Barnegat Township, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Barnegat Township (pronounced "BAR-nuh-git")<ref>Franco, Judi. "20 town names in NJ with crazy pronunciations that make no sense Read More: 20 NJ town names with crazy pronunciations that make no sense", WKXW, June 29, 2023. Accessed February 5, 2025. "Barnegat - Incorrect: BAR-nuh-gat; Correct: BAR-nuh-git"</ref> is a township in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 24,296,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> the highest ever count at a decennial census and an increase of 3,360 (+16.0%) from the 2010 census count of 20,936,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 5,666 (+37.1%) from the 15,270 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>

What is now Barnegat Township was originally incorporated as Union Township on March 10, 1846, from portions of both Dover Township (now Toms River Township) and Stafford Township, while the area was still part of Monmouth County. It became part of the newly formed Ocean County on February 15, 1850. Portions of the township were taken to form Lacey Township (March 23, 1871), Ocean Township (April 13, 1876), Harvey Cedars (December 13, 1894) and Long Beach Township (March 23, 1899).<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. 206. Accessed October 25, 2012.</ref> Union Township changed its name to Barnegat Township as of January 1, 1977.<ref name=Story/>

History

Barnegat's name can be traced back to Dutch explorers who, in 1614, mapped the coastline of the nearby Barnegat Bay and Barnegat Inlet. The original name for the inlet was "Barendegat" or "Barnde Gat," which translates to "inlet of the breakers" or "surf cove". These names were given due to the turbulent channel of the inlet, which is characterized by strong currents and choppy waters.<ref name=History>History of Barnegat, Barnegat Township. Accessed June 7, 2016. "Around 1609 Henry Hudson sailed along the coast of New Jersey coming to an inlet which he named Barende-gat, a Dutch word meaning an inlet with breakers. This name was replaced by Barndegat by early mapmakers and later evolved into the present day spelling of Barnegat."</ref><ref>Lloyd, John Bailey. Eighteen Miles of History on Long Beach Island. p. 42. 1994 Down The Shore Publishing and The SandPaper, Inc.</ref><ref>Staff. Special Libraries, Volume 62, Issue 2, p. 410. Special Libraries Association, 1972. Accessed December 2, 2012. "Deutl Bogt, Wedge Bay, in New Amsterdam became Turtle Bay in New York. Barnde Gat or Surf Cove became, of course, today's Barnegat."</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 37. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 27, 2015.</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.</ref> An alternative theory suggests that "Barndegat" is a Dutch term meaning "a pool created from a dike breach".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Germain, Keith A. "The Case for Barndegat A Journey from Barendegat to a Burning Hole", Barnegat Township Police Department, November 2020. Accessed December 31, 2020.</ref>

Long before European settlers arrived, the Lenape Native Americans inhabited the region, including the area now known as Barnegat. The Lenape would spend their summers along the shore, collecting and roasting clams for sustenance during the winter months. They also fished, hunted, and gathered various fruits and nuts found in the area.

European settlers, primarily Dutch, English, and Swedes, began to arrive in the Barnegat area around 1720. These settlers were attracted to the region's fertile land, abundant natural resources, and proximity to the coastline. The first permanent homes in Barnegat were constructed around 1750, as the settlers established farms, fisheries, and other small businesses.<ref name="History" />

