Jump to content

Hammonton, New Jersey

Coordinates: 39°39′39″N 74°46′01″W / 39.66078°N 74.767021°W / 39.66078; -74.767021
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Hammonton, NJ)

Hammonton, New Jersey
William L. Black House
William L. Black House
Official seal of Hammonton, New Jersey
Nickname: 
"Blueberry Capital of the World"[1]
Location of Hammonton in Atlantic County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Atlantic County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Location of Hammonton in Atlantic County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Atlantic County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Census Bureau map of Hammonton, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Hammonton, New Jersey
Hammonton is located in Atlantic County, New Jersey
Hammonton
Hammonton
Location in Atlantic County
Hammonton is located in New Jersey
Hammonton
Hammonton
Location in New Jersey
Hammonton is located in the United States
Hammonton
Hammonton
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 39°39′39″N 74°46′01″W / 39.66078°N 74.767021°W / 39.66078; -74.767021[2][3]
Country United States
State New Jersey
CountyAtlantic
IncorporatedMarch 5, 1866
Named forJohn Hammond Coffin
Government
 • TypeTown
 • BodyTown Council
 • MayorStephen DiDonato (I, term ends December 31, 2025)[4][5]
 • Business administratorFrank Zuber[6]
 • Municipal clerkFrank Zuber[7]
Area
 • Total41.32 sq mi (107.01 km2)
 • Land40.75 sq mi (105.54 km2)
 • Water0.57 sq mi (1.46 km2)  1.37%
 • Rank50th of 565 in state
7th of 23 in county[2]
Elevation62 ft (19 m)
Population
 • Total14,711
 • Estimate 
(2023)[11][13]
14,797
 • Rank179th of 565 in state
6th of 23 in county[14]
 • Density361.0/sq mi (139.4/km2)
  • Rank464th of 565 in state
15th of 23 in county[14]
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
Area code609[17]
FIPS code3400129430[2][18][19]
GNIS feature ID0885242[2][20]
Websitewww.townofhammonton.org

Hammonton is a town in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, that has been referred to as the "Blueberry Capital of the World". As of the 2020 United States census, the town's population was 14,711,[11][12] a decrease of 80 (−0.5%) from the 2010 census count of 14,791,[21][22] which in turn reflected an increase of 2,187 (+17.4%) from the 12,604 counted in the 2000 census.[23] Geographically, the town, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.[24]

The first European settlement of Hammonton was in 1812. It was named for John Hammond Coffin, a son of one of the community's earliest settlers, William Coffin, with the "d" in what was originally Hammondton disappearing over time. It was incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1866, from portions of Hamilton Township and Mullica Township.

The town is located directly between Philadelphia and the resort town of Atlantic City, along a former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad with Hammonton station directly in the downtown area. The route is now used by NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line.

History

[edit]

Little is known about the area of Hammonton before European contact. Archaeological findings, including stone tools that presumably date back to the Woodland period, suggest some form of prehistoric habitation, though further details remain unclear. At the time of European contact, the general area was inhabited by the Unalachtigo Lenape.

As European settlement continued, the Lenape in the area declined due to disease, loss of land to Europeans, and emigration elsewhere. The West Jersey Society was granted rights over a large tract of land in the English Province of New Jersey to parcel out in 1748, including the territory of future Hammonton. The Society sold a parcel of what would become Hammonton in 1805, with the territory passing through several hands.

In 1812, William Coffin and his family migrated to the region, constructing a home and managing a sawmill for John R. Coates. Coffin purchased the land and the mill in 1814. The mill was located adjacent to Hammonton Lake and extended towards the north and east of the current town, not within the present-day downtown. Originally named "Hammondton" after Coffin's son, John Hammond Coffin, later administrations dropped the "d", resulting in the present name Hammonton.[25][26]

In 1817, Coffin opened a glass factory in the area, as the glass industry was a major South Jersey industry at the time due to the availability of cheap timber and bog iron. Finished products were transported via the Mullica River in the era before railroads, with trading stores and workers' homes established in the vicinity.[27]

The early Old Hammonton settlement was small and saw a transition from the glass industry to farming, particularly strawberries and blueberries. The Camden and Atlantic Railroad began service in 1854, running to the west of Old Hammonton. In 1856, developer Charles K. Landis and Philadelphia banker Richard Byrnes established Landis & Byrnes, acquiring large plots near the recently constructed railroad. The partnership then promoted and sold smaller parcels of Hammonton for development, shifting the settlement away from the river to a location closer to the railroad. The Hammonton Railroad Station was established in 1858.

In 1861, Landis and Byrnes had a falling-out; Byrnes stayed in Hammonton, while Landis departed to establish the cities of Vineland and Sea Isle City. In 1866, Hammonton's leaders petitioned the legislature to separate Hammonton from Mullica Township and Hamilton Township which it was then part of.[28] Hammonton was directly incorporated by act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1866, as a "Town", an unusual form of government of which Hammonton is the only example in Atlantic County. A census taken at time of incorporation counted 1422 inhabitants in the town.[27]

A significant development in Hammonton's history, post-incorporation, was a wave of Italian immigration. Salvador Calabrasce, an Italian immigrant who served in the Union Navy during the Civil War, married a New Jersey native and relocated to Hammonton. He wrote letters to his friends in Gesso, Sicily, which attracted more immigrants to Hammonton. Through the efforts of Calabrasce and others, the town saw a rising population of Italian-Americans, who would eventually make up a substantial portion of the town's overall population.[27]

Hammonton briefly featured a major racing track, the Atlantic City Speedway. Races were held from 1926 to 1928 on the wooden track that was built, complete with a direct rail connection. The owners had hoped to compete with the major racetracks of the era, but were unable to continue. The track served as a test track for Studebaker from 1928 to 1933 before it was demolished, and the timber used in its construction was repurposed for other buildings.

The first Hammonton Blueberry Festival was held in 1953, embracing the area's identity as a major blueberry producer.[27]

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hammonton had a total area of 41.32 square miles (107.01 km2), including 40.75 square miles (105.54 km2) of land and 0.57 square miles (1.46 km2) of water (1.37%).[2][3]

The town borders Folsom borough, to the southwest, and both Hamilton and Mullica townships to the southeast in Atlantic County; Shamong Township and Washington Township in Burlington County to the northeast; and Waterford Township and Winslow Township in Camden County to the northwest.[29][30][31] It is located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, so is largely flat, though the highest point in Atlantic County is located along the Pennsylvania Railroad within the borders of Hammonton. The town is located almost exactly halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located completely or partially within the town include Barnard, Bellhurst, Caldwell Crossing, Dacosta, Dutchtown, Great Swamp, Murphy, Rockford, Rockwood, Rosedale and West Mills.[32][33]

Pine Barrens

[edit]

The town is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.[34] All of the town is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.[35]

Due to its location in the Pine Barrens, the soil is largely sandy, making it ideal for growing blueberries. Low, marshy areas, often within the Pine Barrens are also used for cranberry cultivation.

