Borough of Mountainside
Incorporated:1895
Population: 6,657 (1990 Census figures)
Total Square Miles:4
Frequently Used Telephone Numbers (908):
Police232-8100 or 911
Fire232-8100 or 911
Rescue Squad232-8100 or 911
City Hall232-2400
Board of Education232-9406
Public Library233-0115
Post Office233-1555
Children's Specialized Hospital233-3720
Services:
Garbage CollectionPrivate, twice a week
Fire DepartmentVolunteer
Rescue SquadVolunteer
Transportation
BusNJ Transit along Route 22
TrainNJ Transit Raritan Valley Line, Westfield, or Gladstone Branch, Summit stations
Schools:
ElementaryOne
HighOne (in Berkeley Heights)
Points of Interest:
Trailside MuseumEcho Lake Park
Watchung ReservationWatchung Stables
Municipal Swim Club, TennisThe Hetfield House
History:
The borough is on land set aside many years ago by the Lenni-Lenapi Indians as hunting grounds. It was part of the “West Fields” of Elizabethtown in the 18th century, and then part of Westfield Town in the 19th century, In 1895, the citizens of the area, including the non-incorporated hamlets of Branch Mills (now Echo Lake Park), Baltusrol (along Summit Road), and Locust Grove formed the new borough of Mountainside.

After World War II, the open farmlands of the area became the scene of intensive suburban development. The town grew from about 1,000 people in 1940 to 6,657 at that time. While today there is virtually no unused land in Mountainside, there is a great deal of open space as part of the Union County park system.

Built on the side of the Watchung mountains, Mountainside's growth has taken the form of single family homes on streets which wind up the mountain, giving many houses a view across New Jersey to the New York City skyline. Almost all the old buildings in Mountainside are well preserved, and the community is appreciative of their historic significance.

The commercial center includes several banks, small specialty shops and food stores.