Hillside, New Jersey

Hillside is a township in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 22,456,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 1,052 (+4.9%) from the 2010 census count of 21,404,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 343 (−1.6%) from the 21,747 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>

Hillside was incorporated as a township on April 3, 1913, from portions of Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1913.<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. 239. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref> The township was named for the surrounding hills.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 1, 2015.</ref>

The township is split between area codes 908 and 973.<ref name=AreaCodes/>

History

Hillside was created from parcels of land carved out of neighboring Newark, Elizabeth, and Union. It originally contained the farms of Woodruff, Conant and Saybrook. Local streets still bear their names.Template:Citation needed

Hillside was incorporated shortly after the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1910, and for that reason, the team nickname of Hillside High School was made the "Comets" when the high school opened in 1940. Several local businesses take the name "Comet" for the same reason.Template:Citation needed

The Hillside Historical Society was established in the 1980s in the Woodruff home on Conant Street, perhaps the township's oldest. The Woodruff House and Eaton Store Museum is operated and maintained by the Hillside Historical Society. Purchased by the society in 1978, the house has been faithfully restored to its original grandeur. The Woodruff House spans three centuries in one structure, including the original 1735 building, the 1790 addition, the 1890s kitchen and the 1900s store.<ref>Historical Overview, Woodruff House and Eaton Store Museum. Accessed October 12, 2013.</ref> The society has also added to the grounds an authentic post and beam barn, a Phil Rizzuto and All Sports Museum honoring the Hillside legend as well as an archive to house the many documents the society has obtained over the years.

Jean-Ray Turner, a reporter for the Elizabeth Daily Journal, wrote Along the Upper Road in the 1970s, a book of the history of Hillside.

Hillside has been the home of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Lionel Trains were manufactured from 1929 to 1974 at a factory located in Hillside that employed as many as 2,000 employees.<ref>Hatala, Greg. "Made in Jersey: Lionel trains - chuggin' around the Christmas tree", The Star-Ledger, December 24, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2013. "A plant was built in Hillside in 1929 exclusively to manufacture toy trains; business grew so much that the factory was expanded in 1940, 1941, 1950 and again in 1952. At its peak, the factory employed more than 2,000. Lionel Trains were produced independently from 1901 to 1969, when the rights to the product line were sold to General Mills following Lionel's bankruptcy. Continuing financial difficulties led to the closing of the Hillside plant in 1974."</ref> The town thrived for decades and reached an economic peak in the 1960s. Blue collar workers who lived primarily in the central part of town were employed in local manufacturing concerns. White collar workers established the neighborhood known as Westminster where Yankee shortstop and broadcaster Phil Rizzuto lived for most of his adult life, until his death. That section of town also included the private Pingry School for boys (which left the township) and is now the East Campus of Kean University.<ref>Business & Meetings Template:Webarchive, Kean University. Accessed October 12, 2013.Located in the renovated East Campus building, formerly the Pingry School, featuring a small kitchen and views of the Butterfly Garden."</ref>

In the 1950s and 1960s the township was approximately one-half Jewish, many of whom lived either in Westminster or in the area of Hillside near Chancellor Avenue, adjacent to the Weequahic section of Newark, which was the early home of comedian Jerry Lewis and writer Philip Roth (Portnoy's Complaint).

In the early 1950s the township established Conant Park, its largest. The park is bounded by the Elizabeth River and Conant Street. At the rear area of the park near Pingry School was the boundary of the Kean Estate, the boyhood home of Governor Thomas Kean (1982–1990). The wealthy Kean family also donated the land on Morris Avenue and helped to establish Newark Normal College in 1885, which was renamed Kean College, and later Kean University, in the family's honor.<ref>150 Years: Kean's History Template:Webarchive, Kean University. Accessed August 10, 2011.</ref> Also in the 1950s the Town Hall, Police Headquarters and Municipal Library were constructed at the corner of Liberty and Hillside Avenues.