On June 19, 2022, a fire broke out in the Wharton State Forest in a remote area in the northern part of Hammonton. The Mullica River Fire consumed more than 15,000 acres of protected land and became the largest wildfire in the state in 15 years. The cause of the fire is believed to be caused by an illegal campfire.[36]

Climate

[edit]

Hammonton lies in the northern reaches of the humid subtropical climate zone, and, similar to inland southern New Jersey, is characterized by brisk winters, hot summers, and plentiful precipitation spread evenly throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hammonton's climate is abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[37]

Climate data for Hammonton, New Jersey (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1930–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 76
(24)
77
(25)
90
(32)
95
(35)
98
(37)
103
(39)
105
(41)
104
(40)
102
(39)
95
(35)
86
(30)
77
(25)
105
(41)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 41.8
(5.4)
44.7
(7.1)
52.0
(11.1)
63.7
(17.6)
73.2
(22.9)
82.3
(27.9)
87.3
(30.7)
85.1
(29.5)
78.7
(25.9)
67.4
(19.7)
56.4
(13.6)
47.0
(8.3)
65.0
(18.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 32.8
(0.4)
34.9
(1.6)
41.5
(5.3)
52.3
(11.3)
62.1
(16.7)
71.6
(22.0)
76.9
(24.9)
74.8
(23.8)
68.0
(20.0)
56.3
(13.5)
45.9
(7.7)
37.7
(3.2)
54.6
(12.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 23.9
(−4.5)
25.0
(−3.9)
31.1
(−0.5)
41.0
(5.0)
51.0
(10.6)
61.0
(16.1)
66.5
(19.2)
64.4
(18.0)
57.2
(14.0)
45.3
(7.4)
35.3
(1.8)
28.5
(−1.9)
44.2
(6.8)
Record low °F (°C) −13
(−25)
−8
(−22)
4
(−16)
15
(−9)
29
(−2)
34
(1)
43
(6)
42
(6)
31
(−1)
19
(−7)
6
(−14)
−5
(−21)
−13
(−25)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.49
(89)
2.85
(72)
4.31
(109)
3.71
(94)
3.54
(90)
4.07
(103)
4.45
(113)
4.69
(119)
4.06
(103)
4.27
(108)
3.51
(89)
4.56
(116)
47.51
(1,207)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 5.7
(14)
6.4
(16)
2.9
(7.4)
0.1
(0.25)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.2
(0.51)
3.7
(9.4)
19.0
(48)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.1 10.1 10.9 11.9 12.3 12.3 11.9 10.6 9.5 11.6 9.2 10.8 132.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 2.9 2.8 1.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.4 8.9
Source: NOAA[38][39]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18701,404
18801,77626.5%
18903,833115.8%
19003,481−9.2%
19105,08846.2%
19206,41726.1%
19307,65619.3%
19407,6680.2%
19508,4119.7%
19609,85417.2%
197011,46416.3%
198012,2987.3%
199012,208−0.7%
200012,6043.2%
201014,79117.4%
202014,711−0.5%
2023 (est.)14,797[11][13]0.6%
Population sources: 1870–2000[40]
1870–1920[41] 1870[42][43] 1880–1890[44]
1890–1910[45] 1910–1930[46]
1940–2000[47] 2000[48][49]
2010[21][22] 2020[11][12]

2010 census

[edit]

The 2010 United States census counted 14,791 people, 5,408 households, and 3,759 families in the town. The population density was 361.8 per square mile (139.7/km2). There were 5,715 housing units at an average density of 139.8 per square mile (54.0/km2). The racial makeup was 81.67% (12,080) White, 3.00% (444) Black or African American, 0.28% (42) Native American, 1.37% (203) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 10.81% (1,599) from other races, and 2.85% (421) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.93% (3,096) of the population.[21]

Of the 5,408 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18; 51.5% were married couples living together; 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.5% were non-families. Of all households, 25.0% were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.19.[21]

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.2 males.[21]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $59,085 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,242) and the median family income was $62,354 (+/− $3,893). Males had a median income of $47,110 (+/− $4,411) versus $36,615 (+/− $3,549) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,292 (+/− $1,528). About 8.4% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.[50]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 United States census[18] there were 12,604 people, 4,619 households, and 3,270 families residing in the town. The population density was 305.5 inhabitants per square mile (118.0/km2). There were 4,843 housing units at an average density of 117.4 per square mile (45.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 87.85% White, 1.74% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 7.83% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.88% of the population.[48][49]

As of the 2000 Census, 45.9% of town residents were of Italian ancestry, the second-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States (behind Johnston, Rhode Island, at 46.7%), and highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.[51] News reports have said Hammonton leads the nation in Italian-Americans per capita.[52]

There were 4,619 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14.[48][49]

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.[48][49]

The median income for a household in the town was $43,137, and the median income for a family was $52,205. Males had a median income of $36,219 versus $27,900 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,889. About 5.7% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.[48][49]

Arts and culture

[edit]

Musical groups from the town include the rock band The Early November.[53]

Sports

[edit]

In 1997, Gabriel Donio (founder and publisher of The Hammonton Gazette) proposed a minor-league baseball team called the Hammonton Blueberries, going so far as to create a team logo and a prototype uniform, as well as purchasing a 20-acre tract of land for $200,000. Donio planned to build on the site a 3,500-seat, six-million-dollar ballpark, which he described as "a rough miniature of the Brooklyn Dodgers' Ebbets Field". In 1999, the Northern League announced that they would form a six-team developmental circuit and include Hammonton as one of the clubs;[54] however, this did not happen, and the proposed ballpark was not built, putting an end to the Blueberries. (Since Hammonton is less than 75 miles from Philadelphia, any pro baseball team there would either need permission from the Phillies or play in an independent league, outside of MLB's jurisdiction.)

