Haddon Township, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Haddon Township, New Jersey
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Haddon Township highlighted in Camden County


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Haddon Township, New Jersey

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Camden
government_footnotes =
government_type = Walsh Act
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Randall J. "Randy" Teague
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = February 23, 1865

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 7.3
area_land_km2 = 7.0
area_water_km2 = 0.3
area_total_sq_mi = 2.8
area_land_sq_mi = 2.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 14354
population_density_km2 = 2101.7
population_density_sq_mi = 5443.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|882156|Township of Haddon, Geographic Names Information System, accessed October 17, 2007.]
elevation_m = 6
elevation_ft = 20
latd = 39 |latm = 54 |lats = 22 |latNS = N
longd = 75 |longm = 3 |longs = 46 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 08108
area_code = 856
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-28740GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0882156GR|3
website = http://www.haddontwp.com/
footnotes =

Haddon Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 14,651.

By an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1865, Haddon Township was incorporated as a township from portions of Newton Township. From the original township the following were subsequently created: Haddonfield (April 6, 1875), Collingswood (May 22, 1888), Woodlynne (March 19, 1901), Haddon Heights (March 2, 1904), Audubon (March 13, 1905) and Oaklyn (also March 13, 1905)."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 106.]

Haddon Township has two exclaves—rare in New Jersey—West Collingswood Heights and West Collingswood Extension. The main portion of the township is colloquially known as Westmont, a name that probably derived from a noted harness racing horse. [http://www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org/hths--photos--name.htm "The Name 'Westmont'" by William B. Brahms, Haddon Township Historical Society Web Site. Accessed August 30, 2008] ] Haddon Township has an slightly higher number of liquor stores, restaurants which serve alcohol, and bars because the neighboring boroughs of Collingswood, Haddonfield and Haddon Heights prohibit the sale of alcohol.

History

In 1701, Elizabeth Haddon Estaugh, the daughter of John Haddon, arrived in the American colonies to oversee his large landholdings, which included areas that are now Haddon Township and Haddonfield. The contemporary Newton Township included land that later became part of Oaklyn, Audubon, Audubon Park, Collingswood, Gloucester City, Woodlynne, Camden, Haddon Heights and Haddonfield. Its first European settlers were Irishmen who settled in the area of Newton Creek in 1681. During the 1860s the area began to lose its cohesion, and in 1865, the eastern portion of Newton Township broke away to become Haddon Township.

Saddlertown

In the late 1830s, a runaway slave, who had taken the surname Saddler to avoid detection by his former master, came to New Jersey from a Maryland plantation with his wife and two daughters. The man took a job with Cy Evans, a local Quaker farmer. After learning that he was opposed to slavery, the slave told his employer that he had fled slavery on a plantation. Evans gave the slave 50 acres to farm, and he was able to live there peacefully. [http://www.saddlerswoods.org/35807.html History] , Saddler's Woods Conservation Association. Accessed October 17, 2007.]

The area where Saddler settled became a predominantly black area known as Saddlertown, so named in honor of Saddler's generosity in inviting others to share in his gift; Saddlertown was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, the area has come to include members of other racial groups.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km²), of which, 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (3.93%) is water.

Haddon Township borders Audubon, Audubon Park, Camden, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gloucester City, Haddonfield, Mount Ephraim, and Oaklyn.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930= 9198
1940= 9708
1950= 12379
1960= 17099
1970= 18192
1980= 15875
1990= 14837
2000= 14651
estimate=14354
estyear=2007
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=06000US3400728740&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3476070&_street=&_county=haddon&_cityTown=haddon&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Haddon township] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 2, 2007.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990 [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 14,651 people, 6,207 households, and 3,891 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,443.4 people per square mile (2,102.9/km²). There were 6,423 housing units at an average density of 2,386.4/sq mi (921.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.42% White, 1.18% African American, 0.05% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 6,207 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the township the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $51,076, and the median income for a family was $65,269. Males had a median income of $44,943 versus $32,967 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,610. About 1.6% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Haddon Township is governed by a three-member commission under the Walsh Act, which has been in place since 1950. [ [http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/MFMG/MFMGCH4.PDF The Commission Form of Municipal Government] , p. 53. Accessed August 10, 2007.] Members of the Commission are elected at-large in nonpartisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 33.]

Each of the commissioners is responsible for supervising their assigned department. The three commissioners vote among themselves to choose a part-time mayor, who presides over meetings but has no separate executive function. Haddon Township has had only three mayors in its history. William Rohrer, William J. Park Jr, and Randall Teague.

Members of the Haddon Township Committee are: [ [http://www.haddontwp.com/township.php?page=townshipdirectory Haddon Township Directory] , accessed June 20, 2008.]
*Mayor Randall J. "Randy" Teague (I) - Commissioner of Public Works, Parks and Public Property
*Commissioner Paul Dougherty (D) - Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety
*Commissioner John Foley (R) - Commissioner of Revenue and Finance

Emergency services

Haddon Township is divided into four fire districts. Each district is governed by five elected fire commissioners. Fire District 1 is the Westmont section and is protected by the [http://www.westmontfireco.org Westmont Fire Co. No. 1] . Fire District 2 is the West Collingswood Extension section and it contracts with the Borough of Collingswood for fire protection from the [http://www.collingswoodfd.com Collingswood Fire Department] (Station 16-1). Fire District 3 is the Bettlewood, Heather Glen, and Heather Woods sections and it contracts with the Westmont Fire Company Number 1 for fire protection from district 1. Fire District 4 is the West Collingswood Heights section and it is protected by the West Collingswood Heights Fire Co. Westmont Fire Co. (Station 15-1) and West Collingswood Heights Fire Co. (Station 15-2) are both Haddon Township companies, but separate entities each with their own chiefs.

