Clinton Hill, Newark facts for kids

Clinton Hill is a neighborhood located in the south-central part of Newark, a city in Essex County, New Jersey. This area got its name from the old Clinton Township, which it used to be a part of. Clinton Avenue is the main road that runs through the neighborhood. Clinton Hill is bordered by Irvington to the west, Interstate 78 and Weequahic to the south, and Avon Avenue and Springfield/Belmont to the north.

Exploring Upper Clinton Hill

Upper Clinton Hill is mostly a place where people live. Many of the houses here are also used as offices by professionals like doctors or lawyers. You can find most of the shops and businesses along Clinton and Hawthorne Avenues. There are also shopping centers on Chancellor Avenue and near Springfield Avenue.

Closer to the main shopping streets, you'll see many homes that have been changed into two- or three-family houses. But on the quieter streets inside the neighborhood, there are lots of big, well-kept single-family homes. The Newark Public Library has its Madison branch in Upper Clinton Hill, which serves the community. The Woodland Cemetery is located at the northern edge of this area. The Newark Police Department also has its main office in Upper Clinton Hill.

Hawthorne Hill: A Part of Upper Clinton Hill

Hawthorne Hill is a specific section located in the southwest part of Upper Clinton Hill.

Discovering Lower Clinton Hill

Lower Clinton Hill has many empty lots and buildings that are no longer used. For example, the very first factory for M&M's candies was once located at 285 Badger Avenue, but now it's an empty space. You can find some shops and businesses along Avon Avenue and where Peddie Street and Elizabeth Avenue meet. There are also smaller, convenient stores scattered along Clinton Avenue and Bergen Street. The Newark Public Library serves this part of the neighborhood with its Clinton branch. In 2022, the Gant-Gilbert Arts Collective opened here, offering a space for art and creativity.

South Broad Valley: A Residential Spot

South Broad Valley, sometimes just called South Broad Street, is a small area mostly made up of homes. It's on the east side of Lower Clinton Hill, just south of Lincoln Park. This area is bordered by the McCarter Highway and the Northeast Corridor Line railway to the east, and Interstate 78 to the south. Malcolm X Shabazz High School is located in this neighborhood.

A Look at Clinton Hill's Past

The history of Clinton Hill dates back to the mid-1800s. A street called Tillinghast Street, which is three blocks long, is believed to be named after Philip Tillinghast. He was a wealthy businessman who moved to the area in 1854 or 1855 with his family from Manhattan.

At that time, many wealthy families were moving out of busy New York City neighborhoods. They were looking for quieter, more natural places to live, like the suburban areas being developed in New Jersey. Philip Tillinghast was one of these people. He helped create a community for well-off families in what was then Clinton Township. His home, possibly called Hawthorn Hill, was in this green area, surrounded by churches like St. Andrews Episcopal and First Presbyterian on Clinton Avenue.

Philip Tillinghast faced financial difficulties during the Panic of 1873, a major economic downturn. His daughter, Mary Elizabeth Tillinghast, became a famous artist known for her embroidery and stained glass windows. She worked on projects for places like Grace Church and the New-York Historical Society. After her father passed away in 1879, she moved back to New York City.

Over time, as Newark grew, different groups of people moved into the areas around this neighborhood. The original residents gradually moved further west. The area then became home to many Ukrainian-Americans and Jewish-Americans. Today, the neighborhood is mostly African-American.

Images for kids

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  St Andrews Episcopal Church

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  Bnai Abraham Deliverance Temple, a former synagogue on Clinton Avenue

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  Clinton at Shanley Street

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  Schiefler Park on Elizabeth Avenue

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  Riveria Hotel on Clinton Avenue

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  Former Kastner Mansion on Clinton Avenue

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  Saint Columba's Church

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  End of South Broad Street