Township organizations include Rotary International, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Elks, the Hillside Industrial Association, the Hillside Business and Professional Women's Club, the Republican Club and the Democratic Club, as well as a number of ethnic clubs and associations.

In 1991, police from both Hillside and Newark fired nearly 40 shots at a van that had rammed a Hillside police vehicle after a high-speed chase. The pursuit had started after the van had been reported stolen at gunpoint in Newark and was being followed by three Newark police cars before crossing into Hillside. Two of the people inside the vehicle were killed and four of the five other passengers were wounded, though the Union County Prosecutor indicated that there was no clear explanation for why the police had started shooting.<ref>Sullivan, Joseph F. "Question in Hillside Chase: What Caused Police to Fire?", The New York Times, June 11, 1991. Accessed August 10, 2011.</ref> The Reverend Al Sharpton held a rally outside Town Hall on Hillside Avenue demanding that the police officers involved in the shootings should be prosecuted for their actions.<ref>via Associated Press. "Sharpton, 250 Protest Hillside Police Shootings", The Press of Atlantic City, June 13, 1991. Accessed August 10, 2011. "The Rev. Al Sharpton led about 250 people in a march on City Hall and police headquarters Wednesday to demand that the police officers who killed a pregnant teenager in a stolen van be prosecuted."</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 2.78 square miles (7.20 km²), including 2.77 square miles (7.17 km²) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.04 km²) of water (0.54%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Lyons Farms and Saybrooke.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

The township is located on the northern edge of Union County and is bordered to the northwest by Irvington and to the north and northeast by Newark, both in Essex County. Elizabeth borders Hillside to the east and southeast, while Union borders to the west.<ref>Areas touching Hillside, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.</ref><ref>Union County Municipal Profiles, Union County, New Jersey. Accessed February 24, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hillside has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Climate Summary for Hillside, New Jersey, Weatherbase.com.</ref>

Demographics

2020 census

Hillside township, Union County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2000	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	6,991	5,374	3,787	32.15%	25.11%	16.86%
Black or African American alone (NH)	9,961	11,091	11,327	45.80%	51.82%	50.44%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	25	33	25	0.11%	0.15%	0.11%
Asian alone (NH)	744	571	498	3.42%	2.67%	2.22%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)	2	5	0	0.01%	0.02%	0.00%
Other race alone (NH)	180	207	537	0.83%	0.97%	2.39%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	691	349	1,093	3.18%	1.63%	4.87%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3,153	3,774	5,189	14.50%	17.63%	23.11%
Total	21,747	21,404	22,456	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 21,404 people, 7,112 households, and 5,533 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,536 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 34.75% (7,438) White, 53.19% (11,384) Black or African American, 0.22% (47) Native American, 2.73% (585) Asian, 0.03% (7) Pacific Islander, 6.22% (1,332) from other races, and 2.85% (611) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.63% (3,774) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 7,112 households, 33.2% had children under the age of 18; 48.7% were married couples living together; 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 22.2% were non-families. Of all households, 18.6% were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.41.<ref name=Census2010/>

23.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 86.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 84.3 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $55,520 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,760) and the median family income was $67,492 (+/− $5,643). Males had a median income of $44,421 (+/− $3,088) versus $42,927 (+/− $4,392) for females. The per capita income for the township was $35,486 (+/− $3,349). About 9.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hillside township, Union County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 2, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 21,747 people, 7,161 households, and 5,578 families residing in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,388 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 40.03% White, 46.54% African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.45% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.26% from other races, and 4.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.50% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hillside township, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hillside township, Union County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref> As of the 2000 Census, an adjusted 11.2% of residents listed themselves as being of Portuguese ancestry, the third-highest in New Jersey among communities in which more than 1,000 residents recorded an ancestry group.<ref>Portuguese Ancestry Template:Webarchive, EPodunk. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref>

There were 7,161 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.45.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $59,136, and the median income for a family was $64,635. Males had a median income of $39,439 versus $31,817 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,724. About 3.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Economy

