["The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 238.] ]The first major industry, the Singer Sewing Machine Company came to Elizabeth and employed as many as 2,000 people. In 1895, it saw one of the first car companies, when Electric Carriage and Wagon Company was founded to manufacture the Electrobat, joined soon by another electric car builder, Riker. The Electric Boat Company got its start building submarines for the United States Navy in Elizabeth, New Jersey beginning with the launch of the USS Holland [SS-1] in the late 1800s. These pioneering naval craft [known as A-Class] were developed at Lewis Nixon's Crescent Shipyard in Elizabeth between the years 1896-1903. [Georgano, G.N. "Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930". (London: Grange-Universal, 1985).] Elizabeth grew in parallel to its sister city of Newark for many years, but has been more successful in retaining a middle class presence and was spared riots in the 1960s.
Geography
Elizabeth is located at coor dms|40|39|44|N|74|12|33|W|city (40.662152, -74.209066)GR|1.
Elizabeth is bordered to the southwest by Linden, to the west by Roselle and Roselle Park, to the northwest by Union and Hillside, to the north by Newark (in Essex County) and to the east by Bayonne (in Hudson County) & Staten Island, New York.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.4 km² (13.7 mi²). 31.6 km² (12.2 mi²) of it is land and 3.7 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (10.47%) is water.
Business and industry
Since World War II, Elizabeth has seen its transportation facilities grow; Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is one of the busiest ports in the world, as is Newark Liberty International Airport, parts of which are actually in Elizabeth. Elizabeth also features the popular Jersey Gardens outlet mall and the Elizabeth Center, which generate millions of dollars in revenue.
Together with Linden, Elizabeth is home to the Bayway Refinery, a ConocoPhillips refining facility that helps supply petroleum-based products to the New York/New Jersey area, producing approximately 230,000 barrels per day.
Portions of the city are covered by the Urban Enterprise Zone, which cuts the sales tax rate to 3½% (half of the 7% charged statewide) and offers other incentives to businesses within the district. [ [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 Elizabeth UEZ has the highest business participation rate in the state, with approximately 1,000 businesses participating in — and benefiting from — the program. The UEZ has helped bring in more than $1.5 billion in new economic development to the City and has brought in over $50 million in sales tax revenue that has been reinvested in funding for additional police, streetscape and other infrastructure improvements. [ [http://www.elizabethnj.org/uez.html Elizabeth Urban Enterprise Zone] , City of Elizabeth. Accessed August 22, 2006.]
Celadon, a mixed-use development containing 14 glass skyscrapers, offices, retail, a hotel, boardwalk and many other amenities is proposed to border the east side of the Jersey Gardens mall, directly on the Port Newark Bay.. It is planned to break ground in the summer of 2008 on the ferry, roads and parking, and will continue construction for at least twelve more years. [Harrison, Brianne. [http://www.globest.com/news/1091_1091/newjersey/168147-1.html "$2B MXD Planned for Elizabeth Waterfront"] , GlobeSt.com, February 11, 2008. Accessed February 28, 2008.]
Demographics
USCensusPop
1810=2977
1820=3515
1830=3455
1840=
1850=
1860=11567
1870=20832
1880=28229
1890=37764
1900=52130
1910=73409
1920=95783
1930=114589
1940=109912
1950=112817
1960=107698
1970=112654
1980=106201
1990=110002
2000=120568
estimate= 126179
estyear=2006
estref=[ [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&_name=elizabeth&_state=04000US34&_county=elizabeth&_cityTown=elizabeth&_zip=&_sse=on&_lang=en&pctxt=fph Census data for Elizabeth city] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2007.] ]
footnote=historical data source: [cite web
url=http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm
title=New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990
accessdate=2007-03-03] [cite web
url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html
title=Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in The United States: 1790 TO 1990
author=Campbell Gibson
publisher=U.S. Census Bureau
date=June 1998
accessdate=2007-03-06] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 120,568 people, 40,482 households, and 28,170 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,809.5/km² (9,865.5/mi²). There were 42,838 housing units at an average density of 1,353.5/km² (3,505.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 49.78% White, 19.98% African American, 0.48% Native American, 2.35% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 15.51% from other races, and 5.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 55.46% of the population.