Government

[edit]

Local government

[edit]

Hammonton is governed under the Town form of New Jersey municipal government. The town is one of nine municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this traditional form of government.[55] The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the Town Council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term. The Town Council includes six members elected to serve two-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year.[8][56]

As of 2023, the Mayor of Hammonton is Independent Steve DiDonato, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025. Members of the Hammonton Town Council are Deputy Mayor Tom Gribbin (I, 2023), Steven Furgione (I, 2024), Jonathan Oliva (I, 2023), Renee Rodio (R, 2024), Sam Rodio (I, 2024) and Ed Wuillermin (I, 2023).[4][57][58][59][60][61]

The mayor and most council members are affiliated with Hammonton First, an independent political organization that was established in 2005 and swept that November's elections, winning the mayoral seat and all three council seats.[62]

Federal, state and county representation

[edit]

Hammonton is located in the 2nd Congressional District[63] and is part of New Jersey's 8th state legislative district.[64]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).[65] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[66] and George Helmy (Mountain Lakes, term ends 2024).[67][68]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 8th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Latham Tiver (R, Southampton Township) and in the General Assembly by Andrea Katz (D, Chesterfield Township) and Michael Torrissi (R, Hammonton).[69]

Atlantic County is governed by a directly elected county executive and a nine-member Board of County Commissioners, responsible for legislation. The executive serves a four-year term and the commissioners are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on an at-large basis and five of the commissioners represent equally populated districts.[70][71] As of 2024, Atlantic County's Executive is Dennis Levinson (R, Northfield), whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.[72] Members of the Board of County Commissioners are:

Ernest D. Coursey (D, District 1-- Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township (part), Longport, Margate City, and Ventnor City; 2025, Atlantic City),[73] Chair Maureen Kern (R, District 2-- Egg Harbor Township (part), Linwood, Northfield, Somers Point and Pleasantville; 2024, Somers Point),[74] Andrew Parker III (R, District 3-- Egg Harbor Township (part) and Hamilton Township (part); 2026, Egg Harbor Township),[75] Richard R. Dase (R, District 4, including Brigantine, Galloway Township, Egg Harbor Township (part), and Port Republic; 2025, Galloway Township),[76] Vice Chair James A. Bertino (R, District 5-- Buena, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township (part), Hammonton, Mullica Township and Weymouth Township; 2024, Hammonton),[77] June Byrnes (R, At-Large; 2026, Linwood),[78] Frank X. Balles (R, At-Large; Pleasantville, 2024)[79] Amy L. Gatto (R, At-large; 2025, Hamilton Township)[80] and John W. Risley (R, At-Large; 2026, Egg Harbor Township)[81][70][82]

Atlantic County's constitutional officers are: Clerk Joesph J. Giralo (R, 2026, Hammonton),[83][84] Sheriff Joe O'Donoghue (R, 2026, Egg Harbor Township)[85][86] and Surrogate James Curcio (R, 2025, Hammonton).[87][88][89]

Politics

[edit]

As of March 2011, there were a total of 8,556 registered voters in Hammonton, of which 1,851 (21.6% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 2,627 (30.7% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 4,076 (47.6% vs. 44.3%) were registered as unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[90] Among the town's 2010 Census population, 57.8% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 75.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).[90][91]

In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 3,859 votes (60.08% vs 44.64% countywide), ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 2,366 votes (36.84% vs 51.61%) and other candidates with 198 votes (3.08% vs 3.76%). A total of 6,423 ballots were cast.[92] In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 3,420 votes here (54.4% vs. 41.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,777 votes (44.1% vs. 57.9%) and other candidates with 57 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 6,290 ballots cast by the town's 8,951 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.3% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County).[93][94] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 3,509 votes here (54.0% vs. 41.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,894 votes (44.5% vs. 56.5%) and other candidates with 89 votes (1.4% vs. 1.1%), among the 6,502 ballots cast by the town's 9,090 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.5% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County).[95] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 3,218 votes here (54.1% vs. 46.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,600 votes (43.7% vs. 52.0%) and other candidates with 47 votes (0.8% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,947 ballots cast by the town's 7,913 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.2% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).[96]

In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Republican Kim Guadagno received 2,425 votes (56.38% vs 42.46% countywide) ahead of Democrat Phillip Murphy with 1,726 votes (40.13% vs 55.14%), and other candidates with 150 votes (3.49% vs 2.41%). There were a total of 4,301 votes cast.[97] In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 3,234 votes here (68.7% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 1,229 votes (26.1% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 60 votes (1.3% vs. 1.3%), among the 4,709 ballots cast by the town's 9,033 registered voters, yielding a 52.1% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county).[98][99] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,588 votes here (53.7% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,773 votes (36.8% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 204 votes (4.2% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 93 votes (1.9% vs. 1.2%), among the 4,822 ballots cast by the town's 8,724 registered voters, yielding a 55.3% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).[100]

Education

[edit]

Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the Hammonton Public Schools.[101] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 3,566 students and 249.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.3:1.[102] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[103]) are Early Childhood Education Center[104] with 355 students in grades K–1, Warren E. Sooy Elementary School[105] with 873 students in grades 2–5, Hammonton Middle School[106] with 879 students in grades 6–8 and Hammonton High School[107] with 1,393 students in grades 9–12.[108]

Students from Folsom Borough (grades 9–12) and Waterford Township in Camden County (7–12) attend the Hammonton schools as part of sending/receiving relationships with the Folsom Borough School District and the Waterford Township School District.[109][110][111]

In the wake of the dissolution of the Lower Camden County Regional School District, the Hammonton board of education voted in 1999 to begin accepting an estimated 800 students from Waterford Township for grades 7–12 starting as of 2002, with the tuition paid by students from Waterford helping to lower overall costs to Hammonton taxpayers.[112]

Borough public school students are also eligible to attend the Atlantic County Institute of Technology in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township[113] or the Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, located in Somers Point.[114]

Hammonton was home of the Catholic schools St. Joseph Regional Elementary School (for Pre-K–8[115]) and St. Joseph High School (for grades 9–12[116]) which operated under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Camden.[117] In April 2020, the Diocese of Camden announced that despite its status as a football powerhouse, St. Joseph was one of five Catholic schools in New Jersey which would close permanently at the end of the school year on June 30, 2020.[118][119] St. Joseph Regional Elementary was to permanently close at the end of the school year as well.[118] St. Joseph High School reopened in September 2020 as the independent St. Joseph Academy, which operates separately from the Camden Diocese and leases the building from the Hammonton Public Schools, which had acquired the building.[120][121]

Media

[edit]

Television stations

[edit]

Newspapers

[edit]

Hammonton is served by other newspapers:

Transportation

[edit]
The eastbound Atlantic City Expressway in Hammonton

Roads and highways

[edit]

As of 2010, the town had a total of 126.50 miles (203.58 km) of roadways, of which 77.04 miles (123.98 km) were maintained by the municipality, 30.61 miles (49.26 km) by Atlantic County and 14.65 miles (23.58 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 4.20 miles (6.76 km) by the South Jersey Transportation Authority.[125]

The Atlantic City Expressway, U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 206 and Route 54 all pass through Hammonton, as do County Route 536, County Route 542, County Route 559 and County Route 561.

