Milltown, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Milltown is a Borough
in Middlesex County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,893.
Milltown was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on January 29, 1889, from portions of North Brunswick Township
, based on the results of a referendum held three day earlier. The borough was reincorporated by resolution of the borough council on May 2, 1896. A portion of East Brunswick Township
was annexed in 1902.
As of the 2000 Census, the center of population
for New Jersey was located in Milltown, at Milltown Road, just east of the New Jersey Turnpike
(see map of location).
The groundbreaking anxiolytic
and sedative drug Miltown (meprobamate
), which first came to market in the mid-1950s, was named after the town of Milltown.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which, 1.57 square miles (4.1 km²) of it is land and 0.03 square mile (0.0776996433 km²) of it (1.88%) is water.
Milltown borders North Brunswick
to the west, and East Brunswick Township
to the east.
The Lawrence Brook
, a tributary of the Raritan River
, flows through the borough after exiting the Farrington Lake
. The dam, under Main Street creates a reservoir, the Mill Pond.
had established settlements along the Lawrence Brook. The discovery of many artifacts in the area above today's municipal building (now a small County Park) suggests the presence of an Indian settlement. In 1678 Thomas Lawrence, a New York baker, acquired a large area around the Lawrence brook, which likely included today's Milltown. The Lawrence Brook was then called Piscopeek (and on later maps, Lawrence's brook). The names and marks of several Indians (Quemareck, Quesiacs, Isarick, Metapis, Peckawan and Turantaca) appear on the bill of sale. In 1769, Fulcard Van Nordstrand advertised the sale of a large gristmill
on the bank of Lawrence Brook
. It would soon be called Lawrence Brook Mill
.
, a French World War I general who later became the leader of the Vichy France
government during World War II. The Vichy Regime willfully collaborated with Nazi Germany, taking state action against "undesirables," including Jews, Protestants, gays, gypsies, and left-wing activists. In total, the Vichy government participated in the deportation of 76,000 Jews to German extermination camps, although this number varies depending on the account; only 2,500 survived the war. After the War, Petain was charged with perjury and sentenced to death by firing squad. Every city in France has since changed the name of streets formerly known as Petain.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 7,000 people, 2,627 households, and 1,943 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 4,452.0 people per square mile (1,721.5/km2). There were 2,670 housing units at an average density of 1,698.1 per square mile (656.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.86% White, 0.76% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.07% Asian, 1.16% from other races
, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.
There were 2,627 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $68,429, and the median income for a family was $77,869. Males had a median income of $50,338 versus $38,220 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $29,996. About 1.3% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.
As of the Census Bureau's 2005-2009 American Community Survey
, median income for a household was $92,804 and the median income for a family was $106,133. Males had a median income of $50,338 versus $38,220 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $33,904.
form of government by a Mayor and a six-member Borough Council. The Mayor is directly elected by the voters to serve a four-year term of office. Members of the Borough Council serve three-year terms in office on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the Mayor
of Milltown Borough is Gloria M. Bradford. Members of the Milltown Borough Council (with their chairmanship listed in parentheses) are Council President Lawrence Citro (Public Safety), Ronald Dixon (Public Works & Recycling), Gary Holsten (Utilities), George Murray (Parks & Recreation), Robert Owens (Finance, Planning & Administration) and Richard Ryan (Environmental, Health & Social Services).
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are Parkview School (PreK-3, 277 students) and
Joyce Kilmer School (4-8, 400 students).
For grades 9 - 12, public school students attend Spotswood High School
in Spotswood
as part of a sending/receiving relationship
with the Spotswood Public Schools
.
There is also a Catholic K-8 school Our Lady of Lourdes on Cleveland Avenue, which operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
.
ran through Milltown, but is now defunct along this part of the line. The track and freight station
still remain.
County Route 617 (Ryders Lane) is a major artery serving the borough along the eastern border. The New Jersey Turnpike
pass through for about a mile, but the closest interchange is in neighboring East Brunswick Township. Also, U.S. 1
is outside in neighboring North Brunswick.
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 Middlesex County
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
, 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 6,893.
Milltown was incorporated as a borough 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...
on January 29, 1889, from portions of North Brunswick Township
North Brunswick Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:At the 2010 census, there were 40,742 people, 13,635 households and 9,367 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,018.3 per square mile . There were 13,932 housing units at an average density of 1,158.8 per square mile...
, based on the results of a referendum held three day earlier. The borough was reincorporated by resolution of the borough council on May 2, 1896. A portion of East Brunswick Township
East Brunswick Township, New Jersey
The town is located southwest of New York City and 48 miles northeast of Philadelphia.Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the western border of the township...
was annexed in 1902.