The nation where the highest number of foreign-born inhabitants of Elizabeth were born was Colombia, which was the birthplace of 8,731 Elizabeth residents as of the 2000 Census. This exceeded the combined total of Mexico and Central America of 8,214. It also far exceeded the next highest single nation count of Cuba at 5,812. The largest number for a non-Spanish speaking country and third highest overall was immigrants from Portugal numbering 4,544. The next to largest groups were Salvadoran immigrants numbering 4,043 and Jamaican immigrants of whom there were 3,492. [ [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-CONTEXT=dt&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_PCT019&-tree_id=403&-redoLog=true&-all_geo_types=N&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=04000US49&-geo_id=06000US0900156060&-geo_id=06000US0900173070&-geo_id=06000US0900980070&-geo_id=06000US3403921000&-search_results=06000US0900173070&-format=&-_lang=en Census Table of Immigrant Origins] ]
There were 120,482 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.45.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,175, and the median income for a family was $38,370. Males had a median income of $30,757 versus $23,931 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,114. About 15.6% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.
Districts
Midtown, also occasionally known as Uptown, is the main commercial district. Midtown is a historic section as well. It includes the First Presbyterian Church and St. John's Episcopal Church, and its St. John's Episcopal Churchyard. The First Presbyterian Church was a battleground for the American Revolution. Located here are also the Art Deco Hersh Tower and the Ritz Theatre which has been operating since 1926.
Bayway is located in the western part of the City and borders the City of Linden. There are unique ethnic restaurants, bars, and stores along Bayway Avenue, and a variety of houses of worship. Housing styles are older and well maintained. There are many affordable two to four-family housing units, and multiple apartments complexes The western terminus of the Goethals Bridge, which spans the Arthur Kill to Staten Island can be found here.
Elizabethport, the oldest and perhaps the most diverse place in the City, is a collection of old world Elizabeth, new America, and a mix of colonial-style houses and apartment houses that stretch east of Routes 1 & 9 to its shores. Although this has been an impoverished part of Elizabeth for many decades, this area has had a great deal of improvement in the last five years. Many homes have been refurbished or replaced with new, more ornate constructions. There is an area where housing projects stood for years along First Street that were demolished and replaced with attractive apartment complexes for those with low to moderate incomes. The Elizabeth Marina, which in the past was filled with trash and debris along its walkway, has also improved and many celebrations are held year round, from a Hispanic festival in the late spring to the lighting of a Christmas tree in the winter. Living conditions in this area continue to improve year after year. The population is mainly Black, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban and Portuguese. Historically, there was a Slavic community here, and a Lithuanian and Polish Roman Catholic Church still stands in the neighborhood.
Elmora is a middle/working-class neighborhood in the western part of Elizabeth. Home to many Colombians and Jews, a number of kosher eateries can be found here. The main thoroughfare, Elmora Avenue, boasts some of the best restaurants such as the well-known Goodman's delicatessen shops and boutiques. A few of the City’s most luxurious high-rise building complexes- affording views of the New York skyline- dot the edge of this neighborhood and are convenient to the Midtown NJ Transit Train Station. Also found here is Morris Avenue which is home to many Colombian stores and restaurants and is sometimes given the nickname "Little Colombia." Many Colombians refer to Morris Avenue as La Morris.
Elmora Hills is the northwestern part of Elizabeth just north of Elmora. It is a strongly middle- to upper-middle class neighborhood. The area still maintains a large Jewish population.
Frog Hollow, A small community of homes just west of the Port, and south of Elizabeth Avenue, Frog Hollow contains older style, affordable homes, rentals and some quality restaurants in a working-class community. The statue honoring former Mayor Mack on Elizabeth Avenue is a landmark in the community. Frog Hollow is also convenient to the Veteran’s Memorial Waterfront Park. Frog Hollow was largely Irish from the late 1800s until WWII and the largest church in Elizabeth is St. Patrick's Church in Elizabethport, built by the Irish in the late 1800s and still in beautiful condition today.