Public transportation

[edit]
Hammonton station, which is served by NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line

The Hammonton station[126] of NJ Transit provides passenger rail service between the Atlantic City Rail Terminal in Atlantic City and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and intermediate points on the Atlantic City Line.[127]

NJ Transit provides bus service in Hammonton on the 554 route between Lindenwold station and Atlantic City.[128][129]

Airport

[edit]

Hammonton Municipal Airport is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of the central business district.[130]

Community

[edit]

Blueberry capital

[edit]

Hammonton is known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World".[131]

Since the 1980s, the Red, White and Blueberry Festival has celebrated Hammonton's status as the nation's blueberry capital.[132] A 1,300-acre (530 ha) farm in the town is Northeast's largest blueberry grower.[133]

Hammonton and the surrounding Atlantic County produce upwards of 50 million pounds of blueberries each year thanks to traveling bands of labor from outside of the United States, though often the farms employing these undocumented workers are largely supportive of stricter border policies. [134]

Presidential visits

[edit]

Ronald Reagan visited Hammonton during his 1984 re-election campaign. Reagan's speech highlighted Hammonton's status as "Blueberry Capital of the World" and then extolled the virtues of New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen.[135]

Bruce soon disassociated himself from the politics and the use of his song "Born in The U.S.A."[136]

Hammonton has also been visited by Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt, who made whistle stops in the town.[137]

Festivals

[edit]

Every year Hammonton hosts the Red, White and Blueberry festival, Our Lady of Mount Carmel festival and the Hammonton wine festival. Mount Carmel's Italian Festival dates back to 1875 and is considered the oldest such continuously run festival in the United States.[138] Other festivals include; Hammonton Fall Beer Festival,[139] Teen Arts Festival,[140] Hammonton Food Truck Festival,[141] Hammonton Green Day Festival,[142] and Crusin Main Street.[143]

Downtown

[edit]
Aerial view of Hammonton, New Jersey (1926)

Hammonton's downtown district has been growing for the past 20 years. The downtown area includes Bellevue Avenue, Central Avenue, Vine street, Second Street, Third Street, Twelfth Street, Egg Harbor Road, Front Street, West End Avenue, Railroad Avenue and Washington Street. The downtown includes art galleries, restaurants, wine and sports bars, banks, clothing stores, offices, a theatre, a park, and a college satellite campus, attracting shoppers from South Jersey.[144]

Every year the downtown has three parades. The Halloween and Christmas parades are the two major parades that happen in downtown. In May, there is a smaller Memorial Day parade. The Downtown also hosts the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, which is a large celebration that includes the lighting of a large tree on the corner of Bellevue and Central Avenue, Christmas carolers, a music show, carriage rides, a live nativity and the arrival of Santa. During these events the downtown stores are open late.

On the third Thursday of every month, the downtown host the "Third Thursday Events", with a different theme each month. Stores offer discounts, and people perform on the street.

The downtown was one of the finalist for the Great American Main Street Award in 2013. The award recognizes three communities each year for their successful revitalization efforts, based on documented economic impact, small-business development, historic preservation, volunteer involvement, public/private cooperation and success over time.[145]

Events

[edit]

In 1949, Hammonton was the winner of the Little League World Series, after finishing third in the tournament in both 1947 and 1948. The Hammonton team was the first official team located outside of Pennsylvania.[146]

Longest Line of Cakes Guinness Record in Hammonton New Jersey

On July 24, 2011, Ricca's Italian Bakery set a Guinness World Record for the Longest Line of Cakes topped with fresh blueberries donated by local farmers. This received recognition from the Mayor Steve DiDonato and all members of the Hammonton Town Council. The Hammonton Town Council Deputy Mayor Tom Gribbin announced the recognition during a town council meeting on local TV in 2011 August.[147]

In November 2014, in a study conducted by CreditDonkey.com, Hammonton was ranked second-happiest city in New Jersey. The ranking was based on restaurants, crime rate, commute, departure time, income, divorce rate, and housing.[148]

Wineries and alcohol consumption

[edit]

Hammonton has three active wineries – DiMatteo Vineyards, Plagido's Winery, and Tomasello Winery.[138]

On June 7, 2013, the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton became the first theater in New Jersey to sell alcoholic beverages and allow spectators to drink wine during the show. Under an arrangement reached under the authority of the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Sharrott Winery will be able to sell patrons bottles of wine that can be consumed during shows at the theater.[149]

Hammonton has also seen a growth in the craft beer industry. Since 2015, three breweries have opened in town, Tomfoolery Brewing Company, Three 3's Brewing Company, and Vinyl Brewing.[150]

[edit]

The 2002 direct-to-video horror film 13th Child, about the hunt for the Jersey Devil, was filmed in Hammonton.[151]

A 2011 episode of Supernatural, "How to Win Friends and Influence Monsters" about the Jersey Devil, is set in Hammonton, though it wasn't filmed there.[152]

Hammonton made a cameo appearance in the first two episodes of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, with a scene towards the end of both episodes showing the town sign "Welcome to Hammonton, The Blueberry Capital of the World".[153]

The Fox TV show American Idol aired its first episode of its 12th season in January 2013 with a performance by Sarah Restuccio, a seventeen-year-old girl from Hammonton. The judges enjoyed her rendition of "Mama's Song" by Carrie Underwood, but she impressed them when they asked her to sing something else and she rapped "Super Bass" by Nicki Minaj. The show featured a short clip about Sarah's life, which included showing her everyday life in Hammonton.[154][155]

In October 2013 the MTV reality show True Life, featured the episode "True Life Presents: My Dad Is A Bro" about a girl in her twenties and her father in his fifties, who both party. The episode takes place throughout Hammonton.[156]

In the summer of 2013, scenes from the independent film The Honour were filmed in Hammonton.[157]

In May 2015, a commercial for the male clothing brand, Chubbies Shorts, was filmed on South Second Street in Hammonton.[158]

Notable people

[edit]