As of the 2000 Census, the center of population
Center of population
In demographics, the center of population of a region is a geographical point that describes a centerpoint of the region's population...
for New Jersey was located in Milltown, at Milltown Road, just east of the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
(see map of location).
The groundbreaking anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
and sedative drug Miltown (meprobamate
Meprobamate
Meprobamate is a carbamate derivative which is used as an anxiolytic drug...
), which first came to market in the mid-1950s, was named after the town of Milltown.
Geography
Milltown is located at 40.452538°N 74.438020°W (40.452538, -74.438020).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 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which, 1.57 square miles (4.1 km²) of it is land and 0.03 square mile (0.0776996433 km²) of it (1.88%) is water.
Milltown borders North Brunswick
North Brunswick Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:At the 2010 census, there were 40,742 people, 13,635 households and 9,367 families residing in the township. The population density was 3,018.3 per square mile . There were 13,932 housing units at an average density of 1,158.8 per square mile...
to the west, and East Brunswick Township
East Brunswick Township, New Jersey
The town is located southwest of New York City and 48 miles northeast of Philadelphia.Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the western border of the township...
to the east.
The Lawrence Brook
Lawrence Brook
Lawrence Brook is a tributary of the Raritan River. Its entire course is in Middlesex County, New Jersey in the United States.-Course:Originally a stream, its course now includes man-made lakes created by dams built in the 19th and 20th centuries: Deans Pond , Davidsons Mill Pond , Farrington Lake...
, a tributary of the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
, flows through the borough after exiting the Farrington Lake
Farrington Lake
Farrington Lake is a scenic freshwater reservoir in Middlesex County, New Jersey near Milltown, New Jersey. Created by a dam on the Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River, the lake is in fact a widened section of the Lawrence Brook...
. The dam, under Main Street creates a reservoir, the Mill Pond.
History
Long before the arrival of the first Europeans, the LenapeLenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
had established settlements along the Lawrence Brook. The discovery of many artifacts in the area above today's municipal building (now a small County Park) suggests the presence of an Indian settlement. In 1678 Thomas Lawrence, a New York baker, acquired a large area around the Lawrence brook, which likely included today's Milltown. The Lawrence Brook was then called Piscopeek (and on later maps, Lawrence's brook). The names and marks of several Indians (Quemareck, Quesiacs, Isarick, Metapis, Peckawan and Turantaca) appear on the bill of sale. In 1769, Fulcard Van Nordstrand advertised the sale of a large gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
on the bank of Lawrence Brook
Lawrence Brook
Lawrence Brook is a tributary of the Raritan River. Its entire course is in Middlesex County, New Jersey in the United States.-Course:Originally a stream, its course now includes man-made lakes created by dams built in the 19th and 20th centuries: Deans Pond , Davidsons Mill Pond , Farrington Lake...
. It would soon be called Lawrence Brook Mill
Lawrence Brook Mill
The Lawrence Brook Mill, formerly Bergen's Mill is a closed gristmill located in Milltown, NJ. It is made up of a fulling mill, a press house, a water tower, a chimney, and various worker dwellings.-History:...
.
Controversy
In March 2010, the Milltown City Council voted against changing the name of Petain Avenue, citing the difficulties that the street's residents would endure if the name changed. Petain Avenue is named for Philippe PétainPhilippe Pétain
Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain , generally known as Philippe Pétain or Marshal Pétain , was a French general who reached the distinction of Marshal of France, and was later Chief of State of Vichy France , from 1940 to 1944...
, a French World War I general who later became the leader of the Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
government during World War II. The Vichy Regime willfully collaborated with Nazi Germany, taking state action against "undesirables," including Jews, Protestants, gays, gypsies, and left-wing activists. In total, the Vichy government participated in the deportation of 76,000 Jews to German extermination camps, although this number varies depending on the account; only 2,500 survived the war. After the War, Petain was charged with perjury and sentenced to death by firing squad. Every city in France has since changed the name of streets formerly known as Petain.
Demographics
As of the 2000 Census, Milltown had a population of 6,893. The median age was 41.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 92.4% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 1.6% some other race and 1.2% reporting two or more races. 6.5% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.As of the census
Census
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 7,000 people, 2,627 households, and 1,943 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 4,452.0 people per square mile (1,721.5/km2). There were 2,670 housing units at an average density of 1,698.1 per square mile (656.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.86% White, 0.76% African American, 0.16% Native American, 3.07% Asian, 1.16% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.
There were 2,627 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% 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, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $68,429, and the median income for a family was $77,869. Males had a median income of $50,338 versus $38,220 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 $29,996. About 1.3% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.
