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In 2008, ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'' magazine ranked Stillwater Township as its 40th best place to live in its annual rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.<ref>[http://njmonthly.com/articles/best_of/placestolive/best-places-to-live---the-complete-top-towns-list-.html "Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.</ref>
In 2008, ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'' magazine ranked Stillwater Township as its 40th best place to live in its annual rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.<ref>[http://njmonthly.com/articles/best_of/placestolive/best-places-to-live---the-complete-top-towns-list-.html "Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100"], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.</ref>


==Geology and geography==
==Geography==
Stillwater Township is located at {{coord|41.074125|-74.868878|type:city_region:US-NJ|format=dms|display=inline}} (41.074125,-74.868878). According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township had a total area of 28.385 square miles (73.515&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which, 27.061 square miles (70.087&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 1.324 square miles (3.428&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it (4.66%) is water.{{GR|1|dateform=mdy}}<ref name=CensusArea/> The township is located in the [[Kittatinny Mountains|Kittatinny Valley]] which is a section of the [[Great Appalachian Valley]] that stretches for {{convert|700|mi}} from Canada to Alabama.
Stillwater Township is located at {{coord|41.074125|-74.868878|type:city_region:US-NJ|format=dms|display=inline}} (41.074125,-74.868878). According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township had a total area of 28.385 square miles (73.515&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which, 27.061 square miles (70.087&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 1.324 square miles (3.428&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of it (4.66%) is water.{{GR|1|dateform=mdy}}<ref name=CensusArea/>

Flanked to the west by [[Kittatinny Mountain]], the Stillwater Township is located within the [[Ridge and Valley Appalachians|Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province]], and the entire township is within the [[Kittatinny Valley]] a region of rolling hills and flat valley floors that is a section of the larger [[Great Appalachian Valley]] running {{convert|700|mi}} from eastern Canada to northern Alabama. Elevations in this valley range from 400 to 1,000 feet.<ref>U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service. Soil Survey of Sussex County, New Jersey (Washington, DC: 2009), 3.</ref> The all of Stillwater Township is located in the [[Paulins Kill]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]] which flows southwest through Sussex and Warren counties before joining the [[Delaware River]] near [[Columbia, New Jersey]]. The valley floor is part of the [[Ordovician]] [[Martinsburg Formation]] (shale and slate) which make up most of the valley—and the [[Jacksonburg Formation]] (mostly limestone).


===Neighborhoods===
===Neighborhoods===

Revision as of 00:26, 21 January 2013

Stillwater Township, New Jersey
Township
Map of Stillwater Township in Sussex County. Inset: Location of Sussex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Stillwater Township in Sussex County. Inset: Location of Sussex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Stillwater Township, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Stillwater Township, New Jersey
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
CountySussex
IncorporatedDecember 27, 1824
Government
[2]
 • TypeTownship
 • MayorGeorge Scott (term ended December 31, 2011)[1]
Area
[3]
 • Total
28.385 sq mi (73.515 km2)
 • Land27.061 sq mi (70.087 km2)
 • Water1.324 sq mi (3.428 km2)  4.66%
 • Rank95th of 566 in state
8th of 24 in county[3]
Elevation
[4]
705 ft (215 m)
Population
 (2010 Census)[5]
 • Total
4,099
 • Density140/sq mi (56/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP code
07875
Area code(s)862/973
FIPS code3403770890Template:GR[3][6]
GNIS feature ID0882262Template:GR
Websitehttp://www.stillwaternj.us

Stillwater Township is a township located in Sussex County, New Jersey, in the United States. Located in the Kittatinny Valley, Stillwater is a rural farming community with a long history of dairy farming. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 4,099.[5]

Historically, Stillwater was first settled in the eighteenth century by Palatine German immigrants who entered through the port of Philadelphia. In 1741, Casper Shafer, John George Wintermute (Windemuth), and their father-in-law Johan Peter Bernhardt settled along the Paulins Kill. Evidence of this settlement remains in the grist mills, lime kilns, and stone houses located throughout the valley.[citation needed] Stillwater was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 27, 1824, from portions of Hardwick Township[7][8] when Sussex County was divided in half by the legislature a few weeks earlier to create Warren County.[9][10]

In 2008, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Stillwater Township as its 40th best place to live in its annual rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[11]

Geology and geography

Stillwater Township is located at 41°04′27″N 74°52′08″W / 41.074125°N 74.868878°W / 41.074125; -74.868878 (41.074125,-74.868878). According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 28.385 square miles (73.515 km2), of which, 27.061 square miles (70.087 km2) of it is land and 1.324 square miles (3.428 km2) of it (4.66%) is water.Template:GR[3]

Flanked to the west by Kittatinny Mountain, the Stillwater Township is located within the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province, and the entire township is within the Kittatinny Valley a region of rolling hills and flat valley floors that is a section of the larger Great Appalachian Valley running 700 miles (1,100 km) from eastern Canada to northern Alabama. Elevations in this valley range from 400 to 1,000 feet.[12] The all of Stillwater Township is located in the Paulins Kill watershed which flows southwest through Sussex and Warren counties before joining the Delaware River near Columbia, New Jersey. The valley floor is part of the Ordovician Martinsburg Formation (shale and slate) which make up most of the valley—and the Jacksonburg Formation (mostly limestone).

