Location of Lambertville in Hunterdon County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Hunterdon County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Lambertville is situated on the banks of the Delaware River in southwestern Hunterdon County, directly across the river from New Hope, Pennsylvania. In the 18th century, the area was named after various operators of ferries across the river to Pennsylvania, ultimately becoming known as Coryell's Ferry, after its owner, Emanuel Coryell. Coryell's Ferry was the western terminus of the New Jersey portion of York Road, which became U.S. Route 202, connecting New York City and Philadelphia. The community was named Lambertville in 1810, when the post office was established, in honor of John Lambert, a resident who had served as United States senator and acting governor of New Jersey, and who was responsible for the opening of the post office.[21][22][23] In June 2022, The New York Times described Lambertville as a gay-friendly travel destination with a quieter vibe than New York's Fire Island.[24]
History
Originally settled by the Lenape (Delaware) Native Americans, a 150,000-acre (230 sq mi; 610 km2) area around Lambertville was acquired for 700 Pounds by the Council of West Jersey and divided into smaller plots. The earliest European settler in present-day Lambertville was John Holcombe, who purchased a lot and built a stone home in 1744.[21]
Emanuel Coryell bought a property in the area in 1732, which was used for commercial purposes. He received a charter to operate a ferry connecting what is now Lambertville and New Hope, and opened a tavern and inn to host travelers stopping halfway along the route between New York City and Philadelphia. The settlements on either side of the Delaware River were each called Coryell's Ferry. During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and his colonial forces twice camped at the home John Holcombe built in 1744.[21]
The Delaware River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal were instrumental in the early prosperity of Lambertville. In June 1834, the opening of the canal was celebrated with a barge ride from Trenton to Lambertville. The canal's completion was not without hardship. 4,000 Irish immigrants were hired to dig the canal with pick and shovel.[21] During the construction, an epidemic of cholera broke out in 1832 and dozens of men were buried along the banks of the canal and the Delaware.[25]
Lambertville was originally incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1849, from portions of West Amwell Township. It was reincorporated as a city on March 26, 1872.[26]
In the 19th century, due to its proximity to the canal and the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, Lambertville became a factory town. The range of products extended from underwear to rubber bands. After the introduction of motorized vehicles made the canal obsolete, the factories began shutting down. Some lasted into the 1970s. The railroad continued to serve as a vital freight carrier until the mid-1970s. Later, the Black River and Western Railroad acquired the line into town and operated short-distance local freight trains and scenic tourist passenger excursion trains into the late 1990s.[27]
Starting in the early 1980s, with pioneers including the Jonsdottir art gallery, Hamilton Grill and the Lambertville Station eatery (a hotel soon followed), the city began to attract artists and other creative types. These days, much of the town's 18th- and 19th-century flavor remains, including many restored houses. The town has become a tourist destination, with many shops, galleries, restaurants, and B&Bs. The canal path offers cyclists, joggers and walkers a level place to exercise and enjoy views of the canal and Delaware River in all seasons.[28]
The Delaware and Raritan Canal flows through the western half of Lambertville, parallel to the Delaware River. Sections of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park are in the city, including trails and bridges.
Of the 1,958 households, 15.3% had children under the age of 18; 36.0% were married couples living together; 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 54.2% were non-families. Of all households, 41.4% were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.72.[18]
13.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 36.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.6 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $71,532 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,040) and the median family income was $100,952 (+/− $14,554). Males had a median income of $57,596 (+/− $17,671) versus $53,869 (+/− $30,408) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,684 (+/− $6,399). About 2.3% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.[45]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 3,868 people, 1,860 households, and 939 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,408.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,316.1/km2). There were 1,961 housing units at an average density of 1,728.1 per square mile (667.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.65% White, 1.94% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.10% of the population.[43][44]
There were 1,860 households, out of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.5% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. 3.7% have unmarried partners. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.82.[43][44]
In the city the population was spread out, with 15.4% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.[43][44]
The median income for a household in the city was $52,647, and the median income for a family was $80,669. Males had a median income of $47,313 versus $40,369 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,267. About 4.5% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[43][44]
Government
Local government
Lambertville is the only city in Hunterdon County, and describes itself as one of the smallest cities in the United States.[3] It is governed within the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal charter Law) under the Small Municipality form of government (Plan C), which is available only for municipalities with a population of under 12,000, and was implemented in Lambertville by direct petition as of January 1, 1983.[46] This form of government is used by 18 municipalities (of the 564) statewide and is available to municipalities with fewer than 12,000 residents at the time of adoption.[47] The government comprises the mayor and the four-member city council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis in the November general elections. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a three-year term of office. Council members serve a term of three years, which are staggered so that two seats come up for election in two years in a three-year cycle, with the mayoral election in the third year.[6][48]
The mayor exercises executive power; presides over the council with voice and vote, but has no veto power; appoints council committees; appoints the municipal clerk, attorney, tax assessor, tax collector and treasurer, all with council confirmation. The council exercises legislative power and approves the mayor's appointees.
