Location of Pequannock Township in Morris County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Morris County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
Census Bureau map of Pequannock Township, New Jersey
The name "Pequannock", as used in the name of the township and of the Pequannock River, is thought to have been derived from the Lenni LenapeNative American word Paquettahhnuake, meaning "cleared land ready or being readied for cultivation".[23][24][25][26][27] The name "Pompton" has been cited by some sources to mean "a place where they catch soft fish".[28][29]
New Jersey Monthly ranked Pequannock Township as the "Best Bang for the Buck" in New Jersey and 9th overall in its 2011 edition of "Best Places to Live" in New Jersey.[30] It was then ranked 14th overall in the 2013 edition of "Best Places to Live".[31] In the 2015 edition of "Best Places to Live" in New Jersey, Pequannock ranked 4th overall.[32]
History
The name for the area goes back at least as far as March 1, 1720, when it was referred to as "Poquanick", a precinct in Hunterdon County. Formed as "Poquanock Township" on March 25, 1740,[33] as the county's largest township, what is now a 7.1-square-mile (18 km2) bedroom community with Pompton Plains in its northern portion and old Pequannock in its southern was once a vast 176-square-mile (460 km2) region of rural farmland settled by the Dutch after its purchase by Arent Schuyler and associates in 1695 and 1696.[34][35] The township was incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature's Township Act of 1798 as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships on February 21, 1798.[36]
During the American Revolutionary War, both Comte de Rochambeau and George Washington's troops camped on what is now the site of the Pequannock Valley Middle School. While Washington stayed at the Schuyler-Colfax House in nearby Pompton, unproven oral history states that he attended church services in the First Reformed Church located in Pompton Plains, also known as the Pompton Meeting House, which had been constructed in 1771. The Mandeville Inn, located on the site of where the soldiers had camped during the war, was built in 1788 and was once owned by Garret Hobart, later Vice President of the United States. The stone with the engraved date is now located inside the Pequannock Valley Middle School when the Inn was demolished and replaced with the school in 1950.[38]
During the Civil War, Pequannock was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Giles Mandeville House (also built in 1788), a field and quarry-stone structure located at 515 Newark-Pompton Turnpike, which is believed to have served as a waypoint for many runaway slaves, still stands today, and has been in use as the Manse of the adjacent First Reformed Church since 1953.[39]
Historic sites
Historic sites located in Pequannock Township include:[40]
Pompton Plains Railroad Station was built in 1872 and offered regular passenger train service until 1966. Added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 5, 2008, the station serves as the Pequannock Township Museum.[44]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 7.11 square miles (18.41 km2), including 6.79 square miles (17.58 km2) of land and 0.32 square miles (0.83 km2) of water (4.53%).[1][2]
The Township of Pequannock is located in eastern Morris County, along Route 23, approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the interchange of Route 23 with Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 46. Interstate 287 crosses the northwest corner of the township, with a full interchange just north of the township in the borough of Riverdale. Pequannock Township is located 20 miles (32 km) west of New York City.[45]
Of the 6,471 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18; 52.9% were married couples living together; 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 38.4% were non-families. Of all households, 35.6% were made up of individuals and 25.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.18.[20]
21.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 19.4% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 85.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 81.3 males.[20]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $84,322 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,784) and the median family income was $109,572 (+/− $9,602). Males had a median income of $77,988 (+/− $7,857) versus $50,744 (+/− $7,369) for females. The per capita income for the township was $42,016 (+/− $2,741). About 1.8% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.[62]
2000 census
The 2000 United States census counted 13,888 people, 5,026 households, and 3,829 families in the township.[16] The population density was 1,965.1 inhabitants per square mile (758.7/km2). There were 5,097 housing units at an average density of 721.2 per square mile (278.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.60% White, 0.30% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.91% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.94% of the population.[60][61]
There were 5,026 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.23.[60][61]
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.[60][61]
The median income for a household in the township was $72,729, and the median income for a family was $84,487. Males had a median income of $61,093 versus $38,523 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,892. About 2.5% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.[60][61]
Government
Local government
Since January 1, 1956, the township has operated within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager Plan E form of local government. The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.[63] The council is comprised of five members elected at-large in a partisan vote to four-year terms in office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even-numbered years as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting, the members of the council select one of their members to serve as mayor and another as deputy mayor, each serving a one-year term.[3][64] The Township Council hires a Township Manager, who serves as the chief executive and administrative officer of the township.[7][65][66]
As of 2023[update], Pequannock's Township Council was comprised of Mayor David G. Kohle (R, term on council ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Ryan Herd (R, term on council ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), John Driesse (R, 2026), Melissa Florance-Lynch (R, 2026) and Kyle Russell (R, 2026).[3][67][68][69][70][71]
