Union City, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Union City, New Jersey
nickname =
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Union City highlighted in Hudson County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Union City, New Jersey
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_name2 = Hudson
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Brian P. Stack
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = January 1, 1925
population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
settlement_type = City
population_total = 63930
population_metro =
population_urban =
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 1.3
area_total_km2 = 3.3
area_land_sq_mi = 1.3
area_land_km2 = 3.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
population_density_km2 = 20,395.9
population_density_sq_mi = 52,977.8
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern (EDT)
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 40 |latm = 46 |lats = 04 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 01 |longs = 55 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 59
elevation_ft = 194
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885424|Union City, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 13, 2007.]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 07087
area_code = 201
website = http://www.ucnj.com/
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-74630GR|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 = 0881349GR|3
footnotes = :"For sites of same name, see: Union City."

Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 67,088, living on a land area of 3.28 km² (1.27 sq mi). It is the most densely populated city in the United States, with a density of 52,977.8 per square mile - roughly twice as dense as New York City. [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US34&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-PH1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-format=ST-7 United States Census Bureau] ] (Dead link|date=May 2008)Gerut, Amanda. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2Mzg4MDE5JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mw= "Clifton to consider allowing town houses on river"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", June 6, 2003. Accessed June 10, 2007. "Passaic is the third most densely populated city in America, after Union City and New York City, and public officials usually decry any new home building, especially projects that involve multifamily dwellings."] Dead link|date=May 2008 [http://cct.edc.org/admin/publications/report/uc_transform_cond00.pdf "The Transformation of Union City: 1989 to Present"] , Center for Children and Technology, August 15, 2000. Accessed June 10, 2007. "The following facts describe the demographics of Union City, NJ: It is the most densely populated city in the U.S."]

Union City was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 1, 1925, replacing both Union Hill and West Hoboken Township."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 148.]

History

The area of what is today Union City was originally inhabited by the Lenape, but was later settled by Germans in 1851, who moved across the Hudson River from New York City in search of affordable land and open space.

The area between what is now Palisade and Bergenline Avenue, from 22nd to 32nd Street was a Civil War installation called Camp Yates. Trolleys began to operate in West Hoboken and Union Hill in 1890, after the area was electrified. The area on which Roosevelt Stadium stood was part of a farm called Kerrigan Farm. The street that now runs from 15th Street to 25th and ends at the stadium site is called Kerrigan Avenue.

From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, German Americans and Dutch dominated the area. They, along with Swiss and Austrian immigrants, founded the European-style lace making industries, for which they were famous. Union City and West New York became the "embroidery capitol of the United States", and the embroidery industry's trademark is on the Union City Seal.

At the turn of the 20th century, Irish and Italian immigrants came to the city, and dominated the city until the late 1960s. The first Cubans immigrated to Union City in the 1940s, having been attracted to the city in search of work after hearing of its famed embroidery factories. Successive waves of immigrants from Eastern Europe, the Near East and Latin America have contributed imagination and skill to the industry in subsequent years. [ [http://www.parkpac.org/pp_exh.html The Cultural Thread/ El Hilo Cultural] , Park Performing Art Center. Accessed June 25, 2007.] Then, as today, Union City is a destination for immigrants because it serves as a more affordable and less congested alternative to Manhattan.

Union City was incorporated on June 1, 1925 by merging the two towns of West Hoboken and Union Hill. One of the city's two high schools, Union Hill High School, continues to bear the name that former town to this day. After World War II, veterans relocated to Bergen County, causing a short-lived decline in the population. In the late 1960s, a large migration of Cuban refugees fleeing Fidel Castro's regime came and settled in Union City, making Union City for many years the city with the largest Cuban population in the U.S. after Miami, hence its nickname, "Havana on the Hudson."Hope, Bradley. [http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020669&docId=l:413337263&start=1 "Havana on Hudson Reverberates After Castro's Operation"] , "The New York Sun", August 2, 2006. Accessed June 25, 2007. "Several of the group's leaders sat in chairs around the union hall on a quiet street in Union City, N.J., a town minutes away from Manhattan that was once known as "Havana on the Hudson."] In recent years however, the Hispanic population has diversified. Today's influx of immigrants comes from the Dominican Republic, Central and South America. Middle class people from New York City have also settled there.

