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Blairstown is a township in Warren County, New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, Blairstown's population was 5,704.[16] As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 5,967[17][18][19] reflecting an increase of 220 (+3.8%) from the 5,747 counted in the 2000 census, which had in turn increased by 416 (+7.8%) from the 5,331 counted in the 1990 census.[20]

Blairstown, New Jersey
Township
Township of Blairstown
Blair Lake Spillway and Footbridge, October 2020
Map of Blairstown Township within Warren County Inset: Location of Warren County within the state of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Blairstown, New Jersey
Blairstown Location in Warren County Show map of Warren County, New Jersey Blairstown Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Blairstown Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 40.980156°N 74.996849°W / 40.980156; -74.996849[1][2]
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Warren
Incorporated	April 14, 1845
Named for	John Insley Blair
Government [3]
• Type	Township
• Body	Township Committee
• Mayor	Rob Moorhead (R, term ends December 31, 2022)[4][5]
• Municipal clerk	Kristin Shipps[6]
Area [1]
• Total	30.78 sq mi (79.71 km2)
• Land	29.89 sq mi (77.41 km2)
• Water	0.89 sq mi (2.30 km2)  2.88%
• Rank	87th of 565 in state 2nd of 22 in county[1]
Elevation [7]	364 ft (111 m)
Population  (2020 census)[8]
• Total	5,704
• Rank	346th of 566 in state 7th of 22 in county[9]
• Density	193.6/sq mi (74.7/km2)
• Rank	508th of 566 in state 15th of 22 in county[9]
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07825[10][11]
Area code	908[12]
FIPS code	3404106160[1][13][14]
GNIS feature ID	0882317[1][15]
Website	www.blairstowntownship.org

The area had been known as Smith's Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as "Butt's Bridge" and "Butts' Bridge"), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill.[21]

Blairstown was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1845, from portions of Knowlton Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day.[22] The township was named for John Insley Blair.[23][24]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 30.78 square miles (79.71 km²), including 29.89 square miles (77.41 km²) of land and 0.89 square miles (2.30 km²) of water (2.88%).[1][2] The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley which is a section of the Great Appalachian Valley that stretches for 700 miles (1,100 km) from Canada to Alabama.

Blairstown CDP (with a 2010 Census population of 515[25]) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within the township.[26][27][28]

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Blair Lake, Cedar Lake, Cooks Pond, Jacksonburg, Kalaroma, Lake Susquehanna, Mount Vernon, Paulina, Vail and Walnut Valley.[29]

White Township borders the Warren County municipalities of Frelinghuysen Township, Hardwick Township, Hope Township and Knowlton Township.[30][31]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	1,405		—
1860	1,542		9.8%
1870	1,379		−10.6%
1880	1,458		5.7%
1890	1,662		14.0%
1900	1,576		−5.2%
1910	1,718		9.0%
1920	1,361		−20.8%
1930	1,416		4.0%
1940	1,449		2.3%
1950	1,571		8.4%
1960	1,797		14.4%
1970	2,189		21.8%
1980	4,360		99.2%
1990	5,331		22.3%
2000	5,747		7.8%
2010	5,967		3.8%
2020	5,704		−4.4%
Population sources:[32] 1850–1920[33] 1850–1870[34] 1850[35] 1870[36] 1880–1890[37] 1890–1910[38] 1910–1930[39] 1930–1990[40] 2000[41][42] 2010[17][18][19] 2020[8]

The Township's economic data (as is all of Warren County) is calculated by the United States Census Bureau as part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Carbon County, Lehigh County and Northampton County counties in Pennsylvania.

Census 2010

The 2010 United States census counted 5,967 people, 2,124 households, and 1,703 families in the township. The population density was 193.6 per square mile (74.7/km²). There were 2,272 housing units at an average density of 73.7 per square mile (28.5/km²). The racial makeup was 96.03% (5,730) White, 1.12% (67) Black or African American, 0.12% (7) Native American, 1.14% (68) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.45% (27) from other races, and 1.14% (68) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.79% (226) of the population.[17]

Of the 2,124 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18; 66.8% were married couples living together; 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.8% were non-families. Of all households, 15.8% were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.11.[17]

23.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.8 males.[17]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,952 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,269) and the median family income was $92,063 (+/− $14,594). Males had a median income of $73,818 (+/− $7,161) versus $54,959 (+/− $13,254) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,393 (+/− $7,342). About 4.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.[43]

