Leonia, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Leonia is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 9,304,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 367 (+4.1%) from the 2010 census count of 8,937,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 23 (+0.3%) from the 8,914 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> The borough is a suburb of New York City, near the western approach to the George Washington Bridge.

Leonia was formed as the result of a referendum passed on December 5, 1894, from portions of Ridgefield Township.<ref name=Story/> The borough formed during the "boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.<ref>Harvey, Cornelius Burnham. Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, p. 11, New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900. Accessed September 15, 2013. "For a period of sixteen years following the passage of this act few boroughs were organized in the State, only three of them being in Bergen County.... As it was twenty-six boroughs were created in the county from January 23, 1894, to December 18, of the same year."</ref> Portions of Leonia were taken on February 19, 1895, to form the Township of Teaneck.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 80. Accessed May 29, 2024.</ref><ref>History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923; p. 371.</ref>

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Leonia the 31st-best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.<ref>"Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.</ref>

History

Leonia's original inhabitants were the Hackensack tribe (Ashkineshacky) of Native Americans. The population was about 1,000 before the Europeans settled in the area. At the time of the American Revolutionary War, Leonia was known as part of the English Neighborhood, a name that survives in neighboring Englewood. It was settled in 1668 mainly by Dutch and English farmers, making it one of the oldest communities in the state.<ref>Friendly, Jonathan. "Leonia Offers Films of Old", The New York Times, September 21, 1975. Accessed July 10, 2012. "The borough dates its original settlement to 1668, and seven years ago it celebrated its Tricentennial."</ref> A third of the population was African slaves. It was on the western slope of the Palisades, and started as a quiet farming community. Leonia's proximity to New York City and its major universities, theaters, and performing venues contributed to its place in the world of art and academics, with many artists and leading thinkers living there in the 20th century.

The local economy that had focused on agriculture underwent economic and cultural growth during the late 19th century, marked by the introduction of train service. Leonia was originally called West Fort Lee. In 1865, J. Vreeland Moore and other town leaders chose the name "Leonia" in honor of American Revolutionary War General Charles Lee, for whom Fort Lee is named.<ref name=LeoniaBook/><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015.</ref>

In 1899, after traveling through Leonia upon arriving in New Jersey by ferry at Edgewater, advertising executive Artemus Ward purchased a large piece of land and established the Leonia Heights Land Company to develop and market housing in the community. His advertising attracted many academics and artists who were drawn to Leonia's small size, culture, and location, leading to the town's nickname, the "Athens of New Jersey".<ref>Llorente, Elizabeth. If You're Thinking of Living in: Leonia", The New York Times, February 10, 1985. Accessed July 13, 2011. "In 1899, his Leonia Heights Land Company set out to create a community that was to be unique - an idea sparked by a trip to Leonia on the Edgewater Ferry that year. Ward, the head of a New York advertising concern, envisioned a white-collar community whose residents would enjoy open space and an upper- class residential environment with an emphasis on education and culture."</ref>

In 1915, Harvey Dunn established the Leonia School of Illustration, fostering the artists' colony that emerged over the next decade.<ref name=Dunn>Falkenstein, Michelle. "Jersey Footlights", The New York Times, July 31, 2005. Accessed November 7, 2018. "Dunn settled in Leonia in 1914 to be near the New York market for illustration and enjoyed a successful career."</ref> By the 1930s, it had the highest number of residents per capita in Who's Who in America, and 80% of its residents were college graduates. Transportation through the borough was enhanced by access to ferries and trolley systems, and Leonia became a refuge for many of America's most creative thinkers, including five Nobel Prize winners.<ref name=NYT1997>Cheslow, Jerry. "Well-Read, Well-Shaded and Well-Placed", The New York Times, June 15, 1997. Accessed July 13, 2011. "Among the other widely used facilities is the Civil War Drill Hall, a cavernous building constructed by the New Jersey Blues Infantry regiment as a training center in 1859. The hall is now home to the Players Guild of Leonia, established in 1919 and the oldest community theater group in New Jersey."</ref>

For 200 years, one of Leonia's two major north-south avenues, Grand Avenue (the other is Broad Avenue), was called the English Neighborhood Road. In colonial times, it served as the main inland route between Paulus Hook, Bergen, and the English Neighborhood. Leonia was a crossroads of the American Revolution and a training ground for American Civil War soldiers.

Historic places in Leonia include the Civil War Drill Hall and Armory and the Cole-Allaire House, constructed around 1765, making it the borough's oldest dwelling, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.<ref>Revolutionary War Sites in Leonia, New Jersey, Revolutionary War New Jersey. Accessed December 11, 2014. "Cole-Allaire-Boyd House; oldest dwelling in Leonia - circa 1765. Home of noted loyalist, Sam Cole prior to and during part of the Revolution."</ref> The Vreeland House, constructed in 1786 by Dirck Vreeland and expanded in 1815, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.<ref>Rutt, Walter E. Vreeland House, Historic American Buildings Survey, July 1938. Accessed December 11, 2014.</ref>

Leonia celebrates "Leonia Day" annually on the third Sunday in May.<ref>Annual Events Template:Webarchive, Borough of Leonia. Accessed May 19, 2008.</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has an area of 1.63 square miles (4.22 km²), including 1.52 square miles (3.94 km²) of land and 0.11 square miles (0.27 km²) of water (6.50%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The borough center's elevation is Template:Convert, but the borough's western part can reach Template:Convert and the eastern part Template:Convert.<ref>Leonia, New Jersey, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed July 13, 2011.</ref>

The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Englewood, Fort Lee, Palisades Park, Ridgefield Park and Teaneck.<ref>Areas touching Leonia, MapIt. Accessed February 25, 2020.</ref><ref>Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed February 25, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Leonia is designated as a Tree City USA, receiving its 21st annual recognition in 2010 from the National Arbor Day Foundation.<ref>Staff. "Leonia named Tree City USA", Leonia Life, May 14, 2010. Accessed July 13, 2011.</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 8,937 people, 3,284 households, and 2,519 families in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,428 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 55.22% (4,935) White, 2.34% (209) Black or African American, 0.16% (14) Native American, 35.12% (3,139) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 3.71% (332) from other races, and 3.44% (307) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.66% (1,489) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/> Korean Americans accounted for 26.5% of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 3,284 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 61.2% were married couples living together; 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.3% were non-families. Of all households, 20.0% were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13.<ref name=Census2010/>

22.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.9 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

Same-sex couples headed 35 households in 2010, more than double the 17 counted in 2000.<ref>Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed December 1, 2014.</ref>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $66,271 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,365) and the median family income was $91,129 (+/− $16,890). Males had a median income of $54,754 (+/− $8,175) versus $60,057 (+/− $8,680) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,030 (+/− $4,132). About 5.8% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Leonia borough, Bergen County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 9, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 8,914 people, 3,271 households, and 2,436 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,343 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 65.74% White, 2.27% African American, 0.09% Native American, 26.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.20% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.73% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Leonia borough Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 16, 2011.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Leonia borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2012.</ref>