Keighry Head, This community is located close to Midtown, containing affordable one and two-family homes, and apartment houses, convenient to the Midtown shopping district, and transportation.
North Elizabeth, also known as "North End," is mainly a diverse working-class neighborhood home to many Portuguese as well. The North End features easy access to New York and Newark via its own NJ Transit Train Station, Routes 1&9 & the NJ Turnpike. The neighborhood also boasts Crane Square, the Historic Nugents Tavern, and Kellogg Park and its conveniently close proximity to Newark Airport. There is currently a plan in place to develop the former Interbake Foods facility into shopping and residential town houses and condominiums. This community contains many larger one and two-family homes that have been rebuilt over the past decade. North Elizabeth also features many well-kept apartment houses and condominium units on and around North Avenue that are home to professionals who work in New York or the area.
Peterstown (also known as The Burg) is a middle/working-class neighborhood in the southeast part of the city. It is heavily industrial and ethnically diverse. Peterstown was once predominantly occupied by newly immigrated Italians and their descendants, but is less so today. Peterstown has clean, quiet streets and has many affordable housing opportunities with a “village” feel. The area contains the historic Union Square, home to produce stands, meat markets, fresh fish and poultry stores. Peterstown is also home to the DeCavalcante crime family, one of the most infamous mafia family in the United States.
The Point is centrally and defined by New Point Road, located close to Midtown. This community contains many new affordable two-family homes, apartment houses and is undergoing a transformation.
Westminster is home to the City’s largest residential estates, a mix of Tudors, Victorians, ranch houses, colonial split levels and more. This neighborhood borders Hillside and contains many distinctive properties. It is also home to a new public school, considered one of the finest in the City’s system. The Elizabeth River runs through Westminster culminating in a dramatic splash of greenery and rolling hills off of North Avenue, near Liberty Hall. Residents use this area for recreation, whether it is at the newly christened Phil Rizzuto Park area, or for bird watching or for sunbathing by the river. It is one of the more affluent and historic area of Elizabeth.
Government
Local government
The City of Elizabeth is governed under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government under the Faulkner Act. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 90.]
The City government of Elizabeth is made up of a Mayor and a City Council. The City's Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, a lifelong resident of Elizabeth, is currently serving his fourth term as Mayor. The Elizabeth City Council is made up of nine members. Three Council members are elected at large and six members are elected from each of Elizabeth's six wards. Council Members-at-large are Frank Cuesta, Edward Jackus and Patricia Perkins-Auguste. Ward Council members are Manny Grova, Jr. - First Ward; Nelson Gonzalez - Second Ward; Joseph Keenan - Third Ward; Carlos Cedeño - Fourth Ward; William Gallman, Jr. (Council President) - Fifth Ward; and Frank Mazza - Sixth Ward. [ [http://www.elizabethnj.org/council_members.html Elizabeth Council Members] , City of Elizabeth. Accessed July 24, 2007.]
Federal, state and county representation
The City of Elizabeth is split between the Tenth and Thirteenth Congressional districts and is part of New Jersey's 20th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 56. Accessed August 30, 2006.]
Union County Freeholders meet publicly on a monthly basis. Citizens have the ability to provide feedback and comment on issues that concern them.
Education
The city's public schools are operated by Elizabeth Public Schools, serving students in kinderagrten through 12th grade. 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.] Elizabeth High School is the largest high school in the state of New Jersey and one of the largest in the United States. By "New Jersey Monthly" the school was ranked at number 302 out of 316, making it the lowest school in Union County on the list.
Transportation
Roads
Elizabeth is a hub of several major roadways including the New Jersey Turnpike / Interstate 95, Interstate 78, U.S. Route 1/9, U.S. Route 22, Route 27, Route 28, Route 82 and Route 439. Elizabeth's own street plan, in contrast to the more usual grid plan, is to a large degree circular, with circumferential and radial streets centered on the central railroad station.
Mass transit
Elizabeth is among the U.S. cities with the highest transit ridership.
