Totowa, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Totowa is a borough
in Passaic County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 9,892.
Totowa was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on March 15, 1898, from portions of the now-defunct Manchester Township and Wayne Township
.
The name Totowa comes from the Native American name for the Passaic Falls, and literally means sinking or "falling water".
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), of which, 4 square miles (10.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.23%) is water.
land speculator, purchased a tract of land known as Willock's Patent, which included most of modern day Totowa Borough. Located in the western part of Manchester Township, Willocks Patent was resold to Anthony Brockholls and the Van Houtens. The land was titled the "Totowa Patent," and divided into three parcels. The "Totowa Patent" and land acquired through the "Garret Mountain Purchase" included modern day Totowa, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) and Little Falls
.
In 1895, residents of the southern section of Manchester Township began to become disenchanted with governing officials, and following the election of 1896, many municipalities were formed. The formation of the Borough of Totowa was discussed at the Willard Park Hotel on Totowa Ave., and headed by brothers Joseph and Robert Boyle. On March 15, 1898, the Borough of Totowa was officially incorporated under Chapter 56 of the Laws of New Jersey, signed by Governor John Griggs. On April 12, 1898, the first election of the Borough of Totowa was held at the Willard Park Hotel, which would become the unofficial town hall, until the municipal building was completed in 1910.
of 2000, there were 9,892 people, 3,539 households, and 2,643 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,474.8 people per square mile (954.8/km²). There were 3,630 housing units at an average density of 908.2 per square mile (350.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.40% White, 1.12% African American, 0.02% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 1.97% from other races
, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.37% of the population.
As of the 2000 census, 37.2% of town residents were of Italian
ancestry, the seventh-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and second-highest in New Jersey (behind Hammonton
, at 45.9%), among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.
There were 3,539 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% 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 3.09.
In the borough the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $60,408, and the median income for a family was $69,354. Males had a median income of $44,462 versus $33,869 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $26,561. About 0.8% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.3% 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 Totowa is John Coiro. Members of the Totowa Borough Council are Council President Phil Puglise, Lou D'Angelo, Arlene Festa, Carolyn Fontanella, James Niland and John Waryas.
Totowa is in the
and U.S. Route 46
. Nearby roadways include New Jersey Route 23, New Jersey Route 3, and the Garden State Parkway
. Totowa is also crisscrossed by several Passaic County Routes, including New Jersey Route 62, CR 632, CR 642, and CR 644
. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are Memorial School which houses students in prekindergarten through second grade (328 students) and Washington Park School for grades three through eight (684).
For grades 9 - 12, students in public school attend Passaic Valley Regional High School
. The regional public high school serves students from Little Falls, Totowa, and Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson). The school facility is located in Little Falls Township.
Also located in Totowa is the Academy of St. Francis of Assisi, a K-8 Catholic school that operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
.
(P.A.L.), a volunteer organization that offers several sports to the children of Totowa from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Established in 1952, the P.A.L. strives to provide children throughout the borough with the fellowship of sports. These sports include baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, football, hockey, and cheerleading. Although the Totowa P.A.L. is independent from the Borough of Totowa, it uses fields and facilities owned by the municipality. Meetings, registrations, and events are held at the P.A.L. building, built in 1963 and located on Chamberlain Ave.
In 1961-62, the New York Gladiators of the ill-fated National Bowling League
rolled its home matches at "Gladiator Arena", a converted movie theater in Totowa.
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 Passaic County
Passaic County, New Jersey
Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226. Its county seat is Paterson...
, 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 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 9,892.
Totowa was formed 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 March 15, 1898, from portions of the now-defunct Manchester Township and Wayne Township
Wayne, New Jersey
Wayne is a Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, located less than from midtown Manhattan. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 54,069....
.
The name Totowa comes from the Native American name for the Passaic Falls, and literally means sinking or "falling water".
Geography
Totowa is located at 40°54′12"N 74°13′3"W (40.903348, -74.217638).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 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²), of which, 4 square miles (10.4 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (1.23%) is water.
History
In 1696, George Willocks, a ScottishScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
land speculator, purchased a tract of land known as Willock's Patent, which included most of modern day Totowa Borough. Located in the western part of Manchester Township, Willocks Patent was resold to Anthony Brockholls and the Van Houtens. The land was titled the "Totowa Patent," and divided into three parcels. The "Totowa Patent" and land acquired through the "Garret Mountain Purchase" included modern day Totowa, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) and Little Falls
Little Falls, New Jersey
Little Falls is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 10,855. It is located about from New York City....
.