There were 3,271 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.20.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $72,440, and the median income for a family was $84,591. Males had a median income of $55,156 versus $38,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,352. About 5.0% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

As of the 2000 Census, 17.24% of Leonia's residents identified themselves as being of Korean ancestry, which was the fourth-highest in the United States and second-highest of any municipality in New Jersey—behind neighboring Palisades Park (36.38%)—for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.<ref>Korean Communities Template:Webarchive, EPodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.</ref> Additionally, 3.07% of Leonia's residents identified themselves as being of Japanese ancestry, which was the fourth-highest of any municipality in New Jersey — behind Fort Lee (6.09%), Demarest (3.72%) and Edgewater (3.22%)—for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.<ref>Japanese Communities Template:Webarchive, EPodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.</ref>

Arts and culture

Leonia is home to the Players Guild of Leonia, New Jersey's oldest continuing theatre troupe and one of the oldest community theatre groups in the state, with continuous performances since 1919.<ref name=NYT1997/> Performances have included comedies, tragedies, classics, and musicals. The Guild's 1940 production of One Mad Night was the first three-act play performed on television, when it was broadcast on WPTZ, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Children's Show was instituted in 1963 and continues each spring. Between 1968 and 1998, the Guild produced Theatre in the Park. Since 2002, the Guild has produced a Playwright's Showcase featuring original scripts. The Guild operates out of the historic Civil War Drill Hall Theatre on Grand Avenue, which is leased from the borough. Recent productions include Lovers and Other Strangers, The Glass Menagerie, Love, Loss, and What I Wore and Hair. Upcoming productions include a fall production of Guys and Dolls.<ref>Home page, Players Guild of Leonia. Accessed October 18, 2013.</ref>

Since 2000, Leonia has also been home to Summerstage at Leonia, which produces a Broadway-style family musical each summer in the last two weeks of July. Summerstage performances were originally held in the Leonia High School Little Theater but now take place at the Civil War Drill Hall Theater. Auditions are held in May and open to all in the NYC metro area. Past shows have included The Wizard of Oz, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Annie, Oliver, Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.<ref>About, Summerstage at Leonia. Accessed October 18, 2013.</ref>

The Leonia Chamber Musicians Society, founded in 1973, is made up of professional musicians who reside in Leonia, and gives classical music concerts four times a year at various venues in the borough.<ref>About, Leonia Chamber Musicians Society. Accessed October 18, 2013.</ref>

Leonia aims to build its art and cultural environment by displaying outdoor sculpture throughout the community and in the Erika and David Boyd Sculpture Garden, on the grounds of the Leonia Borough Annex.<ref>About Template:Webarchive, Sculpture for Leonia. Accessed October 18, 2013.</ref> This group sponsors an annual Taste of Leonia fundraiser. Leonia Arts provides a calendar of all arts events in Leonia.<ref>Home page, Leonia Arts. Accessed October 18, 2013.</ref>

Parks and recreation

Leonia has five public recreational areas, of which only the Leonia Swim Club requires a membership fee. The recreation areas include Wood Park, on the corner of Broad Avenue and Fort Lee Road; Sylvan Park and the Leonia Swim Club, both on Grand Avenue near Sylvan Avenue; and the Recreational Center on Broad Avenue, which has an indoor basketball court.<ref name=NYT1997/>

Overpeck County Park, a Bergen County park in Leonia, Ridgefield Park, and Teaneck, is home to the county's World Trade Center Memorial.<ref>Overpeck County Park, Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Parks. Accessed June 1, 2015.</ref>

Field Station: Dinosaurs is a dinosaur-themed park in Overpeck County Park, just south of Interstate 95, with 32 animatronic dinosaurs.<ref>Frequently Asked Questions, Field Station: Dinosaurs. Accessed March 14, 2023. "The Field Station is an outdoor exhibition with 32 life-size animatronic dinosaurs.... What is Field Station: Dinosaurs’ park address? Overpeck County Park: Henry Hoebel Area, 3 Overpeck Park Driveway, Leonia, NJ 07605."</ref>

Government

Local government

File:LeoniaBoroughHall.jpg

The Borough Hall of Leonia

Leonia is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, New Jersey's most common form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body comprises a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis in the November general election. Voters directly elect a mayor to a four-year term. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 157.</ref> Leonia's borough form of government is "weak mayor / strong council", 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 makes most appointments with the council's advice and consent.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

Template:As of, Leonia's mayor is Democrat William Ziegler, whose term ends on December 31, 2027.<ref name=Mayor>Mayor Bill Ziegler, Borough of Leonia. Accessed February 21, 2024.</ref> Members of the Leonia Borough Council are Council President Jordan Zeigler (D, 2026), Scott Fisher (D, 2025), Louis Grandelis (D, 2027), Christoph Hesterbrink (D, 2025), Diane M. Scarangella (D, 2026), and Joanne Choi Terrell (D, 2027).<ref name=MayorCouncil>Mayor and Council, Borough of Leonia. Accessed February 21, 2024. "Leonia is incorporated under the Borough form of government; the Governing Body consists of the Mayor and six Council members, all of whom are elected at-large. The Mayor is the Chief Executive and Presiding Officer. The Council consists of the Council President (who presides in the Mayor's absence), and five additional Council members, who together serve as the legislative body of the Borough. Council members serve for terms of three years; the Mayor's term is four years."</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Leonia. Accessed February 21, 2024.</ref><ref name=BergenCountyDirectory>2024 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2023>Official Statement of Vote 2023 General Election - November 7, 2023 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Bergen2022>Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Bergen2021>Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

Federal, state, and county representation

Leonia is in New Jersey's 5th congressional district<ref name=PCR2022>2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022.</ref> and New Jersey's 37th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref> It was in the 9th congressional district from 2013 to 2022.<ref name="PCR2012">Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref>Salant, Jonathan D. "Big change, N.J.! 1.4M shifting to another congressional district. Use our tracker before voting.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 31, 2022. Accessed December 8, 2022. "But now more than 1.4 million residents are moving due to new district lines drawn by New Jersey’s independent redistricting commission to reflect population shifts under the 2020 census.... Redistricting will shift 106 municipalities — nearly one in five — into new congressional districts.... Moving from the 9th Congressional District, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., to the 5th Congressional District, represented by Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer."</ref>

Politics

As of March 2011, there were 4,713 registered voters in Leonia, of whom 2,493 (52.9% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 598 (12.7% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans, and 1,619 (34.4% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. Three voters were registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Bergen, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 9, 2013.</ref> Of the borough's 2010 census population, 52.7% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 67.9% of those over 18 (vs. 73.7% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 9, 2013.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 2,451 votes (66.8% vs. 54.8% countywide) to Republican Mitt Romney's 1,135 (30.9% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates' 47 (1.3% vs. 0.9%). The borough's 5,065 registered voters cast 3,668 ballots, for a turnout of 72.4% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 13, 2013.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 13, 2013.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Obama received 2,604 votes (65.9% vs. 53.9% countywide) to Republican John McCain's 1,273 (32.2% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates' 30 (0.8% vs. 0.8%). The borough's 5,050 registered voters cast 3,953 ballots, for a turnout of 78.3% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 9, 2013.</ref><ref name=Results2008>2008 General Election Results for Leonia, The Record. Accessed July 13, 2011.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 2,468 votes (64.4% vs. 51.7% countywide) to Republican George W. Bush's 1,327 (34.6% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates' 25 (0.7% vs. 0.7%). The borough's 4,878 registered voters cast 3,835 ballots, for a turnout of 78.6% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 9, 2013.</ref>