It has two train stations on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line and the Northeast Corridor Line. Elizabeth Station also called Broad Street Elizabeth or Midtown Station is the southern station in Midtown Elizabeth. The other train station in Elizabeth is North Elizabeth Station.
New Jersey Transit is planning a segment of the Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link (NERL), designated as the Union County Light Rail (UCLR). The UCLR will connect Midtown Station with Newark Liberty International Airport and have seven or eight other stations in between within Elizabeth city limits. A possible extension of this future line to Plainfield would link the city of Elizabeth with the Raritan Valley Line.
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".]
Local Media
WJDM at 1530 on the AM dial is licensed to Elizabeth.
Notable residents and natives
* Matthias W. Baldwin (1795–1866), manufacturer of steam locomotives, was born there.
* Rick Barry (born 1944), basketball great, was born there.
* Yogi Berra (born 1925), New York Yankees Hall of Famer.Fact|date=September 2008
* Antoinette Brown Blackwell (1825–1921), first female ordained minister in the U.S.Fact|date=September 2008
* Carol Blazejowski (born 1956), member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.Fact|date=September 2008
* Judy Blume (born 1938), author. [Diskin, Colleen. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk5JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjA0MDgz "Mother Load: Author's beating the ban"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", October 6, 2007. Accessed October 6, 2007. "Blume, who grew up in Elizabeth, told me she meets mothers all the time who say they want to pass her books down to their kids."]
* Elias Boudinot (1740-1821), President of the Continental Congress and an early U.S. Congressman. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000661 Elias Boudinot] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed April 22, 2007.]
* Todd Bowles (born 1963), former NFL Defensive Back with the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers. Currently, the Defensive Back Coach of the Dallas Cowboys. [ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BOWLETOD01 Todd Bowles] , Database Football. Accessed September 19, 2007.]
* Hubie Brown (born 1933), former basketball coach and a current television analyst, was raised there. [ [http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F0091EFF385C0C728EDDAC0894DA484D81 " KNICKS' NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND THEIR COACH"] , "The New York Times", May 21, 1982, accessed April 22, 2007. "When Hubie Brown, the new coach of the Knicks, was growing up in Elizabeth, N.J., he learned about poverty."]
* Robert Nietzel Buck (1914-2007), broke the junior transcontinental air speed record in 1930 and was the youngest pilot ever licensed in the United States. [Fox,Margalit. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/us/20buck.html "Robert N. Buck Dies at 93. Was Record-Setting Aviator."] , "The New York Times, May 20, 2007. Accessed November 28, 2007. "Robert Nietzel Buck was born on Jan. 29, 1914, in Elizabethport, N.J., and reared in Westfield, N.J."]
* William Burnet (1730-1791), physician who represented New Jersey in the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1781. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001118 William Burnet] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed August 23, 2007.]
* Arthur Leopold Busch (1866-1956) Submarine Pioneer; Builder of First Craft Accepted by the United States Navy, on 11 April 1900. USS Holland SS-1. Mr. Busch lived in Elizabeth from 1895-1956. America's first submarines were built in Elizabeth, New Jersey under Busch's direction for the Holland Torpedo Boat Company/Electric Boat Company. Defense Contractor General Dynamics finds it origins here.Fact|date=September 2008
* Nicholas Murray Butler (1862-1947), winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a founder of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was born here. [ [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1931/butler-bio.html Nicholas Murray Butler: The Nobel Peace Prize 1931] , Nobel Prize Organization. Accessed June 10, 2007. "Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, this son of Henry L. Butler, a manufacturer, and Mary Murray Butler, daughter of Nicholas Murray, a clergyman and author, began his career with a brilliant record as a student."]
* Rodney Carter (born 1964), former NFL Running back/3rd Down Receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers. [ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=CARTEROD01 Rodney Carter] , database Football. Accessed September 19, 2007.]
* Al Catanho (born 1972), former linebacker in the NFL for the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins. [ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=CATANALC01 Alcides Catanho profile] , database Football. Accessed June 10, 2007.]
* Abraham Clark (1725–1794), Member of the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born and raised there. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000418 Abraham Clark] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed April 22, 2007.]
