Boonton, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boonton, New Jersey
Town
Boonton Public Library, listed on the NRHP
logo
Motto(s):  A Great Place to Live and Work
Location of Boonton in Morris County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Morris County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
Census Bureau map of Boonton, New Jersey
Boonton, New Jersey Location in Morris County, New Jersey Show map of Morris County, New Jersey Boonton, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Boonton, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Morris
Formed	March 16, 1866
Reincorporated	March 18, 1867
Named for	Thomas Boone
Government
• Type	Town
• Body	Town Council
Area
• Total	2.49 sq mi (6.44 km2)
• Land	2.34 sq mi (6.07 km2)
• Water	0.14 sq mi (0.38 km2)  6.39%
Area rank	374th of 565 in state 31st of 39 in county
Elevation	397 ft (121 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,815
• Estimate  (2023)	8,821
• Rank	269th of 565 in state 22nd of 39 in county
• Density	3,775.2/sq mi (1,457.6/km2)
• Density rank	174th of 565 in state 8th of 39 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07005
Area code(s)	973
FIPS code	3402706610
GNIS feature ID	0885164

Boonton is a town in Morris County, New Jersey. In 2020, about 8,815 people lived here. The town was first called "Boone-Towne" in 1761. This name honored Thomas Boone, who was a governor back then.

Boonton officially became a town on March 16, 1866. It became fully independent a year later, on March 18, 1867. The town started growing around 1829. This happened because the Morris Canal was being built. Also, the New Jersey Iron Company was formed. The original town area is now mostly covered by the Jersey City Reservoir. This reservoir was finished in 1904. In 1908, its water was the first public water supply in the U.S. to be treated with chlorine.

Discover Boonton's Past: A Journey Through Time

During the 1700s, a settlement called Booneton Falls began. It was located on the Rockaway River. An iron forge started operating there in 1747. It used local iron ore and water power. As the ironworks grew, a community formed in 1761. They named it "Boone-Towne" after Governor Thomas Boone.

The current town of Boonton grew separately. The old settlement was mostly abandoned after 1830. This was because a new canal changed trade routes. The site of Old Boonton is now under the Jersey City reservoir.

Boonton's Iron Industry: A Strong Foundation

The Boonton Iron Works started around 1770. Samuel Ogden bought land along the Rockaway River. During the American Revolutionary War, the ironworks made many iron products for the military. After the war, the business continued under different owners.

In 1830, a group of New York City businessmen started the New Jersey Iron Company. They brought machinery and ironworkers from England. A new community, called Booneton Falls, grew around the mills. The main street of this new town was built on a cliff. It overlooked the Rockaway River. This street was said to follow an old Native American trail.

The new Iron Company did well for almost 50 years. But like many towns back then, Booneton Falls depended on one industry. When the company closed in 1876, the town almost collapsed. Today, only small parts of the old ironworks remain. They are found in the "Hollow" near the river.

Other Industries: From Silk to Plastics

After the ironworks closed, new businesses came to Boonton. One of the first was a silk factory. It later became Van Raalte, Inc. Other factories made knives, paper, and nails. A brass and iron foundry also opened. The Morris Canal was still used, even as railroads became more popular.

The Lackawanna Railroad built its Boonton Branch in 1870. This gave jobs to many people. It also allowed residents to travel to New York City for work. Many small businesses like blacksmiths and bakeries also thrived.

In 1891, the Loanda Hard Rubber Company started. They made molded rubber products. Later, in 1906, Richard W. Seabury learned about new synthetic resins. These were invented by Leo Baekeland. In 1907, Seabury used this new material to make the world's first molded organic plastics. This led to "Boontonware," a popular plastic dinnerware sold across the country.

George Scribner continued the plastics business. His company, Boonton Molding, made Boontonware dinnerware in the 1950s and 1960s. George Scribner was even added to the Plastics Hall of Fame. He was a pioneer in developing molding techniques.

The plastics industry attracted radio and electronics companies. In the 1920s, the growing radio industry needed many molded parts. Richard W. Seabury started Radio Frequency Laboratories. Many other electronics companies grew from this. They were known worldwide for their excellent products. The Boonton Radio Co. made a special test instrument called a Q meter. Many of these companies were later bought by larger corporations.

In 1917, E.A. Stevenson & Company opened the "Butter Works." They processed coconut and other vegetable oils. They also made margarine. This plant became one of the largest edible oil processors in the U.S. It was Boonton's biggest industry in the 1900s. The plant closed in the early 1990s. A Walmart store was later built on the site.

In recent years, Boonton has become known for its art. Several art galleries have opened on Main Street. This area is often called the Boonton Art District. The galleries hold special art walks each month.

Boonton's Natural Beauty: Geography and Climate

Boonton covers about 2.49 square miles (6.46 square kilometers). Most of it is land, with a small amount of water.

The Rockaway River flows through the Boonton Gorge downtown. It has exciting whitewater rapids. There is also a waterfall that is 25 feet (7.6 meters) high.

Boonton is surrounded by other towns in Morris County. These include Boonton Township, Montville, Mountain Lakes, and Parsippany-Troy Hills.

Weather in Boonton: What to Expect

Boonton has a climate with warm summers and cold winters. The hottest month is usually July, with average highs around 85.4°F (29.7°C). The coldest month is January, with average lows around 20.6°F (-6.3°C). The town gets a good amount of rain throughout the year.

Boonton's People: Population and Diversity

In 2010, Boonton had 8,347 people living in 3,235 households. The population density was about 3,574.6 people per square mile. Most residents were White (78.81%). There were also Black or African American (4.82%), Asian (10.05%), and Native American (0.31%) residents. About 11.02% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average household had 2.54 people. About 29.0% of households had children under 18. The median age in Boonton was 39.4 years.

