Keansburg, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Hatnote Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Keansburg (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell)<ref name=Keensburg>Felzenberg, Alvin. Governor Tom Kean: From the New Jersey Statehouse to the 9-11 Commission, p. 5. Rutgers University Press, 2006. Template:ISBN. Accessed July 25, 2012. "In 1884, after congressman and future U.S. senator John Kean, Tom Kean's great-uncle, obtained a post office for a growing Monmouth County community in his district, the village named itself Keansburg in his honor. By the time it incorporated as a borough in 1917, local residents had taken to pronouncing it Keensburg."</ref> is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 9,755,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 350 (−3.5%) from the 2010 census count of 10,105,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 627 (−5.8%) from 10,732 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>
Keansburg was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1917, from portions of both Middletown Township and Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 17, 1917.<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. 180. Accessed May 29, 2024.</ref>
Keansburg was part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing its traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bay coastline. The plan has since been integrated into the 2016 Monmouth County Master Plan.
History
[edit]
The land that is now Keansburg was earlier home to Lenni Lenape Native Americans.<ref>Geffken, Rick. "Keansburg Celebrates 100 Years This Weekend", The Two River Times, October 4, 2017. Accessed July 30, 2019. "As it prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of what an old Monmouth County history book calls “the little village lying on the Bay Coast,” it’s interesting to note it has not always been known as Keansburg. The Lenape natives called it 'Waackaack.' They were forced to give way to Dutch, English, and Scottish settlers starting in the 17th century. Europeans heard that place name as Waycake."</ref>
On September 3, 1609, the Half Moon, captained by Henry Hudson, is said to have landed on the shores of present-day Keansburg (although some historians argue that the landing and forthcoming explained events took place at the tip of Sandy Hook). Crewmen of the ship were attacked by the Native Americans when they departed the ship, and John Colman was killed, making him what is said to be the first European to be murdered by a Native American.<ref>Roberts, Sam. "New York's Coldest Case: A Murder 400 Years Old", The New York Times, September 4, 2009. Accessed July 26, 2012. "It was on Sept. 6, 1609 — 400 years ago Sunday — when this, the first recorded murder in what became metropolitan New York, was committed. Colman was killed only four days after the first Dutch and English sailors arrived."</ref> He is believed to have been buried in the area that is today the intersection of Carr Avenue and Beachway in an area known as "Colman's Point".
In the time between 1609 and the early 18th century, the land was gradually purchased from the Lenni Lenape, together with other surrounding areas. The area was inhabited by Dutch, English, and Scottish settlers. In the 18th century, farming proved to be successful on Keansburg's land, with specialties being pears, apples and corn (maize).
In this time, the settlement took on the name of Waackaack (pronounced "Way-kay-ack"), which came from the term "Wakioak" in the Lenape language meaning "Land of Plenty".<ref>Harnes, John A. "Of Wakioak and 'clam diggers'", Asbury Park Press, July 18, 2002. Accessed April 10, 2007. "Since the Lenni-Lenape Indians called the area Wakioak, which meant 'land of plenty,' this area of Monmouth County south of Raritan Bay has been called many names, including: Colman's Point, Middletown, Granville, Raritan and finally Keansburg, when the community's first post office was created through the efforts of Rep. John Kean and the Rev. William Ramsay."</ref> The area was also widely known as Tanner's Landing from the early 18th century until approximately 1820, so named for the pier at the end of what was Tanner's Landing Road (now Main Street). Tanner's Landing was a principal port for the area for many years.<ref>"Keansburg High School History of Keansburg, at Chapter 5 (Story of the Seas)" Template:Webarchive. Accessed July 23, 2007. "In the early days TANNER'S LANDING, now Main Street Beach, was at the foot of TANNERS LANDING ROAD (Main Street). This was a principle (sic) road going through Monmouth County, as it attached to the "KINGS HIGHWAY", the Landing itself being a Major freight port of the countryside. The first steamboat that came into Monmouth County was to use this landing, it was a sidewheel boat which was commanded by Captain Pennoyer. The Tanner's landing was used as a principal port as late as 1820...Tanners landing was a bee-hive of activity around the Revolutionary War period, because it was a Major port."</ref><ref>"Map of Tanner's Landing, 1851" Template:Webarchive, Keansburg Historical Society.</ref>
The area adopted its second official name of Granville, which derived from the importance of the Phillips Mill, and the grain-producing farms in the region. The name held until the 1880s. During the century, Granville became home to its own church, two lighthouses and small businesses. Roadways were beginning to form from repeated use of horse and buggies. The beach was already a favorite to visitors. Population was about 300 people, who mostly farmed and clammed for a living.
