About Mountainside

Mountainside Borough is on land set aside many years ago by the Lenni-Lenapi Indians as hunting grounds. It was part of the "West Fields" of Elizabethtown in the 18th century, and then part of Westfield Town in the 19th century. On October 22, 1895, Mountainside became separate from Westfield and The Locust Grove, Branch Mills, and Baltrusol sections of the West Fields, became Mountainside. A borough council was formed. The first mayor was Joseph W. Cory. Additional councilmen were elected and gradually, other departments were formed such as police, fire, and education.

Mountainside is primarily a quiet, residential town with business districts and some industry including the well-known Hammond Inc., publishers of maps and atlases. Recreational facilities include a municipal pool, parks and cultural and community centers. Rich in history, the town has many historical landmarks such as The Durand- Hedden House and Garden (circa 1730). The town has seen recent development in the form of new apartments, rehabilitation of the Mountainside Country Club and, currently in progress, expansion of the 36-acre Ward Homestead that will include villas, apartments and a nursing center.

Education

Education has always been an important aspect to Mountainside. Over the years, Mountainside housed many schools, but presently, only Deerfield Elementary School is in use. High school aged children attend Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights. Click here to read more about Mountainside Schools.

Historical Attractions

In 1760, the Deacon Andrew Hetfield House was built. It was used by the Hetfield Family until 1936; then it was an antique shop called the Dutch Oven. In 1984, developers wanted to demolish the house, but Mountainside's Historic Preservation Committee fought to save it. Now the Hetfield House is located on Constitution Plaza and is on the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

Demographics

Population (year 2000): 6,602
Males: 3,112 (47.1%), Females: 3,490 (52.9%)

Elevation: 142 feet

County: Union

Land area: 4.0 square miles

Zip code: 07092

Median resident age: 46.4 years
Median household income: $97,195 (year 2000)
Median house value: $346,100 (year 2000)

Hospitals/Medical Centers near Mountainside

CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSP

OVERLOOK HOSPITAL (about 3 miles; SUMMIT, NJ)

SUMMIT HOSPITAL (about 3 miles; SUMMIT, NJ)

TRINITAS HOSPITAL (about 5 miles; ELIZABETH, NJ)

MUHLENBERG REGIONAL MED CTR (about 5 miles; PLAINFIELD, NJ)

Colleges nearest to Mountainside

UNION COUNTY COLLEGE (about 4 miles; CRANFORD, NJ; Full-time enrollment: 5,856)

KEAN UNIVERSITY (about 7 miles; UNION, NJ; FT enrollment: 8,627)

DREW UNIVERSITY (about 7 miles; MADISON, NJ; FT enrollment: 2,133)

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY (about 9 miles; SOUTH ORANGE, NJ; FT enrollment: 7,509)

UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY OF NEW JERSEY (about 13 miles; NEWARK, NJ; FT enrollment: 4,134)

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY-NEWARK (about 14 miles; NEWARK, NJ; FT enrollment: 6,878)

NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (about 14 miles; NEWARK, NJ; FT enrollment: 6,565)