In July 2021, the Township Council appointed John Driesse to fill the seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Richard Phelan until he resigned from office the previous month.[72]
Ed Engelbart was named Township Historian, following a resolution passed on May 10, 2011, making him the first person to be named to this position in a decade.[73]
Federal, state and county representation
Pequannock Township is located in the 11th Congressional District[74] and is part of New Jersey's 26th state legislative district.[75]
Morris County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with either one or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election.[80] Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary.[81]: 8 As of 2025[update], Morris County's Commissioners are:
The county's constitutional officers are:
Clerk Ann F. Grossi (R, Parsippany–Troy Hills, 2028),[89][90]
Sheriff James M. Gannon (R, Boonton Township, 2025)[91][92] and
Surrogate Heather Darling (R, Roxbury, 2029).[93][94]
Politics
As of March 2011[update], there were a total of 10,911 registered voters in Pequannock Township, of which 4,042 (37.0%) were registered as Republicans, 2,242 (20.5%) were registered as Democrats, and 4,625 (42.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[95]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 58.8% of the vote (4,850 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.3% (3,326 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (76 votes), among the 8,309 ballots cast by the township's 11,383 registered voters (57 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 73.0%.[96][97] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 58.8% of the vote (5,341 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 39.7% (3,608 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (84 votes), among the 9,088 ballots cast by the township's 11,236 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.9%.[98] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 62.0% of the vote (4,889 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 37.1% (2,925 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (45 votes), among the 7,886 ballots cast by the township's 10,055 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 78.4.[99]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.6% of the vote (3,695 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.9% (1,612 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (82 votes), among the 5,436 ballots cast by the township's 11,301 registered voters (47 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 48.1%.[100][101] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 58.5% of the vote (3,550 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 33.1% (2,008 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.9% (420 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (49 votes), among the 6,073 ballots cast by the township's 11,127 registered voters, yielding a 54.6% turnout.[102]
Holy Spirit School is a Catholic school serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson.[112][113] In addition, there is Kolbe Immaculata School, a non-diocesan Catholic school for grades 1–8;[114] the Netherlands Reformed Christian School (PreK–12); and Chancellor Academy, a school founded in 1983 that serves students in sixth through twelfth grades who have not succeeded in a traditional school structure.[115]
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 63.41 miles (102.05 km) of roadways, of which 50.67 miles (81.55 km) were maintained by the municipality, 8.54 miles (13.74 km) by Morris County and 4.20 miles (6.76 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[116]
Two major roadways exist within the township; Interstate 287 runs for 1.4 miles (2.3 km) across the northwest corner[117] and Route 23 runs for 2.8 miles (4.5 km) along the eastern boundary.[118]
^ abcTownship Council, Pequannock Township. Accessed May 2, 2024. "The Township of Pequannock operates under the Faulkner Act Council-Manager form of government, as described within the Optional Municipal Charter Law (N.J.S.A. 40:69A-1 et seq.). The Township Council is comprised of five members who are elected to four year, staggered terms in office. Each year, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected from within the Council to serve for a one year term."
^Huget, Jennifer. "Lenape lived in Pequannock", The Record, July 21, 2009. Accessed September 17, 2015. "'Pequannock' is derived from a Leni-Lenape noun that means 'cleared land ready or being readied for cultivation.'
^Huget, Jennifer. "Lenape lived in Pequannock", The Record, July 21, 2009. Accessed December 25, 2016. "'Pequannock' is derived from a Leni-Lenape noun that means 'cleared land ready or being readied for cultivation.'"
^Historical Timeline of Morris County BoundariesArchived December 25, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Morris County Library. Accessed December 24, 2016. "1740, March 25. Morris County is established. Morris County includes Morris Township, Pequannock (also referred to as Poquanick or Peqannoc), Hanover Township, and 'Morris Town.' From the Court of Common Pleas."
^"Looking at Historic Pequannock Township", Pequannock Township. Accessed December 25, 2016. "It was incorporated in 1740, making it at the time the largest township in Morris County.... Once encompassing a sprawling 176 square miles, it is now a compact 6.8 square miles suburban community 35 miles west of New York City."
^Laplaca, Bryan. "Back in the Day - May 17, 1981: Happy 241st, Pequannock", Suburban Trends, May 30, 2011. Accessed December 25, 2016. "Just a year after the formation of Morris County, the General Sessions of Peace – the first court set up by the New Jersey Legislature – met in Morristown on March 25, 1740 and divided the new county into three townships. Pequannock was the largest at 16 miles long and 11 miles wide. The 176-square-mile township then gradually shrunk into the about 7 square miles it is today."
^Alexander, Andrea. "Rising to old heights", The Record, July 25, 2009. Accessed January 13, 2012. "Giles Mandeville House (minister's house): built in 1788, it is considered an example of early Dutch housing.... The minister's house might have served as a stop along the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves seeking freedom."
^Lotito, Christopher. "Pequannock's Historic Ackerson Mead Clark Home for Sale", Pequannock News, April 10, 2012. Accessed October 2, 2014. "The 1870s era Greek Revival mansion featuring 21 rooms on 1.37 acres is located at 183 Mountain Ave, within walking distance of Moutainside Park."