Census 2000

As of the 2020 U.S. census,[13] there were 5,747 people, 2,040 households, and 1,638 families residing in the township. The population density was 185.3 people per square mile (71.5/km²). There were 2,136 housing units at an average density of 68.9 per square mile (26.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.17% White, 0.26% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.[41][42]

There were 2,040 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.6% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.14.[41][42]

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.[41][42]

The median income for a household in the township was $64,809, and the median income for a family was $71,214. Males had a median income of $51,931 versus $33,646 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,775. About 3.0% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.[41][42]

Government

Local government

Blairstown is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[44] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[3][45] At a reorganization meeting held each year during the first week of January, the Committee members select one of their members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor.[4]

As of 2022^[update], the Blairstown Township Committee consists of Mayor Rob Moorhead (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024, term as mayor ends 2022), Deputy Mayor Walter Orcutt (R, term on committee ends 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2022), Charles Makatura (R, 2024), Giovanna "JoAnne" VanValkenburg (R, 2022) and Debra Waldron (R, 2023).[4][46][47][48][49]

Federal, state and county representation

Blairstown Township is located in the 5th Congressional District[50] and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.[18][51][52] Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Blairstown Township had been in the 23rd state legislative district.[53]

For the 117th United States Congress, New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).[54][55] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[56] and Bob Menendez (Harrison, term ends 2025).[57][58]

For the 2022–2023 session, the 24th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Steve Oroho (R, Franklin) and in the General Assembly by Parker Space (R, Wantage Township) and Hal Wirths (R, Hamburg).[59]

Warren County is governed by a three-member Board of County Commissioners, who are chosen at-large on a staggered basis in partisan elections with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Commissioner Director and other as Deputy Director.[60] As of 2022^[update], Warren County's Commissioners are Commissioner Director Jason J. Sarnoski (R, Lopatcong Township; term as commissioner and commissioner director ends December 31, 2022)[61] Commissioner Deputy Director Lori Ciesla (R, Lopatcong Township; term as commissioner ends 2024, term as deputy director ends 2022),[62] and James R. Kern III (R, Pohatcong Township; 2025).[63][64] Constitutional officers of Warren County are County Clerk Holly Mackey (R, Alpha; 2022),[65][66] Sheriff James McDonald Sr. (R, Phillipsburg; 2022)[67][68] and Surrogate Kevin O'Neill (R, Hackettstown; 2025).[69][70][71]

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 4,294 registered voters in Blairstown Township, of which 707 (16.5% vs. 21.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,882 (43.8% vs. 35.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,702 (39.6% vs. 43.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[72] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 72.0% (vs. 62.3% in Warren County) were registered to vote, including 94.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 81.5% countywide).[72][73]

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 1,654 votes (63.2% vs. 56.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 910 votes (34.8% vs. 40.8%) and other candidates with 28 votes (1.1% vs. 1.7%), among the 2,616 ballots cast by the township's 4,326 registered voters, for a turnout of 60.5% (vs. 66.7% in Warren County).[74][75] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,986 votes (60.7% vs. 55.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,192 votes (36.4% vs. 41.4%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.2% vs. 1.6%), among the 3,271 ballots cast by the township's 4,332 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.5% (vs. 73.4% in Warren County).[76] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,141 votes (65.8% vs. 61.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,068 votes (32.8% vs. 37.2%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.0% vs. 1.3%), among the 3,256 ballots cast by the township's 4,021 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.0% (vs. 76.3% in the whole county).[77]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.0% of the vote (1,335 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.7% (427 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (42 votes), among the 1,850 ballots cast by the township's 4,338 registered voters (46 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.6%.[78][79] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,252 votes (63.5% vs. 61.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 489 votes (24.8% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 180 votes (9.1% vs. 9.8%) and other candidates with 24 votes (1.2% vs. 1.5%), among the 1,971 ballots cast by the township's 4,236 registered voters, yielding a 46.5% turnout (vs. 49.6% in the county).[80]

