The Amboys facts for kids

The Amboys are two cities in New Jersey that share a special connection. These cities are Perth Amboy and South Amboy. They are located in Middlesex County and sit across from each other on the Raritan Bay. Even though they have their own separate governments, people often talk about them together as "The Amboys." You might even see signs on highways like the New Jersey Turnpike that say "The Amboys" to guide you there!

Understanding The Amboys

The Amboys are two separate cities, but they are very close neighbors. They each have their own local government, which means they make their own rules and decisions for their citizens. However, because they are so close and share a history, people often refer to them as one area. For example, highway signs for Exit 11 on the New Jersey Turnpike or Exit 129 on the Garden State Parkway southbound point to "The Amboys" as a single destination.

Where Did the Name "Amboy" Come From?

The name "Amboy" has a long history! It started way back in 1651 when a man named August Herman bought some land. This land was purchased from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, who were the original people living there. The Lenni Lenape called this area "Ompoge."

Over time, the name "Ompoge" slowly changed. First, it became "Emboyle," then "Amboyle." When the city was officially formed in 1683, settlers started calling the area "Ambo" or "Amboy Point." Eventually, it became simply "Amboy." The Lenni Lenape name "Ompoge" means "place resembling a bowl," which might describe the shape of the land.

Why Is It Called "Perth Amboy"?

In 1686, something important happened: the settlement became the capital of a region called East Jersey. To celebrate this, the name "Perth" was added to "Amboy." This was done to honor one of the important owners of the land, who was known as the 1st Duke of Perth. So, "Perth Amboy" combines the original Native American name with a tribute to an important historical figure.