Sports and Recreation in Boonton

North Stars Gymnastics Academy is a gymnastics center in Boonton. It is home to many talented gymnasts.

Entrance to Grace Lord Park

Grace Lord Park offers fun activities and hiking trails. You can also see Boonton Falls from the park.

Boonton's Government and How it Works

Boonton Town Hall

Boonton has a "town" form of government. This means it has a Mayor and a Town Council. The council used to be called the Board of Aldermen. But in 2021, they changed the name to Town Council. This was to be more inclusive. The Mayor is elected for a four-year term. The Town Council has eight members. They are elected for two-year terms. Two members are chosen from each of the four wards (areas) of the town.

As of 2025, the Mayor of Boonton is James Lynch. His term ends in 2027. The Town Council members include John Meehan, Daniel Ballan, Marie DeVenezia, Jacob W. Hettrich, Alexis Minson, Robert Murray, Benjamin Weisman, and Cy Wekilsky.

Boonton's Role in State and National Government

Boonton is part of the 11th Congressional District for national elections. For state elections, it is in New Jersey's 26th legislative district.

New Jersey's Eleventh Congressional District is represented by Rodney Frelinghuysen (R, Harding Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019). For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 26th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph Pennacchio (R, Montville) and in the General Assembly by BettyLou DeCroce (R, Parsippany-Troy Hills) and Jay Webber (R, Morris Plains). Morris County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with either one or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary. As of 2024^[update], Morris County's Commissioners are:

John Krickus (R, Chatham Township, 2024), Director Christine Myers (R, Harding, 2025), Douglas Cabana (R, Boonton Township, 2025), Thomas J. Mastrangelo (R, Montville, 2025), Deputy Director Stephen H. Shaw (R, Mountain Lakes, 2024), Deborah Smith (R, Denville, 2024) and Tayfun Selen (R, Chatham Township, 2026)

The county's constitutional officers are: Clerk Ann F. Grossi (R, Parsippany–Troy Hills, 2028), Sheriff James M. Gannon (R, Boonton Township, 2025) and Surrogate Heather Darling (R, Roxbury, 2024).

Voting in Boonton: How Residents Participate

As of 2011, Boonton had over 5,000 registered voters. About 20.4% were Democrats, 38.8% were Republicans, and 40.7% were not affiliated with a party.

In the 2012 presidential election, Barack Obama (Democrat) received 51.6% of the votes. Mitt Romney (Republican) received 47.2%. In the 2013 governor's election, Chris Christie (Republican) received 67.2% of the votes. Barbara Buono (Democrat) received 30.3%.

Learning in Boonton: Schools and Education

The Boonton Public Schools serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade. In the 2020–21 school year, the district had about 1,457 students. There are three schools:

• School Street School (Pre-K to 2nd grade)
• John Hill School (3rd to 8th grade)
• Boonton High School (9th to 12th grade)

Boonton High School also welcomes students from Lincoln Park. This is part of a special agreement between the two towns.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School is a Catholic school. It serves students from preschool to eighth grade. This school has been open since 1882.

Getting Around Boonton: Transportation Options

As of 2010, Boonton had about 33.90 miles of roads. Most of these roads are maintained by the town.

Interstate 287 and U.S. Route 202 both pass through the center of Boonton.

Interstate 287 southbound in Boonton

Public Transport: Trains and Buses

The Boonton station offers train service on the NJ Transit Montclair-Boonton Line. You can take trains to Newark Broad Street Station, Penn Station New York, and Hoboken Terminal.

NJ Transit also provides local bus service on the 871 route. Lakeland Bus Lines offers express bus service. This route goes along Route 46 from Dover to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.

Fun Places to Visit in Boonton

• Arch Bridge from the Boonton Ironworks – This old stone bridge was built in 1866. It's important for its engineering. You can find it in Grace Lord Park.
• Garret Rickards House – This is one of two unique octagon houses on Cornelia Street.
• Morris Canal Greenway – This trail follows the path of the old Morris Canal. The Boonton section starts in Grace Lord Park.
• Greenwood Cemetery

Boonton Holmes Public Library: A Historic Treasure

The Boonton Holmes Public Library has been open since 1894. The building was given to the town by James Holmes. He wanted it to be a public library. James Holmes moved to Boonton in 1850. He was involved in many town improvements. He served as Mayor of Boonton and helped start the first Boonton National Bank.

The library building itself is very old. It was first built in 1849. James Holmes bought the property in 1856. He lived there until he passed away in 1893. He left his house and money to the Boonton Library Association. The library officially opened in 1894.

The library has always been on the first floor and in the basement. The upper floors have been used for businesses and apartments. The basement even housed the printing press for The Boonton Times newspaper for a while.

The Boonton Holmes Public Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Famous People from Boonton

Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Boonton:

• Othmar Ammann (1879–1965) – An engineer who designed famous bridges like the George Washington Bridge.
• Angelo Badalamenti (1937-2022) – A composer known for his film music.
• Amanda Bennett (born 1952) – A journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize.
• Anthony M. Bucco (born 1962) – A politician who serves in the New Jersey Senate.
• Helen Gahagan Douglas (1900–1980) – An actress and politician.
• Dean Gallo (1935–1994) – A politician who served in the U.S. Congress.
• John Hill (1821–1884) – A politician who represented New Jersey in Congress.
• Peter Onorati (born 1954) – An actor.

Images for kids

• 

  Rockaway River waterfall and rapids in the Boonton Gorge

• 

  Boonton Rubber Mfg. Co., 1917

See also

In Spanish: Boonton para niños