Blair Lake Spillway and Footbridge in October 2020
Seal
Location of Blairstown Township in Warren County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Warren County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
The area had been known as Smith's Mill and was later called Butts Bridge (variously spelled as "Butt's Bridge" and "Butts' Bridge"), named for a family that owned the eponymous crossing of the Paulins Kill.[21]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 30.78 square miles (79.71 km2), including 29.89 square miles (77.41 km2) of land and 0.89 square miles (2.30 km2) of water (2.88%).[1][2] The township is located in the Kittatinny Valley which is a section of the Great Appalachian Valley that stretches for 700 miles (1,100 km) from Canada to Alabama.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Blair Lake, Cedar Lake, Cooks Pond, Jacksonburg, Kalaroma, Lake Susquehanna, Mount Vernon, Paulina, Vail and Walnut Valley.[29]
Of the 2,124 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18; 66.8% were married couples living together; 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.8% were non-families. Of all households, 15.8% were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.11.[18]
23.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.8 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,952 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,269) and the median family income was $92,063 (+/− $14,594). Males had a median income of $73,818 (+/− $7,161) versus $54,959 (+/− $13,254) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,393 (+/− $7,342). About 4.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.[43]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census,[15] there were 5,747 people, 2,040 households, and 1,638 families residing in the township. The population density was 185.3 inhabitants per square mile (71.5/km2). There were 2,136 housing units at an average density of 68.9 per square mile (26.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 98.17% White, 0.26% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.[40][41]
There were 2,040 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.6% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.14.[40][41]
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.[40][41]
The median income for a household in the township was $64,809, and the median income for a family was $71,214. Males had a median income of $51,931 versus $33,646 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,775. About 3.0% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.[40][41]
Government
Local government
Blairstown is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[44] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[6][45] At a reorganization meeting held each year during the first week of January, the Committee members select one of their members to serve as Mayor and another to serve as Deputy Mayor.[3]
As of 2022[update], the Blairstown Township Committee consists of Mayor Rob Moorhead (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024, term as mayor ends 2022), Deputy Mayor Walter Orcutt (R, term on committee ends 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2022), Charles Makatura (R, 2024), Giovanna "JoAnne" VanValkenburg (R, 2022) and Debra Waldron (R, 2023).[3][46][47][48][49]
Federal, state, and county representation
Blairstown Township is located in the 7th Congressional District[50] and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.[51]
Warren County is governed by a three-member Board of County Commissioners, who are chosen at-large on a staggered basis in partisan elections with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Commissioner Director and other as Deputy Director.[57] As of 2024[update], Warren County's Commissioners are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,294 registered voters in Blairstown Township, of which 707 (16.5% vs. 21.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,882 (43.8% vs. 35.3%) were registered as Republicans and 1,702 (39.6% vs. 43.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[69] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 72.0% (vs. 62.3% in Warren County) were registered to vote, including 94.6% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 81.5% countywide).[69][70]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 1,654 votes (63.2% vs. 56.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 910 votes (34.8% vs. 40.8%) and other candidates with 28 votes (1.1% vs. 1.7%), among the 2,616 ballots cast by the township's 4,326 registered voters, for a turnout of 60.5% (vs. 66.7% in Warren County).[71][72] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,986 votes (60.7% vs. 55.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,192 votes (36.4% vs. 41.4%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.2% vs. 1.6%), among the 3,271 ballots cast by the township's 4,332 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.5% (vs. 73.4% in Warren County).[73] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,141 votes (65.8% vs. 61.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,068 votes (32.8% vs. 37.2%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.0% vs. 1.3%), among the 3,256 ballots cast by the township's 4,021 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.0% (vs. 76.3% in the whole county).[74]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.0% of the vote (1,335 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.7% (427 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (42 votes), among the 1,850 ballots cast by the township's 4,338 registered voters (46 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.6%.[75][76] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,252 votes (63.5% vs. 61.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 489 votes (24.8% vs. 25.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 180 votes (9.1% vs. 9.8%) and other candidates with 24 votes (1.2% vs. 1.5%), among the 1,971 ballots cast by the township's 4,236 registered voters, yielding a 46.5% turnout (vs. 49.6% in the county).[77]
