Mount Holly, New Jersey


Mount Holly is a township that is the county seat of Burlington County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is an eastern suburb of Philadelphia, the nation's sixth largest city as of 2020. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 9,981, an increase of 445 from the 2010 census count of 9,536, which in turn reflected a decline of 1,192 from the 10,728 counted in the 2000 census. The township, and all of Burlington County, is a part of the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.
What is now Mount Holly was originally formed as Northampton on November 6, 1688. Northampton was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships created by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Little Egg Harbor Township, [Washington Township, Burlington, New Jersey|Burlington County, New Jersey|Washington Township], Pemberton borough, Coaxen Township, Pemberton Township, Westampton Township and Lumberton Township. There had been a Mount Holly post office since before the 1870 U.S. Census. The township was renamed Mount Holly as of November 6, 1931, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. The township was named for the prominent hill just north of downtown partially covered with holly trees. Some areas of today's Mount Holly were known as Bridgetown.
Mount Holly gives its name to the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, serving most of New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, all of Delaware and Eastern Maryland, though the office is actually located in adjacent Westampton.
WWW twp.mountholly.nj.us

History

Colonial era

The first European settlement in what is now Mount Holly began in 1677 when Walter Reeves colonized the land from the Lenape Native Americans living in the area. He constructed a dam on Rancocas Creek to channel water through a raceway to power a gristmill and sawmill. Edward Gaskill and his sons dug the mill race on their property between 1720 and 1723. After the mills were established, more settlers were attracted to the area and built houses and commercial buildings on High, Church, White, Mill, and Pine streets, including the Shinn Curtis Log House. By 1800, over 250 dwellings had been built.
Today no mills remain on the raceway, which still flows in its original course from the Rancocas just above the dam. The raceway proved a way for herring to make their way above the dam and was the scene of an annual fish run in the spring, which provided fresh herring for salting and eating. The former mill land has been preserved as the Mill Dam Park. It marks the importance of mills to the early settlements.

Revolutionary War

On December 17, 1776, Colonel Samuel Griffin of the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River with 600 men, mostly untrained men and boys with little equipment, who marched to Mount Holly where they set up a few 3-pounder artillery pieces on Iron Works Hill. Hessian commanders von Block and Carl von Donop were told that there were 3,000 American troops at Mount Holly.
By December 23, 1776, 2,000 Hessians were moved from Bordentown and positioned at The Mount in Mount Holly, where they engaged in a three-day-long artillery exchange, known as the Battle of Iron Works Hill or Battle of Mount Holly, with the Americans on Iron Works Hill. The Americans slipped away that night.
After George Washington crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, the fact that thousands of Hessian troops had been drawn to Mount Holly aided in the Continental Army's success in the Battle of Trenton the next day, a surprising American victory that helped turn the Army's fading morale after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Fort Washington just weeks before and the ignominious retreat through New Jersey.

19th century

The 1793 state legislature approved the relocation of the Burlington County seat from Burlington City to Mount Holly, which was approved by voters in a 1796 referendum. Several important municipal buildings were constructed, including the courthouse in 1796 and the county prison built. The Burlington County Prison was designed by Robert Mills, a nationally known architect who designed the Washington Monument. The town has numerous 18th and 19th-century buildings, most of which are included in the Mount Holly Historic District. Commercial buildings were constructed primarily along High Street.
In 1849, the Burlington and Mount Holly Railroad was established, connecting communities along the Delaware River to Philadelphia, the major city of the area. The railroad supported industrialization along its route. The Camden and Mount Holly Railroad constructed a station 20 years later near the intersection of Washington and King streets.

20th century

A trolley station was built in 1904 for passengers making connections to Burlington City and Moorestown. New municipal buildings were constructed during the 20th century, including the Town Hall on Washington Street and the U.S. Post Office located across the street, both federally funded and constructed as Works Progress Administration projects under President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression.
In the late 1950s, Mount Holly began to have economic difficulties due to industrial restructuring and the loss of working-class jobs. In the post-World War II period, numerous blue collar, family wage jobs disappeared as the community's traditional employers, the mills and dye factories, were shut down. At first, these job losses were offset in part by gains at the nearby military bases, Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base, especially during the Vietnam War. In 1970, the residential vacancy rate in Mount Holly was 4.3%.
By 1980, however, the vacancy rate had climbed to 8.7% as a result of the nearby military installations' downsizing after the end of the Vietnam War. During this same period, 1970–1980, shopping malls proliferated in the suburban Philadelphia area, and retail business in Mount Holly suffered.

