Wall Township, New Jersey

History

The Greenville Cemetery was established in 1734, when a casualty of the French and Indian War was buried there. The original structure of the Glendola Protestant Bible Church was built in 1776; The congregation dedicated a new church in 1964.

Allaire Village dates back to 1822, when James P. Allaire purchased what became known as the Howell Works in Wall, and though it was the largest producing bog iron manufacturing site in New Jersey by 1836, the ironworks were shut down in 1846. The village and surrounding acres were later preserved and gifted to the State of New Jersey to form Allaire State Park as a memorial to Hearst editor Arthur Brisbane, the last private owner of the site, who purchased the land in 1907 and built a palatial residence on that property that would later serve as the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center. The Brisbane family donated the property to the State of New Jersey to establish Allaire State Park and the Historic Village at Allaire. Allaire Village Inc., a non-profit organization, is licensed by the State of New Jersey to operate the site now known as "The Historic Village at Allaire."

The Allgor-Barkalow Homestead at 1701 New Bedford Road was constructed in 1840, although some accounts indicate construction of part of the building began in the 18th century. The building now houses the museum of the Old Wall Historical Society. The Blansingburg schoolhouse at Sea Girt Avenue opened in 1855; The building was relocated in 1999 to the Allgor-Barkalow Homestead Museum property for refurbishing.

Wall Township was formed in 1851, from portions of Howell Township.

The newly formed Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of America, with its home office in England, purchases a 93-acre (380,000 m²) farm around 1900 that became the site of the company's receiver equipment for commercial transatlantic radio operation. The Marconi signal site was abandoned in 1924, but it was later occupied by the Ku Klux Klan until they were ejected in March 1928. The United States Army purchased the Marconi site in November 1941 and named it Camp Evans.

The Allenwood Hospital, located at Squankum and Allenwood Roads, opened in January 1921 as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. In 1957, a 16-room building is dedicated to Geraldine L. Thompson, who served as president of the hospital's board of managers. In the 1960s, the facility becomes an annex to the John L. Montgomery Medical Home in Freehold Township, a county-run nursing home, and was renamed the Geraldine L. Thompson Care Center.

In 1940, Edward I. Brown used an old World War I tank converted into a bulldozer to clear land for an airport that he turned into what is now Monmouth Executive Airport after completing his service in the United States Navy as a pilot during World War II; The airport was sold by the Brown family in 2007 to a private equity firm, despite lengthy attempts by Monmouth county to acquire the facility.

The Roadside Diner, formerly the Circle Diner and Rusty's, was delivered to its Route 34 site by the Silk City Diner Co. in the 1940s. The diner was used for filming of a scene for the 1983 movie Baby It's You and appears on the cover of the 1994 Bon Jovi album Cross Road: 14 Classic Grooves, as well as having been featured in the 2008 music video for "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" by Bruce Springsteen.

Wall High School opened in September 1959, while Wall Intermediate School opened in 1967.

Interstate 195 was extended into Wall Township in 1981, giving direct high-speed access to Trenton.

A suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in December 1999 against the township over a holiday display that included a nativity scene and a Hannukah menorah, contending that the religious symbols violate the constitutional separation of church and state was dismissed by a judge who ruled that the organization had filed its suit too close to the start of the holiday season. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a ruling in April 2001 vacating the decision of the district court in the case that the township's holiday display as modified in 2000 to include other seasonal decorations did not violate the Establishment Clause or the New Jersey Constitution and ruling that the ACLU lacked standing to file the case.

Even though many of the surrounding towns sprung out of Wall Township, the only ZIP code that exclusively serves areas of Wall is Allenwood, but even it relies solely on a Post-office box system for regular mail services.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 31.737 square miles (82.198 km²), including 30.673 square miles (79.443 km²) of land and 1.064 square miles (2.755 km²) of water (3.35%).

