Union Hill, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Union Hill
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The public library on Main Street (today 43rd Street) on the corner of New York Avenue in Union Hill, New Jersey, which is today Union City
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County |  Hudson |
| Founded | March 29, 1864 |
| Merged | June 1, 1925 |
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 4,640 | — | |
| 1880 | 5,849 | 26.1% | |
| 1890 | 10,643 | 82.0% | |
| 1900 | 15,187 | 42.7% | |
| 1910 | 21,023 | 38.4% | |
| 1920 | 20,651 | −1.8% | |
| source: 1870-1920 | |||
Union Hill was a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. It existed from 1864 until June 1, 1925. On that date, it joined with West Hoboken to create a new, larger city called Union City.
Contents
History of Union Hill
Early Land and People
The land that became Union Hill was first home to the Lenape Native Americans. They spoke the Munsee language. These Indigenous people lived in the large forests of the area.
In 1609-1610, Henry Hudson explored this region for the Dutch. He claimed the land, including what is now New York City. He named it New Netherland.
Dutch and British Control
In 1658, the Dutch bought the land that would become Hudson County. They bought it from the Hackensack tribe of the Lenape. The payment included items like wampum (beads used as currency), cloth, kettles, and guns.
The Dutch built a fortified village called Bergen in 1660. This was to protect the area from conflicts over land. Bergen was the first lasting European settlement in New Jersey. It is now part of Jersey City.
In 1664, the British took control of New Netherland from the Dutch. The area of Bergen Township then covered what is now Hudson County. North of this was a wild area called Bergen Woods.
How Union Hill Was Formed
The British gave Bergen a new town charter in 1668. In 1682, they created Bergen County. This county included present-day Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic counties.
By the early 1800s, the southern part of Bergen County had grown. So, in 1840, the New Jersey government created Hudson County.
In 1843, Hudson County was split into two townships. One was Old Bergen Township (now Jersey City). The other was North Bergen Township.
North Bergen Township was gradually divided into smaller towns. These included Hoboken (1849), Weehawken and Guttenberg (1859).
Union Township was formed in 1864 from part of North Bergen. People often called it Union Hill. Union Hill was made up of several smaller villages like Dalleytown. The largest village, Union Hill, gave its name to the whole town.
Union Hill officially became a town on March 29, 1864. More land from North Bergen was added in 1866. The town was re-established on March 27, 1874. Later, the northern part of Union Township became West New York in 1898.
Union Hill joined with West Hoboken to form Union City on June 1, 1925. Today, Union Hill Middle School in Union City keeps the old town's name alive.
Commerce and Shopping
Union Hill's main shopping area was Bergen Turnpike. This road was on the border with West Hoboken.
Another important shopping street was Bergenline Avenue. It used to be a path for cows. It became a busy commercial street after a change in plans. Streetcar tracks were supposed to go on Palisade Avenue. But a person named Henry Kohlmeier didn't want the noise. He suggested putting the tracks on Bergenline Avenue instead.
Today, Bergenline Avenue is still Union City's main shopping street. It is the longest commercial avenue in New Jersey.
Notable People from Union Hill
- Paul Jappe (1898–1989), an NFL football player.
- Eugene Jolas (1894–1952), a writer, translator, and literary critic.
- Anne Ceridwen Rees (1874–1905), a doctor from Wales who worked in Union Hill.
- Jules Couche (1847-1915), a French inventor and machinist.
