Editing Marlboro Township, New Jersey (section)

==History==

===Historical timeline===

====Lenni Lenape====
The [[Lenape|Lenni Lenape]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] were the first known organized inhabitants of this area, having settled here about one thousand years ago and forming an agricultural society, occupying small villages that dotted what was to become Marlboro Township.<ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/laz/history/timeline.htm Lazaretto: Time Line] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517124237/http://www.ushistory.org/laz/history/timeline.htm |date=2008-05-17 }}, Lazaretto Quarantine Station. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref> Their villages were known to be in the Wickatunk and Crawford's Corner sections of the township.<ref>William S. Hornor, This Old Monmouth of Ours, published 1932, Page 190</ref><ref name=ColtsNeck/>

In 1600, the Delaware / Lenape Native American population in the surrounding area may have numbered as many as 20,000.<ref>Winson, Terrie. [https://archive.today/20120718101518/http://www.anthro4n6.net/lenape/ "Lenni Lenape"], [[Reading Area Community College]], March 2002, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of December 11, 2008. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.penntreatymuseum.org/americans.php Native Americans], Penn Treaty Museum. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref> Several wars, at least 14 separate epidemics ([[yellow fever]], [[smallpox]], [[influenza]], [[encephalitis lethargica]], etc.) and disastrous over-harvesting of the animal populations reduced their population to around 4,000 by the year 1700. Since the Lenape people, like all Native Americans, had no immunity to European diseases, when the populations contacted the epidemics, they frequently proved fatal.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120127152915/http://www.ulster.net/~hrmm/halfmoon/lenape/lenape.pdf "The Lenapes: A study of Hudson Valley Indians"], Welcome to Marist Country, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of January 27, 2012. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref> Some Lenape starved to death as a result of animal over-harvesting, while others were forced to trade their land for goods such as clothing and food. They were eventually moved to reservations set up by the US Government. They were first moved to the only Indian Reservation in New Jersey, the Brotherton Reservation in [[Burlington County, New Jersey]] (1758–1802).<ref>Thomas, JD. [http://www.accessible-archives.com/2013/08/colonies-first-new-jerseys-indian-reservation/ "The Colonies' First and New Jersey's Only Indian Reservation"], Accessible Archives, August 29, 2013. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref> Those who remained survived through attempting to adapt to the dominant culture, becoming farmers and tradesmen.<ref>[http://www.nanticoke-lenape.info/history.htm Our Tribal History], The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref> As the Lenni Lenape population declined, and the European population increased, the history of the area was increasingly defined by the new European inhabitants and the Lenape Native American tribes played an increasingly secondary role.

====Dutch arrival====
[[File:Van_Der_Veer_House_in_Marlboro.jpg|thumb|left|[[Historic sites in Marlboro Township, New Jersey#Vanderveer House|Vanderveer House]] on Ryan Road]]
Within a period of 112 years, 1497–1609, four European explorers claimed this land for their sponsors: [[John Cabot]], 1497, for England; [[Giovanni de Verrazano]], 1524, for France; Estevan Gomez, 1525, for Spain, [[Henry Hudson]], 1609, for Holland. After the [[New Netherland|Dutch arrival]] to the region in the 1620s, the Lenape were successful in restricting Dutch settlement to [[Pavonia, New Netherland|Pavonia]] in present-day Jersey City along the [[Hudson River]] until the 1660s and the Swedish settlement to [[New Sweden]] (1655 – The Dutch defeat the Swedes on the Delaware). The Dutch established a garrison at [[Bergen, New Netherland|Bergen]] allowing settlement of areas within the province of New Netherland. For 50 years, 1614–1664, the Monmouth County area came under the influence of the Dutch, but it was not settled until after English rule in 1664.