^Janoski, Steve. "Pequannock Historic District Commission seeks to preserve Berry House", Suburban Trends, February 24, 2014. Accessed October 2, 2014. "The Berry House, HDC Chairman Jay Wancyzk told the Township Council on Feb. 11, dates to about 1720 and is likely the second-oldest structure in Pequannock, beaten out only by the Van Gelder/Van Saun house located further down the Newark-Pompton Turnpike."
^Fallon, Scott. "History blocks possible fix for flooding ", The Record, August 24, 2010. Accessed October 2, 2014. "The Pompton Dam was built around 1837 to direct water to the Morris Canal — the 102-mile man-made waterway that connected the Delaware River to the Hudson River."
^Janoski, Steve. "Pompton Plains Train Station restoration complete", Suburban Trends, May 13, 2010. Accessed August 3, 2015. "Two residents look at one of the displays in the newly revamped Pompton Plains Train Station, which serves as the township's official museum.... Built in 1872, the station served as a passenger stop until 1966."
^Janoski, Steve. "Pequannock council gets history lesson on its sections", Suburban Trends, February 17, 2011. Accessed January 13, 2012. "Some residents have made comments recently about the description, which states that the township 'encompasses two communities, Pequannock and Pompton Plains, each served by their own post office.' These residents have said that the site should not make the distinction between the two sections."
^Township Council Meeting Minutes for July 13, 2021, Pequannock Township. Accessed July 17, 2022. "Mrs. Russell thanked former Councilman Richard Phelan who resigned on June 30th, for his service. Mayor Russell then asked for nominations from the Council to replace Mr. Phelan. Mrs. Florance-Lynch nominated John Driesse which was seconded by Mr. Kohle. There being no other nominations, R2021-161, selecting John Driesse to fill the vacancy in the Office of Councilperson effective immediately, was adopted by the following vote:"
^Janoski, Steve. "Pequannock council names Engelbart 'township historian'", Suburban Trends, June 20, 2011. Accessed May 13, 2012. "Councilman Ed Engelbart was named Pequannock's official historian by the Township Council last month in a move that was approved by resolution on May 10.... Phelan said he found out the last time someone held that position in the township was over a decade ago, and after conversing with fellow council people, it was agreed that Engelbart should receive the title."
^Board of County Commissioners, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022. "Morris County is governed by a seven-member Board of County Commissioners, who serve three-year terms."
^Pequannock Township Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Pequannock Township School District. Accessed May 3, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through 12 in the Pequannock Township School District. Composition: The Pequannock Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Pequannock Township."
^School, Kolbe Immaculata School. Accessed October 2, 2014. "Kolbe Immaculata School is a non-diocesan, non-profit private school teaching the Catholic Faith from First through Eighth Grades."
^About, Chancellor Academy. Accessed October 2, 2014.
^Rouse, Karen. "N.J. Transit bus No. 75, running from Passaic County to Newark, will no longer operate", The Record, August 29, 2012. Accessed August 5, 2015. "Starting Saturday, the NJ Transit No. 75 bus — which runs from Butler through Pompton Lakes, Pequannock, Wayne and Little Falls on its way to Newark — will no longer operate as NJ Transit's plan to save $2.5 million in operating costs takes effect."
^Kirkland, Bruce. "Jason Biggs proud of American Pie films"[usurped], Toronto Sun, August 6, 2001. Accessed July 21, 2007. "Biggs, who was born May 12, 1978, in Pompton Plains, N.J., is the son of Gary Biggs, the manager of a shipping firm, and Angela Biggs, a nurse."
^"Michael Cahill Named Co-dean of Rutgers Law School in Camden", New Jersey Business, March 21, 2016. Accessed August 18, 2019. "Cahill notes that this new position represents a homecoming of sorts: he grew up in Pompton Plains, where his parents, Patricia and Lee Cahill, still reside."
^Rubsam, Robb. "Beckoning Bigfoot: Mount Tremper Arts premieres Sasquatch Rituals", Hudson Valley One, October 12, 2017. Accessed August 18, 2019. "When Sibyl Kempson begins her Performance Writing classes at Sarah Lawrence University, she asks her students to dig back into their lives and find the experiences from their childhood that brought them to that class with her on that day. But she only finally discovered her own. When the playwright was growing up in suburban Pequannock, New Jersey, she had a neighbor named Mr. Lonsky."
^Rohan, Virginia. "Pompton Plains native is having fun as risqué ex-nun", The Record, July 17, 2007. Accessed July 19, 2007. "'I loved growing up in Pompton Plains. It really was a lovely small town. It's not small anymore,' says Misner, who studied dance, from age 11 to 18, with Nancy King at the King Centre for the Performing Arts in Wanaque."
^Dicker, Ron. "Young's Star Rises in Midlife", San Francisco Chronicle, August 27, 2006. Accessed July 21, 2007. "A Pequannock, N.J., native and graduate of Douglass College, the women's school at Rutgers University, Young got her start on a film called 'Deep in the Heart' (1983)."