Portions of the township are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. Hillside was selected in 1996 as one of a group of seven zones added to participate in the program.<ref>Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "The legislation was amended in 1996 to include seven additional zones. They were all predetermined and include East Orange, Guttenberg, Hillside, Irvington, North Bergen, Pemberton and West New York."</ref> In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the Template:Frac% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.<ref>Urban Enterprise Zone Program, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed October 27, 2019. "Businesses participating in the UEZ Program can charge half the standard sales tax rate on certain purchases, currently 3.3125% effective 1/1/2018"</ref> Established in May 1996, the township's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in May 2027.<ref>Urban Enterprise Zones Effective and Expiration Dates, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed January 8, 2018.</ref>

Arts and culture

Musical groups from Hillside include Blanks 77, a street punk band.<ref>"Big D and the Kids Table brings ska back to River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on May 3", NEPA Scene, February 26, 2019. Accessed January 23, 2020. "Originally based in Hillside, New Jersey and now living in Denville, New Jersey street punk band Blanks 77 formed in 1990 and was active until 2001, reuniting in 2004 with their classic lineup and continuing onward."</ref>

Government

Local government

File:Hillside, NJ municipal building, March 2024.jpg

Hillside Municipal Building

Hillside is governed by the Faulkner Act (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law), under the Mayor-Council form of New Jersey municipal government (plan 4), as implemented as of July 1, 1997.<ref>"The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed October 12, 2013.</ref> The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the seven-member Township Council, all elected to four-year terms of office on a non-partisan basis as part of the November general election in odd-numbered years. Four council members come from wards, and three are elected at-large. The four ward seats all come up for election together and the mayoral and at-large seats come up for vote together two years later.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 131.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 10. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> In August 2010, the council voted to shift municipal elections from May to November, to be held in conjunction with the general election.<ref>de Vries, Karl. "Hillside mayor starts campaign to force referendum on local elections", The Star-Ledger, September 15, 2010. Accessed May 14, 2013. "After Hillside's council voted last month to move the township's local election from May to November, Mayor Joseph Menza is determined to put the measure to a public vote.... The council's decision to eliminate the spring election, which was first established as part of a 1996 referendum that also created the township's current form of government, shows a lack of respect for Hillside's residents, Menza said."</ref>

Template:As of, the Mayor of Hillside is Dahlia O. Vertreese, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025.<ref name=Mayor>Mayor Dahlia O. Vertreese, Township of Hillside. Accessed February 21, 2024.</ref> Members of the Township Council are Council President Craig Epps (At-large, 2025), Lisa Bonanno (At-large, 2025), David Feuerstein (Ward 4, 2027), Andrea Hyatt (Ward 1, 2027), Daryl Joyner (Ward 3, 2027), Robert Rios (At-large, 2025), and Salonia Saxton (Ward 2, 2027).<ref name=Council>Council, Township of Hillside. Accessed February 21, 2024.</ref><ref>2019 Municipal Data Sheet, Township of Hillside. Accessed May 2, 2022.</ref><ref name=UnionOfficials>Union County Elected Officials, Union County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed February 21, 2024.</ref><ref name=Union2023>General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Union County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2023. Accessed February 19, 2024.</ref><ref name=Union2021>General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Union County, New Jersey, updated November 15, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In the 2017 general election, none of the candidates for mayor or at-large council seats crossed the 50% threshold, leading to a December run-off between Dahlia Vertreese and Jorge A. Batista, the two top candidates for mayor, and the top six for council, consisting of the three-person slates affiliated with the two mayoral candidates. The runoff was won by Vertreese and her slate.<ref>Iati, Marisa. "Hotly contested Hillside mayoral race leads to runoff", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 8, 2017, updated January 16, 2019. Accessed April 24, 2020. "The wide-open race between the mayoral candidates will give way to the runoff between top vote getters Dahlia Vertreese, the president of Hillside's school board, and Jorge A. Batista, a former councilman.... Batista's running mates for council -- Joshua Greenblatt, Joseph Brown Sr., and Nagy Sileem -- and Vertreese's running mates for council -- George Cook III, Nancy Mondella and Craig Epps -- will participate in the runoff election for the three open seats."</ref><ref>Harris, Taylor Tiamayo. "Hillside school board president wins mayoral runoff election", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 6, 2017, updated January 16, 2019. Accessed April 24, 2020. "Hillside school board president Dahlia Vertreese will become the next mayor of Hillside after beating her opponent, former councilman Jorge A. Batista.... All three of Vertreese's running mates for city council also won the three open at-large seats. They are George Cook III (1,768 votes), Nancy Mondella (1,715 votes) and Craig Epps (1,702 votes), according to the unofficial tally from Hillside's clerk."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