In 1895, residents of the southern section of Manchester Township began to become disenchanted with governing officials, and following the election of 1896, many municipalities were formed. The formation of the Borough of Totowa was discussed at the Willard Park Hotel on Totowa Ave., and headed by brothers Joseph and Robert Boyle. On March 15, 1898, the Borough of Totowa was officially incorporated under Chapter 56 of the Laws of New Jersey, signed by Governor John Griggs. On April 12, 1898, the first election of the Borough of Totowa was held at the Willard Park Hotel, which would become the unofficial town hall, until the municipal building was completed in 1910.
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 9,892 people, 3,539 households, and 2,643 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 2,474.8 people per square mile (954.8/km²). There were 3,630 housing units at an average density of 908.2 per square mile (350.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.40% White, 1.12% African American, 0.02% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 1.97% 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 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.37% of the population.
As of the 2000 census, 37.2% of town residents were of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
ancestry, the seventh-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and second-highest in New Jersey (behind Hammonton
Hammonton, New Jersey
Hammonton is a town in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 14,791. It is located directly between Philadelphia and the resort town of Atlantic City, along a former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad currently used by New Jersey...
, at 45.9%), among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.
There were 3,539 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% 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, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% 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 3.09.
In the borough the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $60,408, and the median income for a family was $69,354. Males had a median income of $44,462 versus $33,869 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 $26,561. About 0.8% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Totowa 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 of Totowa is John Coiro. Members of the Totowa Borough Council are Council President Phil Puglise, Lou D'Angelo, Arlene Festa, Carolyn Fontanella, James Niland and John Waryas.
Federal, state and county representation
Totowa is part of the 8th Congressional district.Totowa is in the
Transportation
Totowa is located on several major roadways, including Interstate 80Interstate 80 in New Jersey
Interstate 80 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States, running from the New York City Metropolitan Area westward to San Francisco, California...
and U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46 is an east–west U.S. Highway, running for , completely within the state of New Jersey. The west end is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and Route 94 in Columbia, Warren County on the Delaware River...
. Nearby roadways include New Jersey Route 23, New Jersey Route 3, and the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
. Totowa is also crisscrossed by several Passaic County Routes, including New Jersey Route 62, CR 632, CR 642, and CR 644
Education
Public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade are educated by the Totowa Borough Public SchoolsTotowa Borough Public Schools
The Totowa Borough Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district in Totowa, in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in Kindergarten through eighth grade....
. 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 Memorial School which houses students in prekindergarten through second grade (328 students) and Washington Park School for grades three through eight (684).
For grades 9 - 12, students in public school attend Passaic Valley Regional High School
Passaic Valley Regional High School
Passaic Valley Regional High School is the name of both a public high school in Little Falls, New Jersey, and the regional school district for three communities in Passaic County: Little Falls , Totowa and Woodland Park .As of the...
. The regional public high school serves students from Little Falls, Totowa, and Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson). The school facility is located in Little Falls Township.
Also located in Totowa is the Academy of St. Francis of Assisi, a K-8 Catholic school that operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
The Diocese of Paterson is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, which includes three counties in northern New Jersey: Passaic, Morris, and Sussex. The city of Paterson, third-largest in the state of New Jersey, was chosen as the episcopal see, even though...
.
Police
The Borough of Totowa Police Department (TBPD), located within the Totowa Municipal Building on Totowa Road, is responsible for law enforcement.Fire
The Totowa Fire Department (TBFD) is an entirely volunteer fire department and was established in April, 1908 The TBFD consists of four "companies," which include; Volunteer Fire Company #1 (1908), Lincoln Fire Company (1908), Riverview Fire Company #3 (1925), and Fire Rescue Company #4 (1955). The TBFD currently consists of 98 volunteer firefighters.Ambulance
The Borough of Totowa First Aid Squad was founded in 1951 to provide a free, volunteer based service to the residents of Totowa. The Borough of Totowa First Aid Squad Auxiliary was also formed to help raise funds to support and benefit the first aid squad.Office of Emergency Management
The Borough of Totowa OEM is responsible for organizing, aiding, and providing emergency response units in the case of a "state of local disaster emergency." The OEM recruits volunteers of various disciplines to respond to local disasters and collaborates with both county and state officials in the event of a disaster. Municipalities may also collaborate, and are in the process of instituting a multi-town Incident Command System (ICS).Sports
Recreational sports are offered through The Totowa Police Athletic LeaguePolice Athletic League
The Police Athletic League is an organization in many American police departments in which members of the police force coach young people, both boys and girls, in sports, and help with homework and other school-related activities. The purpose is to build character, help strengthen police-community...
(P.A.L.), a volunteer organization that offers several sports to the children of Totowa from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Established in 1952, the P.A.L. strives to provide children throughout the borough with the fellowship of sports. These sports include baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, football, hockey, and cheerleading. Although the Totowa P.A.L. is independent from the Borough of Totowa, it uses fields and facilities owned by the municipality. Meetings, registrations, and events are held at the P.A.L. building, built in 1963 and located on Chamberlain Ave.
