New Vernon, NJ

New Vernon is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 9,827,[9][10] reflecting an increase of 524 (+5.4%) from the 8,898 counted in the 2000 Census.[11]

The borough was formed on March 11, 1894, from portions of Morristown Township and Washington Township.[12] The borough's name is derived from its original location at the intersection of two major transportation routes - the Morris and Essex Turnpike (now Route 3) and what is now U.S. Route 46. The area around New Vernon had been settled by Europeans as early as 1678,[13] when Dutch settlers established a farmstead on what is now known as Old York Road.[14][15][16]

In 1892-93, real estate developer George W. Childs platted what would become New Vernon on land that he had purchased from Morris County for $115,000.[17] Childs named his development "New Vernon" after his home town of New Vernon in West Sussex County England.[18][19][20] The first houses were built in 1895[21], and by 1897 there were 1,500 residents living in New Vernon.[22] In 1899-1900, Childs built a large hotel on what is now known as Park Avenue[23], which served as both a residence for wealthy businessmen who worked in Morristown and an overnight stop for travelers on their way to Atlantic City or Philadelphia.[24][25][26] By 1902-03 there were 2,000 residents living in New Vernon,[27] and by 1910-11 there were 4,000 residents living there,[28] making it one of the largest communities in Morris County at that time.

During World War I (1914-18), many men enlisted or were drafted into military service and left families behind to take care of their homes and businesses while they were away. This led to a rapid growth in population during the 1920s; by 1930-31 there were 7,500 residents living in New Vernon,[29]- more than double the population count recorded just 10 years earlier. This growth continued through the 1930s; according to census data compiled by historian John Fenton during this time period,[30]- between 1940-41 and 1950-51 there was an average annual increase of 1% (+100 people) each year throughout all of Morris County - including New Vernon (+1%, +100 people).[31]- which indicates that despite economic hardships experienced throughout much of America during this time period (the Great Depression), life continued relatively normal for most people residing within Borough boundaries.

However things began to change starting around 1970; according to Fenton's research[32]- beginning around 1970 there was a gradual but steady decline (-500 people per year) throughout all of Morris County - including New Vernon (-600 people per year).[33]- which indicates that although life outside of Borough boundaries may have been continuing relatively normally at this point (although with some small fluctuations here and there), something had begun to change within Borough boundaries itself; something that would eventually lead to dramatic changes over the next several decades...