Haledon, New Jersey

Haledon ( HAIL-don) is a borough in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 9,052, an increase of 734 (+8.8%) from the 2010 census count of 8,318, which in turn reflected an increase of 66 (+0.8%) from the 8,252 counted in the 2000 census.

Haledon was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1908, replacing the now-defunct Manchester Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 21, 1908.

History

Haledon developed along the northern side of the industrial city of Paterson. It was settled by farmers with colonial Dutch heritage including the Van Riper, Berdan, Banta, Post and Zabriskie families. Prior to the Civil War they were joined by the Roe, Leonhard and Stansfield families, who helped establish St. Mary's Episcopal Church and leading businesses including a general store and the Leonhard Wax Company.

The area became a streetcar suburb of Paterson in the years following the Civil War, with the central area known as Haledon, while the area surrounding the large pond along High Mountain Road was called Oldham. The Paterson and Haledon Horse Rail Road Company, formed in 1871, laid trolley tracks from Paterson along the current-day Belmont Avenue, which were electrified by 1888.

Many of the trolley company's owners were among the founders of the Cedar Cliff Land Company, which bought up large portions of the area, and the street names in the borough reflect these industrialists and businessmen: Morrissee, Hoxey, Van Dyke, John Ryle and Barbour.

The flat, lower part of the community was laid out in city-sized lots of 25 by 100 feet (7.6 by 30.5 m), while the hillsides were plated as sites for larger Victorian "villas" for such individuals as Vice President Garret A. Hobart (now the location of William Paterson University) and the Barbour family of linen flax manufacturers. Haledon's villa development was rather limited and throughout much of the 20th century Haledon was a typical blue-collar community set by the small property sizes planned by the Cedar Cliff Land Company.

A never-constructed grand hotel was planned for the highest point of the community above the intersection of the current day Central and West Haledon Avenues. The Cedar Cliff Land Company ran newspaper advertisements targeted at upwardly mobile immigrants who worked in Paterson's silk industry, offering the city-sized lots for sale at auctions (with free lunches and brass bands) held at St. Mary's Parish Hall, and also opened the Cedar Cliff Silk Mill, which became one of several silk mills in the community.

The residential appeal of Haledon was to escape the crowded industrial city and still have access to the textile mills by using the trolley. As a result of the land sales of Cedar Cliff Land Company and of independent landowner William Buschmann, the town was settled by immigrants who came as skilled workers from textile centers in Europe.

Paramount Dining Car Company was based in Haledon, and built many of New Jersey's iconic stainless steel modular diners, including White Manna in Hackensack and Rosie's Diner that was once on Route 46 in Little Ferry.

Haledon was incorporated in 1908, having been the Oldham district of the former Passaic County municipality of Manchester Township.

Socialist William Bruekmann was elected mayor in 1912 by the borough's immigrant resident base of skilled silk workers. During the 1913 Paterson silk strike, Haledon's mayor offered the strikers the opportunity to hold meetings in Haledon, as worker meetings were prohibited in Paterson. The Pietro and Maria Botto House, located on the side of a hill surrounded by open spaces, provided a natural amphitheater for labor leaders of the day to address thousands of people who gathered to hear Big Bill Haywood, Carlo Tresca, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and John Reed. The Botto House is now a National Historic Landmark and the home of the American Labor Museum.

In 2008, Councilman Alan Souto, at the time an officer with the Passaic County Sheriff's Department, was arrested for stealing heroin and cocaine from the evidence room from the sheriff's department in order to distribute narcotics, amounting to over $250,000. After being found guilty, he was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison in May 2009. Souto was replaced in April 2008 by Marc Battle, a commercial litigator and former civil rights attorney.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.22 square miles (3.15 km²), including 1.22 square miles (3.15 km²) of land and <0.01 square miles (<0.01 km²) of water (0.08%). The borough is home of a Passaic River inlet known as Molly Ann Brook.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bridges Pond and Valley View.

The borough borders the Passaic County communities of North Haledon, Paterson, Prospect Park, Totowa and Wayne.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 8,318 people, 2,778 households, and 2,028 families in the borough. The population density was 7,203.9 per square mile (2,781.4/km²). There were 2,932 housing units at an average density of 2,539.3 per square mile (980.4/km²). The racial makeup was 62.38% (5,189) White, 11.77% (979) Black or African American, 0.53% (44) Native American, 6.35% (528) Asian, 0.10% (8) Pacific Islander, 14.72% (1,224) from other races, and 4.16% (346) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 41.60% (3,460) of the population.

Of the 2,778 households, 39.0% had children under the age of 18; 44.1% were married couples living together; 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.0% were non-families. Of all households, 21.2% 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 2.98 and the average family size was 3.48.

26.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $58,049 (with a margin of error of +/− $11,220) and the median family income was $65,833 (+/− $15,887). Males had a median income of $36,204 (+/− $9,406) versus $45,211 (+/− $6,778) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $20,317 (+/− $4,090). About 3.3% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Same-sex couples headed 20 households in 2010, an increase from the 13 counted in 2000.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 8,252 people, 2,820 households, and 1,974 families residing in the borough. The population density was 7,111.4 inhabitants per square mile (2,745.7/km²). There were 2,906 housing units at an average density of 2,504.3 per square mile (966.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 73.59% White, 7.09% African American, 0.17% Native American, 4.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 10.09% from other races, and 4.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.60% of the population.

In the 2000 Census, 2.6% of Haledon's residents identified themselves as being of Arab American ancestry. This was the 11th-highest percentage of Arab American people in any place in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.