Neighborhoods

  • Stillwater
  • Swartswood
  • Middleville
  • Paulinskill Lake
  • Crandon Lakes

Crandon Lakes is a unincorporated community and census-designated place shared between Stillwater and Hampton Township. In the 2000 Census, this community had a population of 1,150.

History

  • 1741, Casper Shafer built the Stillwater gristmill about half a mile from the present mill site.[citation needed]
  • 1764, the Stillwater gristmill was moved to its present location and commercially operated there until 1955. This makes the Casper and Abraham Shafer Grist Mill Complex one of the oldest, continuously operating, water-powered gristmills in the State of New Jersey.[citation needed]
  • December 27, 1824, the township was created by an act passed by the New Jersey Legislature.[7][13]
  • 1844, the gristmill is rebuilt and powered by water from the Paulins Kill. Casper's son, Nathan Armstrong Shafer lived in Whitehall Manor, which he built near what is now the center of the village. Aline Murray Kilmer, the widow of poet Joyce Kilmer, lived the last decade of her life at Whitehall, passing away there on October 1, 1941.[citation needed]
  • Early 1900s, Swartswood Lake became a major resort. Weekenders took the train into nearby Blairstown through the 1940s to stay at such places as the North Shore Inn, The Casino, and The Dove Island Inn (now a private home). Later, summer cabins became popular with Brooklyn weekenders.[citation needed]
  • 1910, the Stillwater creamery was built. Borden, Inc. later took control of the creamery.[citation needed]
  • 1920s, the Paulinskill River was dammed to create Paulinskill Lake and many summer residences sprang up. These summer cottages have grown into what is now a year-round community.[citation needed]

The Presbyterian Church is the most prominent feature in Stillwater village.[citation needed] Opposite the church is the former Stillwater Academy, an old schoolhouse that is now home to the Stillwater Historical Museum.[citation needed] Stillwater was, and still is, primarily agricultural. The area is dotted with lime kilns, which used to burn lime to enrich the soil, but are now obsolete, becoming lost to history and the overgrowth of vegetation. An intact kiln still exists on Millbrook Road, a little more than two miles from Stillwater village.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930706—
1940679−3.8%
195081620.2%
19601,33964.1%
19702,15861.2%
19803,88780.1%
19904,2539.4%
20004,2670.3%
20104,099−3.9%
2011 (est.)4,079[14]−0.5%
Population sources: 1930-1990[15] 2010[5]

As of the 2000 United States CensusTemplate:GR there were 4,267 people, 1,494 households, and 1,154 families residing in the township. The population density was 157.3 people per square mile (60.7/km²). There were 2,030 housing units at an average density of 74.9 per square mile (28.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.96% White, 0.16% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.09% of the population.

There were 1,494 households out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the township the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $63,750, and the median income for a family was $71,563. Males had a median income of $48,580 versus $35,505 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,933. About 1.6% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Stillwater is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year.[2] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

As of 2011, members of the Stillwater Township Committee are Mayor George Scott (2012), Deputy Mayor Timmy Fisher (2013), Charles Gross (2013), William Morrison (2011) and Anita Straway (serving until November 2011 for the unexpired term ending in 2012).[16]

Local emergency services

As of 2010, the Township Committee disbanded the Stillwater Police Department. Pending a lawsuit against the township, the New Jersey State Police assumed police coverage on a full time basis.[17]

The Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company, and the Swartswood Volunteer Fire Department provide fire and rescue services to the township. The Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company also provides services to Hardwick Township, in Warren County, along with Blairstown Hose Company #1. Stillwater also provides Ice Rescue services to the western portion of the county.

Stillwater Station houses CAFS Pumper 42-62, Rescue-Pumper 42-61, Tanker/Pumper 42-71, and utility and special operations 42-81. Swartswood Station houses Pumper 45-62, Tanker 45-71, and Utility 45-81.

Stillwater Emergency Rescue Squad provides Emergency Medical Services to the township, utilizing two full-size ambulances, and first response vehicles. EMS coverage is supplemented by The Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company's First Responder Division.