Barnegat played a role in the American Revolutionary War, as one of the last skirmishes of the conflict took place near the site of the Cedar Bridge Tavern in 1782. Known as the "Battle of Cedar Bridge," this encounter involved Patriot forces clashing with Loyalist troops and local Pine Robbers, who took advantage of the war's chaos to engage in banditry. The Patriots eventually emerged victorious, marking a symbolic end to the Revolutionary War in New Jersey.<ref>Weaver, Donna. "Ocean County to preserve historic Cedar Bridge tavern, site of Revolutionary War skirmish", The Press of Atlantic City, May 31, 2012. Accessed July 23, 2016. "Barnegat Township — Ocean County Parks Department wants to preserve Cedar Bridge Tavern, which historians believe could have been the backdrop for a noted Revolutionary War skirmish in 1782.... Bartlett said historians and the county have been unable to absolutely document that the tavern was there in 1782 when the Battle of Cedar Bridge took place, which was one of the last land conflicts of the American Revolution."</ref><ref>Ocean County Timeline, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed April 12, 2020. "1782: A skirmish at Cedar Creek (now in Barnegat Township) marked last land conflict of American Revolution."</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 40.41 square miles (104.65 km²), including 34,00 square miles (88.07 km²) of land and 6.40 square miles (16.58 km²) of water (15.85%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Barnegat CDP (2010 Census population of 2,817<ref>DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Barnegat CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref>) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Barnegat Township, while Ocean Acres (16,142,<ref>DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Ocean Acres CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 23, 2012.</ref> of which 925 are in Barnegat and 15,217 are in Stafford) is a census-designated place and unincorporated area split between Barnegat Township and Stafford Township.<ref>GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Ocean County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref><ref>2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref><ref name=CPH232>New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref>

The township borders the Ocean County municipalities of Harvey Cedars, Lacey Township, Little Egg Harbor Township, Long Beach Township, Ocean Township and Stafford Township; and both Bass River Township and Woodland Township in Burlington County.<ref>Areas touching Barnegat Township, MapIt. Accessed March 16, 2020.</ref><ref>Ocean County Map Template:Webarchive, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 16, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Cedar Bridge, Howardsville, Lower Dock and Upper Dock.<ref>Locality Search Template:Webarchive, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 22, 2015.</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 20,936 people, 8,128 households, and 6,039 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 9,085 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 91.77% (19,214) White, 3.25% (681) Black or African American, 0.14% (30) Native American, 1.73% (363) Asian, 0.00% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.27% (265) from other races, and 1.82% (382) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.78% (1,420) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 8,128 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18; 61.6% were married couples living together; 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.7% were non-families. Of all households, 21.8% were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.98.<ref name=Census2010/>

20.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $60,440 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,408) and the median family income was $68,504 (+/− $5,322). Males had a median income of $55,282 (+/− $4,415) versus $39,681 (+/− $4,254) for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,192 (+/− $1,549). About 6.6% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Barnegat township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 15,270 people, 5,493 households, and 4,191 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 6,066 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 94.75% White, 2.21% African American, 0.09% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.86% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Barnegat township, Ocean County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Barnegat township, Ocean County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref>

There were 5,493 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.19.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $48,572, and the median income for a family was $56,093. Males had a median income of $42,460 versus $28,452 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,307. About 5.1% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

Local government

Barnegat Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.<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 Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 49.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

Template:As of, members of the Barnegat Township Committee are Mayor Joseph Marte (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor Alfonso Cirulli (R, term on committee ends 2026; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), Albert Bille (R, 2025), Pasquale "Pat" Pipi (R, 2026) and Jake Townsend (R, 2024).<ref name=Committee>Township Committee, Barnegat Township. Accessed April 17, 2024.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Barnegat Township. Accessed April 17, 2024.</ref><ref name=OceanProfile>Township of Barnegat, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed April 17, 2024.</ref><ref name=OceanOfficials>2024 Ocean County & Municipal Elected Officials, Ocean County, New Jersey Clerk, updated April 2, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2024.</ref><ref name=Ocean2023>General Election Results November 7, 2023 Official Results, Ocean County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Ocean2022>2022 General Election Official Results November 8, 2022, Ocean County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Ocean2021>2021 General Election Official Results, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In November 2015, Martin J. Lisella stepped down from the Township Committee to take a position as the township's business administrator.<ref>Oglesby, Amanda. "Barnegat's deputy mayor quits, gets administrator's job", Asbury Park Press, November 17, 2015. Accessed June 7, 2016. "Deputy Mayor Martin J. Lisella resigned his post on the Township Committee on Monday and accepted a job as Barnegat's business administrator."</ref> In December 2015, the Township Committee selected former mayor Alfonso Cirulli from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill Lisella's vacant seat expiring in December 2017; Cirulli will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will select a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref>Oglesby, Amanda. "Former Barnegat mayor looks at dispatcher jobs", Asbury Park Press, December 15, 2015. Accessed June 7, 2016. "Former Mayor Alfonso Cirulli has been named to the Township Committee to fill a vacancy left by Deputy Mayor Martin J. Lisella, who quit the committee last month in order to take over the job of business administrator."</ref>

