Beginner's Guide to New Jersey

Delaware Indians

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The Delaware Indians were the first known people to live on the land now known as New Jersey. They lived on this land starting at least ten thousand years ago. Anywhere from eight thousand to twenty thousand Indians lived in this area when the first Europeans arrived. The name Delaware Indians means “genuine people” or “original people”. Algonquian dialect was the language they spoke. They were considered one tribe, the Delaware Indians didn’t act as one unified group. There lived in small communities made up of mostly extended family members. Women would work in the gardens growing sweet potatoes, corn, squash and beans. The men would hunt or fish during the day. They would search for clams off the Jersey Shore depending on the season. The Delaware Indians lived in parts of Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.

Colonial Period

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New Jersey was a major battleground. There were about one hundred battles fought in the New Jersey region. New Jersey’s family and culture was much like other colonies. People lived in little houses in villages. Families would come together and build fires at night so they could read the bible together. They were hearty drinkers and eaters. Most of the families had vegetable gardens. The first colonists were taught by the Indians to grow and prepare their gardens. Apples, peaches, peas, carrots, cherries, plums and lettuce were other food sources they used to eat. They also raised pigs, chickens and cows for food. Water was not a popular drink because it was hard to keep clean, so beer was the main beverage. These people living in the colonial period were very hard workers. Usually me would run the business, but not all the time. Women would take over their husband’s business when he passed, along with all the housework. Most had lots of children which was good in the long run because they would help out on the farms and with the other chorus.

Early Statehood

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From the American Revolution to the Industrial Revolution, history abounds in New Jersey. New Jersey became the third state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787 and the first state to sigh the Bill of Rights. Trenton officially became the state capital on New Jersey in 1790. William Livingston became New Jersey’s first state governor. In the 1800's New Jersey grew and prospered. Factories sprung up throughout the state. Paterson, New Jersey became a textile center and later became known for producing trains and silk. Trenton, New Jersey produced clay products, steel and iron. New canals and railroads helped industry grow. Europeans came by the thousands to New Jersey to work in the factories. South Jersey remained mostly rural, growing crops to feed the urban area nearby. Railroads were important in helping South Jersey seashores expand. In the 1850's population grew to nearly a half a million people and the industries in which most people worked were in the North. New Jersey provided thirty one groups of soldiers during the Civil War which included, the cavalry and infantry. Over twenty-five thousand New Jersey men fought for the Union, and New Jersey soldiers participated in almost every major Eastern battle.

Industry, Immigrants and Innovation

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New Jersey continued to grow after the Civil War, and the industrial revolution was under way. Many factories opened, and cities like Camden, Paterson, Newark and Trenton got bigger as immigrants came from Europe to work in the factories. In order to transport materials, railroads were laid to connect the cities. In the beginning, immigrants came from Ireland and Germany. Later on people would come from Italy and countries throughout Eastern Europe. Half the state’s population was born or had parents who were born outside the United States in 1910. Farm populations shrank as the cities population’s grew. With many people working in the factories, child labor and protection for workers became important. The state’s economic expansion had a lot to do with the genius of it’s inventors. Thomas Edison is the most famous. The light bulb, along with thousands of inventions helped develop a motion picture while working in New Jersey. In the early 1900's, Fort Lee, New Jersey became the motion picture capital of the world.

The 1900's

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New Jersey population doubled and manufacturing became a four billion dollar industry between 1900 and 1930. In the 1930's the Great Depression hit New Jersey hard bringing massive unemployment. After World War II in the 1940's, the state rebounded in electronics and chemical industries. People who lived in the overcrowded cities started moving back to the rural areas. Many transportation projects helped better connect New Jersey. The Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike opened in the 1950's. Air travel has close ties to New Jersey. The first passenger flight in American history was flown from New York to Atlantic City on May 3, 1919. Now New Jersey is home to two international airports, Atlantic City and Newark. In 1963, Newark airport expanded it’s passenger and cargo services. Newark became one of the worlds busiest airports in the 1980's. New Jersey is recognized for it’s present as well as the past, and will continue to be the setting for many great events in the future.