Former Mayors

   2021 – Rob Moorhead (R)  
   2018–2020 – Stephen Lance (R)    
   2014–2017 – Herman Shoemaker (R)
   2013 – Richard Mach (R)
   2012 – Frank Anderson (R)
   2009–2011 – Richard Mach (R)
   2006–2008 – Stephen Lance (R)
   2005 – Alfred Handy (R)
   2004 – George Joest (R)
   2003 – William Horsey (R)
   2002 – George Joest (R)
   2001 – William Seal (R)
   2000 – Jane Santini (D)
   1999 – Joseph DiGrazia (R)
   1998 – Anita Ardia (I)
   1996–1997 – Franklin D Shotwell (R)
   1995 – Charles Eble (R)
   1990–1994 – Walter Orcutt (R)
   1989 – Frank Kelly (D)
   1988 – Howard Mott, Sr (D)

Former Committee Members

   2021–2023 – Walter Orcutt (R)
   2019–2021 – Steven Sikkes (R)
   2019–2021 – Rob Moorhead (R)
   2017–2023 – Debra Waldron (R)    
   2016–2018 – Cynthia Dalton (R)
   2015–2022 – JoAnne VanValkenburg (R)
   2015 – Harold Price (R)
   2014–2015 – Susan Price (R)
   2013–2018 – Paul Avery (R)
   2012–2017 – Herman Shoemaker (R)
   2007–2012 – William Seal (R)
   2006–2011 – Sal Lascari (R)
   2006–2020 – Stephen Lance (R)
   2005–2015 – Frank Anderson (R)
   2005–2013 – Richard Mach (R)
   2004–2006 – Gary Stevens (R)
   2003–2005 – Alfred Handy (R)
   2003–2005 – Raymond Davis (R)
   2002–2004 – William Horsey (R)
   2001–2005 – George Joest (R)
   2001–2003 – JoAnne VanValkenburg (I)
   1998–2001 – William Seal (R)
   1997–2002 – Jane Santini (D)
   1997–2002 – Anita Ardia (I)
   1995–1997 – Fred Cook (D)
   1995–1997 – Charles Eble (R)
   1992–1994 – Robert Rokosz (R)
   1990–1992 – Anthony Hipple (R)
   1989–1994 – Walter Orcutt (R)
   1988–1993 – Robert McElroy (D)
   1984–1986 – George Wilhelm (R)
   1981–1987 – Carl Race (R)
   1979–1987 – Sal Simonetti (R)
   1978–1983 – Elwyn Barker (R)
   1975–1979 – Howard Mott, Sr (D)
   1968–1989 – Frank Kelly (D)

Education

The Blairstown Township School District serves public school students in kindergarten through sixth grade at the Blairstown Elementary School.[81][82] Students from Hardwick Township, a non-operating school district attend Blairstown Elementary School.[83][84] As of the 2020–2021 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 407 students and 44.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.3:1.[85]

Students in seventh through twelfth grades for public school attend the North Warren Regional High School in Blairstown, a public secondary high school, serving students from the townships of Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick and Knowlton.[86][87][88] As of the 2020–2021 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 706 students and 64.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.[89]

Ridge and Valley Charter School, a K–8 charter school founded in 2004 that is focused on Earth literacy and sustainable living, is located in neighboring Frelinghuysen Township. The school also serves (and grants admission priority to) students from Frelinghuysen, Hardwick and Knowlton Townships, who attend the school without cost to the parents.[90] Students from the township and from all of Warren County are also eligible to attend Warren County Technical School in Washington borough (for 9–12),[91] with special education services provided by local districts supplemented throughout the county by the Warren County Special Services School District in Oxford Township (for Pre-K–12).[92][93]

Students from across the world attend Blair Academy, a private boarding school for students in grades 9–12 established in 1848 by philanthropist John Insley Blair.[94]

Transportation

Roads and highways

As of May 2010^[update], the township had a total of 85.92 miles (138.27 km) of roadways, of which 61.05 miles (98.25 km) were maintained by the municipality, 17.23 miles (27.73 km) by Warren County and 7.64 miles (12.30 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[95]

Interstate 80 (the Bergen-Passaic Expressway) passes through the southern part of the township for 1.2 miles (1.9 km) without any interchanges, and is accessible via Route 94 and CR 521 in neighboring Knowlton and Hope townships, respectively.[96] Route 94 passes for 6.5 miles (10.5 km) runs east–west through the center of the township while County Route 521 passes through in the eastern section.[97]

Airport

Blairstown Airport (1N7) is located southwest of the central business district.[98]

Railroads

The Lackawanna Cut-Off, a high-speed, double-track railway line that stretches for 28.45 miles (45.79 km) was constructed by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad between 1908 and 1911, opening for service on December 24, 1911. It ran west from Port Morris, New Jersey to Slateford, Pennsylvania and passed through Blairstown. The DL&W RR merged with the Erie Railroad on October 17, 1960, to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Due to declining revenues, passenger service over the Lackawanna Cut-Off was discontinued on January 6, 1970, and freight service ceased in 1979, just three years after the E-L was absorbed into the Consolidated Railroad Corporation (Conrail). The tracks remained relatively-dormant until 1984, when the property was sold to a developer and the rails were removed. The right-of-way is now the property of the State of New Jersey, and plans are underway for the restoration of rail service in the future. Blairstown's poured concrete passenger and freight stations still stand, although privately owned.