The initial European proprietors of the area purchased the land from the Lenni Lenape leader or [[Sachem|Sakamaker]].<ref>[http://www.co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?Id=2645 Marlboro Municipal Records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727034720/http://www.co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?Id=2645 |date=July 27, 2011 }}, [[Monmouth County, New Jersey]]. Accessed June 29, 2011.</ref> The chief of the Unami, or Turtle clan, was traditionally the great chief of all the Lenni Lenape. One of the sons of the leader, was Weequehela<ref>[http://wolfweb.unr.edu/homepage/shubinsk/delaware/lenape nation.txt History of The Lenape Nation]{{dead link|date=March 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, [[University of Nevada, Reno]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of January 16, 2010. Accessed April 20, 2012.</ref> who negotiated the sale of several of the initial tracts of land to the first farmers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spotswoodhistory.tripod.com/id10.html |title=Weequehela - Indian King of Central New Jersey |publisher=Spotswoodhistory.tripod.com |access-date=November 24, 2011}}</ref> An early deed refers to "the chief sachems or leaders of Toponemus."

On April 2, 1664, the English appointed [[Richard Nicolls]] to serve as the Deputy Governor of New York and New Jersey. One year later, April 8, 1665, Nicolls issued "The Monmouth Patent" to twelve men who had come from Western Long Island and New England seeking permanent stability for religious and civil freedom as well as the prospect of improving their estates. Nicolls was unaware that in June, 1664, James had given a lease and release for New Jersey to Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, thus invalidating the grant to the Monmouth Patentees.<ref name=ColtsNeck>[http://www.colts-neck.nj.us/hist/hccn.html ''History of Colts Neck''], Colts Neck Township. Accessed December 4, 2016.</ref> The rule at the time was that land should be purchased from the Patent.

However, in the time between 1685 and the early 18th century, the patent was ignored and land was gradually purchased from the Lenni Lenape causing confusion and disputes over ownership. Following the initial sale of land, the history of the township starts about 1685, when the land was first settled by European farmers from [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]], [[Kingdom of England|England]] and the [[Dutch Republic|Netherlands]]. The Scottish exiles<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Freehold (New Jersey) |volume=11 |pages=75–76}}</ref> and early Dutch settlers lived on isolated clearings carved out of the forest.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-register-early-dutch-settlers/155175578/ "Early Dutch Settlers: Cornelius Couwenhoven of Pleasant Valley"], ''The Daily Register'', May 18, 1898. Accessed January 24, 2025, via [[Newspapers.com]].</ref> The [[lingua franca]] or common language spoken in the area was likely, overwhelmingly Dutch. However, this was one of many languages spoken with the culture very steeped in [[New Netherlander]]. The official documentation at the time is frequently found to be in the Dutch language. The documents of the time also suggest that money transactions used the British [[shilling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brotherton-weekping.tripod.com/id20.html |title=Brotherton & Weekping Indian Communities of NJ |publisher=Brotherton-weekping.tripod.com |date=1957-01-25 |access-date=November 24, 2011}}</ref> The English and Scotch settlers were [[Quakers]]. After initial European contact, the Lenape population sharply declined.

{{anchor|Topanemus}}[[File:Marlboro (settlement), NJ.jpg|thumb|right|[[New Jersey Route 79|Route 79]] in [[Marlboro, Monmouth County, New Jersey|Marlboro Village]]]]
The first settlers of the area were led by missionary [[George Keith (missionary)|George Keith]]. They were [[Quakers]]. The Quakers established a town called '''Topanemus''' and nearby a meetinghouse and a cemetery on what is now Topanemus Road<ref>[http://www.twp.freehold.nj.us/around_freehold/history/hist_religion_in_twp_8.asp Religious Society Of Friends (Quakers)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501175840/http://www.twp.freehold.nj.us/around_freehold/history/hist_religion_in_twp_8.asp |date=2011-05-01 }} ub 1692. Freehold Township website. Accessed April 5, 2006.</ref> and held the first meeting on October 10, 1702.<ref>[http://www.twp.freehold.nj.us/around_freehold/history/hist_religion_in_twp_7.asp St. Peter's Episcopal Church History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501175826/http://www.twp.freehold.nj.us/around_freehold/history/hist_religion_in_twp_7.asp |date=2011-05-01 }}. Freehold Township website. Accessed April 5, 2006.</ref> The first leader of the church was Rev. [[George Keith (missionary)|George Keith]] who received a large grant of land<ref>{{cite web |url=http://files.usgwarchives.net/nj/monmouth/cemetery/topanemus01.txt |title=Cemeteries: Topanemus Burying Ground: Freehold, Monmouth Co, NJ |access-date=November 24, 2011 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426173146/http://files.usgwarchives.net/nj/monmouth/cemetery/topanemus01.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref> in the area due to his position as [[Surveyor-General]].<ref>Metzgar, Dick. [http://www1.gmnews.com/2000/10/04/pastor-proud-of-churchs-involvement-in-community-work-continuing-on-st-peters-restoration/ "Pastor proud of church's involvement in community; Work continuing on St. Peter's restoration"], ''News Transcript'', October 4, 2000. Accessed January 20, 2018.{{dead link|date=November 2024}}</ref> Among the first listed communicants of the new church were Garret and Jan Schenck.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/earlydutchsettle00beek/earlydutchsettle00beek_djvu.txt |title=Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey |access-date=November 24, 2011}}</ref> The church later changed its affiliation to the Episcopal faith and became [[St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Freehold Borough, New Jersey)|St. Peter's Episcopal Church]], which is now located in Freehold.<ref>[http://www.getnj.com/historicroadsides/monmouth.shtml "Monmouth County" from ''Historic Roadsides of New Jersey''], Get NJ. Accessed December 4, 2016.</ref> The old burial ground still remains on Topanemus Road. In 1692 those of the Presbyterian Faith built a church and burial ground on what is now Gordons Corner Road. The church eventually moved to Tennent where it became known as the Old Tennent Church and played a role in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The old Scots Cemetery still remains at its original site.