Federal, state and county representation

Stillwater Township is located in the 5th Congressional District[18] and is part of New Jersey's 24th state legislative district.[5][19][20]

For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Tenafly).[21][22] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).[23]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 24th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Parker Space (R, Wantage Township) and in the General Assembly by Dawn Fantasia (R, Franklin) and Mike Inganamort (R, Chester Township).[24] Template:NJ Governor

Template:NJ Sussex County Freeholders

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, out of a 2010 Census population of 4,099 in Stillwater, there were 3,009 registered voters (73.4% of the population, vs. 65.8% in all of Sussex County). Of registered voters, 468 (15.6% vs. 16.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,354 (45.0% vs. 39.3% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 1,183 (39.3% vs. 44.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were four voters registered to other parties (three Greens and one Libertarian).[25]

On the national level, Stillwater is a stronghold for the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 65% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received 33%.[26] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 60% of the vote here, defeating Democrat Barack Obama, who received 37%.[27] This gives Stillwater Township a Cook PVI of R+15.

Education

The Stillwater Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The Stillwater Township School had an enrollment of 401 students as of the 2008-09 school year.[28]

The students of middle and high school age in public school for grades 7-12 attend Kittatinny Regional High School located in Hampton Township, which serves students who reside in Fredon Township, Hampton Township, Sandyston Township, Stillwater Township and Walpack Township.[29] The high school is located in Hampton, about seven minutes outside of the County seat of Newton.

Local attractions

Parks and recreation

Stillwater is the home of Swartswood State Park, established in 1914 as the first State Park established by the state of New Jersey. In the center of the park lies the Little Swartswood and Swartswood Lake. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.

Notable people

Notable current and former residents of Stillwater Township include:

See also

References

  1. ^ 2012 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, dated August 9, 2012. Accessed October 31, 2012. term-end year of 2011 is listed as of date accessed.
  2. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 110.
  3. ^ a b c d Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2013.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Stillwater, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed January 4, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c d Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 11. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  6. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed October 31, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 232. Accessed October 25, 2012.
  8. ^ Snell, James P. (complied). History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New jersey, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1881), 383.
  9. ^ Snell, James P. (complied). History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New jersey, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1881), 474.
  10. ^ The legislature's act of 20 November 1824 creating Warren County effectively divided Hardwick Township in half, see: State of New Jersey. Acts of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey. (1824), 146-147, subsequent acts would create Stillwater and Green Townships from parts of Hardwick, at 126.
  11. ^ "Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100", New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.
  12. ^ U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service. Soil Survey of Sussex County, New Jersey (Washington, DC: 2009), 3.
  13. ^ Snell, James P. (1881) History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Centennial ed., Harmony, NJ: Harmony Press, 1981), pg. 383
  14. ^ Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 27, 2012.
  15. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  16. ^ Stillwater Township Committee, Stillwater Township. Accessed April 2, 2011.
  17. ^ Keller, Elisa D. "Stillwater disbands police department", New Jersey Herald, December 4, 2009. Accessed April 2, 2011.
  18. ^ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  19. ^ 2012 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 65, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  20. ^ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  21. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
  22. ^ Biography, Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Josh now lives in Wyckoff, New Jersey with Marla, his wife who was a federal prosecutor, and their two young children, Ellie and Ben."
  23. ^ States in the Senate: New Jersey, United States Senate. Accessed January 23, 2025. "Cory A. Booker (D) Hometown: Newark; Andy Kim (D) Hometown: Moorestown"
  24. ^ Legislative Roster for District 24, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 18, 2024.
  25. ^ "http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-sussex-co-summary-report.pdf
  26. ^ http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/presidential_sussex_co_2004.pdf
  27. ^ http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/08-gen-elect-presidential-results-sussex.pdf
  28. ^ Data for the Stillwater Township School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 2, 2011.
  29. ^ Kittatiny Regional School District 2010 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 2, 2011. "Located in beautiful, rural Sussex County in northwest New Jersey, Kittatinny Regional School District serves the five municipalities of Fredon Township, Hampton Township, Sandyston Township, Stillwater Township and the Township of Walpack."
  30. ^ Staff. "KILMER CHILDREN GET $25,602 EACH; Soldier-Poet's Heirs Share in Estate Left by Their Grandfather in Jersey", The New York Times, 31 January 1937. Accessed 20 January 2013. "At Stillwater, N. J., today Mrs. Aline Kilmer, widow of the poet, said that her son, Kenton, in addition to his duties with the FHA, has been writing verse."
  31. ^ Snell, James P. (complied). History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New jersey, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1881), 33-34.
  32. ^ Snell, James P. (complied). History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New jersey, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Pioneers. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1881), 32, 380.
  33. ^ Schaeffer, Casper and Johnson, William M. Memoirs and reminiscences : together with sketches of the early history of Sussex County, New Jersey. (Hackensack, N.J. : Privately printed, 1907).
  34. ^ Sussex County Clerk's Office (Newton, NJ) Deed between Louis Finkelstein and Jane Culp Finklestein to Sherry Jenkins. (12 June/24 July 2000). Deed Book 2475, page 305&c.
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