Pequannock Township, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pequannock Township, New Jersey
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Township
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Martin Berry House
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Location of Pequannock Township in Morris County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Morris County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
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Census Bureau map of Pequannock Township, New Jersey
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 Pequannock Township, New Jersey
Location in Morris County, New Jersey
Pequannock Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Pequannock Township, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| U.S. state |  New Jersey |
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| County |  Morris |
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| Formed | March 25, 1740 as Poquanock Township | |
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 as Pequanack Township | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (council–manager) | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 7.11 sq mi (18.41 km2) | |
| • Land | 6.79 sq mi (17.58 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.32 sq mi (0.83 km2) 4.53% | |
| Area rank | 243rd of 565 in state 21st of 39 in county |
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| Elevation | 203 ft (62 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 15,571 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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15,603 | |
| • Rank | 166th of 565 in state 14th of 39 in county |
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| • Density | 2,294.2/sq mi (885.8/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 271st of 565 in state 14th of 39 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
07440 – Pequannock
07444 – Pompton Plains |
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| Area code(s) | 973 | |
| FIPS code | 3402758110 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882208 | |
Pequannock Township (say it: pa-QUAN-nick) is a township in Morris County, New Jersey. It's a place where about 15,571 people live, based on the 2020 United States census. The main community here is called Pompton Plains.
The name "Pequannock" comes from the Lenni Lenape Native American word Paquettahhnuake. This word means "cleared land ready for farming." The name "Pompton" might mean "a place where they catch soft fish."
Pequannock Township has been recognized as a great place to live. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked it highly in its "Best Places to Live" lists. It was ranked 9th overall in 2011 and even 4th overall in 2015!
Contents
History of Pequannock Township
How Pequannock Township Started
The area was first called "Poquanick" way back on March 1, 1720. It became "Poquanock Township" on March 25, 1740. At that time, it was the largest township in the county. Dutch settlers bought the land in 1695 and 1696. The township officially became a town on February 21, 1798. This happened thanks to the New Jersey Legislature's Township Act of 1798.
Over many years, parts of Pequannock Township became new towns. These included Jefferson Township (1804), Rockaway Township (1844), Boonton Township (1867), Montville Township (1867), Butler Borough (1901), Kinnelon Borough (1922), Lincoln Park Borough (1922), and Riverdale Borough (1923).
Pequannock During Wars
During the American Revolutionary War, soldiers led by Comte de Rochambeau and George Washington camped in Pequannock. This was on the land where Pequannock Valley Middle School is today. It's believed that George Washington might have attended church services at the First Reformed Church in Pompton Plains.
The Mandeville Inn was built in 1788 on the site where soldiers camped. A stone from the inn, with the year it was built, is now inside the middle school. The inn was once owned by Garret Hobart, who later became Vice President of the United States.
During the American Civil War, Pequannock was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. The Giles Mandeville House, built in 1788, is thought to have been a safe place for many runaway slaves. This historic house is still standing today.
Historic Places to Visit
Pequannock Township has several interesting historic sites:
- Ackerson Mead Clark House: A beautiful mansion built in the 1870s.
- Giles Mandeville House: An old stone house, important for its role in the Underground Railroad.
- Martin Berry House: A Dutch home built in 1720, making it one of the oldest in Pequannock.
- Pompton dam: Built in 1837 to provide water for the Morris Canal.
- Pompton Plains Railroad Station: Built in 1872, this old train station now serves as the Pequannock Township Museum. It's a great place to learn about local history.
Geography and Location
Pequannock Township covers about 7.11 square miles (18.41 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small part being water.
Where is Pequannock Township?
Pequannock is in the eastern part of Morris County, New Jersey. It's about 5 miles north of where Route 23 meets Interstate 80. Interstate 287 also crosses the northwest part of the township. Pequannock Township is located about 20 miles west of New York City.
Neighboring Towns
Pequannock Township shares borders with several other towns:
- In Morris County: Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, and Riverdale.
- In Passaic County: Pompton Lakes and Wayne.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 3,853 | * | — |
| 1820 | 3,820 | −0.9% | |
| 1830 | 4,355 | 14.0% | |
| 1840 | 5,190 | 19.2% | |
| 1850 | 4,126 | * | −20.5% |
| 1860 | 5,438 | 31.8% | |
| 1870 | 1,534 | * | −71.8% |
| 1880 | 2,239 | 46.0% | |
| 1890 | 2,862 | 27.8% | |
| 1900 | 3,250 | 13.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,921 | * | −40.9% |
| 1920 | 2,291 | 19.3% | |
| 1930 | 2,104 | * | −8.2% |
| 1940 | 2,856 | 35.7% | |
| 1950 | 5,254 | 84.0% | |
| 1960 | 10,553 | 100.9% | |
| 1970 | 14,350 | 36.0% | |
| 1980 | 13,776 | −4.0% | |
| 1990 | 12,844 | −6.8% | |
| 2000 | 13,888 | 8.1% | |
| 2010 | 15,540 | 11.9% | |
| 2020 | 15,571 | 0.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 15,603 | 0.4% | |
| Population sources: 1800–1920 1840 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 * = Lost territory in previous decade. |
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In 2010, there were 15,540 people living in Pequannock Township. Most residents were White (95.76%). About 4.52% of the population was Hispanic or Latino. The average age of people living here was 46.2 years old.
Education in Pequannock
Public Schools
The Pequannock Township School District serves students from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade. As of the 2018–19 school year, there were 2,123 students in the district. There are five schools in total:
- Stephen J. Gerace Elementary School (grades K–5)
- Hillview Elementary School (grades K–5)
- North Boulevard Elementary School (grades K–5)
- Pequannock Valley School (grades 6–8)
- Pequannock Township High School (grades 9–12)
Private Schools
There are also some private schools in the area:
- Holy Spirit School: A Catholic school for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
- Kolbe Immaculata School: Another Catholic school for grades 1–8.
- Netherlands Reformed Christian School: Serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Chancellor Academy: A school for students in sixth through twelfth grades. It helps students who might not do well in a traditional school setting.
Getting Around Pequannock
Roads and Highways
Pequannock Township has many roads. Two important highways are Interstate 287 and Route 23. These roads help people travel easily through and out of the township.
Public Transportation
You can use public transportation to get around.
- Trains: The NJ Transit Mountain View and Lincoln Park train stations are nearby. They offer service on the Montclair-Boonton Line to Hoboken Terminal.
- Buses: NJ Transit also provides bus service on the 194 line. This bus can take you to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Famous People from Pequannock
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Pequannock Township:
- Jason Biggs (born 1978): An actor known for the American Pie movies.
- Derek Jeter (born 1974): A famous former baseball player for the New York Yankees.
- Danny Kass (born 1982): An Olympic snowboarder.
- French Montana (born 1984): A well-known rapper.
- Danielle Rose Russell (born 1999): An actress who has appeared in TV shows like The Originals and Legacies.
- Pete Yorn (born 1974): A singer-songwriter and musician.
Images for kids
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Martin Berry House
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Location of Pequannock Township in Morris County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Morris County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
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Coat of arms
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Census Bureau map of Pequannock Township, New Jersey
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Interstate 287 southbound in Pequannock Township
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Pequannock para niños