Hillside is located in the 10th 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 28th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2023>Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.</ref>

Politics

In March 2011, there were 11,991 registered voters in Hillside Township, of whom 6,196 (51.7% vs. 41.8% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 685 (5.7% vs. 15.3%) were registered as Republicans and 5,109 (42.6% vs. 42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to other parties.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Union, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 56.0% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 73.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 8,059 votes (86.4% vs. 66.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 1,186 votes (12.7% vs. 32.3%) and other candidates with 23 votes (0.2% vs. 0.8%), among the 9,323 ballots cast by the township's 12,982 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.8% (vs. 68.8% in Union County).<ref>Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Union County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref><ref>Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Union County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 7,908 votes (83.3% vs. 63.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,491 votes (15.7% vs. 35.2%) and other candidates with 33 votes (0.3% vs. 0.9%), among the 9,492 ballots cast by the township's 12,766 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.4% (vs. 74.7% in Union County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Union County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 6,415 votes (77.7% vs. 58.3% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,737 votes (21.0% vs. 40.3%) and other candidates with 41 votes (0.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 8,257 ballots cast by the township's 11,702 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.6% (vs. 72.3% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Union County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref>

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In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 4,381 votes (85.7% vs. 65.2% countywide), ahead of Republican Kim Guadagno with 678 votes (13.3% vs. 32.6%), and other candidates with 56 votes (1.1% vs. 2.1%), among the 5,488 ballots cast by the township's 13,660 registered voters, for a turnout of 40.2%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 67.8% of the vote (3,362 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 31.6% (1,564 votes), and other candidates with 0.6% (31 votes), among the 5,370 ballots cast by the township's 12,816 registered voters (413 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.9%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 4,236 ballots cast (77.1% vs. 50.6% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 1,085 votes (19.8% vs. 41.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 102 votes (1.9% vs. 5.9%) and other candidates with 32 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,492 ballots cast by the township's 12,413 registered voters, yielding a 44.2% turnout (vs. 46.5% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Union County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref>

Education

The Hillside Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Hillside Board of Education District Policy 0110 - IdentificationTemplate:Dead link, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020. "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 twelve in the Hillside Township School District. Composition The Hillside Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Hillside Township."</ref> As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 3,123 students and 260.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Hillside Public 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 Hillside Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref>) are Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center<ref>Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center Template:Webarchive, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020.</ref> (636 students; in grades Pre-K–1), Calvin Coolidge Elementary School<ref>Calvin Coolidge Elementary School Template:Webarchive, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020.</ref> (205; grade 2), Hurden Looker School<ref>Hurden Looker School Template:Webarchive, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020.</ref> (461; 3–4), George Washington School<ref>George Washington School Template:Webarchive, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020.</ref> (488; grade 5), Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School<ref>Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School Template:Webarchive, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020.</ref> (452; 6–8) and Hillside High School<ref>Hillside High School Template:Webarchive, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020.</ref> (842; 9–12).<ref>Schools Template:Webarchive, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed April 24, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Hillside Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Hillside High School on Liberty Avenue was originally constructed in 1941, replacing the Coe Avenue (A.P. Morris) School which became a grammar school. Additions were later added to accommodate the baby-boomers of the 1950s and 1960s. In the mid-sixties the high school held some 1,500 students.