On Sunday, March 22, 1877, at "half past 9 o'clock," Granville welcomed the newly assigned pastor of the Granville Methodist Episcopal Church, William W. Ramsay. He later stated: "I arrived at the Granville Methodist Episcopal Church in Keansburg as pastor for the ensuing year. I soon learned that the hamlet consisted of about 300 inhabitants, whose occupations were mainly devoted to clamming & farming."<ref>Freda, Jerry. The History of Keansburg: The Land of Plenty, page 24, 1976</ref> At 19 years of age, Ramsay was slated to serve in the church for just one year. His success at the helm of church led to another year in Granville, after which he decided to make the village his permanent home. Ramsay and his wife, Eliza S. Wood, purchased the land that is 69 Church Street and opened a general store in 1881. In the coming years, Ramsay took greater and greater interest in Granville and eventually arranged a petition to establish a post office. The list of 132 names was passed on to John Kean of Elizabeth, a candidate for Congress. His efforts led to the opening of the post office in 1884, with Mrs. Ramsay serving as its first postmaster. That year, the name Keansburg was adopted in Kean's honor.<ref name=Keensburg/><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015.</ref> A school was built at the cost of $30,000 in 1890 and sat on what is today the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Church Street (now Fallon Manor).
Further development continued with the creation of postcards depicting the village and land purchases, including acquisitions by William A. Gehlhaus and the Keansburg Beach Company. The Keansburg Steamboat Company was founded in 1910 primarily by Gelhaus as a means of providing transportation for New Yorkers who were interested in buying homes in Keansburg. In 1893, Gelhaus purchased a bakery business in Atlantic Highlands which he operated with his brothers until 1905. At that time he entered the real estate business in Keansburg. He was president of the New Point Comfort Beach Company which he formed with Jesse Sculthorp and Howard Roberts. The company owned a large real estate development in Keansburg and in 1906 laid out the Beachway. On June 18, 1909, the New Point Comfort Beach Company bought the steamboat Accomack in Norfolk, Virginia, and started a scheduled run from New York to Keansburg on July 1 that was intended as a way to bring prospective property buyers to Keansburg. Another real estate developer, Keansburg Heights Development Co., bought several thousand tickets. By July 21, more than $1,500 worth of tickets had been sold at $0.35 each.<ref>Library & Archives Manuscript Collections: Collection 17 - Keansburg Steamboat Company Records, 1910-1914 Template:Webarchive, Monmouth County Historical Society. Accessed August 6, 2012</ref> As the town became more populated, the Keansburg Beach Company sold off most of the surrounding land on Beachway Ave., keeping "just the boardwalk and amusement area."<ref>Freda, Jerry; The History of Keansburg: The Land of Plenty, page 28, 1976</ref>
Tourists from New York City would ferry over and spend the weekend or summer vacation to escape the city heat, until Hurricane Donna wiped out much of the waterfront area in 1960.<ref name=BriefHistory>Graham, Mollie F. "Keansburg and Union Beach: A brief history", Asbury Park Press, September 3, 2007. Accessed August 24, 2013.</ref> In 1969, the borough spent $7.9 million on the Bayshore Hurricane Protection Plan, which had been developed with state and federal funding from The New Jersey Bureau of Navigation and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The redevelopment plan increased the size of the beaches to protect against future storms.<ref>Gabrielan, p. 41.</ref> A number of fires in the 1980s destroyed several structures on the North side of Beachway Avenue. The Dance Hall Auditorium, Keansburg Bowling Alley and the Casino Theater were destroyed by fire during this time.<ref>Gabrielan, pp. 46-47.</ref>
The Gelhaus family re-acquired the Keansburg Amusement Park in 1995, following a 20-year absence after Henry Gelhaus had sold the property in 1972. The return of the Gelhaus family as proprietors of the amusement park sparked a resurgence of interest in the town. Upgrades were made to the amusement park grounds and a water park was constructed. Runaway rapids was opened in 1996 on the site of the former Crystal Pool.<ref>Gabrielan, p. 48.</ref> The Keansburg Waterfront Public Library, founded in 2004, was the result of a concerted effort on the part of townspeople and the borough government to provide a high quality library with resources that address the needs and interests of the community.<ref>Frigdore, Sherry. "Keansburg officials dedicate unfinished waterfront library", Asbury Park Press, July 1, 2004. p. B3.</ref> In 2012, the town added a $3 million desalination plant with Federal Stimulus Funds and a low interest loan from the N.J. Environmental Infrastructure Trust, which greatly improved the quality of the water supply. The town had previously stopped providing well water, as saltwater intrusion into the aquifer had exceeded environmental protection standards. The new facility removes contaminants from the water supply through reverse osmosis.<ref>Biese, Alex. "Keansburg water gets tastier as desalination plant starts operating", Asbury Park Press, April 9, 2012.</ref>
