Westfield Real Estate Union County NJ Homes For Sale New Jersey Frank Isoldi

Borough of New Providence

Incorporated:	1899
Population:	11,439 (1990 Census figures)
Total Square Miles:	3.7
Frequently Used Telephone Numbers (908):
Police	665-1111 or 911
Fire	665-1221 or 911
Rescue Squad	665-1111 or 911
City Hall	665-1400
Board of Education	464-9052
Public Library	665-0311
Post Office	665-0900
Services:
Garbage Collection	Private, back yard twice a week
Fire Department	Volunteer
Rescue Squad	Volunteer
Transportation
Bus	Lakeland Bus Lines, Springfield Ave to NYC
Train	NJ Transit Gladstone branch, New Providence station
Schools:
Elementary	Two
Middle	One
High	One
Points of Interest:
Watchung Reservation	Community Pool
History: The Passaic Valley was first settled around the time of the third distribution of lots to the Elizabethtown Associates in 1738. With the Associates came settlers from Long Island and the United Kingdom across the Watchungs to establish farms in the New Providence area. According to local tradition, the name of the region was changed from “Turkey” to “New Providence” when the balcony of a small church collapsed without loss of life. New Providence became part of Springfield township when the latter was formed in 1793. In 1809, New Providence Township was established, and was composed of Berkeley Heights, Summit and the present-day borough. The town grew slightly, boasting an academy, various stores, a smithy and two mills, with more farm development outside the village. The advent of the railroad had a significant impact on the rural community. There was continued development of large residences in colonial and Tudor styles and small-lot subdivisions. Between 1950-1970, the town’s character radically altered. Suburbanization consumed the open countryside, spurred by the growth of the New York metropolitan area and the establishment of suburban corporate headquarters in Passaic Valley. The Village Shopping District offers a variety of specialty stores, fashions and assorted food shops.