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

Sister city

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Urgo, Jacqueline L. "Blueberries get their due", The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 25, 2004. Accessed May 19, 2008. "In this Atlantic County farming community, where crops are king and ancestral connections to the land run deep, they didn't need the state to tell them the blueberry is special. After all, almost everyone in this town of 12,600 - already dubbed the 'Blueberry Capital of the World' - seems to have at least some connection to the berry."
  2. ^ a b c d e 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Mayor & Council, Town of Hammonton. Accessed June 6, 2023
  5. ^ 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.
  6. ^ Business Administrator, Town of Hammonton. Accessed July 19, 2022.
  7. ^ Municipal Clerk/Registrar, Town of Hammonton. Accessed July 19, 2022.
  8. ^ a b 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 49.
  9. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  10. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Town of Hammonton, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 5, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c d e QuickFacts Hammonton town, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 22, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
  15. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code for Hammonton, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed September 3, 2011.
  16. ^ Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed September 10, 2013.
  17. ^ Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Hammonton, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed September 10, 2013.
  18. ^ a b U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  19. ^ Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
  20. ^ US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
  21. ^ a b c d e DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Hammonton town, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  22. ^ a b Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Hammonton town Archived August 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 1, 2023.
  25. ^ General History Archived August 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Town of Hammonton. Accessed July 17, 2012. "Hammonton is named for one of Coffin's sons, John Hammond Coffin. What began as 'Hammondton' later evolved into what we have today, minus the "d". (FYI: Coffin's other son Edward Winslow Coffin went on to found, you guessed it: Winslow!)"
  26. ^ Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 138. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 31, 2015.
  27. ^ a b c d McMahon, William (1966). The Story of Hammonton. The Historical Society of Hammonton, New Jersey. p. 1–25; 213–215.
  28. ^ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 69. Accessed May 28, 2024.
  29. ^ Areas touching Hammonton, MapIt. Accessed January 3, 2015.
  30. ^ Atlantic County District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed July 9, 2024.
  31. ^ New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
  32. ^ Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  33. ^ List of Municipalities in Atlantic County, New Jersey and Local Place Names, Atlantic County, New Jersey GenWeb. Accessed December 26, 2013.
  34. ^ The Pinelands National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Accessed November 18, 2013.
  35. ^ Pinelands Municipalities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, April 2003. Accessed November 18, 2013.
  36. ^ Taylor, Derrick Bryson; Diaz, Johnny (June 21, 2022). "Wildfire in New Jersey Could Become the State's Largest in Years". The New York Times.
  37. ^ Climate Summary for Hammonton, New Jersey
  38. ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  39. ^ "Station: Hammonton 1 NE, NJ". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  40. ^ Barnett, Bob. Population Data for Atlantic County Municipalities, 1840 - 1905, WestJersey.org. Accessed June 25, 2012.
  41. ^ Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed July 26, 2013.
  42. ^ Raum, John O. The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 273, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed November 18, 2013. "Hammonton contains a population of 1,404."
  43. ^ Staff. A compendium of the ninth census, 1870, p. 259. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed September 10, 2013.
  44. ^ Porter, Robert Percival. Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75, p. 97. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed July 26, 2013.
  45. ^ Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 335. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  46. ^ Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 714. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  47. ^ Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  48. ^ a b c d e Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hammonton town, New Jersey Archived July 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.
  49. ^ a b c d e DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hammonton town, Atlantic County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2013.
  50. ^ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hamilton township, Atlantic County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 25, 2012.
  51. ^ Italian Communities Archived May 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, EPodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.
  52. ^ Hammonton, N.J., Leads Nation In Per-Capita Italians: South Jersey Town Known As Blueberry Capital Of The World Archived March 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, NBC10, June 5, 2002. Source shows 54% of population is of Italian ancestry, but provides no primary source for data.
  53. ^ La Gorce, Tammy. "Finding Emo", The New York Times, August 14, 2005. Accessed October 22, 2007. "Richard Reines, who owns Drive-Thru Records, which is based in the San Fernando Valley in California, believes in the New Jersey scene; Drive-Thru's roster includes Hidden in Plain View from Stanhope and the Early November from Hammonton."
  54. ^ Fitzgerald, Brian. "Alum hopes to bring minor league baseball to his hometown", B.U. Bridge, August 13, 1999. Accessed July 31, 2018. "Gabriel Donio (CAS'95) is president of the Hammonton Blueberries, a minor league baseball team that has yet to play a game, sign a player, or have a ballpark to call home. But this will change in the near future, says Donio, because he received some good news on August 4: the board of directors for the Northern League, the nation's largest independent baseball league, voted to start a six-team developmental division that would include southern New Jersey's Blueberries."
  55. ^ Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
  56. ^ "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 5. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
  57. ^ 2023 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Town of Hammonton. Accessed June 6, 2023.
  58. ^ Municipal Government Archived March 23, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 6, 2023.
  59. ^ 2022 General Election Results - Amended, Atlantic County Clerk, updated December 5, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
  60. ^ General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, updated January 4, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2022.
  61. ^ November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Atlantic County, New Jersey, update January 4, 2021. Accessed February 1, 2021.
  62. ^ About, Hammonton First. Accessed September 2, 2020.
  63. ^ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.
  64. ^ Districts by Number for 2023-2031, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.
  65. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
  66. ^ U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
  67. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/nyregion/george-helmy-bob-menendez-murphy.html