Catholic grammar schools included Christ the King on Columbia Avenue and St. Catherine of Siena School in Elizabeth on North Broad Street until the two were merged in 2004 to form Hillside Catholic Academy with the students from both schools together at the facility on Bloy Street. The school was one of eight closed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark at the end of the 2011–2012 school year, in the face of declining enrollment and rising expenses, part of a long-term reduction in the number of schools in the archdiocese, which had dropped to 112 from the 176 schools systemwide a decade earlier.<ref>Staff. "Archdiocese of Newark to close 8 more parochial schools", The Star-Ledger, February 28, 2012. Accessed October 12, 2013. "Staff. "Archdiocese of Newark to close 8 more parochial schools", The Star-Ledger, February 28, 2012. Accessed October 12, 2013. "The others are elementary schools: St. Leo/Sacred Heart Interparochial School in Irvington, Queen of Angels in Newark, St. John School in Orange, St. Anne School in Jersey City, and Hillside Catholic Academy in Hillside."</ref>

A portion of Kean University is located in the Westminster section of Hillside, on the grounds of the former Pingry School.<ref>Business & Meetings Template:Webarchive, Kean University. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref><ref>Elizabeth Through the Ages, Elizabeth Historical Society. Accessed May 14, 2013. "In 1953 the school moved to North Avenue, a location now serving Kean University as its East campus. In 1983 Pingry School moved once more to a 193 acre site in Martinsville, New Jersey, where it continues today."</ref>

Transportation

File:2021-07-07 09 46 56 View west along Interstate 78 (Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway) from the overpass for Union County Route 509 (Chestnut Avenue) in Hillside Township, Union County, New Jersey.jpg

Interstate 78 westbound in Hillside

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 Union County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Union County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

The Garden State Parkway, Interstate 78, U.S. Route 22, New Jersey Route 439 and County Route 509 all pass through Hillside. The Union toll plaza of the Garden State Parkway is located on the northbound lanes of the parkway, approaching the interchange for Interstate 78.

Public transportation

NJ Transit offers bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 113 and 114 routes and to other New Jersey points.<ref>Union County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref> There is one train line that passes through the township but there are no stations. The Irvington Industrial Branch of the Lehigh Valley Railroad (now Conrail Shared Assets) breaks off of the mainline to serve several industries. The closest train stations are Union station in Union, and North Elizabeth station in Elizabeth.

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately Template:Convert east of Hillside.

