Summit, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Summit, New Jersey
City
Summit Skyline Watchung Reservation Springfield Avenue, Downtown Summit Overlook Medical Center Summit High School Summit station Twin Maples Summit Playhouse Victorian home on Kent Pl. Blvd
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Hill City
Location of Summit in Union County highlighted in yellow (left). Inset map: Location of Union County in New Jersey highlighted in black (right).
Census Bureau map of Summit, New Jersey
Summit, New Jersey Location in Union County, New Jersey Show map of Union County, New Jersey Summit, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Summit, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Union
Settled	1710
Incorporation	March 23, 1869 as Township
Incorporation	March 8, 1899 as City
Named for	Summit Lodge or "summit of the Short Hills"
Government
• Type	City
• Body	Common Council
Area
• Total	6.04 sq mi (15.66 km2)
• Land	5.99 sq mi (15.52 km2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)  0.84%
Area rank	255th of 565 in state 7th of 21 in county
Elevation	374 ft (114 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	22,719
• Estimate  (2023)	22,344
• Rank	119th of 565 in state 9th of 21 in county
• Density	3,790.3/sq mi (1,463.4/km2)
• Density rank	172nd of 565 in state 15th of 21 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	07901, 07902
Area code	908
FIPS code	3403971430
GNIS feature ID	085412

Summit is a city in Union County, New Jersey, in the United States. It's located in the New York metropolitan area, which means it's close to New York City. Summit sits on a ridge and is known as a place where people live and then travel to work in New York City. It's also a business center. In 2020, about 22,719 people lived in Summit.

Summit became a township on March 23, 1869, and then a city on March 8, 1899. The name "Summit" might come from its high location on the Second Watchung Mountain. It could also be named after the Summit Lodge, a house where a famous judge named James Kent lived. Another idea is that a local sawmill owner helped the Morris and Essex Railroad build a route to "the summit of the Short Hills."

History of Summit, New Jersey

Early Beginnings: 18th Century

The land where Summit is now was bought from Native Americans in 1664. The first European settlers arrived around 1710. Summit was first called "Turkey Hill." During the American Revolutionary War, it was known as "Beacon Hill." This was because bonfires were lit on a ridge in Summit. These fires warned New Jersey soldiers when British troops were coming.

For a long time, Summit was called the "Heights over Springfield." It was considered part of New Providence. Over time, Springfield Township split into different towns. Eventually, only Summit and New Providence were still connected.

Growth and Change: 19th Century

In 1837, the Morris and Essex Railroad was built through "The Summit" hill. This name was later shortened to Summit. The railroad helped Summit grow faster than New Providence because it had a train station. In 1869, Summit and New Providence became separate towns. Summit was officially named the "Township of Summit."

By the late 1800s, the area changed from farms to fancy estates. In 1899, Summit became known as the City of Summit. During this time, many wealthy people from New York City came to Summit for fresh air. They would stay in large hotels and inns.

Summit's original town hall, built in 1892

Modern Times: 20th and 21st Centuries

In the early 1900s, Summit saw a lot of new buildings. A new railway, the Rahway Valley Railroad, connected Summit to other areas. There was also a trolley line that went through Summit to Newark.

After World War II, many people moved to Summit. They wanted to live outside New York City and travel to work. This is when Summit became known for its tree-lined streets and beautiful houses.

In 1965, the famous band The Velvet Underground played their first paid concert at Summit High School.

Summit's 9/11 memorial, located next to the Summit train station

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Summit created a memorial. It is located next to the train station. This memorial honors those who were lost.

Summit has often been ranked as one of the best places to live in New Jersey. In 2019, it was ranked the second-best place.

Geography of Summit

Downtown Summit from the southeast

Summit covers about 6.05 square miles (15.66 square kilometers). Most of this is land. It is about 20 miles (32 km) west of Manhattan.

Springfield Avenue is the main street in Summit. The city is surrounded by other towns. These include Millburn, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Mountainside, and Springfield Township.

People and Population

Summit is a popular place for people who work in finance. Many residents work in banking and real estate. They often choose Summit because of its large houses, good schools, and easy train access to Manhattan.

Economy and Businesses

Overlook Medical Center is on a hill above the town with views of the Manhattan skyline

Summit is home to several important companies and organizations:

• Bristol Myers Squibb is a large biotechnology company. It is the biggest corporate taxpayer in Summit.
• Overlook Medical Center is a hospital located on a hill. It offers great views of the Manhattan skyline. It is part of the Atlantic Health System.
• Whiptail Technologies makes special computer storage devices.
• Hibernia Atlantic is a company that provides transatlantic undersea cables.

Arts and Culture

The Summit Opera House

A musician performs as part of Summit Street Sounds

The Summit Opera House was built in the 1890s. It was a place for entertainment without alcohol. Today, it has a restaurant, church, offices, and apartments.

The Summit Playhouse puts on live plays. The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is a regional art center. It has an art school and art shows.

You can go horseback riding at the Watchung stables. These stables have been in the Watchung Reservation since the 1930s. Summit also has a public art program called Summit Public Art. It brings art to public places. The city also supports local musicians through its Summit Street Sounds program.

In 2024, it was announced that Summit will be the site of the first temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Jersey.

Parks and Recreation

The Summit Community Center was updated in 2019. It has two gyms, a lounge for senior citizens, and a game room.

Local Parks and Natural Areas

The Watchung Reservation in autumn.

Briant Park in summer.