* Amos Clark, Jr. (1828-1912), U.S. Representative from New Jersey and businessman. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000421 Amos Clark, Jr.] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed June 23, 2007.]
* Michael Chertoff, (born 1953), United States Secretary of Homeland Security, was born and raised there. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Inauguration/story?id=402614 Profile: Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff] , ABC News, February 15, 2005. Accessed June 23, 2007. "Chertoff, who was born in Elizabeth, N.J., on Nov. 28, 1953, received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1975 and his law degree from Harvard University in 1978."] [Hasan, Khalid. [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-1-2005_pg7_50 "Bush nominee a rabbi’s son"] , "Daily Times (Pakistan)", January 13, 2005. Accessed June 23, 2007. "According to JTA, a Jewish news service, “Chertoff has strong ties to the Jewish community. Born and raised in Elizabeth, N.J., Chertoff is the son of a rabbi, his two children have attended Jewish day schools and his wife, Meryl, was a co-chairwoman of the regional Anti-Defamation League’s civil rights committee when he was the US attorney in New Jersey in the mid 1990s.”"]
* Freddie 'Red' Cochrane (1915-1993), professional boxer in the welterweight (147lb) division who became World Champion in 1941 in that class. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEEDD1130F93AA25752C0A965958260 "Freddie (Red) Cochrane, Boxer, 77"] , "The New York Times", January 19, 1993. Accessed December 5, 2007.]
* Tom Colicchio (born 1962), restaurateur, chef, and judge on reality-TV program "Top Chef". [DeHaven, Judy. [http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2008/05/under_pressure_conn_casinos_go.html "Under pressure, Conn. casinos go big"] , "The Star-Ledger", May 19, 2008. Accessed June 1, 2008. "...Elizabeth native Tom Colicchio is opening a Craftsteak, and the landmark Junior's Cheesecake also will open an outlet..."]
* Joseph Halsey Crane (1782-1851), congressional representative from Ohio. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000872 Joseph Halsey Crane] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed December 6, 2007.]
* Elias Dayton (1737-1807), elected to the Continental Congress and served as mayor of Elizabethtown from 1796-1805, father of Jonathan Dayton. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000164 Elias Dayton] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed December 6, 2007.]
* Jonathan Dayton (1760–1824), signer of the United States Constitution and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, was born there.[ [http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_founding_fathers_new_jersey.html The Founding Fathers: New Jersey] , National Archives and Records Administration, accessed April 21, 2007.] (Dayton, Ohio is named for him.)]
* DeCavalcante crime family, one of the biggest mafia families in the United States is based here.
* John De Hart (1727–1795), delegate to the Continental Congress, was born and lived there. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000199 John De Hart] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed June 10, 2007.]
* Eddie Donovan (1922-2001), NCAA and NBA basketball head coach, lived there, after retiring from basketball.Fact|date=September 2008
* Thomas Edison (1847-1931), lived here as a young man.Fact|date=September 2008
* E.Town Concrete a now defunct hardcore/metal band.Fact|date=September 2008
* Charles N. Fowler (1852-1932), represented 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1895 to 1911. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000320 Charles Newell Fowler] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed August 9, 2007.]
* Orson Squire Fowler (1809-1887), phrenologist and author, lived there.
* Ron Freeman (born 1947), winner of gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, raised there and attended Thomas Jefferson High School. [Haley, John. [http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007706020322 "South Plainfield's Muse rushes, but wins gold medal"] , "Home News Tribune", June 2, 2007. Accessed July 24, 2007. "As for Freeman, the son of former U.S. Olympian Ron Freeman out of Elizabeth, he thought he should have won."]
* William Halsey, Jr. (1882-1959). World War II Fleet Admiral "Bull" Halsey was born in Elizabeth and attended the Pingry School.Fact|date=September 2008
* Alexander Hamilton (ca. 1755-1804), lived here as a young man upon first arriving in America. [ [http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/hamilton.html Major General Alexander Hamilton] , Historic Valley Forge, accessed April 21, 2007. "He started school in Elizabethtown NJ, but by 1773 was entered at Kings College (Now Columbia)."]