Federal, state, and county representation

Barnegat Township is located in the 2nd Congressional district<ref name=PCR2022>2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 9th 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>

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 14,604 registered voters in Barnegat Township, of which 3,163 (21.7%) were registered as Democrats, 3,666 (25.1%) were registered as Republicans and 7,767 (53.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Ocean, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 69.8% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 88.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 53.9% of the vote (5,670 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 44.8% (4,711 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (132 votes), among the 10,605 ballots cast by the township's 15,321 registered voters (92 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.2%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 54.9% of the vote (5,910 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.9% (4,620 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (147 votes), among the 10,769 ballots cast by the township's 14,805 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.7%.<ref name="auto">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 57.8% of the vote (5,223 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 40.4% (3,655 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (87 votes), among the 9,037 ballots cast by the township's 12,465 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.5.<ref name="auto1">2004 Presidential Election: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref>

Presidential Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|61.8% 9,499	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|36.9% 5,666	1.3% 173
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|59.4% 8,864	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|38.9% 5,804	1.7% 200
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|62.8% 7,155	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|34.0% 3,868	3.2% 364
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2012<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|53.9% 5,670	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|44.8% 4,711	1.3% 132
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2008<ref name="auto"/>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|54.9% 5,910	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|42.9% 4,620	1.4% 147
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref name="auto1"/>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|57.8% 5,223	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|40.4% 3,655	0.7% 87

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.0% of the vote (4,981 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 24.4% (1,645 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (108 votes), among the 6,868 ballots cast by the township's 15,399 registered voters (134 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 44.6%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.6% of the vote (4,685 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 29.5% (2,169 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 4.8% (354 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (75 votes), among the 7,363 ballots cast by the township's 14,585 registered voters, yielding a 50.5% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Ocean County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref>

Education

The Barnegat Township School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Barnegat Township Board of Education District Policy: Identification, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-K through 12 in the Barnegat Township School District. Composition: The Barnegat Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Barnegat Township."</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 3,583 students and 272.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.1:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Barnegat Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2021-22 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Barnegat Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>) are Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary School<ref>Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary School, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023.</ref> with 293 students in PreK, Cecil S. Collins Elementary School<ref>Cecil S. Collins Elementary School, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023.</ref> with 759 students in grades K-2, Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School<ref>Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023.</ref> with 479 students in grades 3-4, Robert L. Horbelt Elementary School<ref>Robert L. Horbelt Elementary School, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023.</ref> with 498 students in grades 5-6, Russell O. Brackman Middle School<ref>Russell O. Brackman Middle School, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023.</ref> with 552 students in grades 7-8 and Barnegat High School<ref>Barnegat High School, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023.</ref> with 971 students in grades 9-12.<ref>School Directory, Barnegat Township School District. Accessed October 6, 2023.</ref><ref>Public Schools Directory 2023-2024; Living & Learning in Ocean County, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed October 1, 2023.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Barnegat Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Barnegat Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

St. Mary Academy near Manahawkin, a K–8 school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, is managed by St. Mary Church of Barnegat. From 1997,<ref name=MaryRenameArch>Template:Cite web</ref> until 2019 it operated as All Saints Regional Catholic School and was collectively managed by five churches. In 2019 St. Mary took entire control of the school, which remained on the same Manahawkin campus, and changed its name. The other churches no longer operate the school but still may send students there.<ref name=Heyboerall>Template:Cite web</ref>