Presidential elections results

Year	Republican	Democratic
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|32.8% 1,306	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|64.5% 2,572
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|28.8% 1,293	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|69.8% 3,136
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|27.7% 998	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|69.1% 2,494
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref name="2012Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|30.9% 1,135	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|66.8% 2,451
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|32.2% 1,273	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|65.9% 2,604
style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[1], New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 21, 2012.</ref>	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Republican|34.6% 1,327	style="text-align:center; Template:Party shading/Democratic|64.4% 2,468

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 50.8% of the vote (1,078 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 47.9% (1,015 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (27 votes), among the 2,205 ballots cast by the borough's 4,826 registered voters (85 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.7%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 1,682 ballots cast (60.7% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 901 votes (32.5% vs. 45.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 120 votes (4.3% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 7 votes (0.3% vs. 0.5%), among the 2,773 ballots cast by the borough's 4,880 registered voters, yielding a 56.8% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Bergen County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 9, 2013.</ref>

Education

File:OldLeoniaHighSchool.JPG

Once Leonia High School, now Leonia Middle School

Leonia is served by its public system and by a number of private schools.<ref>Leonia Schools, Borough of Leonia. Accessed July 13, 2011.</ref>

The Leonia Public Schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Leonia Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Leonia Public Schools, revised November 11, 2014. Accessed January 5, 2025. "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 Leonia School District. Composition: The Leonia School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Leonia."</ref> As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 2,087 students and 191.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Leonia Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Leonia Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>) are Anna C. Scott Elementary School<ref>Anna C. Scott Elementary School, Leonia Public Schools. Accessed January 5, 2025.</ref> with 565 students in grades PreK–4, Leonia Middle School<ref>Leonia Middle School, Leonia Public Schools. Accessed January 5, 2025.</ref> with 675 students in grades 5–8 and Leonia High School<ref>Leonia High School, Leonia Public Schools. Accessed January 5, 2025.</ref> with 814 students in grades 9–12.<ref>Our Schools, Leonia Public Schools. Accessed May 16, 2017.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Leonia Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Leonia Public School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref> Students from Edgewater attend the district's schools for grades 7–12 as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Edgewater Public Schools.<ref>Leonia Public Schools 2016 School Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 16, 2017. "The high school continues to increase in numbers as now approximately 725 students from both Edgewater and Leonia are enrolled in grades 9-12 at Leonia High School."</ref><ref>Leonia Schools at a glance Template:Webarchive, Leonia Public Schools. Accessed May 29, 2016. "Enrollment is 1835. Of this, 380 are Edgewater students in grades 7-12."</ref>

Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.<ref>About Us, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 9, 2013.</ref><ref>Admissions, Bergen County Technical Schools. Accessed December 29, 2016.</ref>

St. John the Evangelist School was a Catholic school for students in grades Pre-K–8, operating under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After 72 years and generations of graduates, it was closed in June 2013.<ref>Saint John the Evangelist Church, Leonia - School Building, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Accessed November 19, 2015.</ref>

Transportation

File:2021-06-06 09 31 15 View north along Interstate 95 (Bergen-Passaic Expressway) from the overpass for Edgewood Road in Leonia, Bergen County, New Jersey.jpg

Interstate 95 (the New Jersey Turnpike) northbound in Leonia, taken from the Edgewood Road Bridge

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the borough had Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Bergen County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Bergen County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 8, 2013.</ref>

Route 93 (Grand Avenue) runs north-south for Template:Convert through the center of the borough, connecting Palisades Park and Englewood.<ref>Route 93 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, April 2008. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref> Interstate 95 (the New Jersey Turnpike) curves along the borough's northern border<ref>Interstate 95 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, October 2001. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref> while U.S. Route 1/9 and U.S. Route 46 briefly enter along the western border with Fort Lee.<ref>U.S. Route 1 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, April 2010. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref><ref>Enlarged View 2 (Leonia Borough, Fort Lee Borough and Englewood Cliffs Borough, Bergen County), New Jersey Department of Transportation, June 2009. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref>

Effective January 22, 2018, Leonia officials banned nonresidents from using residential streets (defined as all streets except Fort Lee Road, Grand Avenue, and Broad Avenue) during rush hours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> But due to complaints from business owners citing decreased revenues, Leonia officials are reconsidering.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus route 166 provides local and express service from Broad Avenue to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, and route 182 serves the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal, with local service offered on the 751, 755 and 756 routes.<ref>Routes by County: Bergen County, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed July 13, 2011.</ref><ref>Bergen County System Map, NJ Transit. Accessed September 14, 2016.</ref>

Rockland Coaches provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal on several routes.<ref>Available Schedules from Leonia, NJ to New York, NY, Rockland Coaches. Accessed December 13, 2013.</ref>

The Northern Branch Corridor Project is a proposal to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to restore passenger train service on the CSX tracks, which offered passenger service decades before and is now used for occasional freight service. NJ Transit's plan would include a station in Leonia.<ref>Staff. "Attend town hall meetings with the mayor",Leonia Life, November 27, 2009. Accessed July 13, 2011. "The focus of this first forum will be the New Jersey Transit Northern Branch Corridor Project. This initiative would return passenger rail service to Leonia and as proposed, the line would originate in Tenafly and end at the North Bergen Junction."</ref>