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 16.79 square miles (43.47 km2), including 1.07 square miles (2.78 km2) of land and 15.71 square miles (40.70 km2) of water (93.59%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Beacon Beach, Point Comfort and Tiltons Corner.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>
The borough has land borders with the Monmouth County municipalities of Hazlet Township, Middletown Township and Union Beach; and has maritime borders with Aberdeen Township and Keyport, and the New York City borough of Staten Island across Raritan Bay.<ref>Areas touching Keansburg, MapIt. Accessed February 25, 2020.</ref><ref>Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 25, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref> A small piece of Middletown Township measuring Template:Convert is an exclave completely surrounded by Keansburg.<ref>O'Dea, Colleen. "The List: Donuts, Holes, and Exclaves -- New Jersey's Weird Geography", NJ Spotlight, March 24, 2014. Accessed July 14, 2015. "Middletown Township... But then there's a third section of the township located in Keansburg, a small neighborhood of only about 13 acres separated from the majority of Middletown by a baseball field."</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 10,105 people, 3,805 households, and 2,409 families in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,318 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 84.17% (8,505) White, 6.57% (664) Black or African American, 0.23% (23) Native American, 1.70% (172) Asian, 0.08% (8) Pacific Islander, 4.04% (408) from other races, and 3.22% (325) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.77% (1,493) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 3,805 households, 29.7% had children under the age of 18; 36.8% were married couples living together; 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 36.7% were non-families. Of all households, 30.1% were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.24.<ref name=Census2010/>
23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.8 males.<ref name=Census2010/> The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $39,206 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,629) and the median family income was $52,128 (+/− $8,098). Males had a median income of $43,125 (+/− $8,899) versus $33,098 (+/− $4,163) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,246 (+/− $1,964). About 14.4% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Keansburg borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 26, 2012.</ref>
2000 census
[edit]As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 10,732 people, 3,872 households, and 2,563 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,269 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.31% White, 2.13% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.95% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Keansburg borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 26, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Keansburg borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 26, 2012.</ref>
There were 3,872 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.35.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the borough the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the borough was $36,383, and the median income for a family was $45,438. Males had a median income of $37,229 versus $28,398 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,417. About 15.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
Parks and recreation
[edit]- Keansburg Amusement Park
- Runaway Rapids Waterpark
- Henry Hudson Trail
- Raritan Bayshore Waterfront Park<ref>Raritan Bayshore Waterfront Park, Monmouth County Parks System.</ref>
- John Donohue III Park
- Keansburg Firemen's Memorial Park was established in May 1938<ref>Staff. "Keansburg and Union Beach: A brief history", Asbury Park Press, September 3, 2007. Accessed September 1, 2014.</ref>
- Forest Park
- St. John's Park
- World War II Memorial Park
- Friendship Park
- James Sidoti Skate Park
Government
[edit]Local government
[edit]Keansburg operates within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager form of municipal government. The borough is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey Template:Webarchive, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref> Keansburg's governing body is comprised of the five-member Borough Council, whose members are elected at-large in non-partisan voting as part of the May municipal election to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even-numbered years.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 67.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" Template:Webarchive, p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> In March 1974, voters passed a referendum by 1,508 to 1,142 that expanded the council from three members to its current five.<ref name=BriefHistory/> At a reorganization meeting after each election, the council selects a mayor and deputy mayor from among its members for a two-year term.<ref>Keansburg Borough Code Template:Webarchive, ClerkBase. Accessed May 3, 2017. See Section 2-2.3 - Selection of Mayor. "On the first day of July, following their election, unless that day be a Sunday, in which case it shall be on the next succeeding day, the members of the Municipal Council will assemble at the usual place of meeting of the governing body of the Municipality and organize and elect one of the Councilmen as Mayor, and one to serve as Acting Mayor in the event of the absence or disability of the Mayor. The Mayor and the Acting Mayor shall be chosen by ballot by majority vote of all members of the Municipal Council."</ref>