  68. ^ Tully, Tracey (August 23, 2024). "Menendez's Senate Replacement Has Been a Democrat for Just 5 Months". The New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  69. ^ Legislative Roster for District 8, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 12, 2024.
  70. ^ a b Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  71. ^ District Map, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  72. ^ County Executive, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  73. ^ Ernest D. Coursey, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  74. ^ Maureen Kern, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  75. ^ Ashley R. Bennett, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  76. ^ Richard R. Dase, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  77. ^ James A. Bertino, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  78. ^ Caren L. Fitzpatrick, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  79. ^ Frank D. Formica, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  80. ^ Amy L. Gatto, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  81. ^ John W. Risley, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  82. ^ Atlantic County Manual 2018, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  83. ^ Meet the Atlantic County Clerk Archived October 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic County Clerk. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  84. ^ Members List: Clerks Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  85. ^ Sheriff Eric Scheffler, Atlantic County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  86. ^ Members List: Sheriffs Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  87. ^ Surrogate's Office, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  88. ^ Members List: Surrogates Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  89. ^ Constitutional Officers, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed June 5, 2018.
  90. ^ a b Voter Registration Summary - Atlantic, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  91. ^ GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  92. ^ McGettigan, Edward P. "General Election Results - November 8, 2016" (PDF). Atlantic County Clerk. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  93. ^ Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Archived December 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  94. ^ Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Atlantic County Archived December 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  95. ^ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  96. ^ 2004 Presidential Election: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  97. ^ McGettigan, Edward P. "General Election Results - November 7, 2017" (PDF). Atlantic County Clerk. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  98. ^ 2013 Governor: Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  99. ^ Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 5, 2013 General Election Results : Atlantic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, January 29, 2014. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  100. ^ 2009 Governor: Atlantic County Archived January 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 24, 2014.
  101. ^ Public School Directory 2019-2020, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed August 9, 2020.
  102. ^ District information for Hammonton School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
  103. ^ School Data for the Hammonton Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
  104. ^ Early Childhood Education Center[permanent dead link], Hammonton Public Schools. Accessed August 9, 2020.
  105. ^ Warren E. Sooy Elementary School[permanent dead link], Hammonton Public Schools. Accessed August 9, 2020.
  106. ^ Hammonton Middle School[permanent dead link], Hammonton Public Schools. Accessed August 9, 2020.
  107. ^ Hammonton High School Archived November 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Hammonton Public Schools. Accessed August 9, 2020.
  108. ^ New Jersey School Directory for the Hammonton Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  109. ^ Hammonton Public Schools 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 5, 2016. "The Hammonton Public School System serves children from Hammonton, Waterford, and Folsom – as well as over 140 NJ Department of Education Choice students."
  110. ^ Schools Archived July 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Towns of Hammonton. Accessed June 6, 2016. "Residents from Waterford attend grades 7 through 12. Residents of Folsom and Collings Lakes attend the Hammonton High School in grades 9 through 12 at a brand-new high school on a 118-acre campus."
  111. ^ Puko, Timothy. "Sending Towns Feeling Pinched by Hammonton", The Press of Atlantic City, March 13, 2007. Accessed September 15, 2014. "The two school districts that send students to Hammonton are disputing tuition adjustments that would allow Hammonton School District to avoid a tax hike this year but cause large tax hikes in the sending districts. The school budgets for Hammonton and its sending districts Waterford and Folsom could hang in limbo well past next month's school board elections, and Waterford and Folsom could be left with budget fights and massive cuts, sending district superintendents said."
  112. ^ Arnold, Stephanie L. "Hammonton Board Decides To Accept Waterford Students More Money For An Improved Curriculum Is Expected Once The 800 Junior And Senior High Pupils Arrive.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 25, 1999. Accessed September 15, 2014. "The school board has been mulling the issue since the Waterford Board of Education, in Camden County, decided in September that it wanted to send its 800 junior high and high school students to the Atlantic County school district. Last year, five of seven towns that make up the Lower Camden County Regional School District voted to dissolve it within three years, leaving each town responsible for educating its students."
  113. ^ Frequently Asked Questions Archived April 24, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic County Institute of Technology. Accessed May 17, 2017. "What does it cost to attend ACIT? As a public school, there is no cost to Atlantic County residents of high school age. New Jersey Title 18A:54-20.1 entitles students the right to choose ACIT for their high school education."
  114. ^ Profile, Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts. Accessed May 18, 2017.
  115. ^ About Us, St. Joseph Regional School. Accessed September 2, 2020.
  116. ^ About Us, St. Joseph High School. Accessed July 26, 2013.
  117. ^ Catholic Schools Directory Archived October 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Accessed October 20, 2016.
  118. ^ a b "Five Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Camden to close at end of school year", Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden, April 17, 2020. Accessed September 2, 2020. "The Diocese of Camden announced today that five schools in the diocese will close, effective the end of the current school term on June 30, 2020. The three elementary schools and two high schools are: Good Shepherd Regional Elementary School in Collingswood; Saint Joseph Regional Elementary School in Hammonton; Cape Trinity Catholic Elementary School in Wildwood; Saint Joseph High School in Hammonton; Wildwood Catholic High School in Wildwood"
  119. ^ Yates, Riley. "5 N.J. Catholic schools to close, including South Jersey football powerhouse", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 17, 2020. Accessed September 2, 2020.
  120. ^ McGarry, Mike. "St. Joseph Academy returns to Vine Street in Hammonton", The Press of Atlantic City, August 27, 2020. Accessed February 19, 2023. "St. Joseph Academy in Hammonton finally has a home. It's a familiar one. The academy announced Wednesday night it will be located at the former St. Joseph building at 328 Vine St. The academy will lease the building from the Hammonton Board of Education."