* Horace Jenkins (born 1974), former NBA player for Detroit Pistons, attended Elizabeth High. [Idec, Keith. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMjYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY2Mzg4OTMmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2 "NBA dream fulfilled, Jenkins hungry for more"] , "Herald News", January 12, 2005. Accessed July 22, 2007. "The Elizabeth native's athletic ability and scoring skills were obvious to Billups, but he has been more impressed recently with Jenkins' understanding of what Brown expects from his point guards."]
* Phineas Jones (1819-1884) - represented New Jersey's 6th congressional district from 1881-83. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000247 Phineas Jones] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed August 13, 2007.]
* John Kean (1852-1914), represented New Jersey in the United States Senate from 1899 to 1911, and served two separate terms in the United States House of Representatives, from 1883 to 1885, and from 1887 to 1889, representing New Jersey's 3rd congressional district. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000028 John Kean] , " [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biographical_Directory_of_the_United_States_Congress] ". Accessed August 29, 2007.]
* Daniel Hugh Kelly (born 1952), stage, film and television actor was born and raised there.Fact|date=September 2008
* William Livingston (1723-1790), signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived there and built the home, Liberty Hall.
* James P. Mitchell (1900-1964), served as United States Secretary of Labor from 1953 to 1961 and ran unsuccessfully for Governor of New Jersey. [Guzda, Henry P. [http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1991/08/art3exc.htm "James P. Mitchell: social conscience of the Cabinet"] , "Monthly Labor Review", August 1991. Accessed June 20, 2008.]
* Thomas Mitchell (1892–1962), Oscar and Tony Award-winning actor, was born there.Fact|date=September 2008
* Hank Mobley (1930-1966), hard bop jazz saxophonist. [Hendrickson, Tad. [http://www.villagevoice.com/nyclife/0328,176444,45308,15.html "Close-Up on Elizabeth, New Jersey"] , "The Village Voice", July 8, 2003. Accessed June 28, 2008. "Jazz saxophonist Hank Mobley was raised here."]
* Don Newcombe (born 1926), pitcher who spent most of his career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.[ [http://www.unioncountynj.org/news/2006/0612baseball.html Union County Baseball Hall of Fame Will Induct Three New Members, Feb. 11] , Union County, New Jersey press release dated December 27, 2006. Accessed July 3, 2007. "Over the years, the awards dinner has honored many local and national baseball luminaries – including Joe Collins of Union, Phil Rizzuto of Hillside, Don Newcombe of Elizabeth, Jeff Torborg of Mountainside, Willie Wilson of Summit, Jake Wood of Elizabeth, and Elliott Maddox of Union."] ]
* Elizabeth Peña (born 1961), actress, was born there.Fact|date=September 2008
* Lorenzo Da Ponte (1749-1838), Italian-born librettist and poet, lived there.http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112719.html "Readings of Broadway-Bound Lorenzo, with Blum, Dean, Jones and Zelno, Offered Nov. 13-15"] , "Playbill", November 13, 2007. Accessed September 3, 2008.]
* Franklin Leonard Pope (1840-1885), telegrapher and inventor, lived there as a young man and befriended Thomas Edison. [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50815FD3A5E10738DDDAD0994D8415B8585F0D3 "DEATH OF FRANKLIN L. POPE; Killed at His Home by an Electric Shock of 3,000 Volts. FOUND DEAD IN HIS CELLAR A Famous Electrician Known as an Expert All Over the World -- Had Lived for a Year in Great Barrington, Mass."] , "The New York Times", October 14, 1895. Accessed June 10, 2007. "Franklin Leonard Pope, the famous electrician, a resident of Elizabeth, N.J., for twenty-five years, was killed accidentally to-day by electricity at his home in this place, where he had lived for the last year."]