In 1961-62, the New York Gladiators of the ill-fated National Bowling League
National Bowling League
The National Bowling League is a defunct professional bowling league that existed from Oct. 12, 1961 to May 6, 1962. The league as formed as an attempt to ride the popularity of bowling television shows, and also to challenge to the Professional Bowlers Association .The league was the brainchild...
rolled its home matches at "Gladiator Arena", a converted movie theater in Totowa.
Points of interest
- Annie's Road is a section of Riverview Drive between Totowa Road and Union Boulevard, which is rumored to be haunted by a "Lady in White".
- Dey Mansion is a colonial house where General George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonGeorge Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
took residence during the Revolutionary War. The house gives tours of all the artifacts and furniture left there and has a genuine blacksmith shop that makes clothes hooks and horse shoes for visitors. It is located on 199 Totowa Road, Wayne. Even though located in Wayne, Totowa residents believe that it is truly located in Totowa because it is barely past the border of the two towns. - Totowa is home to four major luxury home developments: Dey Hill Farms, Arlington Estates, Jeremy Heights, and Hickory Hill. Dey Hill Farms, the largest of the developments was started in 1974 and received its name from The Dey Mansion located down the road. The development has been expanded since 1974, with the additions of Columbus Avenue, Flintlock Court, Liberty Ridge Extension, Centennial Court and Mountainview Court. A large tract of land within the development known as "The Boonstra Parcel" remains undeveloped.
- Totowa is home to the North Jersey Developmental Center, which serves 400 developmentally disabled citizens on its 188 acre (0.76080968 km²) campus.
- There are more dead people than living in Totowa. This is due to the five active cemeteries in Totowa: Holy Sepulchre Roman Catholic Cemetery, Laurel Grove Cemetery, Laurel Grove Memorial ParkLaurel Grove Memorial ParkLaurel Grove Memorial Park is a cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey, United States.-Notable interments:* Robert G. Bremner , Representative from New Jersey's 7th congressional district from 1913-1914....
, Mount Nebo Jewish Cemetery, and the A.M. White Lodge Jewish Cemetery.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Totowa include:- Plaxico BurressPlaxico BurressPlaxico Antonio Burress is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers eighth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...
(born 1977), NFL wide receiver for the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - David DiehlDavid DiehlDavid Diehl is an American football offensive guard with the New York Giants of the National Football League and is one of only two offensive lineman who entered the NFL in 2003 to start all 80 regular season games through the end of the 2008 season....
(born 1980), offensive lineman for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Lou DuvaLou DuvaLouis "Lou" Duva is a boxing trainer and manager who has handled some of the most famous boxers in the world including 19 World Champions. The Duva family have promoted boxing events in over 20 countries on six continents...
(born 1922), boxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
trainer, along with his promoter sons, DanDan DuvaDaniel Salvator Duva was a boxing promoter who promoted or co-promoted over 100 world championship fights through his family run business, Main Events. Under his leadership Main Events promoted such notable champions as Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Mark Breland and many others...
and DinoDino DuvaDino Duva is an American boxing promoter.Duva is the son of trainer/manager Lou Duva, and the younger brother of the late Dan Duva. The Duvas have been given the title of "the first family of boxing"...
, are from here. Their offices remain in town. - Ralph J. Marra, Jr.Ralph J. Marra, Jr.Ralph J. Marra, Jr. is an American lawyer who served as the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. He held this position from the resignation of Chris Christie in December 2008 until the appointment of Paul J. Fishman in October 2009...
(born 1953), Acting 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....
since December 2008. - Matt Pelissier (born 1979), former drummer for My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
. - John SpencerJohn Spencer (actor)John Spencer was an American film and television actor. He was most widely known for playing White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry on the NBC political drama series The West Wing, which earned him an Emmy Award in 2002.-Early life:Spencer was born as John Speshock, Jr. in New York City, and...
(1946–2005), actor best known for his work on The West Wing. - Floyd VivinoFloyd VivinoFloyd Vivino aka "Uncle Floyd" is a television, film, and stage performer primarily known for his comedy/variety TV show The Uncle Floyd Show .-The Uncle Floyd Show:...
(born 1951), entertainer and host of the Uncle Floyd Show.
External links
- Totowa Borough web site
- Totowa Public Schools website
- Data for the Totowa Borough 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...
- Passaic Valley Regional High School
- Boro of Totowa First Aid Squad
- TotowaStuff.com: Totowa, New Jersey's First Interactive Community Website
- Photographic Memoir; The Totowa Book of the Dead, Laurie Giardino
- St. James of the Marches
- Totowa P.A.L. website
- Passaic Valley Today, Newspaper