Historic district

The Mount Holly Historic District is a historic district encompassing downtown Mount Holly. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 20, 1973, for its significance in architecture, education, landscape architecture, politics/government, and transportation. The district includes 39 contributing buildings. The individually listed Old Schoolhouse, also known as the Brainerd School, was built in 1759 and contributes to the district. The Burlington County Prison is also listed individually and was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The Burlington County Courthouse was designed by architect Samuel Lewis and constructed by Michael Rush in 1796.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 2.87 square miles, including 2.82 square miles of land and 0.05 square miles of water. The township borders the Burlington County municipalities of Eastampton Township, Hainesport Township, Lumberton, and Westampton. Clermont is an unincorporated community located within Mount Holly Township.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 9,981 people, 3,762 households. The racial makeup was 54.7% White, 22.8% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 7.5% from other races, and 11.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.3% of the population.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 9,536 people, 3,456 households, and 2,264 families in the township. The population density was. There were 3,861 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 65.57% White, 23.10% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 4.29% from other races, and 5.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.69% of the population.
Of the 3,456 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18; 42.6% were married couples living together; 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.5% were non-families. Of all households, 27.4% were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.19.
23.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.1 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $53,841 and the median family income was $68,500. Males had a median income of $51,945 versus $37,079 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,551. About 7.1% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 10,728 people, 3,903 households, and 2,583 families residing in the township. The population density was. There were 4,248 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the township was 68.68% White, 21.57% African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.37% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 4.77% from other races, and 3.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.78% of the population.
There were 3,903 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% 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 3.20.
In the township, the age distribution of the population shows 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $43,284, and the median income for a family was $52,000. Males had a median income of $38,186 versus $27,425 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,672. About 6.8% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Portions of the township are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone, one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. Mount Holly was selected in 1994 as one of a group of 10 zones added to participate in the program and one of four of those chosen based on a competition. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate at eligible merchants. Established in March 1995, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in March 2026. The Township Council appoints a board of directors that oversees the operations of the Urban Enterprise Zone, which is managed by Joshua Brown, the township's Economic Development Director.

Government

Local government

Mount Holly Township operates within the Faulkner Act under the Council-Manager form of municipal government, enacted by council-initiated action as of July 1, 1990. This form is used in 42 municipalities statewide. The township council is comprised of five members who are elected at-large in a partisan vote to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats up for election in even-numbered years as part of the November general election. At a reorganization meeting after each election, the council selects a mayor and a deputy mayor from among its members. In November 2011, voters passed a referendum shifting from non-partisan municipal elections in May to partisan elections in November.
, members of the Mount Holly Township Council are Mayor Chris Banks, Deputy mayor Jason Jones, Tara E. Astor, Lewis Brown and Kim Burkus.

Federal, state, and county representation

Mount Holly Township is located in the 3rd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 8th state legislative district.

Education

For pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, students attend the Mount Holly Township Public Schools. As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,079 students and 102.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.6:1. Schools in the district are
John Brainerd School with 293 students in grades PreK-1, Gertrude C. Folwell School with 302 students in grades 2-4, and F. W. Holbein Middle School with 439 students in grades 6-8.
For ninth through twelfth grades, public school students attend the Rancocas Valley Regional High School, a comprehensive regional public high school based in Mount Holly that serves students from five communities encompassing an area of that also includes the communities of Eastampton Township, Hainesport Township, Lumberton and Westampton. As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 2,048 students and 140.3 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 14.6:1. The school is located in Mount Holly. The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. Seats on the board are allocated based on the population of the five constituent municipalities, with two seats assigned to Mount Holly.
Students from Mount Holly, and from all of Burlington County, are eligible to attend the Burlington County Institute of Technology, a countywide public school district that serves the vocational and technical education needs of students at the high school and post-secondary level at its campuses in Medford and Westampton.
Sacred Heart School is a Catholic school serving students in grades PreK-8, operating under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Burlington County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The only state highway serving Mount Holly is Route 38, which crosses from west to east at the township's southern end. Major county roads that pass through Mount Holly include County Route 537 and County Route 541.
Mount Holly is accessible at exit 5 of the New Jersey Turnpike in neighboring Westampton and exit 47 of Interstate 295 via CR 541 in Burlington Township.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service to Philadelphia on routes 317 and 409/417/418, with local service available on the 413 route between Camden and Burlington.

Points of interest

  • The Mount Park, encompassing the town's namesake hill
  • Burlington County Courthouse, 1796
  • Mount Holly Cemetery
  • Shinn Curtis Log House, constructed out of hand-hewn logs, the house was built in 1712; the original log house was uncovered in 1967. A larger house that had been built around it was demolished, revealing the early house beneath, which has been restored.
  • Burlington County Prison, opened in 1811, it was the oldest continually operated prison in the country when it closed in 1965 after more than 150 years of service.
  • First Presbyterian Church
  • St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
  • Friends Meeting House
  • Brainerd Schoolhouse is a one-room schoolhouse that was constructed in 1759 and operated as a school for nearly 100 years. In 1951, the school was transferred from the Female Benevolent Society, which had owned and operated the site for 136 years, to the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
  • Relief Fire Company No. 1, home of the oldest continuously operating volunteer fire company in the United States.
  • Thomas Budd House is the township's third-oldest house, dating to 1744.
  • Stephen Girard House was the home of Girard, who moved to Mount Holly shortly after his marriage in 1777 and purchased the partially completed house, as recorded in 1779.
  • John Woolman Memorial was constructed in the late 1700s on a portion of an orchard that had belonged to Woolman.

In popular culture

The pop punk band The High Court from the township released the 2007 album Puppet Strings.
The horror film Human Hibachi 2: Feast in The Forest was filmed in 2022.

Notable people

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

Reading list

  • Bastien, Jan Lynn, Ghosts of Mount Holly; A History of Haunted Happenings.
  • De Cou, George. Historical Sketches of Mount Holly and Vicinity..
  • Rizzo, Dennis C. Mount Holly, New Jersey: Hometown Reinvented..
  • Shinn, Henry C. The History of Mount Holly..
  • Winzinger, Heidi J. and Mary L. Smith. Mount Holly..