Ambulance service throughout the Township is also divided, mirroring that of the fire service.

The Westmont Fire Co. No. 1 was established in 1902. It provides both fire and EMS services.

Police coverage throughout the entire township is provided by the [http://www.haddontwp.com/Police.htm Haddon Township Police Department] .

Federal, state and county representation

Haddon Township is part of the 1st Congressional District and part of New Jersey's 6th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 58. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

The Haddon Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406360 Data for the Haddon Township School District] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed June 20, 2008.] ) are five PreK-5/K-5 elementary schools — [http://www.edline.net/pages/edison Thomas A. Edison Elementary School] (143 students), [http://www.edline.net/pages/jennings Clyde S. Jennings Elementary School] (134), [http://www.edline.net/pages/stoy Stoy Elementary School] (176), [http://www.edline.net/pages/strawbridge Strawbridge Elementary School] (253), [http://www.edline.net/pages/vansciver Van Sciver Elementary School] (294) — [http://www.edline.net/pages/rohrer William G. Rohrer Middle School] (472) for grades 6-8 and
Haddon Township High School (762) for grades 9-12.

Prior to the establishment of Haddon Township High School in the 1960s, most Haddon Township students attended high school at Collingswood High School; however, some went to Haddonfield Memorial High School or Audubon High School depending on the section of the Township they resided in. [ [http://www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org/photos--schools--highschool.htm Haddon Township Historical Society - Haddon Township High School] .]

Haddon Township also has two private schools, Holy Saviour Regional School, which will soon be closing, and merging with another school in Collingswood, New Jersey.

Holy Saviour Regional School is an elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Paul VI High School which is a regional high school within the diocese with an enrollment of over 1,000 students. [ [http://www.camdendiocese.org/schools/cc.html Camden County Schools] , Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Accessed July 10, 2008.]

Transportation

Westmont, the downtown section of Haddon Township, has a PATCO Park-and-Ride station.

New Jersey Transit local bus service to Philadelphia is provided on the 403 route, with local service available on the 450 and 451 routes. [ [http://www.njtransit.com/sf_tp_rc_camden.shtml Camden County Bus/Rail Connections] , New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 21, 2007.]

Points of interest

*Ritz Theatre is an active live producing theatre company, built in a Colonial Revival style in 1927 as a vaudeville theatre. In 2002, the Ritz was added to the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places. [ [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NJ/Camden/state2.html NEW JERSEY - Camden County] , National Register of Historic Places. Accessed February 25, 2008.]

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Haddon Township include:
*Mitch Albom (1958-), writer. [Beckerman, Jim, [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MzgmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY0NzM4NDImeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk5 "Everyman as Sombody,"] "The Record (Bergen County)", January 11, 2004. Accessed August 19, 2007. "For his first work of fiction, Albom drew on memories of his New Jersey childhood (he grew up in Haddon Township, near Philadelphia, and summered at Atlantic City and Ocean City)."]
*Laurie Beechman (1953-1998), Broadway actress. [ [http://www.theatrefest.com/LaurieBeechman/default.asp Laurie Beechman Tribute web page] Accessed August 19, 2007.] '
*Larry Kane American journalist and only American reporter whom The Beatles let travel with them on their 1964 North American tour. [ Kane, Larry (2001)"Larry Kane's Philadelphia" Philadelphia : Temple University Press. ISBN 1-56639-806-1; p. 12] [ Kane, Larry (2003) "Ticket to Ride: Inside the Beatles' 1964 Tour That Changed the World" New York : Penguin Books. ISBN 0-7624-1592-4]
* John V. Merrick (1828-1906), president of the Franklin Institute. [ [http://www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org/photos--schools--vansciver.htm/ Haddon Township Histoical Society Page on Van Sciver Tract/Van Sciver School] Accessed August 19, 2008.]
* Samuel V. Merrick (1801–1870), first President of the Pennsylvania Railroad and co-founder of the Franklin Institute. [ [http://www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org/photos--schools--vansciver.htm/ Haddon Township Histoical Society Page on Van Sciver Tract/Van Sciver School] Accessed August 19, 2008.]
*Sal Paolantonio(1956-) ESPN reporter and writer. [http://php.courierpostonline.com/data_public/realestate/transactions.php?searchmunic=Haddon+Twp./Real Estate Transfers in Haddon Township (Courier Post Public Data)]
*Steven Spielberg (1946-), motion picture director and producer. [ [http://courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061019/SPECIAL20/610190418/-1/Haddon_Twp Haddon Township: Part of a larger whole] , "Courier-Post", October 19, 2006, Accessed April 21, 2007. "Did you know film director Steven Spielberg lived in Haddon Township as a youngster? Spielberg lived in the township from 1950 to 1953 and he is believed to have seen one of his first movies at the Westmont Theater."]
*Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911), writer and suffragette [ [http://www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org/photos--schools--vansciver.htm/ Haddon Township Histoical Society Page on Van Sciver Tract/Van Sciver School] Accessed August 19, 2008.]
*John M. Whitall (1800-1877), glass manufacturer and philanthropist. [ [http://www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org/photos--schools--vansciver.htm/ Haddon Township Histoical Society Page on Van Sciver Tract/Van Sciver School] Accessed August 19, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.haddontwp.com/ Haddon Township municipal website]
* [http://www.haddon.k12.nj.us/ Haddon Township School District]
*NJReportCard|07|1890|0|Haddon Township School District
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3406360 Data for the Haddon Township School District] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.saddlerswoods.org/ Saddler's Woods Conservation Association]
* [http://www.haddontwphistoricalsociety.org/ Haddon Township Historical Society]