Forest Hill, Newark, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Forest Hill Historic District
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"The Castle" in Forest Hill
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 Location in Essex County, New Jersey
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Verona Avenue, Mt. Prospect Avenue, 2nd Avenue and Branch Brook Park, Newark, New Jersey |
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| Area | 256 acres (104 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001193 |
| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1990 |
Forest Hill is a historic neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. It is located in Essex County, New Jersey. This area was mostly built before World War II. It sits in the North Ward of Newark.
The neighborhood is bordered by Branch Brook Park to the west. Bloomfield Avenue forms its southern edge. To the east, you'll find Summer and Mt. Prospect Avenues. The neighborhood's ZIP Code is 07104.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Discovering Forest Hill's History
Forest Hill is built on a ridge. This ridge is between the Passaic River and the Branch Brook valley. The area was first developed by Elias Heller. He owned a factory in North Newark. Heller Parkway is named after him today.
How Forest Hill Grew
From the 1870s to the 1920s, many rich families from Newark built their homes here. They created hundreds of large, beautiful houses. These homes were built in many different styles. Some styles include Beaux-Arts, Victorian, and Colonial Revival. There were also Gothic Revival and Spanish Revival homes.
One example is the Wright-Clark house. It is a Tudor style manor. It was built in the early 1900s. Besides homes, people also built social clubs. These clubs were for reading and other activities.
Important Landmarks in Forest Hill
Other important places in Forest Hill include the old Tiffany factory. This factory made famous stained glass. Another landmark is the Ballantine Gate. The North End and Branch Brook Park branches of the Newark Public Library serve the neighborhood.
The Sydenham House is also in Forest Hill. It was built in 1712. This makes it the oldest private home in Newark. It was later made bigger in the early 1800s. D.J. and Elizabeth Henderson fixed it up in the 1950s.
Forest Hill's Community and Preservation
Forest Hill is a well-kept neighborhood. Most of its old homes are still standing. Few have been torn down or changed into apartments. The northern part of Forest Hill is a special historic district. A marker there tells about its history. This marker was put up by The Newark Preservation and Landmarks Committee. This group helps take care of Newark's past.
Exploring Historic Homes
Sometimes, you can take special tours of the neighborhood. Organizations like the New Jersey Historical Society help with these tours. Homeowners open their houses to visitors. The Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association also helps. The Forest Hill Community Association works with the neighborhood. They offer chances to volunteer. They also host many community events. This area is known for being calm and having a diverse community.
Getting Around Forest Hill
Several stations for the Newark Light Rail system are nearby. These include the Bloomfield Avenue, Davenport Avenue, and Branch Brook Park stations. These help people travel around the area.
Famous People from Forest Hill
Many interesting people have lived in Forest Hill. Here are some of them:
- Robert Altenkirch: He was the President of the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
- Peter Ballantine (1791–1883): He started Newark's Patterson & Ballantine Brewing Company in 1840.
- Maria Jeritza (1887–1982): She was a famous opera singer.
- Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933): He was an artist and designer. He is best known for his beautiful stained glass work.
- William Hayes Ward (1835–1916): He was a clergyman and editor. He worked for The Independent, an important newspaper that supported ending slavery.
Images for kids
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Forest Hill Presbyterian Church
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The Ballantine gates were given to Branch Brook Park by Peter Ballantine in 1899. They are modeled on gates in Scotland.
