A Brief History of Rockaway, NJ

The personal injury lawyers in Rockaway, NJ, at NJ Injury Guys would like to present the following on the borough's history and highlights.

Rockaway

The borough of Rockaway is situated in the central region of Morris County in the state of New Jersey. It spans 1,356.8 acres and includes 2.22% or 32 acres of water. This water includes the Rockaway River that flows across the borough. The river is a tributary of the Passaic River and extends about 35 miles. The nearby communities are White Meadow Lake, Rockaway Valley, Dover, Denville, and Victory Gardens. 

History

The borough was incorporated in 1894 at the age of 160 years old. Some of the first settlers came to the area in 1730, and by 1760 the community was a hub for trade, manufacturing, and even religion. Main Street, then known as Newark Street, was lined with general stores. Additionally, the community was home to the following along the river:

• a grist mill
• a sawmill
• a forge

However, during the Revolutionary War, the community's population was only fifty people. Many of the miners, farmers, and forgemen came from nearby neighborhoods like:

• Mt Hope
• Hibernia
• White Meadow
• Dover
• Denville, then known as Hanover

By the 1830s, the community had grown to 400, and many more roadways were built, including:

• Academy Street
• Canal Street
• Arch Street
• Mill Street
• Franklin Street
• Jackson Street

With the addition of the two railroads in 1870 that linked the town with Newark and further to the east, the business district grew. By 1868, the community had many specialty shops, clothing stores, and a barbershop that all lined Wall and Newark Streets. In 1883, Washington School was constructed and offered the residents free elementary and secondary education. 

Neighborhood

Children in the borough can attend the public schools that are part of the Morris Hill Regional District or the Rockaway Borough School District. Some of these schools include:

• Thomas Jefferson Middle School
• Morris Hills High School
• Morris Knolls High School

Additional institutes and private schools available include:

• Divine Mercy Academy
• The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering

Demographics

The borough had 6,438 residents that made up 2,443 households and 1,656 families in 2010. The following is the breakdown of the races throughout the residents:

• 82.79% white 
• 3.22% African American
• 15.07% Hispanic or Latino
• 0.14% Native American
• 7.66% Asian
• 0.06% Pacific Islander
• 4.05% other races
• 2.08% two or more races

The median income within the neighborhood's households was $77,861 in 2010, an increase from $61,002 in 2000. Men averaged an annual income of $57,770, and women averaged $37,868. Some of the top occupations held by the community include the following:

• 14.4% Management
• 13.3% Administrative
• 8.8% Education
• 8.3% Sales and Related
• 6.8% Production
• 6.6% Food Service

Follow along: A Closer Look at White Meadow Lake, NJ

Our Local Office

The Rockaway, NJ personal injury attorneys at NJ Injury Guys, have years of experience representing the victims of personal injuries, such as auto accidents, slip and fall injuries, and workers' comp claims. Call our office today to take advantage of our free consultations.

NJ Injury Guys
90 Fanny Rd #2
Boonton, NJ 07005
(862) 305-9300