Notable people

File:Arlene & Alan Alda Children's Room at Leonia Public Library.jpg

The Arlene & Alan Alda Children's Room at the Leonia Public Library

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

• Ailee (born 1989), singer<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
• Alan Alda (born 1936), actor<ref name=NYT>Cheslow, Jerry."Well-Read, Well-Shaded and Well-Placed", The New York Times, June 15, 1997. Accessed October 18, 2013. "Much later, its residents included five Nobel Prize winners, among them Enrico Fermi, one of the developers of the atomic bomb, and Willard Libby, who discovered radiocarbon dating; Sammy Davis Jr., Pat Boone and Alan Alda, the entertainers, and Robert Ludlum, the author."</ref>
• Arlene Alda (born 1933), photographer and author<ref>Kuperinsky, Amy. "Alan Alda, longtime N.J. resident, announces Parkinson's diagnosis", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 31, 2018. "[Alan Alda] lived with his wife, photographer, clarinetist and writer Arlene Alda, in Leonia for 38 years, from 1963 to 2001."</ref>
• Robert J. Alexander (1918–2010), political activist who studied the trade union movement in Latin America and dissident communist political parties<ref>Perrone, Fernanda. Inventory to the Papers of Robert Jackson Alexander, Rutgers University Libraries, April 2000. Accessed November 9, 2013. "Robert Jackson Alexander was born on November 26, 1918 in Canton, Ohio. He was the son of Ralph S. Alexander, an instructor and graduate student in economics, and Ruth Jackson Alexander. In 1922, the family moved to Leonia, New Jersey, five miles from New York City where R.S. Alexander had attained a teaching position at Columbia."</ref>
• Elizabeth Baranger (1927–2019), physicist and academic administrator at the University of Pittsburgh, whose research concerned shell model calculations in nuclear physics<ref>Carpenter, Mackenzie. "Newsmaker: Elizabeth Baranger / Pioneering woman professor at Pitt shuns spotlight", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 31, 2004. Accessed January 6, 2021. "Baranger, the daughter of Nobel-Prize winning physicist Harold Urey, spent much of her childhood in Leonia, N.J. watching members of the secretive Manhattan Project -- the developers of the nuclear bomb -- come and go at her house."</ref>
• Freddie Bartholomew (1924–1992), child actor<ref name=LeoniaBook>Karels, Carol. Leonia, p. 127. Arcadia Publishing, 2002. Template:ISBN. Accessed October 21, 2015. "By the 1970s, Leonia was home to may professional musicians, writers, and entertainers. Many - such as Alan Alda, an actor and director; Carmel Quinn a singer; Freddie Bartholomew, a child star; And Robert Ludlum, an actor, producer and author - contributed to the cultural life of the community. Others - such as singer Pat Boone, comic Buddy Hackett, and singer Sammy Davis Jr. - lived here because of its proximity to New York City."</ref><ref>Nuccio, Sal. "Advertising: Role for Freddie Bartholomew", The New York Times, November 6, 1964. Accessed March 30, 2011. "He lives in Leonia, N. J., with his wife and three children 'in an old house we are all inordinately fond of.'"</ref>
• Jeff Bell (1943–2018), Republican nominee for U.S. Senate from New Jersey in 2014<ref>Friedmann, Matt. "Jeff Bell, Republican U.S. Senate candidate from 1978, wants to challenge Booker", The Star-Ledger, February 4, 2014. Accessed August 13, 2014. "Bell, a 70-year-old conservative policy wonk who has lived in northern Virginia for the last 31 years, rented a home in Leonia today and said he plans to seek the state's Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in November."</ref>
• Robert Birmelin (born 1933), figurative painter, printmaker and draughtsman<ref>DiFulco, Pasquale. "Colorful mural by Robert Birmelin recalls Paterson's rich history", Herald News, January 12, 1992. Accessed May 1, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "But long before the Leonia resident was garnering grants and fellowships, he painted mini-portraits on cardboard."</ref>
• Pat Boone (born 1934), singer<ref name=LeoniaBook/><ref name=NYT/><ref>Staff. "Kings for A Day", The Boston Globe, June 16, 1958. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Singer Pat Boone and family leave Leonia, NJ home for church. Front, Cherry, 3 1/2; Debbie, 1 1/2, and Linda, 2 1/2."</ref>
• Anthony Bourdain (1956–2018), chef, author and television personality<ref>Mack, Patricia. "The Cook, The Thief...", The Record, October 25, 2000. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Anthony Bourdain, the Leonia native with the French-sounding name, took a leave from his job as executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in New York City."</ref>
• Rutherford Boyd (1884–1951), artist<ref name=Boyd>Almenas, Maxim. "Saying goodbye to David Boyd", The Record, March 4, 2010. Accessed January 3, 2012. "The tours usually ended at 112 Prospect St. — not just because it was Boyd's home, but because it's the oldest standing house in the entire Borough, built in 1760. Many Leonians have ventured to see the home, which is on the National Register of Historic Sites. 'His dad, Rutherford [Boyd], a prominent artist, was attracted to the area because of the network of artists that congregated here,' said son-in-law Bill Ziegler, referring to a time when Leonia was a thriving artist colony. 'He saw the property as he was walking through town one day and decided right then and there to buy it [in 1916].'"</ref><ref>Rutherford (John Rutherford) Boyd (1884 - 1951), AskArt.com. Accessed January 3, 2012. "Rutherford was born in Philadelphia and lived during his career in New York City, New Orleans where he was a sketch artist, and Leonia, New Jersey."</ref>
• Verona Burkhard (1910–2004), artist, known for her murals painted for the U.S. Treasury Department<ref>Kovinick, Phil; and Yoshiki-Kovinick, Marian. An encyclopedia of women artists of the American West, p. 35. University of Texas Press, 1998. Accessed May 11, 2017. "Later, during the depression of the 1930s and after, while living in Leonia, NJ (c. 1930 - c. 1936), Tenafly, NJ (c. 1936 - c. 1938), and New York (c. 1938 - 1949), she made great strides as an artist."</ref>
• Brendan A. Burns (1895–1989), U.S. Army major general<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Carolee Carmello (born 1962), actress<ref>Beckerman, Jim. "Playing Strong-Willed Women", The Record, March 31, 2002. Accessed May 27, 2008. "After starring in such New York shows as Kiss Me Kate, 1776, Parade, and City of Angels, Leonia resident Carolee Carmello wanted to do something closer to home."</ref>
• Charles Shepard Chapman (1879–1962), painter best remembered for his landscape of the Grand Canyon at the American Museum of Natural History<ref>Staff. "Charles S. Chapman, 83, Prize-Winning Artist, Dies", The New York Times, December 17, 1962. Accessed October 21, 2015. "Leonia, N.Y.,Template:Sic Dec. 16 - Charles Shepard Chapman, an artist, teacher and academician of the American Academy of Design, died yesterday at his home on 156 Sylvan Avenue where he had lived and worked for 50 years."</ref>
• Kathleen Clark, playwright<ref>Aranda, Melinda Dean; and Karels, Carol. "Leonia Lives: Kathleen Clark's world is on the stage" Template:Webarchive, Leonia Life, July 17, 2015. Accessed March 22, 2017. "Kathleen 'Kate' Clark is a playwright whose plays have been produced in New York, off-Broadway and all over the U.S. She and her theater producer husband Richard Frankel have lived in Leonia for 21 years.... We moved here in 1994, during Leonia's Centennial."</ref>
• Edwin H. Colbert (1905–2001), paleontologist and author<ref>Staff. "A New Species of Small Dinosaur Reported Found by Yale Curator", The New York Times, December 4, 1964. Accessed November 10, 2012. "Dr. Edwin H. Colbert, chairman of the Department of Vertebrate Paleontology at the American of Natural History, said tonight at his home in Leonia, N. J., that Dr. Ostrom's report was 'a very good one.'"</ref><ref>Elliot, Ann Brimacombe. Charming the Bones: A Portrait of Margaret Matthew Colbert. Kent State University Press, 2000. Template:ISBN. pp. 68–71. "Ned started to house hunt in Leonia. It took him several visits, but eventually he found a three-bedroom house on High Street for which the landlord was asking a monthly rent of fifty dollars."</ref>