====Marl's discovery====
The township of Marlboro is named for the prevalence of [[marl]],<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=20 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref> which was first discovered in the area east of the village in 1768. Marl was used extensively on farms and spread during the winter months to be tilled into the soil in the spring.<ref>History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume 3 - Published 1922</ref> The "Marl Pits" are clearly reflected on maps from 1889 shown as a dirt road off of Hudson Street heading towards the current location of the township soccer fields.<ref>Wolverton's Atlas of Monmouth County NJ - Published by Chester Wolverton 243 Broadway - New York 1889</ref> Farmers used marl to improve the soil in the days before commercial fertilizers and there was a heavy demand for it. Marlboro Township's first industry was the export of the material, used primarily as fertilizer. In 1853, the Marl was harvested and transported to other parts of the state and to the [[Keyport, New Jersey|Keyport]] docks via the [[Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad|Freehold Marl Company Railroad]] (now the [[Henry Hudson Trail]]).<ref>[http://njrails.tripod.com/19th_Century/Freehold_Jamesburg/Freehold_Jamesburg.htm The Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad], New Jersey Railroad Information. Accessed August 29, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/NJ_1872.jpg Outline Map of New Jersey]</ref> The marl was then sent to New York and other parts of the country via ship.<ref name=Thinking>Glickson, Grant. [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/22/realestate/if-you-re-thinking-of-living-in-marlboro.html "If You're Thinking of Living in: Marlboro"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 22, 1993. Accessed April 20, 2012. "Settled by the Dutch in the late 1600s, Marlboro got its name from marl, a mixture of clay and shells, discovered on a farm shortly before the Revolutionary War. The material, used primarily as fertilizer, was shipped throughout the state and by boat to New York."</ref> Prior to the finding of Marl, the area was known as 'Bucktown' for John Buck who owned a tavern in the area.<ref>History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume 2 - Page 463 - Published 1922</ref>

