Scotch Plains NJ Real Estate
Scotch Plains NJ Real Estate
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township’s population was 23,510,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 778 (+3.4%) from the 22,732 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,572 (+7.4%) from the 21,160 counted in 1990.[19]
History
The area known as Scotch Plains was first settled by Europeans, including many Scottish Quakers as early as 1684.[20] The name is said to have come from George Scott, a leader of a group of Scottish settlers.[21] It later served as a stop on the stage coach line between New York and Philadelphia.
The Ash Swamp in Scotch Plains was the scene of a key action in the Battle of Short Hills, on June 26, 1777, which included skirmishes as Washington’s forces moved along Rahway Road in Scotch Plains toward the Watchung Mountains. An ancient house in Scotch Plains recalls those skirmishes and, with the acreage adjoining the house, presents a vista of that decade, the 1770s. Scotch Plains NJ Real Estate. This was the home of Aunt Betty Frazee, whose retort to Lord Cornwallis led the British to find their bread from friendlier bakers in the same battle. The farmstead of Betty and Gershom Frazee is being restored by local organizations.[22]
What is now Scotch Plains was originally incorporated as Fanwood Township on March 6, 1878, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Plainfield Township and Westfield Township. Scotch Plains NJ Real Estate. Portions of the township were taken to form Fanwood Borough on October 2, 1895. Fanwood Township was renamed as Scotch Plains on March 29, 1917, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.[23]
Scotch Plains was home to the Shady Rest Country Club, the nation’s first African-American country club. Its pro, John Shippen, the first American golf professional, led the 1892 U.S. Open in the final round before finishing fifth.[24] The Shady Rest clubhouse hosted Cab Calloway and other greats as a local center for African-American culture in the 1920s and 1930s. Scotch Plains NJ Real Estate. It is preserved today as the Scotch Hills Municipal course.[25]
A much more complete history of the township can be found in the October 28, 1999, “Our Towns: Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2nd Annual)” issue of the The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood, produced by the town’s newspaper of record at the time[26] as well as on the township’s website.[27]
The ancestors of many residents immigrated from the area of Montazzoli, Italy, as part of a wave of Italian immigrants who arrived in the area in the early 20th century.[28][29][30] In recognition of this longstanding connection, the township established “Montazzoli Plaza” in October 2015 in front of the Italian American Club.[31]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Scotch Plains township had a total area of 9.050 square miles (23.440 km2), including 9.018 square miles (23.358 km2) of land and 0.032 square miles (0.082 km2) of water (0.35%).[1][2]
The township borders the municipalities of Berkeley Heights, Clark, Fanwood, Mountainside, Plainfield and Westfield in Union County; Edison and South Plainfield in Middlesex County; and Watchung in Somerset County.[32]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Alton, Goodmans, Graceland, Two Bridges and Willow Grove.[33]