• Dan Colen (born 1979), artist<ref>Haramis, Nick. "Everything & Nothing: Dan Colen Reveals There Are Two Sides to Every Story" Template:Webarchive, BlackBook, October 1, 2010. Accessed March 31, 2011."The 31-year-old artist was born in Leonia, New Jersey, where, as a teenager, he befriended photographer Ryan McGinley at their local skate park."</ref><ref>Whitney Biennial 2006 - Artists, Whitney Museum of Art. Accessed March 31, 2011. "Born 1979, Leonia, New Jersey; lives in New York, New York"</ref>
• Paul Collins (born 1956), rock musician and author, best known for his work in the power pop groups The Nerves and The Beat<ref>Coyote, Ginger. "Paul Collins: He's Got The Beat", Punk Globe. Accessed March 25, 2021. "Punk Globe: Tell us a bit about your musical background? Paul Collins: I had a band in Leonia the town I lived in before I moved into NY, it was my first band and we played original songs, the band was called Home Grown and the only song I remember was 'I Lost My Body'."</ref>
• Robin Cook (born 1940), physician and novelist<ref>Fabrikant, Geraldine. "Talking Money With: Dr. Robin Cook; Prescription: Real Estate, And Lots of It", The New York Times, January 21, 1996. Accessed November 10, 2012. "Dr. Cook's fascination with real estate goes back to his childhood. He grew up in Queens, the son of an art director at an advertising agency who bought a photostat business. Money was usually tight, he said, though by the time he was 8 years old, the family had 'nudged its way into the middle class' and moved to Leonia, N.J."</ref>
• Sam Coppola (1932–2012), actor who played hardware store owner 'Dan Fusco' in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever<ref>Levin, Jay. "Sam Coppola, actor in films, TV, theater", The Record, February 7, 2012. Accessed November 9, 2013. "Character actor Sam Coppola of Leonia, who gave John Travolta sage but salty advice in the 1977 film classic Saturday Night Fever, died Sunday."</ref>
• Alexander Dallin (1924–2000), historian, political scientist, and international relations scholar at Columbia University<ref>Who's Who in America 1966–1967 34th edition, Marquis Who's Who (Chicago, 1966), p. 490. "Home: ... Park Av., Leonia, N.J."</ref>
• John Darrow (1907–1980), actor of the late silent and early talking film eras<ref>Phillips, Brent. Charles Walters: The Director Who Made Hollywood Dance, p. 28. University Press of Kentucky, 2014. Template:ISBN. Accessed May 16, 2016. ""A former movie actor, Darrow was an imposing presence.... Seven years Chuck's senior, he was born Henry L. Simpson on July 14, 1904, in Leonia, New Jersey."</ref>
• Sammy Davis Jr. (1925–1990), entertainer<ref name=NYT/>
• Wm Theodore de Bary (1919–2017), Sinologist and East Asian literary scholar who was a professor and administrator at Columbia University for nearly 70 years<ref>Martin, Douglas. "Wm. Theodore de Bary, Renowned Columbia Sinologist, Dies at 97", The New York Times, July 17, 2017. Accessed July 17, 2017. "He grew up in Leonia, N.J., a town — directly across the Hudson River from the university campus — that was a favorite place of residence for many Columbia faculty members and employees."</ref>
• Priscilla Dean (1896–1987), actress popular in silent film as well as in theatre, with a career spanning two decades<ref>Staff. "Priscilla Dean; Screen Actress of Silent Films", Los Angeles Times, February 6, 1988. Accessed May 16, 2016. "Priscilla Dean, considered one of the best of the silent screen actresses, has died at her home in Leonia, a small New Jersey town she retired to more than 50 years ago."</ref>
• Dorothy Dinnerstein (1923–1992), feminist activist, author and academic<ref>Staff. "Dorothy Dinnerstein; Feminist Writer Was 69", The New York Times, December 19, 1992. Accessed November 7, 2018. "Dr. Dorothy Dinnerstein, a feminist author and professor emeritus of psychology at Rutgers University-Newark, died on Thursday in Englewood, N.J. She was 69 and lived in Leonia."</ref>
• Acheson J. Duncan (1904–1995), statistician and authority in quality control<ref>Duncan (Acheson J.) 1904–1994 Papers (1936–1985) Template:Webarchive Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University. Accessed November 9, 2013. "Acheson J. Duncan was born September 24, 1904 in Leonia, New Jersey."</ref>
• Harvey Dunn (1884–1952), illustrator<ref name=Dunn/>
• Gregg Edelman (born 1958), actor<ref>Feldberg, Robert. "My oh my oh, he's come a ways", The Record, November 23, 2003. Accessed March 31, 2011. "When it was announced Gregg Edelman would be in the cast of the Broadway production of Wonderful Town - which opens tonight at the Al Hirschfeld Theater - it hardly registered as a surprise. That's because Edelman, who lives with his family in Leonia, is a hardy perennial on Broadway."</ref>
• Emme (born 1963), plus-size supermodel<ref>"High School Girls Get The Big Picture On Modeling", The Record, September 12, 1997. "Emme, the world's leading full-figured model and a resident of Leonia, was the star..."</ref><ref>Staff. "Emme", People, May 9, 1994. Accessed February 7, 2018. "Emme sometimes lectures at high schools near her Leonia, N.J., home. Her message: 'Don’t kill yourself trying to change your body. Change the way you think about your body.'"</ref>
• Enrico Fermi (1901–1954), Nobel Prize–winning physicist<ref name=NYT/><ref>Strauss, Robert. "Somebody Big Slept Here", The New York Times, March 28, 2004. Accessed March 30, 2011. "From 1940 to 1946, the nuclear physics pioneer Enrico Fermi (and winner of a Nobel Prize) lived at 382 Summit Avenue in Leonia. For the past 24 years, George and Jean Flynn, who both teach at Columbia University, as did Fermi, have lived in the house. Though they have lived there four times longer than the Fermis, they are still comfortable with it being called the Fermi House in the neighborhood. "</ref><ref name=NYT1960/>
• Morton Fried (1923–1986), professor of anthropology at Columbia University<ref>Staff. "Dr. Morton Fried, 63, Anthropology Teacher", The New York Times, December 20, 1986. Accessed May 16, 2016. "Dr. Morton H. Fried, a professor of anthropology at Columbia University, died of cardiac arrest Thursday night at his home in Leonia, N.J."</ref>
• Ralph Fuller (1890–1963), cartoonist best known for his long running comic strip Oaky Doaks<ref name=Landscapes>Mattingly, Paul H. Suburban Landscapes: Culture and Politics in a New York Metropolitan Community, p. 228. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. Template:ISBN. Accessed May 16, 2016. "Ralph Fuller, one of the mainstays of the Leonia artist colony during the interwar years, was the creator of the highly successful nationally syndicated comic strip, Oaky Doaks."</ref>
• Maria Goeppert Mayer (1906–1972), Nobel Prize-winning physicist<ref>Template:Cite book Excerpt can also be seen as this attachment to a Report to the Historical Resources Board of the City of San Diego, August 18, 2016. "Soon after the invasion of Poland in the winter of 1939–1940, the Mayers moved to a modest clapboard house in Leonia, New Jersey, twenty minutes from Columbia. There they formed a little colony of past and future Nobel Prize winners, including the Fermis, the Ureys and a few years later the Willard Libbys."</ref>
• Buddy Hackett (1924–2003), comedian<ref name=LeoniaBook/><ref>Staff. "Comedian Buys Home; Buddy Hackett New Owner of Anastasia House in Fort Lee", The New York Times, August 30, 1958. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Mr. Hackett lives at 581 Nordhoff Drive, Leonia."</ref>
• Marvin Harris (1927–2001), anthropologist<ref>Template:Usurped, Cultural Materialism. Accessed May 27, 2008. "Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Harris and his family lived in Leonia, New Jersey, which borders Fort Lee, right across the Hudson River from upper Manhattan."</ref>