As of 2023[update], Lambertville's mayor is Democrat Andrew J. Nowick, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024. Members of the city council are Bendetta Lambert (D, 2023), Karen Kominsky (D, 2025), Evan Lide (D, 2025) and Steven Stegman (D, 2023).[3][49][50][51][52][53][54]
In December 2019, the council selected Madeline Urbish to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that Elaine Warner had held until she resigned earlier that month.[55]
In November 2018, the city council appointed Julia Taylor to fill the seat expiring in December 2019 that became vacant following the resignation the previous month of Steven M. Stegman, who left office to focus on family issues.[56][57]
In the 2020 City Council primary elections, incumbents Asaro and Urbish lost to Democratic challengers Stegman and Benedetta Lambert, who went on to win in the general election on November 3.[58]
On January 19, 2021, the Borough of Flemington canceled the service agreement to share Business Administrators with Lambertville.[59]
Federal, state and county representation
Lambertville is in the 7th Congressional District[60] and the 15th state legislative district.[61][62][63]
Hunterdon County is governed by a Board of Chosen Commissioners comprised of five members who are elected at-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as the board's Director and another to serve as Deputy Director, each for a one-year term.[69][70] As of 2024[update], Hunterdon County's Commissioners are:
As of March 2011, there were 3,053 registered voters in Lambertville, of whom 1,395 (45.7%) were registered Democrats, 569 (18.6%) were registered Republicans and 1,087 (35.6%) were unaffiliated. Two voters were registered as either Libertarians or Greens.[83]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 71.8% of the vote (1,684), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney's 26.7% (627), and other candidates' 1.5% (35), among the 2,361 ballots cast by the city's 3,296 registered voters (15 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.6%.[84][85] In the 2008 presidential election, Obama received 71.1% of the vote (1,744), ahead of Republican John McCain's 26.8% (658) and other candidates' 1.4% (35), among the 2,453 ballots cast by the city's 3,099 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.2%.[86] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 68.1% of the vote (1,495), outpolling Republican George W. Bush's 30.8% (677) and other candidates' 0.5% (15), among the 2,195 ballots cast by the city's 2,738 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.2%.[87]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 54.7% of the vote (798), ahead of Republican Chris Christie's 43.4% (633), and other candidates' 2.0% (29), among the 1,501 ballots cast by the city's 3,231 registered voters (41 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 46.5%.[88][89] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 59.5% of the vote (1,068), ahead of Christie's 31.2% (560), Independent Chris Daggett's 6.6% (118) and other candidates' 0.7% (12), among the 1,795 ballots cast by the city's 3,036 registered voters, yielding a 59.1% turnout.[90]
In a September 2013 special election, voters from Lambertville, Stockton and West Amwell Township passed referendums to dissolve the South Hunterdon Regional High School District and combine the three existing school districts from each municipality (Lambertville City School District, Stockton Borough School District and West Amwell Township School District), with majorities in each community passing both ballot items. A single combined regional Pre-K–12 district was created, with property taxes levied under a formula in which 57% is based on property values and 43% on the number of students. The executive county superintendent appointed an interim board of education for the new regional district, which was responsible for implementing the merger.[109]
Before the creation of the South Hunterdon district, students had attended Lambertville High School, which was constructed in 1854 and abandoned in the 1950s, and has since been the subject of various legends described in Weird NJ.[110]
Eighth-grade students from Hunterdon County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Hunterdon County Vocational School District, a county-wide vocational school district that offers career and technical education at its campuses in Raritan Township and at programs sited at local high schools, with no tuition charged.[111]
Community
Annually, in April, the City of Lambertville celebrates the return of the shad, a fish that supplied the Lewis Island Fishery in Lambertville as of 1888.[112] The festival launched in 1981 and is organized by the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce.[113] Featuring vendors' booths focusing on the area arts community, the ShadFest supports local nonprofits that support Lambertville-area residents and businesses. Lambertville is well-known as having a gay friendly vibe, along with its neighboring community of New Hope, Pennsylvania, situated across the Delaware River.[24]