New Jersey's Mysteries

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Pirate’s, politicians murderers, and heros have all made their way through New Jersey, making New Jersey the most interesting state there is. On July 12, 1916, New Jersey began like any other day, hot and humid. Captain Thomas Cottrell took a break from his bait and tackle shop and tried to catch a cool breeze near the mouth of the Matawan Creek in Keyport, New Jersey. Captain Cottrell was a retired sailor and part-time fisherman. While sitting in the middle of the creek he saw a large black shadow. Captain Cottrell knew immediately what he was seeing. A Shark! Captain Cottrell was not the only one seeing sharks, Sharks were on everybody’s mind. Many people were injured or killed by the shark that attacked in the summer of 1916. People were still puzzled today as to how and why did a man eating shark attack here. The film “JAWS” was reportedly based on the shark attack of 1916. In the 1800's there were supposedly fifteen women burned as witches. They were buried on Whippoorwill Valley Road in Middletown, New Jersey and when you drive down the road you can feel fifteen bumps where the graves are. “Hellraiser” a local legend in a mysterious black monster truck would run you off the road. Another mystery is “Wall of Faces”. If you take a picture at night and develop the film you would see faces all over the wall. The Cooper Road legend is called “The Baby Bridge” On a night when the moon is full, at midnight if you pass over the bridge, stop the car and shut off the engine you can hear a baby cry. If you hear the baby cry the mother supposedly comes after you.

Resources
www.state.nj.us
www,mvschools.org
www.njhm.com
www.jerseyhistory.org

New Jersey - Short Stay Overview

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If you are heading to New Jersey for a three day vacation, there are plenty of thing to do and see while staying in New Jersey. You can enjoy museum’s, amusements park, lighthouse’s, shopping and so much more. If you are visiting New Jersey and just want to relax, just head to the beach or find a relaxing spa resort and enjoy. If you are looking for some fun or action, there are plenty of exciting things to do. You can head to many wonderful world class casino resorts in New Jersey. If you are looking for an action packed weekend or just looking to relax and take in the scenery, New Jersey is the place to be. New Jersey is great for the whole family. So pack your bags and enjoy.

Day One

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If you enjoy lighthouse’s, New Jersey is a perfect place to visit. With eleven lighthouse’s, there is a lot to explore. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse was built in 1746 and is the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States. It has operated continuously since 1746, but was dark during the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. It is visible for more than nineteen miles at sea. The grounds are open daily and is open for tours on the weekend during the spring, summer and fall. The Cape May Lighthouse was built in 1859. It is one hundred and fifty-seven feet tall and has one hundred and ninety-nine steps. The lighthouse is still active and can be seen for twenty-four miles at sea. The grounds are open daily from April to November and most weekends the rest of the year. Finns Point Lighthouse was built in 1876. It was originally constructed in Buffalo, New York. The lighthouse was moved by train and then by mule wagon to Pennsville, New Jersey. The lighthouse is open the third Sunday of each month from June to September. These are just a few examples of lighthouse’s in New Jersey that you can go see. If you love lighthouse’s you can make a day of sightseeing all the lighthouse’s.

Day Two

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If you are a sports nut you’re in luck. The Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey is one of the greatest sports entertainment complex in the world. It is home to the New York Giants, New York Jets and the New Jersey soccer team. That’s just the beginning. The Continental Airline’s Arena is home to the New Jersey Nets and the hockey team New Jersey Devils. The Continental Airline’s Arena is also a part of the Meadowland Complex. If you are into horse racing the Meadowland Racetrack is the place to be. The annual Haskill Invitational is the oldest and fastest daytime racing track. The New Jersey minor league baseball team, The Lakewood Blueclaws has drawn more than a million fans. The Blueclaws have been among the top twenty teams to draw nearly six thousand nine hundred fans to a game. No matter what your interest in sports would be, you are sure to be satisfied in New Jersey. If you are into fishing or golfing, there are more than four thousand lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs. There are more than two hundred public and private courses for every level of golfer. Weather you like to pick your own spot near a creek or you like to take a boat on a lake, a day of fishing is one of life’s great pleasures. Weather you are in the mood for taking in a game or two, or playing golf you will be pleased of what you will find in New Jersey. If fishing is your pleasure, rent a boat, pack a lunch and take the whole family out for a day of fishing on the lake. Maybe, just maybe you will have a story to tell about “the big one” that got away. What ever sport or hobby you are into, you will be sure to find it in New Jersey.