File:Toomas Hendrik Ilves giving a commencement address at Leonia High School graduation June 1972 1.jpg

Toomas Hendrik Ilves giving a commencement address at Leonia High School's graduation in 1972

• Richard Howell (born 1955), a freelance comics artist who drew the second series of Marvel Comics' The Vision and the Scarlet Witch, which was primarily set in Leonia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Toomas Hendrik Ilves (born 1953), President of Estonia<ref>Jackson, Herb. "From Estonia to Leonia" Template:Webarchive, The Record, April 23, 2008. Accessed March 30, 2011. Copy of article at the official website of the President of Estonia. "Leonia High School helped make the Baltic Sea nation of Estonia one of the most Internet-reliant in the world, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves says. How? By including Ilves, who grew up in Leonia, in an experimental four-year math program that featured computer programming."</ref>
• Phil Jackson (born 1945), basketball coach<ref>Adamek, Steve; and Iannazzone, Al. "Lakers Notebook", The Record, June 5, 2002. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Phil Jackson's memories of New Jersey are fond and forgetful. He finished his playing career with the Nets when they played their home games at Rutgers, about an hour trip from where he lived in Leonia."</ref>
• Leland Jacobs (1907–1992), professor emeritus of education who was known for his education in the field of prose and poetry<ref>Saxon, Wolfgang. "Dr. Leland Jacobs, 85, Educator And Columbia Professor Emeritus", The New York Times, April 7, 1992. Accessed May 16, 2016. "Dr. Leland B. Jacobs, a professor of education emeritus at Teachers College, Columbia University, who was known nationally for his concepts of teaching literature to the very young, died on Saturday at Englewood (N.J.) Hospital. He was 85 years old and lived in Leonia, N.J."</ref>
• Sid Jacobson (1929–1022), comic books writer who was managing editor and editor-in-chief for Harvey Comics<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Albert Journeay (1890–1972), football player who was captain of the Penn Quakers football team in 1914<ref>"Famous Football Captains of 1914", Baseball Magazine, December 1914, archived by LA84 Foundation. Accessed May 16, 2016. "Mr. Journeay was born at Piermont, N. Y., and resides at Leonia, N.J. He is 22 years old, six feet tall, and weighs 182 pounds. When he graduates, he expects to enter the manufacturing business."</ref>
• Marshall Kay (1904–1975), geologist and professor at Columbia University<ref>Distinguished Alumni Awards: Dr. G. Marshall Kay, 24BS, 25MS, University of Iowa Alumni Association. Accessed May 16, 2016. "G. Marshall Kay, of Leonia, New Jersey, Newberry Professor of Geology at Columbia University, was educated in Iowa City, receiving his BS degree in 1924 and the MS degree in 1925."</ref>
• Marvin Kitman (1929–2023), television critic, humorist, and author<ref>Klapisch, Bob. "Leonia's Marvin Kitman recalls his days as a media critic" The Record. November 11, 2013. "Even though Kitman has been a Leonia resident since 1961 ..."</ref>
• Bob Klapisch, sportswriter<ref>Bob Klapisch profile, The Record. Accessed July 14, 2007. "Robert Salvador Klapisch was born in New York City and grew up in Leonia. He is a graduate of Leonia H.S., where he played baseball, and Columbia University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science."</ref>
• David Klass, screenwriter and novelist<ref>Gallo, Donald R. Ultimate Sports, p. 298. Random House Children's Books, 2009. Template:ISBN. Accessed May 16, 2016. "As a teenager David Klass played baseball and soccer at Leonia Public High School and went on to do the same at Yale University, from which he graduated."</ref>
• Perri Klass, pediatrician and writer who has published extensively about her medical training and pediatric practice<ref>Neuhaus, Cable. "A Touch of Klass Is All It Takes to Be a Successful Author, Mom and Med Student at the Same Time", People, November 18, 1985. Accessed May 16, 2016. "Klass' childhood in Leonia, N.J. prepared her well for her dual career."</ref>
• Dick Kryhoski (1925–2007), first baseman who played in Major League Baseball for five different teams between 1949 and 1955<ref>Levin, Jay. "Dick Kryhoski, 82; Leonia's man in Yankee pinstripes", The Record, April 19, 2007. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Exactly 16,477 men have played major-league baseball as of this week, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Just one of them — Dick Kryhoski — came from Leonia."</ref><ref>Levin, Jay. "Their lives made ours a little richer", The Record, January 1, 2008, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 19, 2008. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Dick Kryhoski, 82, on April 10. The only Leonia native to make it to the big leagues, Kryhoski played first base for the world champion '49 Yankees."</ref>
• George Lefferts (1921–2018), writer, producer, playwright, poet, and director<ref>Kuperinsky, Amy. "A celebration of old-time radio signs off for good", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 20, 2011. Accessed May 29, 2023. "George Lefferts, 90, of Leonia, wrote for radio before going on to work in TV."</ref>
• Harold Lehman (1913-2006), artist known for his Post-Surrealist paintings, work with the Mexican muralist, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and mural artist who created murals for the WPA at Rikers Island Penitentiary and the Renovo, Pennsylvania, post office.<ref>Rourke, Mary. "Harold Lehman, 92; Influential Muralist, Active Artist in the Post-Surrealist Movement", Los Angeles Times, April 12, 2006. Accessed January 30, 2023. "He died of natural causes in his home in Leonia, N.J., according to Roger van Oosten, a friend."</ref>
• Willard Libby (1908–1980), Nobel Prize–winning scientist who played a lead role in the development of radiocarbon dating<ref name=NYT/><ref name=NYT1960/>
• Robert Ludlum (1927–2001), author<ref name=LeoniaBook/><ref name=NYT/><ref>Klemsrud, Judy. "Behind the Best Sellers: Robert Ludlum", The New York Times, July 10, 1977. Accessed March 30, 2011. "He writes for six or seven hours in an office in his house in Leonia."</ref>
• Philip Maneval (born 1956), composer<ref>Philip Maneval Template:Webarchive, Theodore Presser Company. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Born in Leonia, in northern New Jersey, Mr. Maneval received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied composition with Richard Wernick, George Crumb and George Rochberg."</ref>
• David Mansfield (born 1956), stringed-instrument musician and composer<ref>Gray, Michael. The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, p. 449. Continuum, 2006. Template:ISBN. Accessed February 16, 2012. "Mansfield, David [c. 1956 –] David Mansfield is very coy about his birth date but he was born around 1956 in Leonia, New Jersey, where he grew up to be a multi-instrumentalist, playing mostly violin, mandolin and guitar."</ref>
