served as Acting U.S....
from 1985 to 1987. Greelish moved to Califon with his family when he was seven years old. - Merv GriffinMerv GriffinMervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin, Jr. was an American television host, musician, actor, and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer who went on to appear in movies and on Broadway. From 1965 to 1986 Griffin hosted his own talk show, The Merv Griffin Show on Group W Broadcasting...
(1925–2007), television producer, once owned a farm, formerly owned by the Ferrante family of Bernardsville, a few miles outside of Califon. When he created the game show Wheel of Fortune, he gave a nod to Califon when naming the production company which was specifically responsible for the show. To this day, Wheel of Fortune legally does business as Califon Productions, Inc., although the show is owned by Sony Pictures. - Francis Burton HarrisonFrancis Burton HarrisonFrancis Burton Harrison was an American statesman who served in the United States House of Representatives and appointed Governor-General of the Philippines by President of the United States Woodrow Wilson...
(1873–1957), member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and Governor-General of the PhilippinesGovernor-General of the PhilippinesThe Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....
under Woodrow WilsonWoodrow WilsonThomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
. Harrison retired to Califon a few months before his death in 1957. - Teddy SchneiderTeddy SchneiderTeddy David Schneider is an American soccer player.-College and amateur:Schneider attended Delbarton School, and played four years of college soccer at Princeton. He initially began his career as a midfielder but was converted to Left/Right Back during his third year at Princeton...
(born 1988), soccer player for the New York Red Bulls.
External links
- Official Borough website
- Califon Historical Society website
- Hunterdon County webpage for Califon Borough
- Califon Public School website
- Data for the Califon Public School, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District
- Califon Area Merchants and Professionals Association
- Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance
- Califon Environmental Commission