Bordentown, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bordentown, New Jersey
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City
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Clara Barton School
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Location of Bordentown in Burlington County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Burlington County in New Jersey highlighted in red (left).
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Census Bureau map of Bordentown, New Jersey
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 Bordentown, New Jersey
Location in Burlington County, New Jersey
Bordentown, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Bordentown, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County | Burlington | |
| Settled | 1682 | |
| Incorporated | December 9, 1825 (as borough) | |
| Reincorporated | April 3, 1867 (as city) | |
| Named for | Joseph Borden | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Walsh Act | |
| • Body | Board of Commissioners | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 0.97 sq mi (2.52 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.94 sq mi (2.42 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) 4.02% | |
| Area rank | 504th of 565 in state 36th of 40 in county |
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| Elevation | 49 ft (15 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,993 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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4,021 | |
| • Rank | 414th of 565 in state 31st of 40 in county |
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| • Density | 4,272.7/sq mi (1,649.7/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 145th of 565 in state 4th of 40 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08505
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| Area code(s) | 609 exchanges: 291, 298, 324, 424 | |
| FIPS code | 3400506670 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885165 | |
| Website | ||
Bordentown is a small city located in Burlington County, in the state of New Jersey. In 2020, about 3,993 people lived there.
The city is special because it sits where three waterways meet: the Delaware River, Blacks Creek, and Crosswicks Creek. Crosswicks Creek also forms the border between Burlington and Mercer counties. Bordentown is the northernmost city in New Jersey that is part of the larger Philadelphia-Reading-Camden area. It's about halfway between Center City, Philadelphia and Midtown Manhattan. It's also close to Trenton, the state capital.
The first European settlers came to this area in 1682. It was first called Farnsworth's Landing. Later, in 1717, it was renamed Borden's Town after Joseph Borden. Bordentown officially became a borough in 1825 and then a city in 1867.
Contents
History of Bordentown
Early Settlement and Growth
The first European settler in the Bordentown area was English Quaker, Thomas Farnsworth, in 1682. He built his home overlooking the Delaware River. This spot, known as "Farnsworth Landing," quickly became a busy trading center. One of Bordentown's main streets, Farnsworth Avenue, is named after him.
In 1717, Joseph Borden arrived. He started a transportation system in 1740 to move people and goods between New York City and Philadelphia. Bordentown was a perfect spot because it was the closest point on the Delaware River to Perth Amboy, which had ferries to New York City.
Patience Wright, America's first female sculptor, grew up in Bordentown in the 1730s.
Bordentown During the American Revolution
By 1776, Bordentown was full of Patriots. Joseph Borden's son, also named Joseph Borden, became a colonel in the American Revolutionary War. Other important patriots like Thomas Paine and Francis Hopkinson (who signed the United States Declaration of Independence) also lived here.
Hessian troops, who were German soldiers fighting for the British, briefly took over Bordentown in 1776. They left to fight in the Battle of Iron Works Hill. In 1777 and 1778, British forces raided Bordentown. They burned buildings and destroyed American military supplies and ships.
Innovations and Notable Residents
In 1831, a skilled mechanic named Isaac Dripps from Bordentown put together the famous John Bull locomotive in just 10 days. This locomotive was built in England and became one of the first successful trains in the United States. Today, the John Bull is kept at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Another famous person from Bordentown was Clara Barton. In 1852, she started New Jersey's first free public school right here. Later, she went on to found the American Red Cross. You can still see a recreation of her schoolhouse today.
In 1866, artist Susan Waters moved to Bordentown. She taught art and painted many pictures, especially of animals and nature. She also exhibited her work at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876.
Schools and Religious Orders
The Bordentown Military Institute opened in 1881 in a building that was once a girls' seminary. In 1886, Rev. Walter A. Rice started a private school for African-American children. This school later became the public Bordentown School in 1894. It grew into a large campus with farms and programs for both vocational skills and college preparation. The Bordentown School operated until 1955.
In 1909, a religious group called the Poor Clares opened a convent in Bordentown. The building is now an assisted living community.