Notable people

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

• William Bendix (1908–1964), actor (Lifeboat, Life of Riley), lived here in the 1930s<ref>Levy, Clifford J. "Rizzuto's the Talk of the Town", The New York Times, July 30, 1994. Accessed December 13, 2018. "'This is a small town, who else we got?' asked Charlie Decker, 61, a drinking mate of Mr. Ciesla's who disagreed with his views on Mr. Rizzuto. 'Him, and we had William Bendix, the actor, and that woman who picks the numbers from the bucket in the New Jersey lottery.'"</ref>
• Neil Best, sports media journalist for Newsday<ref>"SMJ Interview -Neil Best, Newsday", Sports Media Journal. Accessed April 16, 2024. "I lived in Hillside, N.J., until I was 11, but spent my junior high school and high school years in East Northport, N.Y."</ref>
• Clint Bolick (born 1957), associate justice of the Arizona Supreme Court<ref>Bolick, Clint. "Remedial Education (Clint Bolick)", Center for Education Reform. Accessed July 5, 2017. "I grew up in Hillside, a suburb of Newark, in a single-parent, working-class family. In 1975, Hillside High School graduated me with enough skills to secure a scholarship at an excellent college and go on to a successful career in law and public policy."</ref>
• Marquis Cunningham (born 1989), finalist on So You Think You Can Dance<ref>Marquis Cunningham Template:Webarchive, Reality TV Games, June 9, 2008. Accessed May 14, 2013.</ref>
• Michael V. Gazzo (1923–1995), playwright (A Hatful of Rain) and Academy Award-nominated film actor (The Godfather Part II)<ref>Roberts, Jerry. The Great American Playwrights on the Screen: A Critical Guide to Film, TV, Video and DVD, p. 179. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2003. Template:ISBN. Accessed November 12, 2015. "Michael Vincente Gazzo Born: 1923, Hillside, NJ. Died: 1995."</ref>
• David Jones (born 1968), former NFL tight end who played for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992<ref>David Jones, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Accessed December 12, 2018. "Born: November 9, 1968 (Age: 50-033d) in East Orange, NJ... High School: Hillside (NJ)"</ref>
• Marc Leepson (born 1945), journalist and historian<ref>Leepson, Mark. "Names That Echo Through Our Wars" Template:Webarchive, Chicago Tribune, November 11, 1993. Accessed January 4, 2011. "I'd remember Joe Tangarie from my hometown of Hillside, New Jersey. Joe and I were pals throughout basic training."</ref>
• Kyle Lofton (born 1999), college basketball player for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies<ref>Kyle Lofton Template:Webarchive, St. Bonaventure Bonnies men's basketball. "Hometown: Hillside, N.J.; High School: Union Catholic"</ref>
• Rollie Massimino (1934–2017), college basketball coach, led Villanova to 1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship<ref>Via Associated Press. "Nets to sign Massimino", The Sumter Daily Item, June 19, 1985. Accessed January 4, 2010.</ref>
• Jerron McMillian (born 1989), NFL safety for the Green Bay Packers<ref>"Competition at higher level now for Hillside’s McMillian" Template:Webarchive, Union County LocalSource, July 5, 2012. Accessed November 4, 2017. "Jerron McMillian is wearing No. 22 for the Green Bay Packers after donning No. 1 for Hillside High School and then the University of Maine."</ref>
• Mr. Len (Leonard "Lenny" Smythe), hip-hop artist, former member of underground group Company Flow, current member Roosevelt Franklin<ref>Staff. "A great day in Newark: Who's who" Template:Webarchive, The Star-Ledger, November 22, 2000. Accessed May 14, 2013. "DJ Mr. Len (Leonard Smythe): Smythe, of Hillside is a member of the avant-garde New York group Company Flow, whose best-known release is 1997's Funcrusher Plus.".</ref>
• Adrienne A. Mandel (born 1936), politician who represented the 19th District in the Maryland House of Delegates for more than ten years<ref>Mandel, Adrienne, Rutgers Oral History Archives Rutgers Banner at Rutgers University. Accessed February 3, 2022. "Adrienne Abramson Mandel was born in Irvington, New Jersey, on September 30, 1936. She grew up in Hillside, New Jersey, and attended Hillside High School."</ref>
• Jamar McGloster (born 1995), professional gridiron football offensive tackle for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League<ref>Jamar McGloster, Syracuse Orange football. Accessed November 15, 2023. "Hometown: Hillside, N.J. High School: Saint Anthony"</ref>