  121. ^ Hawk, Tim. "Shuttered N.J. Catholic school revived as private academy by alumni, supporters", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 15, 2020. Accessed April 16, 2021. "Once Saint Joseph Academy opens on Sept. 21 it will be an independent private school for students grades 9 through 12 with a tuition of approximately $11,000 and nearly 150 students deeply rooted in Roman Catholic faith, DiGerolamo said, and will not be part of the diocese."
  122. ^ Station Profile for WPSJ-CD, Federal Communications Commission. Accessed September 10, 2013.
  123. ^ Home Page, The Hammonton Gazette. Accessed September 10, 2013.
  124. ^ The Hammonton News, The Daily Journal. Accessed September 10, 2013.
  125. ^ Atlantic County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 17, 2013.
  126. ^ Hammonton station Archived October 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, NJ Transit. Accessed November 18, 2013.
  127. ^ Atlantic City Rail Line, NJ Transit. Accessed November 18, 2013.
  128. ^ Atlantic County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed November 18, 2013.
  129. ^ South Jersey Transit Guide Archived September 29, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Cross County Connection, as of April 1, 2010. Accessed November 18, 2013.
  130. ^ Hammonton Municipal Airport Archived April 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Town of Hammonton. Accessed June 25, 2012.
  131. ^ Urgo, Jacqueline L. "Blueberries ride high in South Jersey farm town", The Record, February 11, 2004. Accessed May 6, 2008. "In the Atlantic County farming community of Hammonton, where crops are king and ancestral connections to the land run deep, they didn't need the state to tell them the blueberry is special. After all, almost everyone in this town of 12,600 - already dubbed the 'Blueberry Capital of the World' - seems to have at least some connection to the berry."
  132. ^ Meritt, Ben. "Blue is the word at berry fest", The Daily Journal, June 30, 2008. Accessed May 29, 2013.
  133. ^ "Phoenix Mayor Says FEMA Refused to Help With Testing", The New York Times, July 5, 2020. Accessed June 28, 2022. "'It's a little dangerous,' said Felix Nieves, 56, a supervisor at Atlantic Blueberry Company in Hammonton. The 1,300-acre farm is considered the biggest blueberry producer in the Northeast."
  134. ^ "Trouble in the 'Blueberry Capital of the World'". WHYY. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  135. ^ "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts." Archived September 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, text of speech delivered by Ronald Reagan on September 19, 1984, My Hammonton. Accessed October 24, 2007. "You know, today my treat is seeing for the first time the Blueberry Capital of the world.... It rests in the message of hope in songs of a man so many young Americans admire -- New Jersey's own, Bruce Springsteen."
  136. ^ Dolan, Marc. "How Ronald Reagan Changed Bruce Springsteen's Politics". POLITICO Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  137. ^ Donio, Gabriel J. Hammonton, P. 87, ff. Arcadia Publishing, 2002. ISBN 9780738510446. Accessed December 9, 2013.
  138. ^ a b DiUlio, Nick. "NJ's Most Italian TownIt started with a single Sicilian farmer in 1863. Now Hammonton has the highest percentage of Italians in the Garden State.", New Jersey Monthly, January 17, 2012. Accessed May 29, 2013. "But the standout event on the calendar is the annual Italian Festival sponsored by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society. What began in 1875 as a traditional Roman Catholic two-mile long procession of saints has evolved into the longest running Italian festival in the country, with a weeklong carnival and festivities erupting every July.... The town is home to three celebrated South Jersey vineyards: Plagido's Winery, DiMatteo Vineyards and Tomasello Winery, which was started by one of the town's oldest Italian families and has been making wine for almost 80 years."
  139. ^ Hammonton Fall Beer Festival, New Jersey Craft Beer. Accessed March 28, 2016.
  140. ^ Teen Arts Festival, Atlantic County, New Jersey. Accessed March 28, 2016.
  141. ^ Brunetti, Michelle. "Hammonton hosting first ever Food Truck festival ", The Press of Atlantic City, June 8, 2015. Accessed March 28, 2016.
  142. ^ Hammonton Green Day Festival Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic County Utilities Authority. Accessed March 28, 2016.
  143. ^ Cruisin' Main Street Archived March 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Cruisin Classics. Accessed March 28, 2016.
  144. ^ Home Page, Downtown Hammonton. Accessed December 9, 2013.
  145. ^ Post, Michelle Brunetti. "Hammonton among eight semifinalists for national Main Street Award" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Press of Atlantic City, February 12, 2013. Accessed December 9, 2013.
  146. ^ LeConey, Bill. "Baseball / Hammonton's Boys Of Summer / A Glance At Hammonton's 1949 Little League Journey", The Press of Atlantic City, August 28, 1999. Accessed May 15, 2012. "Hammonton's Little League team was the original 'Beast of the East.' Founded by local businessman Al Mulliner, it was the first sanctioned Little League team outside of Pennsylvania. In 1949, it made its third straight trip to Williamsport after finishing third in the first two years of World Series play."
  147. ^ [1], archive.today Guinness World Records. Accessed June 14, 2013. "The longest line of cakes measured 571.5 m (1,875 ft) topped with fresh blueberries donated by local farmers and was achieved by Ricca's Italian Bakery (USA) in Hammonton, on 24 July 2011. Hammonton Gazette Ricca's Italian Bakery Attempt at World Record 20 July 2011 in Hammonton."
  148. ^ Lake, Rebecca. "Study: Happiest Cities in New Jersey", CreditDonkey.com, November 3, 2014. Accessed March 28, 2016.
  149. ^ Post, Michelle Brunetti. "Wine sales planned at Hammonton's Eagle Theatre", The Press of Atlantic City, June 5, 2013, updated June 6, 2013. Accessed June 14, 2013. "Starting Friday night, audience members at The Eagle Theatre will be able to enjoy a glass of wine before and during shows. Sharrott Winery, located just over the border from Hammonton in Winslow Township, has gotten permission from the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to sell half and full bottles of wine at the theater.... It is the first such agreement in New Jersey, said Eagle Theatre President Jim Donio."
  150. ^ Fusco, John Howard. "Hammonton is becoming a cultural hub", Courier-Post, June 20, 2017. Accessed October 2, 2017. "There are two craft breweries in town — Three 3's and Tomfoolery — with a third expected to come on‐board later this summer. Vinyl Brewing, which will be occupying space at a building that was once part of the Perrone Door Company, has family roots that go back for more than a century in Hammonton."
  151. ^ Nash, Margo. "The Devil You Think You Know", The New York Times, October 13, 2002. Accessed August 4, 2013. "Most of the film, made by Painted Zebra Productions, was shot at Wharton State Forest, Historic Batsto Village and Hammonton in the Pine Barrens. Its stars include Cliff Robertson, Robert Guillaume, Christopher Atkins, Lesley-Anne Down and Michelle Maryk."
  152. ^ Anders, Charlie Jane. "One of Ben Edlund's Finest Hours: The Secret History of Supernatural's Deadly Turducken Slammers", io9, November 30, 2012. Accessed August 1, 2016. "'How to Win Friends and Influence Monsters' Something is eating campers in Hammonton, New Jersey – could it be the Jersey Devil?"
  153. ^ Procida, Lee. "Hammonton welcomes Boardwalk Empire sign", The Press of Atlantic City, April 29, 2011. Accessed October 22, 2012. "In the first episode of "Boardwalk Empire," an ill-fated group of bootleggers passes by a wooden sign that reads 'Welcome to Hammonton, The Blueberry Capital of the World.'"
  154. ^ "Season 12 Road to Hollywood: Sarah Restuccio", American Idol, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 22, 2013. Accessed September 15, 2014. "Sarah Restuccio auditioned for American Idol in honor of a friend that had passed away. Discover more about this Hammonton, NJ resident."
