Basking Ridge, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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Street scene in Basking Ridge
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 Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Somerset |
| Township | Bernards |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.80 sq mi (17.60 km2) |
| • Land | 6.75 sq mi (17.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2) |
| Elevation | 335 ft (102 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,196 |
| • Density | 1,066.07/sq mi (411.60/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code |
07920, 07939
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| Area code(s) | 908 |
| FIPS code | 34-03340 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2806230 |
Basking Ridge is a community in New Jersey, located in Somerset County. It is part of Bernards Township. It is also called a "census-designated place" (CDP). This means it is a specific area that the government tracks for population information.
This area was first settled a long time ago. This was during America's colonial times. Today, Basking Ridge is a busy place for businesses. Many people who live here travel to New York City for work. Big companies like Verizon Wireless and Collabera have their main offices here. You can also find a train station. This station connects to major cities like New York City.
Basking Ridge is just one part of the larger Bernards Township. Other nearby neighborhoods include Liberty Corner and Lyons. In 2020, the population of Basking Ridge was 7,196 people.
Contents
History of Basking Ridge
Basking Ridge was first settled in the 1720s. British Presbyterians came here. They wanted to escape religious problems in their home country. They bought the land from the Lenape Native Americans.
Bernards Township, which includes Basking Ridge, was officially created. This happened on May 21, 1760. King George II gave the land to Sir Francis Bernard.
During the American Revolutionary War, an important event happened here. On December 13, 1776, General Charles Lee was captured by the British. He was a high-ranking general. He was second in command only to George Washington.
In 1974, the downtown area of Basking Ridge became a Historic District. This means it has special importance. It is protected for its history.
Population Facts for Basking Ridge
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 7,196 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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According to the 2020 census, 7,196 people live in Basking Ridge. Most residents are White. There are also many people of Asian and Hispanic or Latino backgrounds.
Fun Things to Do and See
Local Events in Basking Ridge
Basking Ridge has a fun annual event in May. It is called Charter Day. It is like a big festival! You can find rides and bounce houses. There are even inflatable race tracks. Many local groups set up stands. You can try traditional foods like kettle corn. In the evening, teenagers can join the "Battle of the Bands." They can show off their musical talents.
Historic Places to Visit
- The Old Oak Tree: Basking Ridge was once home to a famous 600-year-old white oak tree. It was one of the oldest white oaks in the world! This giant tree was 97 feet tall. Its trunk was 20 feet around. Sadly, the tree started to decay. It was cut down in 2017.
- Revolutionary War Hospital: In 1779, a special hospital was built here. This was during the Revolutionary War. It was designed to help prevent infections. It helped sick and wounded soldiers. The hospital used smoke to keep the air clean. This was a very advanced idea for its time!
- Bernards Township Municipal Hall: This building was once a grand estate. It was built in 1912. It was even owned by the famous Astor family at one point.
- The Brick Academy: Built in 1809, this building was originally a school. It prepared young men for Princeton University. Over the years, it has been a public school and a library. It was even the town hall. Today, it is a museum. It tells the story of Basking Ridge.
- The Devil's Tree: This is a solitary oak tree with a local legend. Some people believe it is cursed. Others think it has a connection to the Devil. It is a spooky spot. It has been featured in books about strange New Jersey places.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
Basking Ridge has several parks. You can enjoy nature and play there.
- Lord Stirling Park
- Rebel Hill Park
- Southard Park
- Harry Dunham Park
- Pleasant Valley Park: This park has the town swimming pool. It also has many miles of trails for walking or running.
Schools in Basking Ridge
Students in Basking Ridge attend schools. These schools are part of the Bernards Township School District.
- Ridge High School: This is the local high school. It was built in 1960.
- William Annin Middle School: This middle school opened in 1969. It is named after an early settler. It serves students in grades 6 through 8. It is one of the few schools in the United States that has a seismograph. This is a device that measures earthquakes!
There are also four elementary schools in Basking Ridge:
- Liberty Corner School: This is the oldest school in the district. It was built in 1905.
- Oak Street School: Built in 1938, it serves the downtown area of Basking Ridge.
- Cedar Hill School: Built in 1956 on land once owned by wealthy families.
- Mount Prospect School: This is the newest school. It was built in 1999. It serves a growing part of the community called The Hills.
Getting Around Basking Ridge
Trains in Basking Ridge
NJ Transit trains run through Basking Ridge. This makes it easy to travel. You can catch a train to New York City or Hoboken Terminal. There are two stations:
- Basking Ridge Station: Built in 1912, it serves downtown Basking Ridge.
- Lyons Station: Built in 1931, this station is used by more passengers. It serves the southern parts of Basking Ridge.
Buses in Basking Ridge
Buses also offer service to Midtown Manhattan. This is during busy commuting times.
Major Roads Near Basking Ridge
Two big highways are close to Basking Ridge:
- Interstate 78: You can take this road west towards Pennsylvania. Or you can go east towards New York City.
- Interstate 287: This highway goes north towards upstate New York. Or it goes south towards Edison.
Famous People from Basking Ridge
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Basking Ridge:
- J. C. Chandor (born 1974): A movie director. He was nominated for an Academy Award.
- Marc Del Gaizo (born 1999): A professional ice hockey player. He plays for the Nashville Predators.
- Scott Fischer (1955–1996): A famous mountain climber. He sadly died while trying to climb Mount Everest.
- Patricia Lee Gauch (born 1934): An author who writes books for children.
- Tobin Heath (born 1988): A two-time World Cup champion. She is also an Olympic gold medalist soccer player. She plays for the U.S. Women's National Team.
- Page McConnell (born 1963): The keyboard player for the popular band Phish.
- Meryl Streep (born 1949): A very famous actress. She has won many Oscars.
- LaDainian Tomlinson (born 1979): A former professional football player. He played for the San Diego Chargers.
- The founding members of the punk rock band The Bouncing Souls grew up here.