Allenwood (2010 Census population of 925) and West Belmar (2010 population 2,493) are census-designated places and unincorporated communities located within Wall Township.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Algers Mills, Allaire, Baileys Corner, Blansingburg, Carmerville, Collingwood Park, Glendola, Hurleys Mills, Lake Como, New Bedford, Old Mill, Osborn Island, Osbornes Mills, Remsen Mills, Shark River, Sterling Woods, Treasure Island and Wallington.

Wreck Pond is a tidal pond located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Wall Township and the boroughs of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Sea Girt. The Wreck Pond watershed covers about 12 square miles (31 km²) in eastern Monmouth County.

The township borders Belmar, Brielle, Colts Neck Township, Howell Township, Lake Como, Manasquan, Neptune Township, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights and Tinton Falls in Monmouth County; and Brick Township in Ocean County.

Census 2010

As of the census of 2010, there were 26,164 people, 10,051 households, and 7,066 families residing in the township. The population density was 853.0 per square mile (329.3/km²). There were 10,883 housing units at an average density of 354.8 per square mile (137.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.72% (24,521) White, 2.44% (639) Black or African American, 0.16% (41) Native American, 1.61% (421) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 0.91% (237) from other races, and 1.16% (303) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.47% (908) of the population.

There were 10,051 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the township, the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.0 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 87.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $89,278 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,640) and the median family income was $108,865 (+/- $6,748). Males had a median income of $75,198 (+/- $3,706) versus $51,969 (+/- $5,806) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $46,514 (+/- $2,483). About 3.1% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 25,261 people, 9,437 households, and 6,926 families residing in the township. The population density was 825.1 people per square mile (318.5/km²). There were 9,957 housing units at an average density of 325.2 per square mile (125.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.09% White, 0.61% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.55% of the population.

There were 9,437 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The 2000 Census showed that median household income for the township was $73,989 and the median family income was $83,795. Males had a median income of $61,022 versus $37,011 for females. The per capita income for the township was $32,954. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

Brick Township Reservoir, with parts located in both Wall and Brick Township, covers 80 acres (32 ha) and is encircled by a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) trail. Fishing is permitted on the reservoir. The reservoir can hold up to 1,000,000,000 US gallons (3.8×10⁹ l; 830,000,000 imp gal) of water, which is pumped in from the Metedeconk River.

Local government

Wall is governed under the Township form of government, which is the oldest form of government in New Jersey, having been first established in 1798, and enhanced by the Township Act of 1989. The five-member Township Committee is 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. Each year, at the annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to preside as mayor for the year, and another to serve as deputy mayor. It is the only form of government in which the mayor is not elected directly by the voters of the municipality. Wall is one of 11 Monmouth County municipalities that use the Township form of government.

As of 2016, the members of the Wall Township Committee are Mayor Ann Marie Conte (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2017; term as mayor ends 2016), Deputy Mayor Dominick DiRocco (R, term on committee and as deputy mayor ends 2016; elected to serve an unexpired term), Timothy J. Farrell (R, 2018), Clinton C. Hoffman (R, 2016) and George K. Newberry (R, 2017).

Jeffrey Foster resigned from his position on the Township Committee in July 2014 to seek a position with the township. Dominick DiRocco was appointed later that month to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2016 and won election to serve the balance of the term of office.

Law enforcement

The Wall Township Police Department provides primary law enforcement services for the township from their headquarters at 2700 Allaire Road.

Fire protection

Wall Township is served by three fire districts. Wall Fire Company # 1 (52-1), the first volunteer fire company to serve the township, and known for years as the West Belmar Fire Company, was created in December 1909. Today this company remains all volunteer and serves the residents of the West Belmar section of town, also known as Wall Fire District #1. The headquarters station is located at 1511 18th Avenue, while the original 1910 fire station located at 1619 State Highway 71 is still in service as a satellite station. Glendola Fire Company (52-2), also known as Wall Fire District #2, was formed in May 1931. Their headquarters station is located at 3404 Belmar Boulevard. South Wall Fire-Rescue (52-3), protecting Wall Fire District #3, was established in 1946. Headquartered at 2605 Atlantic Avenue, South Wall responds to calls for service in the south end of town.