The easternmost streets of Union City, in particular Mountain Road and Palisade Avenue, boast some impressive views of neighboring Weehawken, Hoboken and the New York City skyline, a feature which, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, was exploited by numerous Union City citizens, such as those who stood in the courtyard of the Union City Boxing Club to view the event's aftereffects. A piece of wreckage from the attack was used to create a monument that now stands in that courtyard.

Geography

Union City is located at coor dms|40|46|4|N|74|1|55|W|city (40.767651 , -74.031833).GR|1 It is bordered by North Bergen in the west and West New York to the north, Weehawken to the east, and Hoboken to the southeast and Jersey City to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²). All of it is land and none of it is covered by water. It meets with Jersey City along Paterson Plank Road while Kennedy Boulevard divides Union City and North Bergen right down the west side of the city with the exception of a small portion of Kennedy Boulevard which is entirely in Union City from 32nd Street to 39th Street.

Commerce

Union City is in a state-established "Urban Enterprise Zone", which was implemented through a program designed to assist businesses in economically distressed communities across New Jersey. Businesses within the zone apply for a variety of incentives, including a sales tax reduction to customers of 3½% from the mandated 7% statewide sales tax, with no tax on purchases made by merchants related to running their businesses. Revenue generated from the reduced sales tax is maintained in a special fund dedicated for use within the zone for specific economic development and physical improvement projects. [ [http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/financing/tax/geographic.shtml#2 Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs: Urban Enterprise Zone Employee Tax Credit] , State of New Jersey. Accessed July 28, 2008.] The zone was established in February 1995 through the efforts of Assemblyman Raúl "Rudy" Garcia, who later became the city's mayor. Between 1995 and 2000, over 150 businesses participated in the tax incentives and other advantages offered by the program.

Until the 1880s, the primary commercial area of Union City was Palisade Avenue. An influential citizen named Henry Kohlmeier who lived there objected to the noise created by horse-drawn public coaches, which led to the route being transferred two blocks west to what is now Bergenline Avenue (formerly Lewis Street), which runs parallel to Palisade Avenue, and which remains the city's main commercial thoroughfare. Currently the longest commercial avenue in the state, boasting over 300 retail stores and restaurants, Bergenline runs through not only the entire length of Union City from north to south, but also through West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen, making it the main commercial strip for Northern Hudson County. Also known as the "Miracle Mile", Bergenline's largest concentration of retail and chain stores begins at the intersection of 32nd Street and continues north until 92nd Street in North Bergen, and while it is a narrow one-way, southbound street throughout most of Union City, it becomes a four lane, two-way street at 48^th Street, just one block south of the town's limit. Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day Parade. Summit Avenue, beginning south of 17th Street, is also a busy commercial district.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930=58659
1940=56173
1950=55537
1960=52180
1970=57305
1980=55593
1990=58012
2000=67088
estimate= 63930
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3436000&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3436000&_street=&_county=union+city&_cityTown=union+city&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Union City city] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 11, 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 67,088 people, 22,872 households, and 16,056 families residing in the city. The population density was 20,395.9/km² (52,977.8/sq mi), extremely high for an American municipality, and in fact twice as high as New York City, although slightly less than Manhattan alone. Union City is the most densely populated city in the United States, though neighboring Guttenberg (a town) is more densely populated. There were 23,741 housing units at an average density of 7, 217.7/km² (18,747.7/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 58.38% White, 3.64% African American, 0.70% Native American, 2.15% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 28.19% from other races, and 6.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 82.32% of the population.

In the early days of the post-Revolution era, Union City boasted the nation's largest Cuban population, second only to Miami, Florida, leading to the nickname Havana on the Hudson. [Rosero, Jessica. [http://www.hudsonreporter.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17118972&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523584&rfi=8 "Most liquor licenses? Bumpiest town? Local municipalities hold unusual distinctions"] , "Hudson Reporter", August 27, 2006. Accessed June 25, 2007. "At one time, Union City had its own claim to fame as being the second largest Cuban community in the nation, after Miami. During the wave of immigrant exiles of the 1960s, the Cuban population that did not settle in Miami's Little Havana found its way to the north in Union City. However, throughout the years, the growing Cuban community has spread out to other regions of North Hudson."] In the ensuing decades, Cuban residents have spread out to other communities of North Hudson County. West New York, at 19.64%, now has the highest percentage of Cubans in New Jersey, with Union City in second place, with 15.35%. These two municipalities having the highest Cuban population percentage in the United States, outside of Florida. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Cuban.html Cuban Ancestry] , Epodunk. Accessed June 16, 2006.] Because of the still-high Cuban population, the major New York City television news outlets will invariably journey to Union City to interview citizens when news items involving Cuba or Fidel Castro arise. Moreover, Union City still boasts the largest Hispanic population percentage in New Jersey. It also has a very diversified Hispanic population with Cubans, Dominicans, and the more recent South Americans and Central Americans. Almost 60% of the population is foreign born, and 53% speak English less than "very well".

