Keansburg, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Keansburg, New Jersey
settlement_type = Borough
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

imagesize =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map of Keansburg in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.


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

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Monmouth
government_footnotes =
government_type = Faulkner Act (Council-Manager)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Lisa Strydio
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = April 17, 1917

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 43.6
area_land_km2 = 2.8
area_water_km2 = 40.8
area_total_sq_mi = 16.8
area_land_sq_mi = 1.1
area_water_sq_mi = 15.7

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 10573
population_density_km2 = 3843.4
population_density_sq_mi = 9954.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|885265|Borough of Keansburg, Geographic Names Information System, accessed January 4, 2008.]
elevation_m = 0
elevation_ft = 0
latd = 40 |latm = 28 |lats = 02 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 09 |longs = 42 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 07734
area_code = 732
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-36480GR|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 = 0885265GR|3
website = http://www.keansburgboro.com
footnotes =

Keansburg is a Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 10,732.

Keansburg was formed as a Borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1917, from portions of both Middletown Township and Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 17, 1917."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 180.]

Keansburg is part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bay coastline.

Geography

Keansburg is located at coor dms|40|26|50|N|74|7|52|W|city (40.447324, -74.131226)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 16.8 square miles (43.6 km²), of which, 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it is land and 15.8 square miles (40.8 km²) of it (93.58%) is water.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930=2190
1940=2904
1950=5559
1960=6854
1970=9720
1980=10613
1990=11069
2000=10732
estimate= 10573
estyear=2006
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&_name=keansburg&_state=04000US34&_county=keansburg&_cityTown=keansburg&_zip=&_sse=on&_lang=en&pctxt=fph Census data for Keansburg borough] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 13, 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 10,732 people, 3,872 households, and 2,563 families residing in the borough. The population density was 9,954.4 people per square mile (3,836.7/km²). There were 4,269 housing units at an average density of 3,959.7/sq mi (1,526.2/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.31% White, 2.13% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.95% of the population.

There were 3,872 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the borough the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $36,383, and the median income for a family was $45,438. Males had a median income of $37,229 versus $28,398 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,417. About 15.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

The land that is now Keansburg was originally home to the Lenni Lenape Native Americans.

On September 3, 1609, the "Half Moon", captained by Henry Hudson is said to have landed on the shores of present-day Keansburg (though some historians argue that the landing and forth-coming explained events took place at the tip of Sandy Hook). Crewmen of the ship were attacked by the Native Americans when they departed the ship, and one man, John Coleman, was killed. [ [http://www.keansburg-historical.org/ Keansburg Historical Society] , accessed April 10, 2007.] He is reputed to be the first European to be felled by a Native American arrow. It is said that he was buried on the land, in the area that is today the intersection of Carr Avenue and Beachway. It is referred to as "Coleman's Point"

In the time between 1609 and the early 1700s, the land was gradually purchased from the Lenni-Lenape with other surrounding areas. The area was inhabited by Dutch, English, and Scottish settlers. In the 1700s, farming proved to be successful on Keansburg's land, with specialties being pears, apples and corn (maize).

In this time, the town took on the name of Waackaack, pronounced "Way-kay-ack." This is a Lenape Native American term, originally "Wakioak" meaning "Land of Plenty". [Harnes, John A. [http://www.injersey.com/day/story/0,2379,591068,00.html "Of Wakioak and 'clam diggers'"] , "Asbury Park Press", July 18, 2002. Accessed April 10, 2007. "Since the Lenni-Lenape Indians called the area Wakioak, which meant "land of plenty," this area of Monmouth County south of Raritan Bay has been called many names, including: Colman's Point, Middletown, Granville, Raritan and finally Keansburg, when the community's first post office was created through the efforts of Rep. John Kean and the Rev. William Ramsay."] The area was also widely known as Tanner's Landing from the early 1700s until approximately 1820, so named for the pier at the end of what was Tanner's Landing Road (now Main Street). Tanner's Landing was a principal port for the area for many years. [ [http://www.keansburg.k12.nj.us/khs/Keansburg/chapter_5.htm "Keansburg High School History of Keansburg, at Chapter 5 (Story of the Seas)"] . Accessed July 23, 2007. "In the early days TANNER'S LANDING, now Main Street Beach, was at the foot of TANNERS LANDING ROAD (Main Street). This was a principle (sic) road going through Monmouth County, as it attached to the "KINGS HIGHWAY", the Landing itself being a Major freight port of the countryside. The first steamboat that came into Monmouth County was to use this landing, it was a sidewheel boat which was commanded by Captain Pennoyer. The Tanner's landing was used as a principal port as late as 1820...Tanners landing was a bee-hive of activity around the Revolutionary War period, due to the fact that it was a Major port." Also see the map at: [http://www.keansburg-historical.org/images/1851%20Lightfoot.jpg"Map of Tanner's Landing, 1851"] , Keansburg Historical Society] .]

Though the source of this information does not state exactly when, the land took on its second official name of Granville. The name originated from the importance of the Phillips Mill, and the grain producing farms in the region. The name held until 1880s.

During the century, Granville became home to its own church, two lighthouses and small businesses. Roadways were beginning to form from repeated use of horse and buggies. The beach was already a favorite to visitors. Population was about 300 people, who mostly farmed and clammed for a living.

On Sunday, March 22, 1877, at "half past 9 o'clock," Granville welcomed the newly assigned pastor of the Granville Methodist Episcopal Church, William W. Ramsay. At 19 years of age, Ramsay was slated to serve in the church for one year. His success at the helm of church led to another year in Granville, after which he decided to make the village his permanent home.