Joseph Bonaparte's Estate
After his family was exiled from France in 1816, Joseph Bonaparte, the former King of Naples and Spain and older brother of Napoleon I of France, came to Bordentown. He bought a large property called the Point Breeze Estate. He lived there for 17 years and hosted many famous guests, including Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams, who later became the 6th U.S. President.
The people of Bordentown called him "The Good Mr. Bonaparte." He built a large lake on his estate. Today, only small parts of the original estate remain, like the ruins of a building, some garden hedges, a tunnel to the river, and his secretary's house. The Divine Word Mission now stands where his home once was.
Geography
Bordentown City covers about 0.97 square miles (2.52 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.
The city is mostly surrounded by Bordentown Township. To the west, it meets the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek, which forms the border with Hamilton Township in Mercer County. Important roads like U.S. Route 130 and U.S. Route 206 are on its eastern side. Across the Delaware River is Falls Township in Pennsylvania.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 2,725 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,130 | −58.5% | |
| 1880 | 4,258 | — | |
| 1890 | 4,232 | −0.6% | |
| 1900 | 4,110 | −2.9% | |
| 1910 | 4,250 | 3.4% | |
| 1920 | 4,371 | 2.8% | |
| 1930 | 4,405 | 0.8% | |
| 1940 | 4,223 | −4.1% | |
| 1950 | 5,497 | 30.2% | |
| 1960 | 4,974 | −9.5% | |
| 1970 | 4,490 | −9.7% | |
| 1980 | 4,441 | −1.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,341 | −2.3% | |
| 2000 | 3,969 | −8.6% | |
| 2010 | 3,924 | −1.1% | |
| 2020 | 3,993 | 1.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 4,021 | 2.5% | |
| Population sources: 1850–2000 1850–1920 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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2010 Census Details
In 2010, Bordentown had 3,924 people living in 1,859 households. About 83.5% of the people were White, 10.1% were Black or African American, and 2.7% were Asian. About 5.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 18.4% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age in Bordentown was 40.3 years.
Local Economy
Downtown Bordentown has many interesting shops. You can find book stores, record shops, and antique stores. There are also many restaurants, mostly Italian and American, but also Chinese, Japanese, and Latin-American food.
Government and Representation
Bordentown City is part of the 3rd Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives. It is also part of New Jersey's 7th state legislative district. These districts help decide who represents Bordentown in the state and national governments.
New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District is represented by Tom MacArthur (R, Toms River). 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 7th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Diane Allen (R, Edgewater Park Township) and in the General Assembly by Herb Conaway (D, Moorestown) and Troy Singleton (D, Palmyra). Burlington County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are chosen at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year; at an annual reorganization meeting, the board selects a director and deputy director from among its members to serve a one-year term. As of 2024[update], Burlington County's Commissioners are: Director Felicia Hopson (D, Willingboro Township, 2024), Tom Pullion (D, Edgewater Park, 2026), Allison Eckel (D, Medford, 2025), Deputy Director Daniel J. O'Connell (D, Delran Township, 2024) and Balvir Singh (D, Burlington Township, 2026).
Burlington County's Constitutional Officers are: Clerk Joanne Schwartz (D, Southampton Township, 2028) Sheriff James H. Kostoplis (D, Bordentown, 2025) and Surrogate Brian J. Carlin (D, Burlington Township, 2026).
Education
Public Schools
Students in Bordentown City, along with those from Bordentown Township and Fieldsboro Borough, attend schools in the Bordentown Regional School District. This district has five schools for students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
The schools are:
- Clara Barton Elementary School (grades K–2)
- Peter Muschal Elementary School (grades Pre-K–5)
- MacFarland Intermediate School (grades 3–5)
- Bordentown Regional Middle School (grades 6–8)
- Bordentown Regional High School (grades 9–12)
Some students from New Hanover Township also attend Bordentown Regional High School. Students from all of Burlington County can also go to the Burlington County Institute of Technology for vocational and technical training.