Blairstown was also served by a second railroad, the Blairstown Railway. The little short line, a personal project of the local industrial magnate John Insley Blair, was constructed in 1876 from Blairstown to Delaware Township, where it connected with the Old Main Line of the Lackawanna RR. The Blairstown Railway was absorbed by the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad in 1882 as it built west to the coal fields of Pennsylvania. The NYS&W also operated passenger service between Blairstown and New York (via Jersey City, NJ) until 1935. A third railroad, the Lehigh & New England Railroad, operated through Blairstown via trackage rights over the NYS&W between Swartswood Junction and Hainesburg Junction until October 31, 1961, when the L&NE was abandoned. With the loss of L&NE trackage rights revenues and little local business to sustain the line, the NYS&W also abandoned its line through Blairstown shortly thereafter, and the tracks were removed in 1962. The right-of-way today has been preserved by the State of New Jersey as the 26-mile (42 km) long Paulinskill Valley Trail.

Landmarks

• Blairstown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[99]
• Historic Blairstown Theater (also known as Roy's Hall) was built in 1913 as a silent movie house. The building was restored and painted blue in 2005 and is the centerpiece of Blairstown's vintage Main Street, surrounded by charming shops, galleries and restaurants. The HBT features a regular schedule of live music and theatrical performances, classic film and community events.[100]
• The Blairstown Museum is a private, non-profit corporation organized under New Jersey law managed by a Board of Directors and housed in a 19th-century building, known as the last remaining structure of "Roy's Row". The Museum is the only general history and cultural museum for the Township of Blairstown. It cares for over 2,000 items that illustrate the history of the township and its inhabitants, including former resident and namesake John Insley Blair.[101]

Gallery

• 
  The Old Academy Building of the Blair Academy
• 
  Queen Anne/Stick style house in the Blairstown Historic District
• 
  Painted bright blue, historic Roy's Hall is a highlight of Blairstown's Main Street.
• 
  Blairstown Museum

Popular culture

• Scenes from the horror film Friday the 13th were filmed on Blairstown's Main Street, and at the Blairstown Diner on Route 94; the Boy Scout camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in adjacent Hardwick Township was the site for Camp Crystal Lake.[102]
• The body of Princess Doe was discovered at the Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Blairstown on July 15, 1982. She became the first unidentified body entered into the FBI's NCIC computer system.[103]
• Scenes from the horror film Plasterhead were filmed at the Blairstown Diner on Route 94 as part of an homage by the filmmakers to Friday the 13th.[104]

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Blairstown include:

• Cathy Bao Bean (born 1942), lives in neighboring Frelinghuysen Township, author of The Chopsticks-Fork Principle: A Memoir and Manual[105]
• Bennett Bean (born 1941), studio potter, lives in neighboring Frelinghuysen Township[106]
• Robert A. Belet (1914–1942), United States Marine Corps master technical sergeant who was awarded the Silver Star for his actions in the Guadalcanal Campaign[107]
• DeWitt Clinton Blair (1833–1915), son of John Insley Blair^{[citation needed]}
• John Insley Blair (1802–1899), entrepreneur, railroad magnate, and Blairstown's most famous citizen. Gravel Hill was renamed Blairstown after Blair in 1839[108]
• Anthony D'Amato (born 1987), songwriter and singer[109]
• John A. Haggerty (1841–1910), Wisconsin legislator and businessman who was born in Blairstown[110]
• David T. Little (born 1978), composer[111]
• Nancy Overton (1926–2009), singer best known for her work with The Chordettes[112]
• Lou Reed (1942–2013), musician, singer, songwriter and record producer, lived in neighboring Hardwick Township[113]
• Isaac Wildrick (1803–1892), represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1849 to 1853[114]

References

External links

• Blairstown Township website

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