• Xavier Munford (born 1992), basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League<ref>Murphy, Austin. "On the Periphery: Xavier Munford", Popgates, December 17, 2015. Accessed February 8, 2016. "Point guard by way of Hillside, New Jersey, Munford played for St. Benedict's Prep before making his way through the junior college system at Miami-Dade College and Iowa Western College, eventually landing at Rhode Island as a junior."</ref>
• Kendall Ogle (born 1976), 1999 draft pick of NFL's Cleveland Browns<ref>McMullen, Paul. "Terps win top back, receiver", The Baltimore Sun, January 20, 1994. Accessed May 14, 2013. "Kendall Ogle, a running back from Hillside, N.J."</ref>
• Robert Parham (born 1966), kickboxing former World Kickboxing Champion and actor<ref>Staff. "Kick Up Your Heels Titles On The Line Tonight On Coast", Sun Herald, November 4, 1994. Accessed January 4, 2011. "His father Robert Sr trained him at an early age when they lived in Hillside NJ."</ref>
• Alan Paul (born 1949), member of The Manhattan Transfer<ref>Lustig, Jay. "'The Boy from New York City', The Manhattan Transfer", Institute for Nonprofit News, October 19, 2014. Accessed July 5, 2017. "He was also the only person to be in every incarnation of the group and — like group member Alan Paul, who grew up in Newark and Hillside — a New Jerseyan."</ref>
• Rachid (born 1979), singer-songwriter and music producer<ref>Lustig, Jay. "Son 'cherishes' his father", The Star-Ledger, March 6, 1998. Accessed May 7, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "Rachid, who grew up in Hillside and now lives in New York, is a musical omnivore."</ref>
• Tab Ramos (born 1966), footballer and member of the United States' 1990 and 1994 World Cup teams; Hillside was childhood home<ref>A Yank's Goal: Gain in Spain, International Herald Tribune, March 11, 1992. "Ramos, 25, a midfielder from Hillside, New Jersey, has played for Figueras of the Spanish second division since 1990."</ref>
• Nicholas Reale (1922–1984), watercolorist with a lengthy career in art and teaching<ref>Staff. "Nicholas Reade, 62", Courier News, November 20, 1984. Accessed January 8, 2018. "Nicholas Reale, a distinguished water colorist who was named New Jersey Artist of the Year in 1969, died Sunday (Nov. 18, 1984) at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.... Mr. Reale was born in Newark and had lived in Hillside for the past 35 years."</ref>
• Phil Rizzuto (1917–2007), Hall of Fame baseball player and broadcaster; longtime Hillside resident<ref>Holy Cow! Rizzuto selling much of his memorabilia, Sports Illustrated, February 3, 2006. "Rizzuto is downsizing in preparation for a move from the family's longtime house in Hillside, N.J., to a smaller home."</ref>
• Arthur Seale (born 1946), serving life sentence for 1980s kidnapping, murder of Exxon oil executive Sidney Reso<ref>Nieves, Evelyn. "Portrait of 2 Accused of Kidnapping: Ardent, Hapless Pursuit of Affluence", The New York Times, June 28, 1992. Accessed December 13, 2018. "Growing up in Hillside, N.J., Arthur Seale and Jackie Szarko were more than comfortable."</ref>
• Ralph H. Spanjer (1920–1999), U.S. Marine Corps major general<ref>Skertic, Mark. "Ralph H. Spanjer, 78, Marine pilot, educator", Chicago Sun-Times, February 12, 1999. Accessed March 2, 2012.</ref>
• Marquis Spruill (born 1991), football linebacker<ref>Mink, Nate. "Linebacker Marquis Spruill becomes the leader Syracuse's defense needs", The Post-Standard, August 22, 2013. Accessed December 13, 2018. "John Shuman, the post-graduate football coach at Fork Union, was part of a convoy that traveled to Hillside to work Spruill individually."</ref>
• Dan Studney (born 1941), former track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw, winning a gold medal for the United States at the 1963 Pan American Games<ref>Staff. "Studeny Most Outstanding Comet Athlete In Years" Template:Webarchive, The Hillside Times, July 2, 1959. Accessed January 8, 2018. "Hillside High School's most outstanding athlete in many years, who graduated last month, was Dan Studney, and he can prove it.... Participating in three sports -- track, football and wrestling -- Studeny climaxed a brilliant track career in his senior year."</ref>
• Tame One (born 1970 as Rahem Brown), hip-hop artist and member of supergroup The Weathermen<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Jeff Tittel, environmentalist who spent more than two decades as the director of the New Jersey Sierra Club<ref>Johnson, Brent. "Leader of top N.J. environmental group retiring after 23 years", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 25, 2021. Accessed March 30, 2021. "A Hillside native, Tittel said two of his proudest moments with the organization was helping save Sterling Forest and lobbying for the 2004 Highlands Act, a law to help protect environmentally sensitive areas in New Jersey."</ref>