Transportation

File:2020-07-11 13 52 09 View north along New Jersey State Route 444 (Garden State Parkway) at Exit 67 (Ocean County Route 554, Barnegat) in Barnegat Township, Ocean County, New Jersey.jpg

The northbound Garden State Parkway at exit 67 in Barnegat Township

Roads and highways

Template:As of, the township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Ocean County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Ocean County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 13, 2013.</ref>

The main highway serving Barnegat Township is the Garden State Parkway, which traverses the township north-to-south near the center of the township. U.S. Route 9 also traverses Barnegat Township north-to-south towards the east side of the township. New Jersey Route 72 and County Route 539 are the main roads serving the western portion of the township. County Route 554 traverses most of the township from west-to-east and connects with the other major roads except CR 539.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service to and from Atlantic City on the 559 bus route.<ref>Ocean County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref>

Media

WBNJ 91.9 FM is licensed to Barnegat.<ref>WBNJ(FM), FCCInfo.com. Accessed August 25, 2013.</ref>

The Asbury Park Press provides daily news coverage of the town as does WOBM-FM radio. The government of the town provides columns and commentary to The Southern Ocean Times, which is one of seven weekly papers from Micromedia Publications.

In popular culture

Barnegat's annual Pirate Festival was featured in the Spike TV show 1000 Ways to Die, which shows fictional clips of unusual deaths. In that particular episode, it showed a sword-swallower who tried to swallow an umbrella, puncturing his esophagus and killing him. The incident is said to have taken place in 2007, although there are no records of this actually happening.<ref>"I heard a sword swallower died after swallowing an umbrella that opened inside him. Is this really true?", To the Hilt Sword Swallowing. Accessed August 25, 2013. "[January 13, 2007, Barnegat, NJ] 'A sword swallower tries to win the crowd by swallowing an umbrella.' (Spike TV, 1000 Ways to Die)"</ref>

Phoenix, the first steamboat to sail the open ocean, traveling from New York to Philadelphia in June 1809, made harbor at Barnegat to wait out a storm that occurred during its voyage.Template:Citation needed

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Barnegat Township include:

• Juan Agudelo (born 1992), soccer player for Inter Miami CF and the United States men's national soccer team<ref>via Associated Press. "Barnegat native Juan Agudelo, 17, scores in U.S. soccer team's 1-0 victory over South Africa", The Star-Ledger, November 17, 2010. Accessed April 1, 2011. "Barnegat native Juan Agudelo became the youngest U.S. player to score in the modern era, giving the Americans a 1-0 victory over South Africa on Wednesday that allowed them to avoid finishing the year with a losing record."</ref>
• Arthur Collins (1864–1933), baritone who was one of the most prolific and beloved of pioneer recording artists, regarded in his day as "King of the Ragtime Singers"<ref>Gracyk, Tim. Arthur Collins (7 February 1864 - 3 August 1933), excerpted from Popular American Recording Pioneers: 1895-1925. Accessed January 30, 2020. "The oldest of ten children, he was about 14 when his father--Captain Arthur Collins, a devout Quaker--retired from sea-faring occupations and bought a home in Barnegat, New Jersey, where he opened a country store."</ref>
• Kelsey Fowler (born 1996), actress<ref>O'Sullivan, Eleanor. "There's Something about Mary; Barnegat actress pops into Poppins role", Asbury Park Press, June 26, 2011. Accessed October 8, 2016. "Kelsey Fowler of Barnegat was in the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park With George and the Tony Award-winning Grey Gardens before landing the coveted job of one of three young actresses rotating the role of Jane Banks in Mary Poppins in June 2007."</ref>
• Micah Fowler (born 1998), actor with cerebral palsy who appeared in Labor Day and as JJ DiMeo in the television series Speechless<ref>Mellerup, Rick. "Barnegat Teen May Be Breakout Star of Fall TV Season; Micah Fowler in Speechless Debuts Sept. 21", The Sandpaper, September 13, 2016. Accessed October 8, 2016. "Now a local teen has a chance to make it big on television. Barnegat's Micah Fowler – Kelsey's younger brother – will make his national TV debut at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21 in a new ABC show called Speechless."</ref>
• Jay Groome (born 1998), professional baseball pitcher who attended Barnegat High School, and was drafted 12th overall by the Boston Red Sox in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft<ref>McGarry, Michael. "Meet Jason Groome, Barnegat's $9M major league prospect", The Press of Atlantic City, April 30, 2016. Accessed June 3, 2016. "Barnegat Township — The tale of how Jason Groome became a national phenom begins like most baseball stories."</ref>
• Brigid Harrington (born 2000), actress<ref>Oglesby, Amanda. "Barnegat teen top vote-getter with #IDontDoDrugs song", Asbury Park Press, April 15, 2015. Accessed October 8, 2016. "Hoffman, the Academy Award and Golden Globe winner known for his unconventional roles, and the 15-year-old Barnegat girl were scheduled to perform in a scene of Louie, the dark television comedy about the fictionalized life of standup comic Louis CK."</ref>
• Robert P. Hollenbeck (1931–2021), politician who served six terms in the New Jersey General Assembly from the 36th Legislative District<ref>Robert P. Hollenbeck Sr., Asbury Park Press, September 7, 2021. Accessed September 9, 2021. "After retiring in 1995, Bob and his wife moved from Carlstadt to South Jersey (Berkeley/Barnegat)."</ref>
• Heather McComb (born 1977), actress<ref>Jackson, Vincent. "Music coach Sal Dupree helps local stars shine", The Press of Atlantic City, October 18, 2014. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Heather McComb, a Barnegat native, could be seen as the character of Patty during four episodes of the Showtime series Ray Donovan this year."</ref>
• Frank Molinaro (born 1988), wrestler who competed as a member of the U.S. team at the 2016 Summer Olympics<ref>O'Kane, John. "Frank Molinaro's road to Rio takes detour to Turkey", The Press of Atlantic City, April 24, 2016. Accessed August 8, 2016. "The bout pitted Southern Regional High School's Frank Molinaro against Winslow Township's Jordan Burroughs.... The 27-year-old Barnegat native failed to finish among the top three at a qualifier in Mongolia."</ref>
• Tony Perez (1931–2022), boxing referee and judge<ref>Tony Perez, New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. Accessed January 30, 2020. "I lived in New York for many years. Since 1983, my wife Barbara and I have resided in Barnegat, New Jersey."</ref>
• Ernestine Petras (1924–2017), infielder who played from 1944 through 1952 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League<ref>Teeny Petras, NJSports.com. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Teeny moved back to New Jersey and continued to play softball competitively for many years. She made her home in Barnegat, and enjoyed renewed acclaim after A League of Their Own premiered."</ref>
• Mike Straka, television host, author, and producer who co-hosted Spike TV's "MMA Uncensored Live"<ref>Richani, Fred. "TSC Interviews: HDNet's Mike Straka" Template:Webarchive, The Sports Corner, September 25, 2010. Accessed November 13, 2013. "[Q] Where did you grow up? [A] I grew up in Barnegat, New Jersey."</ref>
• Henry R. Tilton (1836–1906), army surgeon who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Bear Paw in 1877<ref>Henry Remsen Tilton, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, Arlington National Cemetery. Accessed November 13, 2013. "Born at (sic) Barnegat, New Jersey, February 1, 1836, he earned the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars while serving as Major-Surgeon, United States Army, at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana, September 30, 1877."</ref>

External links

• Barnegat Township website