Day Three

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If you are interested in the history of New Jersey and enjoying parks and museums, New Jersey is blessed with thousands of acres of state and national parks. Recreation areas offer a variety of outdoor activities. New Jersey has thirty-nine state parks, eleven forests, and fifty-seven historic sites. One of the dramatic parks that draws over four million visitor’s a year is Liberty State Park. Liberty State Park has served a vital role in New Jersey’s development, metropolitan region and the history of the nation. Liberty State Park was a major waterfront area with an extensive freight and passenger transportation network. On June 14, 1976, Flag Day the park was formerly opened. Most of this one thousand one hundred and twenty-two acre park is open space with about three hundred acres for public recreation. Manhattan Skyline and Ellis Island Park offers a spectacular backdrop. The park features the Central Railroad of New Jersey. With picnic areas throughout it is a perfect place to spend the day with family. With seventy thousand acres of gorgeous scenery the Delaware Water Gap features waterfalls and many outdoor activities. The Delaware Water Gap runs along forty miles of the Delaware River. More than two million visitors a year visit the Sandy Hook Park. There is nearly two thousand acres of fishing, hiking, ocean and natural acres. Sandy Hook is a barrier beach peninsula at the northern tip of the New Jersey shore. The park includes seven miles of ocean beaches, salt marshes, hiking trails and a maritime holly forest. The Sandy Hook Park includes the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the United States, and the historic Fort Hancock. New Jersey provides fabulous settings for outdoor activities. So get out there and enjoy your day visiting all the parks and enjoy learning some history of New Jersey. Grab the family and your camera and make some memories.

Casinos

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If you are not the type of person who likes sports or seeing any of the sites, you can always spend a day at any of the thirteen world class casinos. More than thirty-three million people visit Atlantic City. You can cash in on the action of thirteen dazzling casino resort with twenty-four hour gaming excitement, headline entertainment and gourmet dining. The spectacle of lights, decor and action are a dazzling backdrop against the world famous Boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean, as well as the bay side of the city. The Trump Plaza, which used to be thirty-one stories now includes a hotel tower. The Trump Plaza make over now includes a five thousand square foot casino bar called “Liquid”. The Borgato Hotel, Casino and Spa infused nightlife by opening MIXX club. Clubbers get in by finding their way through slots and roulette tables. This exciting concept leaves visitors eager and thrilled. The Tropicana, which is worth two hundred and eighty million dollars has a mixture of casino clubs, restaurants and boutiques. The “Quarter” is connected to the casino and is in an area where tourists can also shop, dine or club hop. Atlantic City once known as a playground for older citizens has turned into a hip and happening place, attracting visitors of different and multiple interest. A lot of the credit goes to the developers and investors of the signature stores, restaurants and exciting entertainment sites between and around the casino resorts. You will always have something to do in New Jersey. You will have to come back several times to visit and take in new things. So head to New Jersey and enjoy a whatever it is you like to see and do. You will be pleased to find your interest in New Jersey.

Resources
www.state.nj.com
www.atlanticcity.com
www.newjerseybasketballcourts.com
www.nj.com

New Jersey Communities

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New Jersey Attractions

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New Jersey Accommodations

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New Jersey - Short Stay

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Beginner's Guide to New Jersey

Delaware Indians

Colonial Period

Early Statehood

Industry, Immigrants and Innovation

The 1900's

New Jersey's Mysteries

New Jersey - Short Stay Overview

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Casinos

New Jersey Communities

New Jersey Communities Overview

Education

Job Industry

Growth in Atlantic City

New Jersey Attractions

New Jersey Attractions Overview

New Jersey Navel Museum

Space Farms Zoo and Museum

Keensburg Amusement Park

New Jersey Accommodations

New Jersey Accommodations Overview

Bed and Breakfast Inns

Casino's

Resort Spas

New Jersey - Short Stay

New Jersey - Short Stay Overview

Day One

Day Two

Day Three