Ramsay and his wife, Eliza S Wood, purchased the land that is 69 Church Street and opened a general store in 1881. In the coming years, Ramsay took greater and greater interest in Granville and eventually arranged a petition to establish a post office. The list of 132 names was passed on to John Kean of Elizabeth, a candidate for Congress. His efforts led to the opening of the post office in 1884, with Mrs. Ramsay serving as its first postmaster. That year, the name Keansburg was adopted.

Further development continued with the creation of postcards depicting the village and land purchases, including some key buys by William A. Gehlhaus and the Keansburg Beach Company. A school was built at the cost of $30,000 in 1890 and sat on what is today the corner of Ramsay Avenue and Church Street (now Fallon Manor).

The infamous Irish Mobster Jimmy Coonan owned a house on Forest Avenue.After the town's decline, small beach houses were cheaply sold and converted into year-round housing. Efforts to lower crime seem to be working, slowly but surely, in many areas. Further evidence of a possible comeback include the Keansburg beautification project, building of new condominiums across the street from the boardwalk, the construction of a skateboard park, the hiring of a part-time recreation program director and the opening of the first free-standing public library in the borough. The Keansburg Waterfront Public Library, founded in 2004, is the result of a concerted effort on the part of townspeople and the borough government to provide a high quality library with resources that address the needs and interests of the community. Currently, the library is open on a limited basis and is staffed by a part-time library director, library assistant and two additional part-time pages. In spite of this, the library has seen an overwhelmingly positive response from patrons in the community.

Government

Local government

Keansburg operates under the Faulkner Act (Council-Manager) form of municipal government. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 67.] Keansburg is governed by a five-member Borough Council, elected on a non-partisan basis to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even years.

Members of the Keansburg Borough Council are Mayor Lisa Strydio (term ends June 30, 2008), Deputy Mayor Drew Murray (2008), Art Boden (2010), Jimmy Cocuzza (2010) and George Hoff (2008). [ [http://www.campaignsitebuilder.com/templates/displayfiles/tmpl33.asp?SiteID=190&PageID=6174&Trial=false Keansburg Borough Council] , Borough of Keansburg. Accessed March 31, 2008.]

Federal, state and county representation

Keansburg is in the Sixth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 13th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 59. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Education

Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade are served by the Keansburg School District, an Abbott District. [ [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.] 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=3407860 Data for the Keansburg School District] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 31, 2008.] ) are [http://www.keansburg.k12.nj.us/PMR/ Port Monmouth Road School] (PreK-2, 665 students), [http://www.keansburg.k12.nj.us/JCC/ Joseph C. Caruso School] (3-4, 233 students), [http://www.keansburg.k12.nj.us/JRB/ Joseph R. Bolger Middle School] (5-8, 526 students) and
Keansburg High School (9-12, 529 students).

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Keansburg include:
*James Coonan (1946-), former boss of The Westies Irish gang. [Leith, Rod. [http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EB51148022CF2F3&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=NaN&p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated4&p_nbid=G5CS57HOMTE4NTg0NzQ0OS4yODY4NjU6MTo3OnJhLTE4ODg "GANG'S EX-LEADER TESTIFYING BEFORE U.S. GRAND JURY"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", July 20, 1986. Accessed August 13, 2007. "The Westies reportedly are headed by James "Jimmy" Coonan, a Keansburg man who, investigators said, has been associated both with Paul Castellano and John Gotti, who assumed control of the Gambino family after Castellano's murder last Dec. 16."]
*Tommy Castillo, artist whose work as appeared in many comic books, including DC's Batman.Fact|date=May 2008
*Jason Mewes (1974-), actor. [ [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/mewes1.html Jason Mewes arrest report] , "The Smoking Gun", accessed April 10, 2007.]
*Lou Taylor Pucci (1985-), actor. [ [http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/summer2004/features/25_faces21-25.php 25 NEW FACES OF INDIE FILM 2004] , "Filmmaker", Summer 2004. Accessed July 24, 2007. "Pucci, who grew up in Keansburg, N.J., appeared in increasingly larger parts at the Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company before landing a part in The Sound of Music on Broadway."]
*Horace M. Thorne (1918-1944), awarded the Medal of Honor for valor during World War II. [ [http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-t-z.html Medal of Honor recipients: World War II (T-Z)] , United States Army. Accessed December 27, 2007.]
*Barbara Trzeszkowski, former Superintendent of schools, gained notoriety when Governor Jon Corzine attempted to reduce her retirement benefits. [McNichol, Dunstan. [http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/topstories/index.ssf/2008/05/_outrage_over.html "Corzine seeks to trim $740K deal for Keansburg schools chief"] , "The Star-Ledger", May 22, 2008. Accessed May 25, 2008.]

Points of interest

*Runaway Rapids Waterpark

References

External links

* [http://www.keansburgboro.com/ Keansburg Borough web site]
* [http://keansburglibrary.us/ Keansburg Waterfront Library web site]
* [http://www.keansburg.k12.nj.us/ Keansburg School District]
*NJReportCard|25|2400|0|Keansburg School District
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3407860 Data for the Keansburg School District] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://theburg.info TheBurg.info - Local website dedicated to information about Keansburg]
* [http://ahherald.com Atlantic Herald - NJ's 1st Official Electronic Newspaper]
* [http://www.keansburg.k12.nj.us/khs/keansburgshistory.htm Keansburg's history] - from Keasnburg School District
* [http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0312924291&id=1_HaOfn0nw4C&pg=PA139&lpg=PA139&q=keansburg&vq=keansburg&dq=Westies&sig=o_KP4Fcml5xQfk9-Z92Pm-AKFzk Reference to Keansburg in "The Westies"]