Template:As of, members of the Keansburg Borough Council are Mayor George F. Hoff (term on council and as mayor ends June 30, 2026), Deputy Mayor Thomas M. Foley (term on council and as deputy mayor ends 2026), James Cocuzza Sr. (2026), Michael W. Donaldson (2026) and Sean D. Tonne (2026)<ref name=BoroughCouncil>Borough Council, Borough of Keansburg. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Keansburg. Accessed January 28, 2025.</ref><ref name=Monmouth2024Municipal>May 14, 2024 Municipal Elections - Allenhurst, Deal, Keansburg and Loch Arbour Unofficial Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated June 3, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2024.</ref><ref>Wildstein, David. "Allenhurst Incumbents Ousted; Deal And Keansburg Incumbents Win In Landslide", New Jersey Globe, May 15, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2024. "Keansburg Mayor George Hoff (809) and Councilmen Thomas Foley (796) and Sean Tonne (710) won nearly 2-1 victories against three challengers: Antonietta Carbone (448), Christina Onciu. (414) and Braden Salas (412)."</ref><ref name=Monmouth2022Municipal>May 10, 2022 Municipal Elections - Keansburg & Long Branch Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated May 31, 2022. Accessed March 26, 2023.</ref><ref name=Monmouth2020Municipal>May 12, 2020, Municipal Elections - Allenhurst, Deal, Keansburg, Loch Arbour Unofficial Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated May 15, 2020. Accessed August 23, 2020.</ref>
Federal, state and county representation
[edit]Keansburg is located in the 6th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 13th 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>
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Politics
[edit]Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRowTemplate:PresRowTemplate:PresRow |}
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,435 registered voters in Keansburg, of which 1,429 (26.3%) were registered as Democrats, 742 (13.7%) were registered as Republicans and 3,262 (60.0%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were two voters registered as Libertarian or Green.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Monmouth, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 2, 2012.</ref>
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 59.4% of the vote (1,604 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 39.1% (1,056 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (42 votes), among the 2,733 ballots cast by the borough's 5,673 registered voters (31 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 48.2%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 48.5% of the vote (1,782 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 48.1% (1,769 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (53 votes), among the 3,677 ballots cast by the borough's 6,248 registered voters, for a turnout of 58.9%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Monmouth County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 2, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 52.1% of the vote (1,995 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 46.6% (1,783 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (36 votes), among the 3,827 ballots cast by the borough's 6,588 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 58.1.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Monmouth County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 2, 2012.</ref>
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.0% of the vote (1,106 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 27.3% (426 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (26 votes), among the 1,592 ballots cast by the borough's 5,368 registered voters (34 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 29.7%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 59.3% of the vote (1,169 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.6% (643 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.0% (118 votes) and other candidates with 1.5% (30 votes), among the 1,970 ballots cast by the borough's 5,738 registered voters, yielding a 34.3% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Monmouth County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 2, 2012.</ref>
Emergency services
[edit]The current Keansburg Police Department was created under an ordinance adopted in November 1926 which consisted of five members. The area known as Keansburg was under the authority of a Police Marshal prior to 1926. Before 1917, the area was patrolled by both Raritan Township (now Hazlet) and Middletown Township. The borough's first Police Marshal was James Gilligan, who was appointed in 1917 who served until his retirement in August 1943. The Chief of Police is Andrew Gogan.<ref>Home Page, Keansburg Police Department. Accessed March 2, 2023.</ref>
Keansburg is served by two volunteer fire companies, Keansburg Fire Company No. 1 and New Point Comfort Fire Company No. 1.<ref>Fire / EMS, Borough of Keansburg. Accessed March 2, 2023.</ref>
Keansburg Fire Company #1, located on the corner of Main Street and Manning Place, was incorporated on October 13, 1912, making it the first fire company in the community.<ref>Home page Template:Webarchive, Keansburg Fire Co. #1. Accessed July 26, 2012.</ref>