There were 2,820 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.41.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $45,599, and the median income for a family was $49,014. Males had a median income of $37,143 versus $29,830 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,099. About 6.2% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Haledon is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council is comprised of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Haledon is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

As of 2023, the mayor of the Borough of Haledon is Democrat Michael Johnson the first African American to be elected to the office of mayor, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2026, and who first came to office when he defeated 16-year incumbent Domenick Stampone in November 2022. Members of the Haledon Borough Council are Carlos Aymat (D, 2024), Nereyda Curiel (D, 2025), James Iza (D, 2025; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Junior A. Morris (D, 2023), Mohammad M. Ramadan (D, 2023) and Aleksandra Tasic (D, 2024).

In January 2023, the council selected Mounir Almaita, who had just been re-elected to serve a three-year term on council, to fill the position as administrator / clerk for the borough. James Iza was appointed to fill the vacant council seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Almaita; Iza will serve on an interim basis until the November 2023 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.

In December 2015, the borough council appointed Nereyda Curiel to fill the term expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Maha Kandis until her resignation in October after serving three terms on the council; Curiel served on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when she was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.

In the 2014 general election, 22-year-old Tahsina Ahmed was elected to the borough council, making her the first Bangladeshi-American woman elected into office in the United States.

Federal, state and county representation

Haledon is located in the 9th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 35th state legislative district.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 9th congressional district is represented by Bill Pascrell (D, Paterson). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs, term ends 2025).

For the 2024-2025 session, the 35th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nellie Pou (D, North Haledon) and in the General Assembly by Shavonda E. Sumter (D, Paterson) and Benjie E. Wimberly (D, Paterson).

Passaic County is governed by Board of County Commissioners, composed of seven members who are elected at-large to staggered three-year terms office on a partisan basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At a reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects a Director and Deputy Director from among its members to serve for a one-year term. As of 2024, Passaic County's Commissioners are:

Bruce James (D, Clifton, 2026), Deputy Director Cassandra "Sandi" Lazzara (D, Little Falls, 2024), Director John W. Bartlett (D, Wayne, 2024), Orlando Cruz (D, Paterson, 2026), Terry Duffy (D, West Milford, 2025), Nicolino Gallo (R, Totowa, 2024) and Pasquale "Pat" Lepore (D, Woodland Park, 2025).

Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof (D, Hawthorne, 2028), Acting Sheriff Gary Giardina (D, Wayne, 2024) and Surrogate Zoila S. Cassanova (D, Wayne, 2026).

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,289 registered voters in Haledon, of which 1,763 (41.1% vs. 31.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 692 (16.1% vs. 18.7%) were registered as Republicans and 1,834 (42.8% vs. 50.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 51.6% (vs. 53.2% in Passaic County) were registered to vote, including 70.0% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.8% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 73.7% of the vote (2,142 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 25.3% (735 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (29 votes), among the 2,935 ballots cast by the borough's 4,689 registered voters (29 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 62.6%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,973 votes (66.8% vs. 58.8% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 858 votes (29.0% vs. 37.7%) and other candidates with 31 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 2,955 ballots cast by the borough's 4,364 registered voters, for a turnout of 67.7% (vs. 70.4% in Passaic County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 1,666 votes (59.0% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,047 votes (37.1% vs. 42.7%) and other candidates with 26 votes (0.9% vs. 0.7%), among the 2,825 ballots cast by the borough's 3,982 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.9% (vs. 69.3% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 54.9% of the vote (858 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 43.8% (684 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (20 votes), among the 1,609 ballots cast by the borough's 4,783 registered voters (47 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 33.6%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 957 ballots cast (57.9% vs. 50.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 598 votes (36.2% vs. 43.2%), Independent Chris Daggett with 63 votes (3.8% vs. 3.8%) and other candidates with 16 votes (1.0% vs. 0.9%), among the 1,653 ballots cast by the borough's 4,235 registered voters, yielding a 39.0% turnout (vs. 42.7% in the county).

Education

The Haledon School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Haledon Public School. As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 1,020 students and 96.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.6:1.

For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend Manchester Regional High School, which serves students from Haledon, North Haledon, and Prospect Park. The school is located in Haledon. The Manchester district participates in the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program, which allows non-resident students to attend the district's schools without cost to their parents, with tuition paid by the state. Available slots are announced annually by grade. As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 748 students and 65.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.4:1. Seats on the high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent districts, with three seats assigned to Haledon.

Transportation

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 17.73 miles (28.53 km) of roadways, of which 11.71 miles (18.85 km) were maintained by the municipality and 6.02 miles (9.69 km) by Passaic County.

The only significant road passing through Haledon is County Route 504, which enters from Wayne, follows Pompton Road and Haledon Avenue eastward through the borough, then exits into Prospect Park and Paterson.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides local bus service on the 703, 744 and the 748 routes.

In popular culture

Musical groups from Haledon include the rock band The Feelies.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Haledon include:

• John C. Barbour (1895–1962), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1929 to 1932 and in the New Jersey Senate from 1933 to 1936
• Bruce Baumgartner (born 1960), two-time Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, three-time World champion, and record holder for most World or Olympic level medals won by an American wrestler with 13
• Bennie Borgmann (1900–1978), early pro basketball player inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1961
• Jennie Tuttle Hobart (1849–1941), wife of the former U.S. Vice President Garret Hobart
• Bruce Huther (born 1954), former NFL linebacker who won Super Bowl XII while with the Dallas Cowboys
• Alex Morales (born 1997), college basketball player for the Wagner Seahawks

Points of interest

• The Pietro and Maria Botto House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is home of the American Labor Museum, which tells the story of Italian immigration in the area, and of the Paterson Silk Strike of 1913.
• Kossuth Street School, constructed in 1894, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

References

External links

• Official website