====Revolutionary War====
Marlboro Township was the scene of a number of skirmishes during the [[American Revolutionary War]], in particular following the [[Battle of Monmouth]] in 1778. During the war, the Pleasant Valley section was often raided by the British for food supplies and livestock.<ref name=Thinking/> The area was referred to as the "Hornet's Nest" because of the intensity of attacks on the British by local militia.<ref>Staff. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130302001750/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1772284481.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+09%2C+2006&author=&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&desc=Markers+steer+you+back+in+time&pqatl=google "Markers steer you back in time"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', February 9, 2006. Accessed April 20, 2012. "During the Revolutionary War, the British referred to this area as the Hornets Nest because it was thick with rebels who raided British ships in Sandy Hook Bay."</ref> [[Beacon Hill, New Jersey|Beacon Hill]] (of present-day Beacon Hill Road) was one of three Monmouth County sites where beacons were placed to warn the residents and the Continental forces if the enemy should approach from the bay.<ref>Beard, Sonya. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1851760431.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+28%2C+1999&author=SONYA+BEARD&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&desc=Railing+against+Marlboro+development+50+protest+planned+development+in+Marlboro+Site+environmentally+sensitive%2C+demonstrators+contend&pqatl=google "Railing against Marlboro development 50 protest planned development in Marlboro Site environmentally sensitive, demonstrators contend"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302000208/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1851760431.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+28%2C+1999&author=SONYA+BEARD&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&desc=Railing+against+Marlboro+development+50+protest+planned+development+in+Marlboro+Site+environmentally+sensitive%2C+demonstrators+contend&pqatl=google |date=March 2, 2013 }}, ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', September 28, 1999. Accessed April 20, 2012. "Burrows points out that the area is part of Beacon Hill, where patriots warned of British troops coming during the Battle of Monmouth in 1778."</ref><ref>[http://co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?Id=2645 Marlboro Municipal Records], [[Monmouth County, New Jersey]]. Accessed April 20, 2012.</ref> There was also considerable activity in the Montrose area of the Township as British troops, retreating from the Battle of Monmouth, tried to wind their way to ships lying off Sandy Hook.<ref>Staff. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1772284351.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+09%2C+2006&author=&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&desc=Name+rooted+in+the+good+earth&pqatl=google "Name rooted in the good earth"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302001801/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1772284351.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+09%2C+2006&author=&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&desc=Name+rooted+in+the+good+earth&pqatl=google |date=March 2, 2013 }}, ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', February 9, 2006. Accessed April 20, 2012. "Marlboro may not have been the site of a major Revolutionary War battle, but the colonists and the Redcoats had a few skirmishes there, particularly after the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, when the retreating British moved through Marlboro on their way to ships at Sandy Hook and were attacked by militiamen waiting for them."</ref>

The area was also frequently sacked for food and livestock. The woods and surrounding vegetation were hunted for animals to depletion by the British. One description of a hunt was recorded: "A great deer-drive was organized, taking in almost the entire northern portion of Monmouth county. Before daylight... a line of men... was stretched... somewhere near Marlboro. At an appointed hour this line of beaters, with shot and shout... proceeded forward to drive as large as possible a number of deer to the shore between Port Monmouth and Atlantic Highlands. The drive was completely successful... that deer were almost exterminated in the northerly part of the county."<ref>William S. Hornor, This Old Monmouth of Ours, 1932, Page 1</ref>

====Township formation====
[[Image:MarlboroNJMcMansions.jpg|thumb|right|New houses under construction off Buckley Road, late 2005]]
Under the direction and influence of John W. Herbert,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-register/104753620/ "John W. Herbert Dead; An Old Republican Leader Passes Away; His Ancestors Came to This County in 1677 - Mr. Herbert's Large Possessions and the Many Public Positions Held by Him"], ''The Daily Register'', April 13, 1898. Accessed January 24, 2025, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "Mr. Herbert was chiefly instrumental in having Marlboro township set off from Freehold township in 1848, and was the first freeholder elected in that township."</ref> Marlboro was established as a township by an act of the [[New Jersey Legislature]] on February 17, 1848, formed from portions of [[Freehold Township, New Jersey|Freehold Township]].<ref name=Story/> The township's name was originally "Marlborough," but was subsequently changed to "Marlboro."<ref>Chang, Kathy; and Kesten, Karen L. [https://archive.centraljersey.com/2009/12/16/birth-of-a-town-9/ "Birth of a town"], ''News Transcript'', December 16, 2009. Accessed May 16, 2023. "Marlboro had been a part of Freehold Township. Early maps show it as Marlborough."</ref> It is not known when the name was officially changed, with maps and other documents in the decades after the township's establishment referring variously to "Marlboro"<ref name=Beers1873>Beers, F.W. [http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/177430/Marlboro+Township/ ''Atlas of Monmouth County NJ'', Plate 39], New York City, NY. 1873</ref> or "Marlborough".<ref name=Raum1877/><ref>Lightfoot 1851 Map of Monmouth County</ref> The first elected freeholder was John W. Herbert.