New Point Comfort Volunteer Fire Company was organized in 1912 and incorporated on August 2, 1913 at the New Point Comfort Hotel located on Beachway Avenue. The company was first named the New Point Comfort Chemical Engine Company, and was later renamed the New Point Comfort Fire Company #1 in 1921. Having its first building on Oak Street, it later moved to a larger property at 192 Carr Avenue in 1959, where it is currently located.<ref name=NewComfort>Some History of our Fire Company Template:Webarchive, New Point Comfort Volunteer Fire Co No. 1. Accessed July 26, 2012. "It wasn't until 1923 when the Fire Department was officially formed and the command structure of one Fire Chief originated. On the even years, the Keansburg Fire Company #1 (est 1912) holds the Chief's position and on the odd years New Point Comfort has the Chief. Each fire company has their own Chief, who is known as the Asst Fire Chief on their opposite years."</ref>
The borough's two volunteer companies make up the Keansburg Fire Department, which was established in 1923. The chiefs of the two companies rotate as Chief and Assistant Chief of the Keansburg Fire Department. In even years the Chief of the Keansburg Fire Company #1 serves as Chief of the Keansburg Fire Department and the Chief of the New Point Comfort Volunteer Fire Company serving as Assistant Chief, while the roles are reversed in odd-numbered years.<ref name=NewComfort/>
In November 1998, the fire company established the Keansburg EMS and housed it on their property, where it is now a separate organization, responding to over 1,600 calls each year in only a one-square-mile area.<ref>About Us Template:Webarchive, Keansburg EMS. Accessed September 1, 2014.</ref>
Education
[edit]Students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade are served by the Keansburg School District.<ref>Keansburg Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Keansburg School District. Accessed May 15, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Keansburg School District. Composition: The Keansburg School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Keansburg."</ref> The district is one of 31 former Abbott districts statewide that were established pursuant to the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Abbott v. Burke<ref>What We Do: History, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022. "In 1998, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the Abbott v. Burke case that the State must provide 100 percent funding for all school renovation and construction projects in special-needs school districts. According to the Court, aging, unsafe and overcrowded buildings prevented children from receiving the "thorough and efficient" education required under the New Jersey Constitution.... Full funding for approved projects was authorized for the 31 special-needs districts, known as 'Abbott Districts'."</ref> which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.<ref>What We Do, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022.</ref><ref>SDA Districts, New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed March 1, 2022.</ref> As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,642 students and 185.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.9:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Keansburg School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Keansburg School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref>) are: Keansburg Preschool<ref>Keansburg Preschool Template:Webarchive, Keansburg School District. Accessed May 15, 2020.</ref> with 199 students in grade Pre-K, Joseph C. Caruso School<ref>Joseph C. Caruso School Template:Webarchive, Keansburg School District. Accessed May 15, 2020.</ref> with 668 students in grades K–4, Joseph R. Bolger Middle School<ref>Joseph R. Bolger Middle School Template:Webarchive, Keansburg School District. Accessed May 15, 2020.</ref> with 348 students in grades 6–8 and Keansburg High School<ref>Keansburg High School Template:Webarchive, Keansburg School District. Accessed May 15, 2020.</ref> with 384 students in grades 9–12.<ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Keansburg School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> At the start of the 2016–17 school year, the Port Monmouth Road School (which had 501 students in grades Pre-K–2) was closed with the opening of the new Joseph C. Caruso School for grades K–4. The Template:Convert school was constructed at a cost of $51 million.<ref>Spahr, Rob. "Officials help break ground for new $51 million Keansburg elementary school", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 17, 2014. Accessed May 3, 2017. "Schools Development Authorities CEO Charles McKenna, state legislators, local officials and Keansburg School District administrators helped break ground for the future Joseph C. Caruso Elementary School on Tuesday. The new 122,000 square-foot school is expected accommodate 750 kindergarten through fourth grade students and feature 28 general use classrooms, eight kindergarten classrooms, self-contained special education classrooms, a media center, a gymnasium and a cafetorium."</ref>
Transportation
[edit]Roads and highways
[edit]_on_the_border_of_Keansburg_and_Middletown_Township_in_Monmouth_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Monmouth County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Monmouth County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref>
Route 36 runs along the borough's southern border. The Garden State Parkway is accessible via Route 36 in neighboring Hazlet.