Dining
Lambertville is known for an array of dining opportunities, ranging from casual family-owned to eclectic and upscale options.[114]
Anne Elstner (1899–1981), actress who played the title role in the radio soap operaStella Dallas from 1937–1955 and operated the River's Edge restaurant in Lambertville until 1973[121]
Bror Julius Olsson Nordfeldt (1878–1955), Swedish-born, American artist best known for his seascapes and depictions of New Mexico's indigenous culture[136]
Erik Peterson (born 1966), member of the New Jersey General Assembly[137]
^ abcdHistory, Lambertville Historical Society. Accessed November 20, 2019. "Their descendant, John Lambert, served in the United States Senate during Thomas Jefferson’s administration. He persuaded the Postal Service to open an office at Coryell’s Ferry. His nephew, Captain John Lambert, was appointed postmaster and his inn was designated as the post office. Having procured a post office for Coryell’s Ferry, the Lamberts renamed the village Lambert’s Ville in 1810."
^ abPiepenburg, Erik. "Searching for a Gay Getaway (Not Fire Island)", The New York Times, June 16, 2022. Accessed December 18, 2023. "My destination was New Hope, Pa., and Lambertville, N.J., waterside towns separated by a bridge and a state line, but joined by reputations as L.G.B.T.Q.-friendly spots."
^Lawlor, Julia. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Lambertville, N.J.; Not-So-Urban Renewal for a River Town", The New York Times, May 14, 2000. Accessed December 25, 2017. "She found all three in Lambertville, an old New Jersey river town of 4,300 tucked into the southwest corner of Hunterdon County that has undergone a striking rebirth in the last 20 years.... A former mill town that covers just over a square mile, Lambertville is full of Victorian and Federal-style brick row houses and brownstones, many with ornate woodwork, high ceilings and other period details still intact. In the last 15 years it has also become a weekend tourist stop for New Yorkers and Philadelphians who are drawn by block after block of antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and B & B's."
^Wildstein, David. "Maddy Urbish takes Lambertville council seat Ex-Murphy aide replaces Elaine Warner", New Jersey Globe, December 19, 2019. Accessed May 6, 2020. "Madeline Urbish, a former aide to Gov. Phil Murphy and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman was sworn in tonight as a Lambertville councilwoman. Urbish replaces Elaine Warner, who retired after nine years as a councilwoman and nine years as a school board member. Lambertville Democrats selected Urbish to fill the vacant seat."
^Julia Taylor, City of Lambertville. Accessed November 20, 2019. "Julia Taylor was appointed to fill an open City Council seat in November 2018 and will be running for a full term in 2019."
^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.."
^Board of County Commissioners, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2023. "As top governing officials of Hunterdon County, the five Commissioners are chosen by popular vote in the November general elections. The term of office is for two or three years and the current compensation is $16,000 a year, with an extra $1,000 for the Director. One or two of the five members is elected each year."
^New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. Accessed March 4, 2023. "The six-span, 1,053 foot-long bridge from New Hope, PA to Lambertville, NJ was constructed in 1904 and originally operated as a privately owned toll bridge. It is the third bridge to span the Delaware River at this location, replacing a prior wooden span that was destroyed in the flood of 1903."
^South Hunterdon Regional Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, South Hunterdon Regional School District. Accessed June 29, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the South Hunterdon Regional School District. Composition: The South Hunterdon Regional School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the City of Lambertville, Stockton Borough, and West Amwell Township."
^Rizzo, Olivia. "Small schools in this rural part of N.J. are under threat", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 28, 2018, updated January 30, 2019. Accessed November 20, 2019. "And next month Stockton Borough Elementary School, part of the South Hunterdon Regional School District, will be closing its doors for good at the end of this school year after nearly 200 years. It has a single, combined fifth and sixth grade class this year, and enrollment has fallen to about 50 students in recent years."