As of the 2000 census, 5.94% of Union City's residents identified themselves as being of Ecuadorian ancestry, which was the third highest of any municipality in New Jersey and the seventh highest percentage of Ecuadorian people in any place in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Ecuadorian.html Ecuadorian Communities] , Epodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.]

Most people live in two or three family houses and apartment buildings. There were 22,872 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.40. Union City is ranked #48 on a list of cities with the highest number of renters. [ [http://www.city-data.com/ City Data] , accessed March 16, 2007.]

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.

As of 2000, Union City's employment breakdown is thus:27% Manufacturing,15% Professional,15% Retail,8% Transportation,8% Finance/Insurance/Real Estate,8% Wholesale Trade,6% Business and Trade,5% Construction,4% Personal Service,3% Public Administration,3% Communications, and1% Entertainment/Recreation.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,642, and the median income for a family was $32,246. Males had a median income of $25,598 versus $19,794 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,997. About 18.6% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over. The Brookings Institute studies rank Union City among the 92 most economically depressed localities in the United States, with 18.1% of the population and 27.5% of the children falling below the poverty line. The New Jersey Municipal Distress Index, which is based on social, economic, fiscal and physical indicators, ranks Union City as the 3rd most distressed community in the state. [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/edinovations/TechPlans-04-07.pdf The Union City Public Schools: Technology Plan 2004-2007] , Union City Board of Education, approved April 29, 2004, p. 4 of 25. Accessed June 25, 2007. "According to the 1997 New Jersey Municipal Distress Index, which is based on social, economic, fiscal and physical indicators, of the 566 municipalities in New Jersey, Union City is considered to be the 3rd most distressed community in the state.... In the 1940's Union City attracted the first Cuban immigrants. These early Cubans learned of Union City's famed embroidery factories and came in search of work."]

Government

Union City's City Hall is located at 3715 Palisade Avenue. The mayor of Union City also serves as a commissioner on the five-member Board of Commissioners, as per the city's Walsh Act form of government, which has been in place since 1930. [ [http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/MFMG/MFMGCH4.PDF The Commission Form of Municipal Government] , p. 53. Accessed August 11, 2007.]

The current mayor of Union City is Brian P. Stack, who became mayor in 2000 after a recall election forced the resignation of then-mayor Raúl "Rudy" Garcia. He also serves in the New Jersey General Assembly.

Five members comprise the Union City Board of Commissioners and serve in both administrative and legislative capacities. Each commissioner acts as the director of one of the five major departments of the City, administering the daily operations of his or her department. The five commissioners and their departmental assignments are: [ [http://www.ucnj.com/government.html Government: How City of Union City is Governed] , City of Union City. Accessed June 16, 2006.]
*Brian P Stack - Commissioner of Public Safety
*Lucio P. Fernandez Commissioner of Public Affairs
*Tilo E. Rivas - Commissioner of Public Works
*Maryury Martinetti - Commissioner of Revenue and Finance
*Christopher F. Irizarry - Commissioner of Parks and Public Property

Union City is in the Thirteenth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 33rd Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , p. 65. New jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed August 30, 2006.] West New York, Hoboken, Weehawken, and part of Jersey City form the other parts of the district. The mayors of both Union City and West New York represent the 33rd legislative district in the State Assembly.

Union City is in Freeholder [http://www.hudsoncountynj.org/downloads/freeholders/HC%20Freeholder%20District%206.pdf District 6] of the County's Board of Chosen Freeholders, and is represented by Tilo Rivas.