• UNIIQU3 (stage name of Cherise Alexandria Gary), music producer and Jersey club artist<ref>Mickles, Kiana. "How UNIIQU3 Became Jersey Club Royalty", Resident Advisor, October 5, 2021. Accessed March 16, 2024. "Following the same origin story as some of the finest producers, Gary entered Newark's Jersey club scene as a dancer. On our drive to a Black-owned joint called The Yard, she explains that she grew up in a town called Hillside, where she'd take a bus downtown to meet friends and take dance classes at Newark Symphony Hall."</ref>
• Harry Wilf (1921–1992), co-founder of the real estate development firm Garden Homes<ref>Staff. "People in the News: School will honor Wilf" Template:Webarchive, Hillside Leader, December 12, 1991. Accessed December 27, 2017. "Hillside resident Harry Wilf will be awarded in honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Yeshiva University's 67th annual Hanukkah Convocation and Dinner Dec. 15 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York."</ref>
• Joseph Wilf (1925–2016), co-founder of the real estate development firm Garden Homes<ref>Miller, Chris. "Joseph Wilf, father of Vikings owners, dies at age 91", Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 3, 2016. Accessed December 23, 2017. "Joseph Wilf, father of Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, died Wednesday at his home in Hillside, N.J. He was 91."</ref>
• Zygi Wilf (born 1950), real estate developer, principal owner of NFL's Minnesota Vikings,<ref name=AJC2015>Craig, Mark via Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Vikings owners have a legacy of resilience", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 31, 2015. Accessed December 27, 2017. "Once upon a time, Wellington Mara’s New York Giants were almost all that mattered to young Zygi and Lenny, who still hasn’t thrown out his eighth grade Riddell football helmet. Zygi played competitive tennis but was a backyard football enthusiast as he and Lenny grew up practically as brothers in adjoining homes in Hillside, N.J."</ref> younger brother Mark Wilf (born 1962), president of the Vikings and cousin Leonard Wilf (born 1947), the team's vice chairman<ref name=AJC2015/>
• Hela Young (1950–2002), Miss New Jersey 1971, former New Jersey Lottery host<ref>"Miss Yungst Begins Recital Tour Friday"Template:Dead link, The Hillside Times, March 4, 1971. Accessed January 23, 2020. "Prior to winning the Miss New Jerset crown, Hela Yungst was also Miss Newark State College in 1969. A senior, she is a resident of Hillside."</ref>
• Dick Zimmer (born 1944), former member of the United States House of Representatives, Republican candidate for United States Senate in 1996 and 2008 <ref>Wald, David. "Campaign images cloak candidates' real identity", The Star-Ledger, October 21, 1996.</ref><ref>Birritteri, Anthony. "Dick Zimmer Vows to Keep Tax Dollars in New Jersey" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Business magazine, Vol. 54 Nbr. 10, October 2008. Accessed May 14, 2013. "Dick Zimmer was born on August 16, 1944, the second child of Evelyn and William Zimmer. The family lived in Hillside, Union County."</ref>

Evergreen Cemetery

Hillside is the site of Evergreen Cemetery, known locally as the burial site of many Roma (or Gypsy) families and a number of notable writers, including:

• Stephen Crane, author of The Red Badge of Courage
• Mary Mapes Dodge, author of Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates
• Edward Stratemeyer, creator of the Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Rover Boys, and Tom Swift series, among others

Pop culture

• Hip hop artist Lauryn Hill mentions Hillside on her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. In the song "Every Ghetto, Every City," in which she describes her experiences growing up in New Jersey, she raps, "Hillside brings beef with the cops."<ref>"Every Ghetto, Every City" Lyrics by Lauryn Hill, Genius.com. Accessed November 27, 2015.</ref>
• The 1978 film King of the Gypsies was filmed in part in Hillside.<ref>Hatala, Greg. "Glimpse of History: When Hollywood came to Hillside", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 4, 2015, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed April 24, 2020. "Shelley Winters, in the black dress second from left, is shown during the filming of 1978's King of the Gypsies at Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside."</ref>
• The Rat Slayer of Hillside, NJ, a documentary about Hillside resident Frank Balun who was charged for killing a rat, features the township.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• Official website