Public transportation
[edit]NJ Transit offers local bus service on the 817 route.<ref>Commuter Schedules Template:Webarchive, Academy Bus. Accessed April 30, 2023.</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Keansburg include:
- Eugene J. Bedell (1928–2016), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1972 to 1982<ref>Bramley, Bob. "Bedell takes pride in progress in Keansburg during past year",The Daily Register, September 12, 1975. Accessed December 5, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "The borough manager, Eugene J. Bedell, moved here from Elizabeth during his boyhood in 1941.... A borough resident since moving here in 1941, Mr. Bedell is a 1946 graduate of Leonardo High School."</ref>
- James Coonan (born 1946), leader of the Irish gang known as the Westies<ref>Leith, Rod. ""Gang's Ex-Leader Testifying Before U.S. Grand Jury", The Record, July 20, 1986. Accessed August 13, 2007. "The Westies reportedly are headed by James 'Jimmy' Coonan, a Keansburg man who, investigators said, has been associated both with Paul Castellano and John Gotti, who assumed control of the Gambino family after Castellano's murder last Dec. 16."</ref><ref>English. T. J. The Westies: Inside New York's Irish Mob, p. 111. Macmillan Publishers, 1991. Template:ISBN. "The last few years had been good to Jimmy Coonan. Since his marriage a year ago, in 1974, he'd moved out of the neighborhood to a modest, two-story house just across the river in Keansburg, New Jersey, a quiet, lily-white middle-class suburb."</ref>
- Ken Croken (born 1950), member of the Iowa House of Representatives<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Frank H. Field (1922–2013), chemist and mass spectrometrist known for his work in the development of chemical ionization<ref>"Frank H. Field, Pioneer in Mass Spectrometry and the Study of Gaseous Ion Chemistry, Dies at 91", American Society for Mass Spectrometry, April 19, 2013. Accessed June 21, 2018. "Field was born in Keansburg, New Jersey, on February 27, 1922."</ref>
- James P. Maher (1865–1946), New York City Congressman from 1911 to 1921 who was elected Mayor of Keansburg in 1926<ref>James P. Maher, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 9, 2012.</ref>
- Jason Mewes (born 1974), actor primarily known for his role as Jay, of the duo Jay and Silent Bob, in films directed by longtime friend, Kevin Smith<ref>Sudol, Karen. "Attention leads actor to switch drug rehab facilities", Asbury Park Press, June 14, 2003. Accessed July 26, 2012. "Jason Mewes, the actor best known for portraying Red Bank actor/ director Kevin Smith's pot-smoking sidekick in movies, said his fame and notoriety have been getting in the way of his drug treatment. As a result, the 28-year-old former Keansburg and Highlands resident transferred Tuesday to the Endeavor House on the Bay, a drug addiction treatment center in Keyport."</ref><ref>Jason Mewes arrest report, The Smoking Gun, accessed April 10, 2007.</ref>
- John Montefusco (born 1950), ex-major league baseball player who played for the New York Yankees<ref>Capezzuto, Tom. "From the Mound to Harness Racing", The New York Times, May 24, 1991. Accessed May 15, 2022. "John Montefusco, a Keansburg native and a former major league pitcher, knew in 1986 that his 13-year career in baseball was coming to a close because of a severe hip ailment."</ref>
- Donald Nash (1935–2016), criminal, who in 1982 committed two murders for hire and also killed three bystanders, and later killed a fellow prison inmate<ref>Shipp, E. R. "Jersey Man Indicted In Killing Of Woman And Cbs Workers", The New York Times, June 17, 1982. Accessed November 28, 2022. "According to the District Attorney, Mr. Nash, who lives in Keansburg, N.J., legally changed his name from Donald J. Bowers to Donald Nash four years ago."</ref>
- Lou Taylor Pucci (born 1985), actor<ref>25 New Faces of Indie Film 2004, Filmmaker, Summer 2004. Accessed July 24, 2007. "Pucci, who grew up in Keansburg, N.J., appeared in increasingly larger parts at the Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company before landing a part in The Sound of Music on Broadway."</ref>
- Horace M. Thorne (1918–1944), awarded the Medal of Honor for valor during World War II<ref>Medal of Honor recipients: World War II (T-Z) Template:Webarchive, United States Army. Accessed May 3, 2017.</ref>
- Roger "Hurricane" Wilson (born 1963), electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter<ref>Hicks, Robert. "Roger 'Hurricane' Wilson", AllMusic. Accessed February 9, 2016. "Roger 'Hurricane' Wilson is just overwhelmed by the transformative power of the blues.... He began playing guitar at age nine in Keansburg, NJ, where he attended public school and performed in the school band."</ref>
References
[edit]External links
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Sources
[edit]- Gabrielan, Randall. Images of America: Keansburg, Arcadia Publishing, 1997. Template:ISBN.
Template:Monmouth County, New Jersey Template:Jersey Shore region Template:Raritan Bayshore Template:Authority control