Summit

Summit is a charming, family-oriented town located in northwestern Union County, New Jersey.  While it serves as a bedroom community to New York City, it has a unique flavor all its own.  The downtown features one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants and a wide array of services.  There is a strong sense of community in Summit and it’s not uncommon to see a “Hilltopper” – nickname for the high school sports teams – flag flying outside private homes.  Summit’s population is just over 21,000 and it is 6.05 square miles.

As one of the hub cities of the Mid-Town direct train line, Summit is a very desirable locale for commuters.  There are a number of express trains each day offering 35-minute service to both New York’s Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal. In addition, Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 15 minutes away, via Interstate 78, and Interstate 287 and the Garden State Parkway are also in close proximity.

Summit is also known for its great schools.  Summit High School was ranked Number 149 nationwide in Newsweek magazine’s listing of America’s Best High Schools” in the August 5, 2005 issue. The five elementary schools and middle school feature strong parent involvement and are very highly regarded as well.  Additionally, Summit is home to three prominent private schools –  Kent Place School, Oak Knoll, School of the Holy Child and Oratory Prepatory School. 

After initially serving as a weekend getaway spot for wealthy New Yorkers in the 19th Century, Summit City’s year-round population started surging after World War II.  Commuting to work had become common practice and people were eager to find more bucolic surroundings outside the hustle and bustle of the big city.  Summit fit the bill and soon became the town of oak-lined streets and Victorian architecture that still exists today.

Summit has many cultural and recreational attractions:  Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, a major, regional art center with both a professionally recognized art school and a critically acclaimed exhibition program; Reeves-Reed Arboretum, owned by the city and open to the public from sunrise to sunset.; Watchung Reservation, bordering Summit to the south, is a wonderful place to take long walks; and Carter House, which is Summit’s oldest known structure, built in 1741, now home to the Summit Historical Society.

Map of Summit
The Official City of Summit Website
The Summit Public Schools Website
Summit Public Schools’s 2005-06 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
Data for the Summit Public Schools
National Center for Education Statistics
The Official Summit Police Website
The Official Summit Chamber of Commerce Website
Summit Hilltopper Sports
Summit Historical Society
Summit-NJ-Online: A virtual village for Summit, NJ

Return to top

Madison

Named one of the “Best Places to Live” by Money Magazine, in its 2007 rankings, Madison is a modern, vibrant community very much of the 21st Century.  But it is also a town that works hard to preserve its past. Located in southeast Morris County, New Jersey, about 25 miles due west of Times Square, its downtown is a bustling, commercial district, supported by a Downtown Development Commission and a Downtown Manager.  The Madison Civic Commercial Historic District is on the State Register of Historic Places.  And the many shops, restaurants and municipal buildings all appear to blend in seamlessly with the existing architecture and historical feel of the town.  The earliest settlers of European descent arrived in Madison about 1715, and the town celebrates its Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian history with little touches, like old-fashioned street lamps and cast-iron benches. Storefronts also feature gingerbread filigree and window boxes adorning second-floor apartments.

Nicknamed The Rose City, Madison was one of the country’s prime producers of roses.  The railroad, which first transported the roses all over the country, later gave way to one of the first commuter railroads.  This attracted wealthy families to the area and contributed to the development of “Millionaire’s Row,” which stretched between downtown Madison and Morristown.  Tycoons like Vanderbilt, Twombly, Morgan, Gibbons and Dodge all had homes in the area.

But not all residents were wealthy landowners.  The rose industry also brought hundreds of workers to the area and created an unusual mix of cultures and social classes. This still holds true today, with an ethnically diverse population and a varied range of housing opportunities available.  In addition to the larger, more expensive residences, there are garden apartments, affordable, low-income housing and starter homes. There are many neighborhood parks and tree-lined streets and, recently, the Borough Council has taken steps to preserve the current residential character of Madison by limiting the size of new homes on small lots.

Madison is also an ideal location for commuters.  It is located on the MidTown Direct train line, with direct service to Penn Station in New York City as well as Hoboken Terminal.  In addition, the Lakeland Bus Lines provides limited commuter bus service between Madison and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, and NJ Route 24 is nearby, which connects Interstates 78 and 287.

Madison’s borough government takes good care of its citizens.  It provides police and fire services, garbage collection and recycling programs, a public water supply system and an electric power distribution utility. The Borough features many parks and has strong recreation and seniors programs.

Madison is a community with strong educational, cultural and historical amenities as well. The Free Public Library of the Borough of Madison is widely regarded as one of the finest small community public libraries in New Jersey,  Madison is home to Drew University, the Madison-Florham Park Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University and the College of St. Elizabeth immediately adjacent. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, the Playwright's Theater of New Jersey, and the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts are also located in Madison.

There is a strong public school system, which maintains relatively small class sizes and a broad curriculum. There are three elementary schools, one junior high school, and one high school.

Map of Madison     
Madison Community Website 
Madison Borough website 
Madison Public Schools 
Madison Public Schools's 2005-06 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education 
National Center for Education Statistics data for the Madison Public Schools
Regional area newspaper 
Morris County map of its municipalities

Return to top

Florham Park

Florham Park is a small suburban community located in southeastern Morris County approximately 30 miles west of New York City. We are bordered on the south by Madison and Chatham Boroughs; on the north by Hanover and East Hanover Townships; on the west by Morris Township; and on the east by the Passaic River. The Borough is 7.6 square miles in size, and has a population of 12,605.

More Information... 

Map of Florham Park      
Official Town WebSite of Florham Park
Florham Park Schools



Return to top