By 1873, Marlboro had a post office, school, hotel, multiple stores, churches, and a railroad station of the Freehold and Keyport Railroad.<ref>F.W. Beers, Monmouth County, 1873, [http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/177418/Holmdel++Marlboro++Edinburg++Colts+Neck/Monmouth+County+1873/New+Jersey/ p. 29]</ref> In 1882, the population was 102.<ref>{{cite book | title = Industries of New Jersey | url = https://archive.org/details/industriesofnewj03edwa | publisher = Historical Publishing Company | year = 1882 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/industriesofnewj03edwa/page/n78 101]| ol = 24332547M }}</ref>

Marlboro was described in 1939 as having "large frame houses comfortably spaced along the highway".<ref name="NJGPP">{{cite book | title = New Jersey, a Guide to Its Present and Past | publisher = Viking | year = 1939 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=t6wmzEJvTGcC&pg=PP1 | pages = 555| isbn = 9781603540292 }}</ref>{{rp|555}}

Marlboro was [[rural]] and composed mostly of [[dairy]] farms, [[potato]], [[tomato]] and other farms laced with small [[hamlet (place)|hamlets]] with modest inns or taverns.<ref>"A history Rich in Lore - and Soil", ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', February 9, 2006, Page 87</ref> Before [[World War II]] Marlboro Township was the nation's largest grower of potatoes and also known for a large tomato and egg industry.<ref>Gabrielan, Randall. [https://books.google.com/books?id=UWpvGFRbd-kC&pg=PA21 ''Images of America: Marlboro Township''], p. 21. [[Arcadia Publishing]], 1999. {{ISBN|0738564478}}. Accessed April 20, 2012.</ref> During World War II, egg farms significantly expanded to accommodate military demand.

Following World War II, the state began to significantly build and improve the area transportation infrastructure. As the infrastructure improved, the population started to increase. The 1950s and 1960s saw Marlboro starting to significantly grow. Housing developments started to replace the farm and rural nature as the community expanded. After the early 1970s, Marlboro became a growing [[suburb]] for people working in [[New York City]] and in large nearby corporations. During the 1980s and early 1990s most of the new [[housing development]]s featured four- or five-bedroom houses, but later the trend shifted toward larger estate homes. The building effort became so advanced that Marlboro Township placed restrictions for building around wetlands; called the Stream Corridor Preservation Restrictions to mitigate construction and habitat contamination.

The year 2000 saw continued growth of the housing trend toward larger homes. Towards the end of the decade, housing growth declined due to the [[Great Recession]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

===Historical events===

====Town center====
The Marlboro township center has historically been considered an area around the intersection of Main Street ([[New Jersey Route 79|Route 79]]) and School Road.<ref>[https://www.marlboro-nj.gov/marlboro-history Marlboro Township History], Township of Marlboro. Accessed January 29, 2025.</ref> In the late 19th century the intersection held two hotels (both of them are now gone), general store (was on the lot of the current fire department building), and Post Office (was on the lot of a current Chinese Restaurant). Behind the current small mini-mart on the corner of this intersection, you can still see one of the original barns from the early 19th century. However, Marlboro no longer has any official [[town square|town center]] and can be considered an example of [[suburban sprawl]]. Efforts are underway to create an official "Village Center" and multiple proposals have come forward in recent discussions.<ref name="marlboro-nj.gov">[http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/Identified_Issues.pdf Marlboro Community Vision Plan Identified Issues] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815163616/http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/Identified_Issues.pdf |date=August 15, 2009 }}, Marlboro Township. Accessed June 29, 2011.</ref> Current vision statements suggest the creation of a pedestrian-friendly, [[mixed use]] Village Center, with an emphasis on walkability and traffic calming.<ref name=MP2012>Heyer Gruel & Associates. [http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/DOCUMENTS/Master_Plan_Re-exam_adopted_July_2012.pdf ''Master Plan Reexamination Report''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001926/http://www.marlboro-nj.gov/DOCUMENTS/Master_Plan_Re-exam_adopted_July_2012.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Township of Marlboro, August 2012. Accessed September 29, 2015.</ref>