• Vera Maxwell (1901–1995), fashion designer<ref>Jackson, Kenneth T.; Markoe, Karen; and Markoe, Arnie. The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives: 1994-1996, p. 352. Charles Scribner's Sons, 2000. Template:ISBN. Accessed September 19, 2011. "She attended Leonia High School in New Jersey for one year, then entered the Metropolitan Opera School of Ballet in New York City."</ref>
• John C. McCloy (1876–1945), sailor twice awarded the Medal of Honor<ref>Staff. "John M'cloy Won Two Honor Medals; Retired Naval Hero Dies in Jersey--Cited for Deeds in China, at Vera Cruz Served on U.S.S. Newark In North Sea Patrol", The New York Times, May 26, 1945. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Leonia, N.J., May 25--Lieut. Comdr. John McCloy, USN, retired, one of the few men to win two Congressional Medals of Honor, and a holder also of the Navy Cross, was found dead in bed today by his housekeeper at his home here."</ref>
• Bob McFadden (1923–2000), voiceover actor<ref>Morley, Hugh R. "Robert `Bob' Mcfadden; Voice Of Tv Commercials", The Record, January 10, 2000. Accessed March 31, 2011. "Robert 'Bob' McFadden, a former Leonia resident and show business stalwart who made his name doing radio and television voice-overs and impressions of famous people, died Friday, his family said. He was 76."</ref>
• Boris Moishezon (1937–1993), mathematician<ref>Saxon, Wolfgang. "Boris G. Moishezon, Columbia Professor Of Math, Dies at 55", The New York Times, August 27, 1993. Accessed September 13, 2011. "Boris G. Moishezon, a mathematics professor at Columbia University who defected from the Soviet Union in 1972 and came to the United States five years later, died Wednesday. He was 55 and lived in Leonia, N.J. Dr. Moishezon had a heart attack while jogging and was pronounced dead in Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, N.J., said his wife, Natalia."</ref>
• J. Vreeland Moore (1824–1903), brigadier general of the 1st New Jersey Regiment who played a major role in the borough's formation<ref>Staff. "Gen. J. Vreeland Moore Dead.; First Colonel of the Old Second New Jersey Regiment--Long in the National Guard.", The New York Times, July 9, 1903. Accessed November 9, 2013. "J. Vreeland Moore died yesterday at Leonia, in his seventy-ninth year. He had been ill about three weeks."</ref>
• Robert F. Murphy (1924–1990), anthropologist<ref>Narvaez, Alfonso A. "Robert F. Murphy, 66, Professor Of Anthropology and an Author", The New York Times, October 11, 1990. Accessed May 9, 2012. "Robert Francis Murphy, a professor of anthropology at Columbia University, died on Monday at his home in Leonia, N.J."</ref>
• Norman D. Newell (1909–2005), professor of geology at Columbia University, and chairman and curator of invertebrate paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History<ref>Pearce, Jeremy. "Norman Newell, 96, Scientist Who Studied Dying Species, Has Died", The New York Times, April 23, 2005. Accessed May 10, 2012. "Dr. Norman D. Newell, an influential paleontologist who challenged opponents of evolutionary theory and helped shape theories explaining the mass extinctions of species, died on Monday at his home in Leonia, N.J., his family said. He was 96."</ref>
• James Noble (1922–2016), actor<ref>Staff. "James Noble: A Relaxed and Clever Actor", The Daily Union Democrat, February 27, 1980. Accessed May 12, 2016. "But the family still is in the process of becoming accustomed to living in California after moving from their permanent home in Leonia, N.J., which they've rented out."</ref>
• Christiane Noll (born 1968), singer and actress known for her work in musicals and on the concert stage<ref>Filichia, Peter. "N.J. Stage; Actress singing for joy at the Paper Mill.", The Star-Ledger, April 14, 2000. p. 23. "For Christiane Noll, performing in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of 'The Student Prince' is a homecoming beyond the usual definition. Growing up in Bergen County, she played Mrs. Barnum in a Leonia Middle School production of Barnum and was a Jet girl in a Leonia High School staging of West Side Story."</ref><ref>Spelling, Ian. "Not Afraid of the Stage: Christiane Noll, former Leonia resident, is the Consummate Professional" Template:Webarchive, (201) magazine, May 1, 2010. Accessed March 30, 2011. "'Leonia was a wonderful little town. They always call it a bedroom community; lots of professionals, artists, teachers and musicians. A lot of the people work in New York City, but want a small-town atmosphere and a house with a yard and trees.'"</ref>
• Frank C. Osmers Jr. (1907–1977), represented New Jersey's 9th congressional district from 1939 to 1943 and 1951–1965<ref>Frank Charles Osmers Jr., Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed June 24, 2007.</ref>
• Clara Elsene Peck (1883–1968), illustrator and painter known for her illustrations of women and children in the early 20th century<ref name=Landscapes/>
• Mary Beth Peil (born 1940), actress<ref>Kaufman, Joanne. "An Actress at Home on the Upper West Side", The New York Times, December 2, 2016. Accessed August 4, 2022. "The minute she was divorced, the actress Mary Beth Peil high-tailed it out of Leonia, N.J., where she had raised her two children, and hit the reset button, first renting a one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor of a carriage house in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, then, a year later, in 1994, buying a similar unit on the fourth floor."</ref>
• Howard Post (1926–2010), animator, cartoonist, and comic strip and comic book writer-artist, known for his syndicated newspaper comic strip The Dropouts.<ref>Via Associated Press. "Howard Post, comic strip artist from Leonia, dies at 83", The Record, May 25, 2010. Accessed August 4, 2022. "She said he drew much of his inspiration from things that happened around their house in Leonia, which was frequented by artists and musicians."</ref>
• Carmel Quinn (1925–2021), singer<ref name=LeoniaBook/><ref>Roura, Phil. "Carmel Quinn Hits The Eire Notes", New York Daily News, March 15, 1998. Accessed March 30, 2011. "Separated from her husband for the last 23 years, Quinn lives quietly in her suburban Leonia home 'The first and only house I've lived in since coming to America.'"</ref>
• Lucinda Rosenfeld (born 1969), novelist<ref>Connor, Erinn. "Leonia native explores the delicate relationship between three sisters in The Pretty One", The Record, February 4, 2013. Accessed February 4, 2013. "Q. What was it like growing up in Leonia? [A] I had a pretty happy childhood, based on my memories."</ref>
• Ben Ryan (1892–1968), songwriter who wrote the music and lyrics to the popular song (The Gang that Sang) Heart of My Heart<ref>via Associated Press. "Ben Ryan, Noted Song Writer, Dies In Jersey", The Indianapolis Star, July 7, 1968. Accessed May 16, 2016. "Leonia, N.J. (AP) Song writer and vaudeville performer Ben Ryan, who wrote 'Inka Dinka Doo' for Jimmy Durante, died Friday at his home here after a long illness."</ref>