• Reeves-Reed Arboretum teaches people about nature and plants. It also helps preserve a historic estate.
• Briant Park is owned by Union County. It covers about 30.3 acres. It has a pond for ice-skating and fishing. There are also picnic areas and athletic fields.
• Hidden Valley Park is also owned by Union County. It has about 70.4 acres of undeveloped land. It connects to Briant Park.
• Passaic River Parkway includes six small park areas along the Passaic River. These areas are mostly undeveloped.
• Watchung Reservation is a large nature reserve. It covers about 1,945 acres. It has a lake called Lake Surprise.

Future Rail Trail

As of 2022, a new walking path called the Summit Park Line is being built. It will be about 1.2 miles long. It will run from Morris Avenue to Briant Park. This path mostly follows an old railroad line. It will connect downtown Summit, parks, and nature areas. It will also offer views of the Manhattan skyline.

People are also hoping to turn the entire abandoned Rahway Valley Railroad line into a walking trail. This would create a 7.3-mile path. It would connect several county parks.

Education in Summit

Jefferson School, one of Summit's five elementary schools

Students in Summit attend schools run by the Summit Public Schools. The district has nine schools. In the 2022–23 school year, about 3,950 students were enrolled.

The schools include:

• Jefferson Primary Center (PreK-K)
• Wilson Primary Center (PreK-K)
• Brayton School (Grades 1–5)
• Franklin School (Grades 1–5)
• Jefferson School (Grades 1–5)
• Lincoln-Hubbard School (Grades 1–5)
• Washington School (Grades 1–5)
• Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School (Grades 6–8)
• Summit High School (Grades 9–12)

The school board has seven members. They are appointed by the mayor. They help set rules and manage the schools.

Private Schools in Summit

• Kent Place School is a school for girls from preschool through 12th grade. It was founded in 1894.
• Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is for boys and girls in kindergarten through 6th grade. It's only for girls in grades 7-12.
• Oratory Preparatory School is for students in grades 7-12. It started in 1907.
• St. Teresa of Avila School is for preschool and kindergarten.

Youth Sports

Summit's Family Aquatic Center

Summit has many sports programs for kids. These include basketball, baseball, soccer, and football. The Recreation Center and the YMCA organize these programs. The YMCA has a swim team called the Summit Area YMCA "Seals."

Soccer is popular, with a travel soccer program run by the Summit Soccer Club. This club helps young players develop their skills.

Lacrosse is also a very popular sport in Summit. Summit High School's boys' team has won many state titles. They even won 68 games in a row from 2009 to 2011. Kids can start learning lacrosse in first grade through the Summit Lacrosse Club. Many players from Summit have gone on to play in college.

Real Estate and Homes

View of houses after a snowfall

Homes in Summit are quite expensive. In 2018, the average home price was about $987,583. Property taxes are also high. In 2018, the average property tax bill was about $17,930.

Summit, like many suburban towns, has rules about housing. These rules often require single-family houses on large lots. This can make housing more expensive. However, many families choose Summit for its good schools and services.

Landmarks and Interesting Places

Chapel of the Dominican Nuns monastery

The Summit Diner

Horse trough in winter

Summit Public Library in 2009

• The Summit Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• The Carter House, built in 1741, is Summit's oldest known building. It's now home to the Summit Historical Society.
• The DeBary Inn was built in 1880. It later became a hotel and now serves as an "executive boutique inn."
• The Grand Summit Hotel hosts many events.
• The Kent Place School campus includes the Mabie House, built in 1931.
• The Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary is on Springfield Avenue.
• The Summit Diner, built in 1938, is said to be the oldest operating diner in New Jersey.
• Summit Free Public Library offers books, CDs, DVDs, and internet access.
• Twin Maples is a historic building from 1908. It is home to the Summit Fortnightly Club.

Transportation

Interstate 78 in Summit

Summit has many roads, including Route 24, Route 124, and Interstate 78. Parking can sometimes be a challenge in the city.

Public Transportation Options

Summit Station

NJ Transit trains offer frequent service from Summit station. You can travel to Penn Station or Hoboken Terminal. The train ride to New York City takes about 35 to 50 minutes.

NJ Transit also provides bus service to and from Newark. Lakeland Bus Lines offers direct bus service to Manhattan during busy travel times.

Newark Liberty International Airport is only about 15 minutes away by car.

Media and News

Summit residents can read daily newspapers like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Locally, the Summit Herald-Dispatch and the Independent Press are weekly newspapers. There is also an online news source called The Alternative Press.

Summit has its own cable TV station, HTTV. It provides local programming and live streaming.

Famous People from Summit

Non-Profit and Charitable Groups

Summit has many groups that help the community:

• Other Fellow First Foundation: This group helps New Jersey families in need. They raise money for various causes, like providing meals to seniors.
• GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for our Community's Essentials): This all-volunteer group provides food and basic items to families in need.
• Bridges Outreach: This organization delivers meals, clothing, and other supplies to people experiencing homelessness in Summit and nearby cities.
• SHIP (Summit Helping Its People): This group provides lunch and dinner meals to homeless people.
• Summit Marches On: This group works to support the community. They help senior citizens with grocery shopping and connect volunteers with charities.
• Empowering Kids Organization: This group helps underprivileged kids by connecting their families with tutoring, camps, and art classes.
• Family Promise: This organization helps homeless and low-income families become independent.

Images for kids

• 

  The Rahway Valley Railroad at Summit c. 1910s

• 

  View looking North across Lackawanna Railroad Bridge into Business Section, c. 1940

See also

In Spanish: Summit (Nueva Jersey) para niños