^Heyboer, Kelly. "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2017. Accessed November 18, 2019. "Hunterdon County's vo-tech district has three academies for high-achieving students, all operating in partnerships with local high schools.... The academies are open to all students in the county. Students in the 8th grade are required to submit an application, schedule an interview and take a placement exam."
^Pearce, Jeremy. "The Hired Gun Brought In To Clean Up", The New York Times, December 15, 2002. Accessed November 15, 2012. "Mr. Campbell said he did not meet James McGreevey until 1997 and did not see him again until years later, when he learned that he was on the short list for an administration position. In fact, the commissioner, who is unmarried, had never lived in New Jersey before his appointment this year, although he has some family ties to the state. These days he lives in Lambertville.
^Sparkes, Mary Wheeler. First Decade of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, p. 235. Phillips & Hunt, 1884. Accessed .Lucilla H. Green.... She was the daughter of Rev. Enoch and Martha A. Green, of the New Jersey Conference, and was born, July 15, 1853, at Lambertville, New Jersey, and died at Nynee Tal, India, September 30, 1878."
^Staff. "The Hermit of Lambertville", Time (magazine), September 2, 1957, accessed April 29, 2007. "For almost a quarter-century, except for a three-year stint writing manuals and speeches in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Cozzens has not stirred much beyond the neighborhood of his fieldstone house and 124-acre (0.50 km2) farm near Lambertville, N.J. (pop. 5,000)."
^Elsie Driggs, James A. Michener Art Museum. Accessed February 25, 2011. "After marrying painter Lee Gatch, whose work she admired, Driggs moved to Lambertville, New Jersey in 1935 and devoted herself primarily to supporting her husband's career, a choice many female artists of her generation made."
^Sullivan, John. "In Person; McGreevey Goes for Muscle", The New York Times, December 1, 2002. Accessed November 15, 2012. "Mr. Fox, a man of slight build and contained presence, lives on a back street in historic Lambertville in a two-bedroom house full of art that he has collected from all over the world."
^Staff. "Bishop Earned Respect Of Seminoles", Miami Herald, October 3, 1994. Accessed February 25, 2011. "Born in Lambertville, NJ, Sept. 6, 1835, the future missionary bishop graduated from Kenyon College and Seminary in Gambier, Ohio."
^Cushman, Joseph D. Jr., A Goodly Heritage: The Episcopal Church in Florida, 1821–1892, Gainesville: University of Florida Press (1965) pp. 199–200.
^James Wilson Marshall House, Lambertville Historical Society. Accessed May 12, 2017. "The Marshall House, on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places, was the boyhood home of James Wilson Marshall, discoverer of gold in California in 1848, and is now the headquarters of the Lambertville Historical Society."
^"Greetings From Metzgerville", JamBase, November 3, 2005. Accessed September 1, 2019. "Scott grew up in Lambertville, New Jersey, which is walking distance to New Hope, home to the famous club John & Peters and all things Ween."
^B.J.O. Norfeldt, James A. Michener Art Museum. Accessed June 26, 2011. "Born Bror Julius Olsson in Sweden, Nordfeldt lived in Chicago, New England, Santa Fe, and ultimately in Lambertville, New Jersey."
^Staff. "Horace G. Prall", The New York Times, April 24, 1951. Accessed September 1, 2019. "Trenton, April 23 – Horace G. Prall of Lambertville, former State Senator and Judge of Hunterdon County, died in a hospital here today of a heart attack."
^Sahner, Charlie. "Gene Ween rings in Christmas at New Hope's God Save the Qweens", new Hope Gazette, December 6, 2011. Accessed August 10, 2014. "We spent some time this week with co-founder and lead vocalist Gene Ween (a.k.a. Aaron Freeman) of alternative rock band Ween at their New Hope headquarters, God Save the Qweens, 13 W. Mechanic St.... The Gener works from his Lambertville studio/home, and will be playing with Wheezer in January and releasing a new recording with Ben Vaughn in March."
^Gary C. Woodward, The College of New Jersey. Accessed March 18, 2024. "A Coloradan by birth and a resident of Lambertville, New Jersey, Woodward is a Professor Emeritus, author, and former Chairperson of the Department of Communication Studies at The College of New Jersey."
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