====Cell phone ban====
In 2000, Marlboro became the first municipality in New Jersey, and one of the first areas in the U.S., to ban [[Restrictions on cell phone use by US drivers|cell phone use while driving]], a ban that took effect in March 2001. The restriction made use of a cell phone a primary offense, allowing a police officer to stop a motorist for phone use.<ref>Mengisen, Annika. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2004/07/01/new-jersey-cell-phone-law-takes-effect-today/ "New Jersey cell phone law takes effect today; Use of hand-held phone in motor vehicle will be a secondary offense"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816104330/https://www1.gmnews.com/2004/07/01/new-jersey-cell-phone-law-takes-effect-today/ |date=August 16, 2021 }}, ''Examiner'', July 1, 2004. Accessed January 20, 2018. "Marlboro was the first municipality in New Jersey to prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones by the operators of motor vehicles. The ban has been in effect since March 2001 and is a primary offense, meaning a police officer can stop a motorist for that specific violation."</ref>

====Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital====
Opened in 1931, [[Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital]] was located on {{convert|400|acre|km2}} in the eastern part of the township. It was opened with much fanfare as a "state of the art" psychiatric facility. It was closed 67 years later on June 30, 1998, as part of a three-year [[deinstitutionalization]] plan in which some the state's largest facilities were being shut down, with Marlboro's 800 patients being shifted to smaller facilities and group homes.<ref>[https://usahitman.com/mphhhttp/ Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819144051/https://usahitman.com/mphhhttp/ |date=2014-08-19 }}, USAHitman.com, September 7, 2013. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref><ref>Peterson, Iver. [https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/01/nyregion/at-67-marlboro-mental-hospital-closes.html "At 67, Marlboro Mental Hospital Closes"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 1, 1998. Accessed July 16, 2015. "Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital closed today for good, 67 years after it opened and after three years of blistering opposition from unions whose members lost good jobs, from the families of some patients who worried that their loved ones would be hurt and from homeowners who did not want mentally ill people as neighbors."</ref> The land that the hospital was placed on was known as the "Big Woods Settlement". It was largely farm land but there was a large distillery on the property which was torn down to make room for the hospital.<ref name=Beers1873/> Additionally, due to the long residential stays at the hospital, a cemetery was also located near the hospital for the residents who died while in residence and were unclaimed. The hospital was completely demolished in 2015. Most of the land was handed over to the Monmouth County Park system, with some of the ground becoming the final linkage of the [[Henry Hudson Trail]].<ref>[https://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2525 Henry Hudson Trail], [[Monmouth County Park System]]. Accessed July 13, 2022. "Currently, the trail runs four miles from Rt. 537 in Freehold to Big Brook Park in Marlboro. The trail then resumes at Station Road in Marlboro and continues for five miles to Church Street in Matawan. Future plans for the Trail include linking these two sections of trail and providing a connection to the original, northern section of the Henry Hudson Trail."</ref> The park system had developed the Big Brook Park and continues to expand and work on the park to provide services to the Monmouth County residents.

====40% Green====
In June 2009, Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MTMUA) deployed a 900&nbsp;kW solar power array from Sharp that will enable the MTMUA to meet nearly 40% of its electricity needs with emissions-free solar-generated power. This is considered one of the largest of its kind in the East. This solar energy system will reduce New Jersey CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by more than {{convert|4200000|lb|abbr=on}} annually; SO<sub>2</sub> emissions by {{convert|28000|lb|abbr=on}}; and NO<sub>2</sub> emissions by {{convert|18000|lb|abbr=on}}., as well as eliminating significant amounts of mercury.<ref>Staff. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/06/17/mtmua-touts-benefits-of-solar-power-array/ "MTMUA touts benefits of solar power array"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125205817/https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/06/17/mtmua-touts-benefits-of-solar-power-array/ |date=January 25, 2021 }}, ''News Transcript'', June 17, 2009. Accessed January 20, 2018. "The Marlboro Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MTMUA) has deployed a new 900-kilowatt solar power array from Sharp that will enable the MTMUA to meet nearly 40 percent of its electricity needs with emissions-free solar-generated power."</ref> Additionally, Marlboro has been recognized as a ''Cool City'' by the [[Sierra Club]]. Marlboro is the 10th Monmouth County municipality to be named a Cool City.<ref>Morton, Rebecca. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/01/14/mayor-sees-promise-challenges-ahead/ "Mayor sees advantages to town 'going green'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118162139/https://www1.gmnews.com/2009/01/14/mayor-sees-promise-challenges-ahead/ |date=November 18, 2018 }}, ''News Transcript'', January 14, 2009. Accessed January 20, 2018. "She noted that Marlboro is the 10th Monmouth County municipality to be named a Cool City."</ref>