Transportation

The city is only two miles from New York City via the Lincoln Tunnel, one mile to the New Jersey Turnpike, four miles from the Garden State Parkway, and is situated at the junction of Route 495, Route 3, and U.S. Route 1/9.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service is available at the Bergenline Avenue station. HBLR is a light rail system, owned by New Jersey Transit and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, that connects the Hudson County communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen. Northbound service is available to Tonnelle Avenue. Southbound service is available to Hoboken Terminal and to stations along the routes to terminals at West Side Avenue in Jersey City and 22nd Street in Bayonne.

NJ Transit bus transportation is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 111, 121, 123, 124, 125, 127, 129, 154, 156, 159, 144, 190 (and the 108, 160, 161, 163, 167, 191, 192 by passenger request when heading to the Port Authority Bus terminal only), and the 195 (Saturdays only). The George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal is served by the 181. Jersey City can be reached on the 22, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88 and 89 routes. [ [http://www.njtransit.com/sf_tp_rc_hudson.shtml Hudson County Bus/rail Connections] , New Jersey Transit. Accessed July 3, 2007.]

The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport, located 12.5 miles away in Newark / Elizabeth. LaGuardia Airport in Flushing, Queens is 12.3 miles away via the Lincoln Tunnel. In addition, the Colombian airline Avianca operates a private bus service from John F. Kennedy Airport to Union City and Elizabeth for passengers on Avianca flights departing from and arriving to JFK. [" [http://www.avianca.com/Inicio/Banners/EN/bannerHome3_US Avianca takes you to John F. Kennedy Airport free] ." "Avianca".]

Education

Union City Board of Education operates public schools in Union City. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide. [ [http://www.nj.gov/cgi-bin/education/abbotts/abbotturls.pl?string=code&maxhits=100 Abbott Districts] , New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2008.] Through the 2007-08 school year, the city is served by two public high schools, Emerson High School and Union Hill High School. Starting in September 2009 Union Hill and Emerson High Schools will merge into a single school to be called Union City High School in a building on the site of the former Roosevelt Stadium. [Hu, Winnie. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/nyregion/22union.htm "After 88 Years of Rivalry, the Last as Us and Them"] , "The New York Times", November 22, 2007. Accessed January 2, 2008. "But today’s so-called Turkey Game signals the end of the tradition. Next fall, the two schools will merge in a new $176 million building.... The new Union City High School will take up four-and-a-half acres in the center of the city, squeezed between row houses and commercial strips. It will have a football field and bleachers built on the roof so that players will no longer have to share the facilities at José Martí Middle School."]

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=3416380 Data for the Union City Board of Education] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 27, 2008.] ) are [http://www.union-city-nj.org/modules/mxdirectory/visit.php?cid=6&lid=5 Thomas A. Edison School] (PK-8; 1,362), [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/schools/elem/gilmore/index.html Sara M. Gilmore School] (PK-5; 346), [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/schools/elem/hudson/index.html Hudson School] (PK-5; 436), [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/schools/elem/jefferson/index.html Jefferson School] (PK-5; 341), [http://www.union-city-nj.org/modules/mxdirectory/visit.php?cid=6&lid=11 Roosevelt School] (K-8; 1,028), Veteran's Memorial School (PK-5; 420), [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/schools/elem/washington/index.html Washington School] (K-8; 937), [http://www.union-city-nj.org/modules/mxdirectory/visit.php?cid=6&lid=10 Robert Waters School] (PK-8; 1,254) and [http://www.union-city-nj.org/modules/mxdirectory/visit.php?cid=6&lid=15 Woodrow Wilson School] (1-8; 325) for elementary school; [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/schools/middle/josemarti/index.html José Martí Middle School] (599) for grades 6-8; and
Emerson High School (1,495),
Union Hill High School (1,505) and
Union City Career Academy for grades 9-12. [ [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/schools/uchs/careeracademy/academy_site/academy_index.html Union City Career Academy at union-city.k12.nj.us] ]

Noteworthy landmarks

Middle School, which was completed in late 2004, and the public library housed in the same building.