Fire inspection services for the entire township are provided by Wall Fire District #1 through the Fire Prevention Bureau. The fire marshal's office is located at 2700 Allaire Road.

Emergency medical services

Wall Township is served by three first aid squads. Wall First Aid was formed in September 1939 and is known as Wall Township First Aid & Rescue Squad (52-21). Their station is located at 1900 Monmouth Boulevard. Wall Community First Aid Squad (52-22) was established on November 15, 1960. They operate from 1417 Lakewood Road. The Wall Township Police Department established a paid EMS squad (52-23) in 1999 to supplement the volunteer squads during the weekday daytime hours when they were prone to manpower shortages. Wall EMS continues to be operated as part of the Wall Township Police Department.

Federal, state and county representation

Wall Township is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 30th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Wall Township had been in the 11th state legislative district.

New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 30th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Robert Singer (R, Lakewood Township) and in the General Assembly by Sean T. Kean (R, Wall Township) and Dave Rible (R, Wall Township). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Monmouth County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members who are elected at-large to serve three year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Director and another as Deputy Director. As of 2014, Monmouth County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; term ends December 31, 2014), Freeholder Deputy Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. (R, Spring Lake; 2014), Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2016), John P. Curley (R, Middletown Township; 2015) and Serena DiMaso (R, Holmdel Township; 2016). Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk M. Claire French (Wall Township), Sheriff Shaun Golden (Farmingdale) and Surrogate Rosemarie D. Peters (Middletown Township).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 18,809 registered voters in Wall Township, of which 3,256 (17.3%) were registered as Democrats, 6,373 (33.9%) were registered as Republicans and 9,171 (48.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 9 voters registered to other parties.

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 63.4% of the vote (8,855 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 35.5% (4,954 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (158 votes), among the 14,062 ballots cast by the township's 19,604 registered voters (95 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.7%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 60.7% of the vote (9,243 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 36.9% (5,607 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (172 votes), among the 15,215 ballots cast by the township's 19,601 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.6%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 64.4% of the vote (9,434 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 34.2% (5,013 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (128 votes), among the 14,648 ballots cast by the township's 18,748 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 78.1.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 76.7% of the vote (7,109 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 21.3% (1,977 votes), and other candidates with 1.9% (180 votes), among the 9,400 ballots cast by the township's 19,569 registered voters (134 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 48.0%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 70.0% of the vote (7,695 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 23.1% (2,542 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.5% (604 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (81 votes), among the 10,994 ballots cast by the township's 19,085 registered voters, yielding a 57.6% turnout.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 200.26 miles (322.29 km) of roadways, of which 146.03 miles (235.01 km) were maintained by the municipality, 24.91 miles (40.09 km) by Monmouth County and 22.78 miles (36.66 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 6.54 miles (10.53 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

Several state routes pass through the township, including Route 18, Route 34 (with its southern terminus at the interchange of Routes 35 and 70), Route 35, Route 70 (which has its eastern terminus at Route 34 and continues towards the east as Route 35) Route 71 and Route 138. Two limited access roads also run through: the Garden State Parkway (including interchange 98 for Belmar / Wall) and Interstate 195, which ends at Route 34 and continues as Route 138.

Major county roads in the township include CR 524 and CR 547.

Public transportation

NJ Transit offers train service on the North Jersey Coast Line at the Belmar, Spring Lake and Manasquan stations. NJ Transit bus service is available between the township and Philadelphia on the 317 route, with local service offered on the 830 and 836 routes.

Education

The Wall Township Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2014-15 school year, the district's seven schools had an enrollment of 3,778 students and 363.13 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.40:1. Schools in the district (with 2014-15 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Wall Primary School for the district's preschool disabled children (49 students), four K-5 elementary schools — Allenwood Elementary School (348), Central Elementary School (507), Old Mill Elementary School (419) and West Belmar Elementary School (199) — Wall Intermediate School (923) for grades 6–8; and Wall High School (1,207) for grades 9–12.

Notable people

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