====Preston Airfield====
Marlboro had an airport, [[List of airports in New Jersey|Preston Airfield]], which opened in 1954 and was in operation for almost 50 years. The airport was opened by Rhea Preston on his farm and consisted of two runways, one was {{convert|2400|ft|m}} as well as airplane hangars. It obtained a paved runway before 1972. In 1974, the airport had approximately 100 planes, 8 of which are used for air instruction.<ref>"Airport Weathers Fuel Crisis", Asbury Park Press, January 20, 1974, Page 74</ref> It won many awards and in 1974 was cited by the state Aviation Advisory Council as the "best maintained" airport.<ref>"Light Plane Airports Report Business as Usual", Asbury Park Press, April 6, 1975, page 43</ref> In 1975, the airport was given Planning Board approval to expand with 21 additional hangars and add an 840 square foot operations building.<ref name="Asbury Park Press 1975, Page 8">"Board Favors Airport Plans", Asbury Park Press, December 5, 1975, Page 8</ref> Exact records are not known as to when it changed its name to [[List of airports in New Jersey|Marlboro Airport]]. The [[PNC Bank Arts Center|Garden State Art Center]] was known to have used the airport to fly in entertainers such as [[Jimmy Buffett]], [[Jon Bon Jovi]], and [[Howard Stern]] for performances.<ref>"A History Rich in Lore - and Soil", Asbury Park Press, February 9, 2006, Page 88</ref> Planning board records reflect the intention to make this change in 1976.<ref name="Asbury Park Press 1975, Page 8"/> The NJ department of Transportation provided $4.8 million to expand Preston Airport.<ref>"$313 Million Plan Disclosed to Upgrade Aviation Facilities", Asbury Park Press, February 1, 1978, Page 3</ref> In 1979, the airport was described as having a single runway {{convert|2200|ft|m}} long. The airport was used for private aviation (Fixed wing as well as helicopters)<ref>"Student Pilot Safely Lands Malfunctioning Helicopter", Asbury Park Press, June 2, 1978, Page 51</ref> as well as having a private school for flying instruction.<ref>"Back in Business", Asbury Park Press, August 18, 1968, Page 12</ref> In 2000, the airport was purchased by Marlboro Holdings LLC owned by [[Anthony Spalliero]] who closed it with the intent to redevelop the airport into housing.<ref>[https://www.airfieldsfreeman.com/NJ/Airfields_NJ_E.htm#marlboro Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Eastern New Jersey], Paul Freeman, updated July 10, 2015. Accessed July 16, 2015.</ref> To foster the case for redevelopment, Spalliero donated land holdings he had near the airport to the township board of education, which was used to develop the Marlboro Early Learning Center, a school specialized for [[kindergarten]] classes. Following a $100,000 pay-off<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/usao/nj/Press/files/pdffiles/Older/spallieroSupIndictment0320.pdf ''United States Of America vs. Anthony Spalliero And Joseph Spalliero''], United States District Court of New Jersey. Accessed January 4, 2012.</ref> to former mayor [[Matthew Scannapieco]] the planning board used the distance to the new school as justification to close the airfield<ref>Vilacoba, Karl. [https://www1.gmnews.com/2002/10/23/spalliero-taking-marlboro-back-to-court-over-homes/ "Spalliero taking Marlboro back to court over homes; Lawsuit targets land that housed airport for 50 years"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804050045/https://www1.gmnews.com/2002/10/23/spalliero-taking-marlboro-back-to-court-over-homes/ |date=August 4, 2018 }}, ''News Transcript'', October 23, 2002. Accessed January 20, 2018.</ref> citing a reference to a fatal plane crash in 1997.<ref>McKinley, Jesse. [https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/13/nyregion/new-jersey-daily-briefing-cause-of-plane-crash-sought.html "New Jersey Daily Briefing; Cause of Plane Crash Sought"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 13, 1997. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref> Part of the airport has now been developed into Marlboro Memorial Cemetery which now borders the defunct airfield.<ref>sing [https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=marlboro,+nj&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.718442,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Marlboro+Township,+Monmouth,+New+Jersey&ll=40.364989,-74.25465&spn=0.00663,0.009645&t=h&z=17 Google Maps], you can still see the disused airfield. In the most current image, some of the landing strip is overgrown but a large yellow "X" is painted at each end of the runway to show it is no longer used. The cemetery can be seen on the side of the landing strip to the north. The Marlboro Early Learning Center is the U-shaped gray building to the north-west of the runway with a large parking lot. The current image also shows the [[Henry Hudson Trail]] crossing the eastern edge of the runway.</ref> The other part of the airfield has been absorbed into the Monmouth County Park System.