  155. ^ Jackson, Vincent. "Hammonton teen cut from 'American Idol'", The Press of Atlantic City, February 13, 2013. Accessed September 15, 2014.
  156. ^ "True Life Presents: My Dad Is A Bro", MTV. Accessed December 9, 2013.
  157. ^ Staff. "Indie Film, The Honour, Shot in Hammonton", Courier-Post, August 2, 2013. Accessed December 9, 2013. "Daria Berenato (left) of Hammonton and Christina Heath of Hamilton film a scene in their upcoming indie film called The Honour. The LGBT film was shot in Hammonton and other places around South Jersey."
  158. ^ Post, Michelle Brunetti. "Film shoot transports Hammonton back to the 1980s", The Press of Atlantic City, May 18, 2015. Accessed August 31, 2015. "The big dance number, which shut down Second Street between Bellevue Avenue and Vine Street, is part of a short film the Hammonton company is doing for California-based Chubbies Shorts."
  159. ^ Tehuti Miles, Maryland Terrapins football. Accessed August 6, 2023. "Hometown: Hammonton, N.J.; High school: Hammonton HS"
  160. ^ #2 Tyler Bellamy, Defender Archived December 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Rochester Rhinos. Accessed August 4, 2013. "Hometown: Hammonton, NJ"
  161. ^ a b LaBan, Craig. "Blueberries to tacos: South Jersey town's shift de cuisine", The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 28, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2012. "It's the birthplace of the vice president's wife, Jill Biden, not to mention the hometown of pro wrestler Gary 'The Pitbull' Wolfe."
  162. ^ Ray Blanchard, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. Accessed June 25, 2012.
  163. ^ Kooper, Al. "New Music for Old People: ZZ Hill, Rev. Gary Davis, Curtis Stigers, Andy Stochansky and More", The Morton Report, October 17, 2014. Accessed November 27, 2017. "'When I Die I'll Live Again' — Rev. Gary Davis (2:51)... That most important 'Someone' took him to Heaven on May 5, 1972 from Hammonton, New Jersey, where he lived at the time."
  164. ^ Schroeder, Charles. "Hammonton's JD DiRenzo to fulfill boyhood dream by signing with NFL team: 'It's now my job to prove them right'", The Press of Atlantic City, May 2, 2023. Accessed December 19, 2023. "But DiRenzo, a 2017 St. Joseph High School graduate who played offensive line at Sacred Heart (Fairfield, Connecticut) and Rutgers universities, had worked too hard over too many years to think his boyhood dream of playing football at its highest level was over. He was right. On Monday, while downstairs at his family’s Hammonton home, he got a call."
  165. ^ Woodward, Buck. "This Day In History: Jeff Hardy Wins The World Title, Undertaker & Austin Win Tag Gold, Thesz Vs. Mascaras And More", PWInsider.com, July 26, 2010. Accessed August 4, 2013. "1967 - Anthony Durante is born in Hammonton, New Jersey."
  166. ^ Jackson, Vincent. "Making a new start; Hammonton's Ace Enders has a new disc, a new band and is looking to write a new chapter in his music career", The Press of Atlantic City, February 11, 2009. Accessed August 4, 2013. "Enders, of Hammonton, had beaten the odds. Not only was he making a living playing his music, he and his four-piece band had just released its second album, 'The Mother, The Mechanic, and the Path.'"
  167. ^ Trahair, R. C. S. Utopias and Utopians: An Historical Dictionary, p. 192. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999. ISBN 0313294658. Accessed August 4, 2013.
  168. ^ Johnnie Jackson, Flex. Accessed August 4, 2013. "Place of Birth: Hammonton, NJ"
  169. ^ Kinney, Josh. "How 'Boardwalk Empire' Found Nelson Johnson" Archived January 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Atlantic City Weekly, January 16, 2012. Accessed December 9, 2013.
  170. ^ Clark, Michael. "Author Nelson Johnson strikes gold with infamous Atlantic City characters", The Press of Atlantic City, August 14, 2010. Accessed June 14, 2013. "A native of Hammonton, Johnson got his first taste of politics when he was elected as a Democrat to Atlantic County's Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1975, where he served until 1980.
  171. ^ Strauss, Robert. "Atlantic City's Godfather: A Q&A with Judge Nelson Johnson, whose book—Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City—was made into an HBO miniseries", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2010. Accessed December 9, 2013. "He still commutes from rural Hammonton—where he grew up—to his Atlantic City courtroom. We spoke with Johnson—no relation to Nucky—about his fascination with all things Atlantic City."
  172. ^ Margaret Mead, American National Biography. Accessed December 26, 2013. "Before Margaret Mead reached her teens, she accompanied her mother on field trips to Hammonton, New Jersey, where Emily Mead was engaged in sociological research among Italian immigrants."
  173. ^ Funke, Lewis B. "Victor Moore, or Forty Years a Timid Man; The comedian, even off-stage, is shy and has the air of one who is always baffled.", The New York Times, January 6, 1946. Accessed June 25, 2008.
  174. ^ "Berkshire Museum sets Myers video installation", North Adams Transcript, November 15, 1989. Accessed January 18, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "In the Drowning Pool: A Video Installation by Rita Myers opens at The Berkshire Museum Jan. 6.... Myers was born in Hammonton, N.J., in 1947."
  175. ^ Genocchio, Benjamin. "An Artist's Work Gets Its First Cataloging and Show", The New York Times, July 20, 2008. Accessed October 28. 2017. "Nicholson spent most of his career in Philadelphia. It is assumed that he made a living selling his depictions of American and foreign subjects to collectors. He continued to visit New Jersey to see relatives and to paint the southern shore and marshes, and eventually retired there in 1902, spending the final decade of his life in the town of Hammonton."
  176. ^ Anastasia, George. "Police: Hammonton Raids Broke Up A Betting Ring", The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 17, 1996. Accessed November 18, 2013. "Sources said yesterday the bookmaking ring was part of a broader gambling and loan-sharking operation controlled by reputed mob figure Ron Previte of Hammonton."
  177. ^ McAleer, Pete. "Hammonton mob informant misses life left behind", copy of article from The Press of Atlantic City, June 14, 2004. Accessed November 18, 2013. "Ron Previte, who once ran Hammonton's underworld from the booth of a diner on the White Horse Pike, is not quite sure what to do with himself these days."
  178. ^ Community Advisory Board, Rider University. Accessed April 7, 2015. "Rider University's founder and first president Andrew Rider and his wife Ida Rider resided in Hammonton and are buried there."
  179. ^ Bender, William. "Phil Leonetti's tell-all book shows he's crazy like a fox", The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 12, 2012. Accessed March 28, 2016. "Scarfo went from a boy picking blueberries in Hammonton to a paranoid despot who Leonetti says wanted to slit his own wife's throat."
  180. ^ Staff. "Hammonton's Siscone Pursuing Safety Drive", The Press of Atlantic City, July 11, 1989. Accessed July 8, 2013. "A popular school teacher, a successful businessman and an outstanding race driver, Tony Siscone may be one of Hammonton's more renowned citizens."
  181. ^ Alma Whiffen Barksdale Records Archived July 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New York Botanical Garden. Accessed January 25, 2013. "Alma Whiffen Barksdale (1916-1981) was born in Hammonton, New Jersey, 25 October 1916."
  182. ^ Who's who of American Women and Women of Canada, Volume 5, p. 72. A.N. Marquis Company, 1968. Accessed November 27, 2017. "Barksdale, Alma Whiffen (Mrs. Walter Lane Barksdale), scientist; b. Hammonton, N.J., Oct. 25, 1916; d. Charles Stuart and Amy (Joslyn) Whiffen"
  183. ^ Staff. "Italian Heritage On Parade", The Press of Atlantic City, August 25, 2008. Accessed May 15, 2012. "Residents stepped out Saturday, formalizing their 'sister city' relationship between San Gregorio da Sassola, Italy, and Hammonton, which brands itself as the most Italian town in the United States."
[edit]