Park Performing Arts Center (also known as the Park Theater [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8522695233374950514&hl=en "George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?" at] Google Video.] ) Located at 560 32nd Street, the Center was built in 1931 by the German congregation of a Catholic parish to house their cultural and educational programs. Its most outstanding feature is the Park Theater, which seats 1,400 people. It belongs to Holy Family Church and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, and was incorporated in 1983 as a non-profit arts center dedicated to presenting and producing programs for the surrounding communities. It is identified as "the only institution in the County solely dedicated to the performing arts" by the Hudson County Urban Complex Strategic Revitalization Plan. An addition was built to the theater in 2000. The theater is currently administered by John Penn Lewis. The theater's two most well-known events are Union City's annual Multi-Arts Festival and the annual Passion play.

In 1986 the bands Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. filmed the groundbreaking video for their single "Walk This Way" at the theater. Other noteworthy performers at the theater include Johnny Cash, and comedian George Carlin, who filmed his 1988 HBO special "George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?" there.

The Multi-Arts Festival is an exhibition of artwork, musical performances and workshops held every May since 1981, in which students and alumni of the various schools of Union City display their artwork, put on musical performances in the Park Theater, and put on free demonstrations of sculpture, portraiture and caricature for attendees. It was organized by Chairperson Agnes Dauerman, a Union Hill High School art teacher, for 25 years before she retired in 2005.

The Park Theater's Passion play made headlines in March 1997 when a black actor, Desi Arnaz Giles, was cast to play the part of Jesus Christ. This created an uproar that resulted in death threats directed at the theater, and as a result, cancellations by five tour groups. The theater also received hundreds of calls and faxes from around the world expressing support, and Daniel Quinn, assistant director of the play, opined that reaction to the play was 99% positive. Ticket sales actually increased as a result of the controversy, which was covered in the "New York Post", and the opening day's audience of 700 gave Giles a standing ovation for his portrayal of Jesus. The play was also attended by noted conservative political strategist Ralph Reed in April of that year. [ [http://204.27.188.70/daily/03-97/03-24-97/c01ho070.htm Briggs, David; "'I was looking at him and I couldn't see color'"] ] [ [http://www.passionplayusa.net/bljsus.htm Stories on the Passion Play controversy at passionplayusa.net] ]

Roosevelt Stadium This sporting arena (not to be confused with Jersey City, New Jersey's Roosevelt Stadium) opened November 25, 1937 as part of the New Deal's federally-funded Works Progress Administration Project. Originally the site of the Hudson County Consumers Brewery Company, the art deco [ [http://www.preservationnj.org/ten_most/ten_most_property_detail.asp?COUNTY=Hudson%20County&PropID=112 Endangered Historic Site: Hudson County: Roosevelt Stadium - 2004] , Preservation New Jersey. Accessed June 8, 2006.] stadium was bounded on the east by Summit Avenue and on the west by Kerrigan Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard between 24th and 26th Streets. Roosevelt Stadium stood 15 rows deep, seated 18,000 people, and housed events in football, soccer, track, boxing, and semi-pro baseball, as well as numerous special events, from carnivals and Fourth of July fireworks shows to an exhibition baseball game featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. The stadium's most noteworthy annual event was the Thanksgiving football "Turkey Game," held since 1919 between rivals Emerson High School's Bulldogs and Union Hill High School's Hillers. Its last Turkey Game took place on November 25, 2004, with Emerson victorious 21-0. It was demolished in the fall of 2005 to make way for the new Union City High School and Athletic Complex, which is scheduled for completion in September 2008.

Emerson High School Named for writer Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson High School, home to the Bulldogs, was opened in April 1915 as West Hoboken High School. Located on New York Avenue at 18th Street, the school's most unusual physical feature is the bridge that connects the original building with the gym building across the street, which was built in the 1980s, allowing students to cross New York Avenue from one building to the other on the second floor. A new high school that was to be the new Emerson High School will be completed in September 2008 on the site of the former Roosevelt Stadium, though it was decided to name it Union City High School, as a merger of both Emerson and Union Hill High School. The old Emerson H.S. will become a junior high school for grades 7 - 9.

15th Street Library Situated between Bergenline Avenue and New York Avenue, this library was built in 1904 with a grant from Andrew Carnegie. It boasts original stained glass and is considered by many to be of landmark quality. The library was closed in 2004 upon the completion of a new library on the corner of Summit Avenue and 18th Street, housed in the same building as the new [http://www.union-city.k12.nj.us/schools/middle/josemarti/index.htm José Martí Middle School] .