Private Schools
Saint Mary School was a Catholic school that served students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade for over 100 years. It closed in 2013.
The Bordentown Military Institute was in the city from 1881 to 1972. Another school, a seminary for priests, was also in Bordentown from 1947 to 1983.
Transportation
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Roads and Highways
Bordentown has several important roads. U.S. Route 130 and U.S. Route 206 pass through the city. County Route 528 and County Route 545 also have their ends here. The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) and Interstate 295 are nearby in Bordentown Township, making it easy to travel to and from the city.
Public Transportation
The Bordentown station offers NJ Transit's River Line light rail service. This train connects Bordentown to Trenton and Camden. NJ Transit also provides bus service, like the 409 route, which travels between Trenton and Philadelphia.
Places of Worship
Bordentown City has more than 10 different places of worship. These include various churches and a synagogue, showing the diverse community.
Things to See and Do
Bordentown is a great place to visit, especially on weekends. People enjoy dining at its restaurants and exploring the unique book and antique stores. There are also historical sites and art galleries.
The local business group hosts fun events like the Iris Festival & Art Show in May, a Street Fair in May, and the Cranberry Festival in October. The Bordentown Historical Society also organizes events like the Holiday House Tour.
The Historical Society often has exhibits. In 2022, they showed items from Joseph Bonaparte, which even led to a visit from the French ambassador!
Crosswicks Creek Site III is an important historical site from the American Revolutionary War. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Point Breeze, Joseph Bonaparte's former home, is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Notable People from Bordentown
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Bordentown, including:
- Burgiss Allison (1753–1827), a chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Ricardo Almeida (born 1976), a mixed martial artist.
- Al Aronowitz (1928–2005), a rock journalist.
- Clara Barton (1821–1912), who started the first free public school in New Jersey and founded the American Red Cross.
- Charlotte Bonaparte (1802–1839), an artist and daughter of Joseph Bonaparte.
- Joseph Bonaparte (1768–1844), the former King of Naples and Spain, and brother of Napoleon.
- Denise Borino-Quinn (1964–2010), an actress.
- Herb Conaway (born 1963), a member of the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Erica Dambach (born 1975), a college soccer coach.
- Robert Duncan (born 1948), an Anglican bishop.
- Dionne Farris (born 1968), a singer-songwriter.
- Samuel C. Forker (1821–1900), who represented New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Peter Gamble (1793–1814), a midshipman who died in the War of 1812.
- Eric Gibbons (born 1966), an artist and gallery owner.
- Richard Watson Gilder (1844–1909), a poet and editor.
- Eric Hamilton (born 1953), a retired American football coach.
- Francis Hopkinson (1737–1791), a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Joseph Mailliard (1873–1945), an ornithologist.
- Joachim, 4th Prince Murat (1834–1901), a Major-General in the French Army.
- Gia Maione (1941–2013), a singer.
- Joseph R. Malone (born 1949), a former mayor of Bordentown.
- Edward McCall (1790–1853), a U.S. Navy officer during the War of 1812.
- Joseph Menna (born 1974), a sculptor.
- Rob Novak (born 1986), a runner.
- Thomas Paine (1737–1809), a famous writer and inspiration for the American and French Revolutions.
- Chris Prynoski (born 1971), an animator.
- Pete Reed (1989–2023), an aid worker.
- Danny Sammons (born 1984), a former stock car racing driver.
- Joshua Shaw (1776–1860), an English-American artist and inventor.
- Harry W. Shipps (1926–2016), a bishop.
- Charles Stewart (1778–1869), a U.S. Navy admiral.
- Ishod Wair (born 1991), a professional skateboarder.
- Susan Waters (1823–1900), a painter and photographer.
- Joseph Wright (1756–1793), an artist and engraver.
- Patience Wright (1725–1786), America's first native-born sculptor.
- Joshua M. Zeitz (born 1974), a historian and writer.
- August Zeller (1863–1918), a sculptor.
See also
In Spanish: Bordentown para niños