As of the Census Bureau's 2005-2009 American Community Survey
American Community Survey
The American Community Survey is an ongoing statistical survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, sent to approximately 250,000 addresses monthly . It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census...
, median income for a household was $92,804 and the median income for a family was $106,133. Males had a median income of $50,338 versus $38,220 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 $33,904.
Local government
Milltown 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 government by a Mayor and a six-member Borough Council. The Mayor is directly elected by the voters to serve a four-year term of office. Members of the Borough Council serve three-year terms in office 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 Milltown Borough is Gloria M. Bradford. Members of the Milltown Borough Council (with their chairmanship listed in parentheses) are Council President Lawrence Citro (Public Safety), Ronald Dixon (Public Works & Recycling), Gary Holsten (Utilities), George Murray (Parks & Recreation), Robert Owens (Finance, Planning & Administration) and Richard Ryan (Environmental, Health & Social Services).
Federal, state and county representation
Milltown is in the 12th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 17th state legislative district. The legislative district was kept unchanged 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.
Education
Students in public school for grades K-8 attend the Milltown Public SchoolsMilltown Public Schools
The Milltown Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade from Milltown, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States....
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The 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...
) are Parkview School (PreK-3, 277 students) and
Joyce Kilmer School (4-8, 400 students).
For grades 9 - 12, public school students attend Spotswood High School
Spotswood High School (New Jersey)
Spotswood High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade in Spotswood, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Spotswood Public Schools....
in Spotswood
Spotswood, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2008, there were 7,880 people, 3,099 households, and 2,163 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,389.8 people per square mile . There were 3,158 housing units at an average density of 1,358.5 per square mile...
as part of a sending/receiving relationship
Sending/receiving relationship
A sending/receiving relationship is one in which a public school district sends some or all of its students to attend the schools of another district. This is often done to achieve costs savings in smaller districts or continues after districts have grown as part of a historical relationship...
with the Spotswood Public Schools
Spotswood Public Schools
The Spotswood Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade from Spotswood, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States....
.
There is also a Catholic K-8 school Our Lady of Lourdes on Cleveland Avenue, which operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen is a Roman Catholic diocese in New Jersey, centered in the borough of Metuchen. It was erected on November 19, 1981, from the territory of the Diocese of Trenton....
.
Transportation
The Raritan River RailroadRaritan River Railroad
The Raritan River Rail Road was a twelve-mile shortline railroad founded in 1888 and based in South Amboy, New Jersey, U.S., which ran as far as New Brunswick, New Jersey. It served both passengers and freight in its heyday and operated profitably throughout much of its existence...
ran through Milltown, but is now defunct along this part of the line. The track and freight station
Raritan River Freight Station
The Raritan River Freight Station is the only surviving station of the Raritan River Railroad and is located in Milltown, New Jersey. It is currently owned by Conrail.-History:...
still remain.
County Route 617 (Ryders Lane) is a major artery serving the borough along the eastern border. The New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
pass through for about a mile, but the closest interchange is in neighboring East Brunswick Township. Also, U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 1 is a United States highway which parallels the East Coast of the United States, running from Key West, Florida in the south to Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, of it runs through New Jersey...
is outside in neighboring North Brunswick.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Milltown include:- David KikoskiDavid KikoskiDave Kikoski is an exceptional American jazz pianist and keyboardist.Kikoski learned piano from his father and played with him in bars as a teenager...
(born 1961), jazz pianist. - Danny PintauroDanny PintauroDaniel John Pintauro is an American actor best known for his role on the popular American sitcom Who's the Boss? and his role in the 1983 film Cujo.-Career:...
(born 1976), actor who got started as a child actor on the televisionTelevisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
soap operaSoap operaA soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
As the World TurnsAs the World TurnsAs the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
, and in the movie CujoCujoCujo is a psychological horror novel by Stephen King. The novel won the British Fantasy Award in 1982, and was made into a film in 1983....
, and came to prominence on the television series Who's the Boss?Who's the Boss?Who's the Boss? is an American sitcom created by Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter, which aired on ABC from September 20, 1984 to April 25, 1992...
. - Peter PlantecPeter PlantecPeter Plantec is a writer, digital artist and software designer. His books Virtual Humans and The Caligari trueSpace2 Bible are both five stars at Amazon. As president of Virtual Personalities, Inc., he was responsible for the design and development of Sylvie, the first practical commercial...
(born 1943),writer,digital artist and software designer.
External links
- Borough of Milltown website
- Milltown Public Schools
- Data for the Milltown Public Schools, 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...