Celia Cruz Park (also known as Celia Cruz Plaza) On June 4, 2003, nearly a year after the death of Cuban-American salsa singer Celia Cruz (who lived in nearby Fort Lee), Union City heralded its annual Cuban Day Parade by dedicating its new Celia Cruz Park at 31st Street and Bergenline Avenue, with Cruz's widower, Pedro Knight, present. The park featured a sidewalk star in Cruz's honor, and an 8' x 10' mural by Union City's Edgardo Davila, a collage of Cruz's career throughout the decades. There are four other similar dedications to Cruz around the world. [ [http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11835952&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523584&rfi=8 Homage to Celia Cruz: UC to pay tribute to Queen of Salsa with events, park dedication] , "Union City Reporter", May 30, 2004.] Stars were later added to the park in honor of Tito Puente, Spanish language television news anchor Rafael Pineda, salsa pioneer and Johnny Pacheco. The park was again refurbished by the Latin American Kiwanis Club in early June 2006. The mural was replaced with a backlit photograph of Cruz, and seven more stars were added in honor performers such as merengue singer Joseíto Mateo, salsa singer La India, Cuban musician Israel "Cachao" Lopez, and Cuban tenor Beny Moré.

Noteworthy residents

*Akon (born 1973), Senegalese rapper. [ [http://randb.about.com/od/g1/p/Akon.htm Akon Profile] ; About.com, accessed April 5, 2007.]
*Jose Miguel Battle, Sr. (c. 1930-2007), Former Bay of Pigs Invasion operative who became known as "Godfather of the Cuban mafia". [Buder, Leonard. [http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F20617FC3B5D0C7B8CDDA90994DD484D81 "11 ARE ACCUSED IN FATAL BLAZES AT BETTING SITES"] , "The New York Times", October 8, 1985. Accessed January 5, 2008. "A former resident of Union City, N.J., Mr. Battle now lives in Miami."] [Rosero, Jessica; "Death of a
Union City Reporter"; August 12, 2007; Pages 3 & 6.]
*James E. Buttersworth (1817-1894), British maritime painter.Halasz, Piri. "Art: Maritime Theme at Exhibitions; Appeal of Nostalgia History and Humor Portraits of Vessels", "The New York Times", January 21, 1973. "James Butterworth (1817-1894), whose work is on view in Trenton, was an Englishman born on the Isle of Wight. By the time he emigrated and settles in West Hoboken (now Union City), America was in the heyday of its gallant clipper ships."]
*Bobby Cannavale (born 1971), actor known for his roles on "Ally McBeal", "Third Watch", and "Will & Grace". [ [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/90308.html Hernandez, Ernio; "Upcoming Hurlyburly Star Inks Deal for New NBC "French Connection" Drama"; "Playbill", December 23, 2004.] ]
*Norman Cousins (1915-1990), author and peace advocate. [ [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EB73CD57B5AEAF5&p_docnum=2&p_queryname=NaN&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=I5CO5CYTMTE4NTg0NzQ0OS4yODY4NjU6MTo3OnJhLTE4ODg "AUTHOR, EDITOR NORMAN COUSINS DIES OF CARDIAC ARREST"] , "Lexington Herald-Leader", December 2, 1990. Accessed August 7, 2007. "Mr. Cousins was born in Union City, N.J., June 24, 1915."]
*Dominick V. Daniels (1908-1987), represented New Jersey's 14th congressional district from 1959-1977. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000041 Dominick Vincent Daniels] , Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed June 18, 2007.]
*Vincent John Dellay (1907-1999), represented New Jersey's 14th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1957-1959. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000219 Vincent John Dellay] , Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 16, 2007.]
*Pietro Di Donato (1911-1992), Italian American novelist, and author of "Christ in Concrete". [Severo, Richard. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFDB113CF932A15752C0A964958260 "Pietro di Donato Is Dead at 80; Wrote of Immigrants' Experience"] , "The New York Times", January 21, 1992. Accessed December 10, 2007. "Mr. di Donato was born on April 3, 1911, in West Hoboken, N.J. His family had immigrated to the United States from Vasto, in the Abruzzi region of Italy."]
*Henry Escalante, pop musician, and one of the 15 finalists from the 2007 season of the MTV reality show "Making Menudo". [Hague, Jim; "A teen Latin pop star" "Union City Reporter", November 11, 2007.]
*Hank Finkel (born 1942), retired NBA basketball player. [ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/finkeha01.html Hank Finkel] , Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed December 10, 2007.]
*Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam (1905-1994), Rebbe of the Klausenberg Hasidic dynasty. [Tannenbaum, Rabbi Gershon. [http://www.thejewishpress.com/displaycontent_new.cfm?contentid=28141&contentname=My_Machberes&mode=a "My Machberes"] , "The Jewish Press", January 3, 2008. Accessed July 1, 2008. "The current Zvhiler Rebbe is a son-in-law of Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam, zt”l (1904-1994), Klausenberg Rebbe and founder of the Union City community."]
*Antonio Jacobsen (1850-1921), maritime artist known as the "Audubon of Steam Vessels".
*Joe Jeanette (1879-1958), considered one of the best African American heavyweight boxers of the early 20th Century. [Rosero, Jessica; "Native Sons and Daughters: North Hudson Native and 20th Century Boxing Sensation Joe Jeanette"; "Union City Reporter" February 19, 2006]