Ridge and Valley Charter School, a K–8 charter school founded in 2004 that is focused on Earth literacy and sustainable living, is located in neighboring Frelinghuysen Township. The school also serves (and grants admission priority to) students from Frelinghuysen, Hardwick and Knowlton Townships, who attend the school without cost to the parents.[87] Students from the township and from all of Warren County are also eligible to attend Warren County Technical School in Washington borough (for 9–12),[88] with special education services provided by local districts supplemented throughout the county by the Warren County Special Services School District in Oxford Township (for PreK–12).[89][79]
Students from across the world attend Blair Academy, a private boarding school for students in grades 9–12 established in 1848 by philanthropist John Insley Blair.[90]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 85.92 miles (138.27 km) of roadways, of which 61.05 miles (98.25 km) were maintained by the municipality, 17.23 miles (27.73 km) by Warren County and 7.64 miles (12.30 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[91]
Interstate 80 (the Bergen-Passaic Expressway) passes through the southern part of the township for 1.2 miles (1.9 km) without any interchanges, and is accessible via Route 94 and CR 521 in neighboring Knowlton and Hope townships, respectively.[92]Route 94 passes for 6.5 miles (10.5 km) runs east–west through the center of the township while County Route 521 passes through in the eastern section.[93]
The Lackawanna Cut-Off, a high-speed, double-track railway line that stretches for 28.45 miles (45.79 km), was constructed by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad between 1908 and 1911, opening for service on December 24, 1911. It ran west from Port Morris, New Jersey to Slateford, Pennsylvania and passed through Blairstown. The DL&W RR merged with the Erie Railroad on October 17, 1960, to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Due to declining revenues, passenger service over the Lackawanna Cut-Off was discontinued on January 6, 1970, and freight service ceased in 1979, just three years after the E-L was absorbed into the Consolidated Railroad Corporation (Conrail). The tracks remained relatively-dormant until 1984, when the property was sold to a developer and the rails were removed. The right-of-way is now the property of the State of New Jersey, and plans are underway for the restoration of rail service in the future. Blairstown's poured concrete passenger and freight stations still stand, although privately owned.
Blairstown was also served by a second railroad, the Blairstown Railway. The short line, a personal project of the local industrial magnate John Insley Blair, was constructed in 1876 from Blairstown to Delaware Township, where it connected with the Old Main Line of the Lackawanna RR. The Blairstown Railway was absorbed by the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad in 1882 as it built west to the coal fields of Pennsylvania. The NYS&W also operated passenger service between Blairstown and New York (via Jersey City, NJ) until 1935. A third railroad, the Lehigh and New England Railroad, operated through Blairstown via trackage rights over the NYS&W between Swartswood Junction and Hainesburg Junction until October 31, 1961, when the L&NE was abandoned. With the loss of L&NE trackage rights revenues and little local business to sustain the line, the NYS&W also abandoned its line through Blairstown shortly thereafter, and the tracks were removed in 1962. The right-of-way today has been preserved by the State of New Jersey as the 26-mile (42 km) long Paulinskill Valley Trail.
Historic Blairstown Theater (also known as Roy's Hall) was built in 1913 as a silent movie house. The building was restored and painted blue in 2005 and is the centerpiece of Blairstown's vintage Main Street, surrounded by charming shops, galleries and restaurants. The HBT features a regular schedule of live music and theatrical performances, classic film and community events.[97]
The Blairstown Museum is a private, non-profit corporation organized under New Jersey law managed by a Board of Directors and housed in a 19th-century building, known as the last remaining structure of "Roy's Row". The Museum is the only general history and cultural museum for the Township of Blairstown. It cares for over 2,000 items that illustrate the history of the township and its inhabitants, including former resident and namesake John Insley Blair.[98]
The body of Dawn Olanick, formerly known as 'Princess Doe' was discovered at the Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Blairstown on July 15, 1982. She became the first unidentified body entered into the FBI's NCIC computer system.[100]
Scenes from the horror film Plasterhead were filmed at the Blairstown Diner on Route 94 as part of an homage by the filmmakers to Friday the 13th.[101]
John Insley Blair (1802–1899), entrepreneur, railroad magnate, and Blairstown's most famous citizen. Gravel Hill was renamed Blairstown after Blair in 1839[105]
^ abcTownship Committee Members, Blairstown Township. Accessed February 28, 2022. "The Township of Blairstown is governed by the Township form of government, registered voters directly elect members of the five-member Township Committee. The Committee selects the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, from amongst themselves, annually at the reorganization meeting held annually on January first. It is at the reorganization meeting when newly elected members of the Committee are sworn-in and committee assignments are delegated and members of Board/Committee are appointed."
^2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023. As of date accessed, Moorehead is listed as mayor with a term-end year of 2024, which is the end of his three-year committee term, not his one-year mayoral term of office.
^Township Clerk, Blairstown Township. Accessed February 28, 2022.
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Governmental Structure, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022. "Warren County operates under the County Commissioner form of county government. The Board of County Commissioners consists of three Commissioners each elected at large for staggered terms of three years. The Commissioner Director is chosen by the full board at the board's annual reorganization meeting in January. The Commissioners supervise, direct and administer all county services and functions through the various departments, autonomous boards, agencies, and commissions. Reporting to the Board of County Commissioners is an appointed County Administrator."