====Virgin Mary sighting====
Starting in 1989, Joseph Januszkiewicz started reporting [[Vision (spirituality)|visions]] of the [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Virgin Mary]] near the [[blue spruce]] trees in his yard.<ref>Gibson, David. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121106055101/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22466233.html "Virgin Mary Visiting No More, Man Says"], ''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'', January 20, 1995. Accessed June 29, 2011. "Since 1989, in something of a churchly cause celebre, Joseph Januszkiewicz has reported seeing the Virgin Mary at his Marlboro Township home on the first Sunday of every month, at exactly 9:28 p.m."</ref> The visions started to appear six months after he returned from a [[pilgrimage]] to [[Međugorje]] in [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]]. Since that time as many as 8,000 [[pilgrim]]s have gathered on the first Sundays of June, July, August and September to pray, meditate and share in the vision.<ref>Hanley, Robert. [https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/16/nyregion/struggling-with-those-who-seek-virgin-mary-reported-vision-has-brought-grumbling.html "Struggling With Those Who Seek the Virgin Mary; Reported Vision Has Brought Grumbling and Expenses to Officials in Marlboro Township"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', September 16, 1992. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref> On September 7, 1992, Bishop [[John C. Reiss]] gave Januszkiewicz permission to release his messages. In 1993, the [[Catholic Diocese of Trenton]] ruled that nothing "truly miraculous" was happening at the Januszkiewicz home. Pictures were taken in November 2004 of a paranormal mist that showed up at the location of the vision, though by April 2005, Januszkiewicz claimed that the visions had stopped and he reports there have been no sightings since.<ref>Davis, Marion. [http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/happened-visions-fade-article-1.687737 "Whatever Happened To . . . ? Visions Fade Away"], ''[[New York Daily News]]'', April 30, 1995. Accessed August 30, 2015.</ref>

==== Train crash ====
On October 13, 1919, a Central Railroad train collided with a truck on the Hudson Street crossing. The truck was owned by Silvers Company. The train suffered a derailment but the accident only had one loss of life. Michael Mooney, train engineer, died from burns from the train boiler water.<ref>Randall Gabrielan, Marlboro Township, C. 1999, Page 86</ref><ref>"Train Accident", ''Matawan Journal'', October 16, 1919, Page 1</ref>

===Historic sites===
Marlboro Township has a number of [[Historic sites in Marlboro Township, New Jersey|historically significant sites]]. These were identified by the Marlboro Township Historic Commission, [[Monmouth County Historical Association]], Monmouth County Park System and other entities. The township of Marlboro has erected signs in front of some of the historically significant buildings to explain their historical significant status. Multiple signs can be seen along Main Street and on some other streets in the town center area.

The Marlboro Township Historic Commission was set up to assist in preserving and publicizing the township's history. It recommends programs and policies to the mayor and the township council on issues of historic significance. It provides homeowners with information on historic preservation and renovation. The commission also maintains signs in Marlboro Township of some of the historically significant locations. The Historic Commission is comprised of nine members, appointed by the mayor for three year terms, who volunteer their time without receiving any compensation.<ref>[https://www.marlboro-nj.gov/boards-committees/historic Historic Commission], Township of Marlboro. Accessed January 29, 2025.</ref>