• Giorgio Santelli (1897–1985), fencer and fencing master who was part of the Italian team that won the gold medal in Men's team sabre at the 1920 Summer Olympics and was the largest mid-20th century influence in raising the quality and popularity of fencing in the United States<ref>Staff. "Giorgio Santelli, 87, Ex-Fencing Coach Of U.S. Olympians", The New York Times, October 11, 1985. Accessed February 7, 2018. "Giorgio Santelli, a former United States Olympic fencing team coach and one of the most respected fencing masters in the world, died Tuesday in Teaneck, N.J. He was 87 years old.... Mr. Santelli, who lived in Leonia, N.J., is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Donatella Czekus of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Andrea of Massachusetts; a son, John, of Englewood, and one grandchild."</ref>
• Warner R. Schilling (1925–2013), political scientist and international relations scholar at Columbia University<ref>"Leonia man wins chair at Columbia", The Record, November 9, 1973, p. C2. "Warner R. Schilling of ... Park Ave. has been named James T. Shotwell Professor of International Relations at Columbia University."</ref><ref>"Obituary: Werner R. Schilling", The New York Times, October 25, 2013. Accessed February 7, 2018. "Schilling--Warner R., died October 20, 2013, at age 88 at Englewood Hospital, Englewood, NJ. A long-time resident of Leonia, NJ, he grew up in the greater St. Louis area"</ref>
• Gene Shalit (born 1926), longtime film critic on network television<ref>The Publishers Weekly, Volume 184, p. 117. Accessed December 28, 2017. "Gene Shalit, who reviews books for children in the December issue of McCall's, will write a similar roundup for a spring issue, covering books issued Dec. 1, 1963- June 15, 1964. Review copies, galleys, illustrations, jackets should be sent to him at 139 Longview Ave., Leonia, N.J., not later than Jan. 17."</ref><ref name="shalits-in-leonia"/>
• Willa Shalit (born 1955), artist, theatrical and television producer, photographer, author/editor, and social conscious entrepreneur<ref name="shalits-in-leonia">Kahn, Toby. "Gene Shalit's Daughter Willa Has Casts of Characters Ranging from Brooke Shields to President Reagan", People, February 10, 1986. Accessed December 28, 2017. "Even as a young girl growing up in Leonia, N.J., Willa was fascinated with faces."</ref>
• Arshavir Shirakian (1900–1973), Armenian writer who was noted for his assassination of Said Halim Pasha and Cemal Azmi as an act of vengeance for their roles in the Armenian genocide<ref>"Shiragian, 73, Dies; An Armenian Hero", The New York Times, April 16, 1973. Accessed October 17, 2020. "Leonia, N. J., April 15—Arshavir Shiragian, a retired dealer in Oriental rugs, who, as a young man, killed three prominent Turks in reprisal for the massacre of Armenians in World War I, died Thursday ill Englewood Hospital. He was 73 years old and lived at 530 Grandview Terrace."</ref>
• Ivory Sully (born 1957), NFL football player for Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers<ref>Staff. "Pro football", The Record, September 14, 2003. Accessed May 16, 2016. "DB Ivory Sully: Defensive back from Leonia and Delaware played for the Rams from 1979-84 after making the team as a free agent."</ref><ref>Staff. "UD Announces Star-Studded Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class", WBOC-TV, October 1, 2009. Accessed January 3, 2012. "An elusive running back for head coach Tubby Raymond's powerhouse Blue Hen football teams in 1976-78, Ivory Sully followed a spectacular college career at UD with a solid nine-year tenure in the National Football League that included playing in Super Bowl XIX. A native of Leonia, N.J., Ivory was a three-year standout in the UD backfield..."</ref>
• Al B. Sure! (born 1968), singer, songwriter and producer<ref>Holden, Stephen. "The Pop Life", The New York Times, October 31, 1990. Accessed January 3, 2012. "The singer, who lives in northern New Jersey, was born in Boston, lived in Leonia, N.J., for several years, then moved to Goshen, N.Y., and went to high school in Mount Vernon, N.Y."</ref>
• David Syrett (1939–2004), Professor of History at Queens College and researcher and documentary editor on eighteenth-century British naval history and the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II<ref>"David Syrett: Obituary", The Record, October 22, 2004. Accessed May 16, 2016.</ref>
• Harold Urey (1893–1981), Nobel Prize–winning chemist<ref name=NYT1960>Staff. "3 Nobel Winners for Town", The New York Times, November 4, 1960. Accessed March 30, 2011.</ref>
• Henry S. Walbridge (1801–1869), member of the United States House of Representatives from New York who served from 1851 to 1852<ref>"Walbridge, Henry Sanford, (1801 - 1869)", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed November 9, 2013.</ref>
• Lynd Ward (1905–1985), illustrator and wordless novelist<ref>"Leonia Artist Awarded Prize", Bergen Evening Record, November 11, 1949, p. 7. "Leonia—Lynd Ward of Christie Heights Street ... A resident of Leonia since 1943 ..."</ref>
• Lyndon Woodside (1935–2005), 10th conductor of the Oratorio Society of New York<ref>Kozinn, Allan. "Lyndon Woodside, 70, Leader Of Oratorio Society, Is Dead", The New York Times, August 26, 2005. Accessed November 7, 2018. "Lyndon Woodside, a choral conductor who for more than three decades led one of New York City's oldest and largest choruses, the Oratorio Society of New York, died on Tuesday in Englewood, N.J. He was 70 and lived in Leonia, N.J."</ref>

In popular culture

Leonia briefly served as the home of Scarlet Witch and Vision in several Marvel Comics storylines from the 1980s, mainly in The Vision and the Scarlet Witch series, the second of which was drawn by Leonia resident Richard Howell. This domestic storyline was later loosely adapted in the 2021 TV series WandaVision, although the location was changed to the fictional town of Westview, New Jersey.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• List of U.S. cities with significant Korean-American populations

Sources

• Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties) prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.
• Clayton, W. Woodford; and Nelson, William. History of Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts and Peck, 1882.
• Harvey, Cornelius Burnham (ed.), Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Co., 1900.
• Karels, Carol. Leonia, Images of America Series, Arcadia Publishing, 2002. Template:ISBN.
• Mattingly, Paul H. Suburban Landscapes: Culture and Politics in a New York Metropolitan Community. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. Template:ISBN.
• Van Valen, James M. History of Bergen County, New Jersey. New York: New Jersey Publishing and Engraving Co., 1900.
• Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858–1942, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630–1923, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1923.

External links

• Leonia official website