^Jason J. Sarnoski, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
^Lori Ciesla, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
^James R. Kern III, Warren County, New Jersey. Accessed February 22, 2022.
^North Warren Regional High School 2013 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 19, 2016. "The North Warren Regional School District is home to just under 1000 students from the communities of Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick, and Knowlton. The district stretches almost 97 square miles from the Sussex County border to the Delaware River and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area."
^Home Page, North Warren Regional School District. Accessed June 1, 2013. "North Warren Regional is a public secondary school district, serving students in grades 7-12 in the townships of Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick, and Knowlton. The district covers 96.8 square miles bordering the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in scenic Warren County."
^F.A.Q., Ridge and Valley Charter School. Accessed November 3, 2016. "Enrollment is open, on a space available basis, to all K-8 students residing in N.J. with priority given to students residing in the districts of Blairstown, Hardwick, Knowlton, Frelinghuysen, and North Warren Regional School."
^Gallucci, Jaclyn. "Identifying Princess Doe: 30 Years After She Was Slain, New Technology May ID Her and The Killer", Long Island Press, August 2, 2012. Accessed August 26, 2013. "This headless mannequin dressed in red standing erect among the headstones is an eerie sight from the busy state road that borders the Cedar Ridge Cemetery in this small township of nearly 6,000. Here, in Blairstown, everyone seems to know each other—police, business owners, neighbors—everyone except for the teenage girl found barefoot, partially clothed and beaten beyond recognition the morning of July 15, 1982."
^Winters, Debra. "Filmmakers Higgins and Salerno produce horror movie", Wayne Today, October 19, 2006. Accessed August 8, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "The Blairstown Diner, famous for a 30-second scene in the 1980 cult classic Friday the 13th was also used in Plasterhead. Being big fans of Friday the 13th, Higgins and Salerno wanted to include a sort of connection to the legendary movie. Peter Apostolou Jr., co-owner of the Blairstown Diner, was more than happy to accommodate the young filmmakers."
^Staff. "News beat", Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, September 11, 2004. Accessed June 5, 2011. "Bean of Blairstown N.J. is a writer-educator and author of The Chopsticks-Fork Principle: A Memoir and Manual."
^Bischoff, Dan. "Jersey ceramics, from six different angles"Archived 2008-04-10 at the Wayback Machine, The Star-Ledger, April 9, 2008. Accessed May 5, 2008. "The headliner, as he is almost wherever he shows, is Bennett Bean, here displaying seven pit-fired and gilded ceramic compositions that exude the cool, Modernist, syncopated painted patterning for which he is so well known. Bean, of Blairstown, is no doubt the best-known artist in 'Uncommon Clay,' but his aesthetic does not dominate the show."
^Blairstown, Past and Present, Township of Blairstown, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 25, 2008. Accessed March 23, 2017. "The name of the village was officially changed to Blairstown by a vote of the citizens at a public meeting held Jan. 24, 1939. John I. Blair was only 36 years of age at the time."
^La Gorce, Tammy. "Aspiring Singer Finds Mentors Behind Ivy League Walls", The New York Times, January 21, 2011. Accessed October 21, 2014. "Starting in 2009, Mr. D'Amato, then a Princeton junior, met with Professor Muldoon every few weeks to pore over drafts of Mr. D'Amato's songs, which he started writing as a high school student at Blair Academy in Blairstown. "
^'Wisconsin Blue Book 1901,' Biographical Sketch of J. A. Haggerty, pg. 744
^Reich, Ronni. "David T. Little", The Star-Ledger, July 9, 2009. Accessed October 21, 2014. "At age 8, Little was fascinated by history. When the Colonial Musketeers drumrolled through New Jersey, he was entranced by their uniforms, replicas of those worn by the Continental Marines of the Revolutionary War. His parents had just separated, and he and his mother, Joanne, left rural Blairstown for 'parade marathons' around the state to raise their spirits, so that Little wound up seeing the Hackettstown-based fife-and-drum corps at least three times in one weekend."
^Levin, Jay. "Chordette's Nancy Overton Dead at 83", copy of article from The Record, April 7, 2009. Accessed November 13, 2013. "The family moved to Englewood from New York City in 1966 at the urging of a friend, Dizzy Gillespie.... Mrs. Overton moved to Blairstown in 1982, 10 years after her husband died."
^via Associated Press. "Lou Reed, iconic punk poet, dies at 71", The Express-Times, October 27, 2013. Accessed January 1, 2018. "Reed lived in Blairstown Township in Warren County from the early 1980s until sometime in the 1990s, although not much is known about his time there because he liked his privacy, according to The Express-Times archives."
United States
New Jersey
Warren