*Vicki Johnson, woman believed to have perpetrated a hoax in which she fabricated a boy afflicted with AIDS, whose autobiography, "A Rock and a Hard Place", fooled people such Armistead Maupin, Mr. Rogers and Oprah Winfrey, and became the basis of Maupin's fictionalized novel "The Night Listener", and the feature film of the same name starring Robin Williams. ["20/20"; July 21, 2006; January 12, 2007]
*Dennis Locorriere (born 1949), singer, and one of the two frontpersons for the Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2007/01/10/dennis_locorriere_feature.shtml "Hook'd On Hits"] , BBC, January 10, 2007. Accessed July 1, 2008."Dennis Locorriere was born on June 13 1949 in Union City, New Jersey."]
*Bob Menendez (born 1954), United States Senator. [ [http://menendez.senate.gov/biography/ Senator Bob Menendez biography] , accessed April 5, 2007.]
*Luis Moro (born 1964), actor, filmmaker, writer, best known for his history making-film "Love and Suicide", which made him the first American to break the embargo on Cuba to film a feature there. [Rosero, Jessica. [http://bobbilou.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/union-city-reporter-interview-by-jessica-rosero/ "The revolution begins within: Hudson County native brings his Cuban people back home"] , "Union City Reporter", May 28, 2006. Accessed August 23, 2008. "That is one of the torments plaguing Tomas, played by Kamar De Los Reyes, who is the lead character of Love & Suicide, which was co-written and directed by former Union City native Luis Moro and Lisa France."]
*Otto Messmer (1892-1983), the creator of "Felix the Cat". [ [http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~pringle/silent/ssotm/Apr99/ Mavromatis, Kally; "Felix the Cat - Silent Star of April 1999"] , accessed April 5, 2007. ] [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g1epc/is_tov/ai_2419100434 Gordon, Ian; Felix the Cat, "St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture", accessed April 5, 2007.] ]
*W. S. Merwin (1927-), Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. [O'Driscoll, Bill. [http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19769 "Legendary poet W.S. Merwin returns to Pittsburgh"] , "Pittsburgh City Paper", November 9, 2006. Accessed April 11, 2007.]
*Erick Morillo (born 1971), DJ and music producer.
*William Musto (1917-2006), Mayor of Union City from 1962-1970 and from 1974-1982. [Gettleman, Jeffrey. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/nyregion/01musto.html?_r=1&oref=slogin "William Musto, 88, a Mayor Re-elected on His Way to Jail, Is Dead"] , "The New York Times", March 1, 2006. Accessed March 6, 2008.]
*Oscar Nunez (born 1958), Cuban American actor and comedian who stars in "The Office." [ [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/05/09/2007-05-09_office_worker_nunez_has_a_second_home.html "'Office' worker Nunez has a second 'Home'"] , "New York Daily News", May 9, 2007. Accessed July 23, 2008.]
*Mitchell Olson, songwriter and contestant on "", the second season of the reality television show "Survivor". ["People Weekly Extra":All About Survivor Spring 2001; Page 29] [Preston, Rohan. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68771296.html "PEOPLE; Outback `Survivor' cast includes songwriter."] , "Minneapolis Star-Tribune", January 5, 2001. Accessed July 23, 2008. "Mitchell Olson, 23, a South Dakotan now living in Union City, N.J., is among the 16 contestants in the Australian edition of CBS' "Survivor" game."]
*Joe Oriolo (1913-1985), writer and cartoon animator who co-created "Casper the Friendly Ghost" and animated "Felix the Cat".
*Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of "Sesame Street" and winner of seven Emmy Awards for her work on the program. [Rohan, Virginia. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MTgwMTU5 "Former fan now in charge of 'Sesame Street'"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", August 13, 2007. Accessed August 13, 2007.]
*William Ranney (1813–1857), famed 19th Century Western painter. [Millan, Nicholas; "Famed American 19th century painter called North Hudson home"; "The Union City Reporter"; March 16, 2008.]
*Frederick Reines (1918-1998), Nobel Prize-winning physicist who co-discovered the neutrino. [ [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1995/reines-autobio.html Frederick Reines: The Nobel Prize in Physics 1995 - Autobiography] , Nobel Prize Organization. Accessed April 5, 2007.]
*Aaron Stanford (born 1976), actor known for his role as Pyro in the films ' and '. [Gorov, Lynda. [http://www.aaronstanford.com/aaron/Globeinterview.htm "Catching fire"] aaronstanford.com, reprinted from the "Boston Globe", May 8, 2003. Accessed April 15, 2007.]
*Alexandria Suarez, child actor who performs the voice of Backpack on "Dora the Explorer", beginning with that show's fifth season. [Amanda Staab. "Local girl is voice of cartoon" "The Union City Reporter". September 14, 2008]
*Joe Weider (born 1922), bodybuilder, publisher, and founder of International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) and the Mr. Olympia and Ms. Olympia contests, once had his headquarters in Union City. [ [http://www.ifbb.com/halloffame/2000/draper.htm IFBB.com's page for 2000 Hall of Fame inductees] ]
*Frank Winters (born 1964), National Football League player (1987-2002) for the Green Bay Packers. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEFDC163EF934A25750C0A96F948260 SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL; Giants Sign Center And Backup Safety] , "The New York Times", March 17, 1989.] ]