* Jonal Saint-Dic (born 1985), NFL player with the Kansas City Chiefs. [ [http://mobileapp.espn.go.com/ncf/mp/redesign/clubhouse?markupType=xhtml&action=news&team=127&story=3168103&series=ncf "Saint-Dic, Adams among 5 players benched for Champ Sports Bowl"] , "ESPN", December 24, 2007. Accessed June 28, 2008. "'I only took two classes this semester, a sociology class for three credits and a math class for five credits,' Saint-Dic said by phone from his hometown of Elizabeth, N.J."]
* Debralee Scott (1953-2005), actress, known for her role in "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman". [Bittan, Dave. [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DN&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI|DN&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB29742E9A9FB3D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "DEBRALEE SCOTT"] , "Philadelphia Daily News", November 30, 1984. Accessed December 28, 2007.]
* Jamar Shipman (born 1985), a.k.a. Jay Lethal, pro wrestler in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling was born here.Fact|date=September 2008
* Mickey Spillane (1918-2006), writer, grew up there. [Smith, Bruce. [http://www.startribune.com/384/story/557760.html "Mickey Spillane, creator of Detective Mike Hammer, dies"] , "Star Tribune", July 17, 2006, accessed April 21, 2007. "Spillane was born Frank Morrison Spillane on March 9, 1918, in the New York borough of Brooklyn. He grew up in Elizabeth, N.J., and attended Fort Hayes State College in Kansas where he was a standout swimmer before beginning his career writing for magazines."]
* Edward Stratemeyer (1862-1930), creator of the Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, and Nancy Drew, was born and resided there. [ [http://digilib.nypl.org/dynaweb/ead/nypl/mssstrat/@Generic__BookTextView/223;pt=272 Organizational History] , Stratemeyer Syndicate. Accessed December 27, 2006.]
* William Sulzer (1863-1941), U.S. Congressman and impeached governor of New York, was born there. [ [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S001065 William Sulzer] , "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Accessed July 24, 2007.]
* Craig Taylor (born 1966), former running back for three seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals. [ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=TAYLOCRA01 Craig Taylor player profile] , database Football. Accessed August 27, 2007.]
* Dick Vosburgh (1929-2007), comedy writer and lyricist working chiefly in Britain, was born there. [ [http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2465894.ece " Dick Vosburgh: Comedy writer, lyricist, broadcaster and film buff with clients ranging from Bob Hope to Ronnie Corbett"] , "The Independent", April 20, 2007. Accessed July 24, 2007. "Born Richard Kennedy Vosburgh in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1929, he moved to Washington when his father, Frederick, a reporter for Reuters news agency, was offered a job with the National Geographic Magazine."]
* Bernie Wagenblast (born 1956), broadcaster, journalist, was born there. [ [http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/message/2254 "Transportation Communications Newsletter" September 1, 2006. "1956 **50th anniversary** - Transportation Communications Newsletter editor Bernie Wagenblast is born in Elizabeth, New Jersey.",]
* Edward Patrick Mickey Walker (1903-1981), boxer, who held the Welterweight and Middleweight titles, was born and raised there. Ranked #10 on the "Sports Illustrated" list of "The 50 Greatest New Jersey Sports Figures". [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/new_jersey/greatest/ The 50 Greatest New Jersey Sports Figures] , "Sports Illustrated", December 27, 1999.]
* Joe Weil (born 1958), writer and active member of the New Jersey poetry scene, was born and grew up there. [Wind, Barbara. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E4D6153BF935A35751C1A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all "IN PERSON; The Poet as Working Stiff"] , "The New York Times", December 6, 1998. Accessed February 28, 2008. "Joe Weil is Elizabeth: working-class, irreverent, modest, but open to the world and filled with a wealth of possibilities."] References
External links
* [http://www.elizabethnj.org Official Elizabeth website]
* [http://www.elizabeth.k12.nj.us/ Elizabeth Public Schools]
*NJReportCard|39|1320|0|Elizabeth Public Schools
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3404590 Data for the Elizabeth Public Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics
* [http://www.tricountyredcross.org Tri-County Red Cross in Elizabeth 90 years]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/crescent.htm Crescent Shipyards] , was located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Built The USS Holland [SS-1] .
* [http://www.TrinitasHospital.org Trinitas Hospital website]