Media appearances

Union City has been used as the location for a number films and television shows. Among them:

* "Out of the Darkness" A 1985 TV movie depicting the hunt for "Son of Sam" serial killer David Berkowitz, with Martin Sheen as detective Ed Zigo. The apartment building on the corner of 18th Street and Summit Avenue served as the exterior shots of a Queens, New York City Police Department station, and the real-life Zigo, who appeared in the film as a negotiator, was on location during filming as a technical advisor. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089757/trivia "Out of the Darkness" Trivia] , Internet Movie Database. Accessed June 10, 2007.]
*"George Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?" This 1988 HBO special featuring the standup comedian was filmed at Union City's Park Performing Arts Center. ("See Noteworthy Landmarks")
* "Bloodhounds of Broadway" A 1989 period film set during 1928 New York, featuring Madonna, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Grey, Steve Buscemi, and Randy Quaid. The building on the corner of 24th Street and Summit Avenue was used as a location in the film.
* "Far from Heaven" A 2002 Academy Award-nominated film starring Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, and Dennis Haysbert. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=18567 epodunk.com page on movies filmed in Union City] ] [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297884/locations filming locations for "Far From Heaven"] , Internet Movie Database. Accessed June 10, 2007.]
* "Union City" An eponymous 1980 film that was set in and filmed on location. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081687/locations Filming locations for the film "Union City"] , Internet Movie Database. Accessed June 10, 2007.]

References

ources

*"History of West Hoboken and Union Hill" by Ella-May Ryman (1965)
*"The Historical Background of Union City: A Monograph, Prepared for the Commemoration of New Jersey's Tercentenary 1664-1964 and As a Teaching Material and Aid in the Union City School System" by Daniel A. Primont, William G. Fiedler and Fred Zuccaro (1964)
*"The City of Union City" (A 1996 calendar)
*" [http://www.unioncityreporter.com Union City Reporter] " (Various issues)

External links

* [http://www.ucnj.com/ City of Union City]
* [http://www.union-city-nj.org/modules/AMS/ Union City Board of Education]
*NJReportCard|17|5240|0|Union City Board of Education
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3416380 Data for the Union City Board of Education] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.unioncityreporter.com/ Official Site of the] "Union City Reporter"
* [http://www.parkpac.org/ Park Performing Arts Center]