KEANSBURG, NEW JERSEY

'Keansburg' is a Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 10,732.
Keansburg was formed as a Borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1917, from portions of both Middletown Township and Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 17, 1917."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 180.
Keansburg is part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bay coastline.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

History

Government

Local government

Federal, state and county representation

Education

Notable residents

References

External links

Geography

Keansburg is located at (40.447324, -74.131226).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 43.6 km² (16.8 mi²). 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is land and 40.8 km² (15.8 mi²) of it (93.58%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,732 people, 3,872 households, and 2,563 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,836.7/km² (9,954.4/mi²). There were 4,269 housing units at an average density of 1,526.2/km² (3,959.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.31% White, 2.13% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.95% of the population.
There were 3,872 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the borough the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $36,383, and the median income for a family was $45,438. Males had a median income of $37,229 versus $28,398 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,417. About 15.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

History

The land that is now Keansburg was originally home to the Lenni Lenape Native Americans.

On September 3, 1609, the ''Half Moon'', captained by Henry Hudson is said to have landed on the shores of present-day Keansburg (though some historians argue that the landing and forth-coming explained events took place at the tip of Sandy Hook). Crewmen of the ship were attacked by the Native Americans when they departed the ship, and one man, John Coleman, was killed.^[1] He is reputed to be the first European to be felled by a Native American arrow. It is said that he was buried on the land, in the area that is today the intersection of Carr Avenue and Beachway. It is referred to as "Coleman's Point"
In the time between 1609 and the early 1700's, the land was gradually purchased from the Lenni-Lenape with other surrounding areas. The area was inhabited by Dutch, English, and Scottish settlers. In the 1700's, farming proved to be successful on Keansburg's land, with specialties being pears, apples and corn (maize).

In this time, the town took on the name of Waackaack, pronounced "Way-kay-ack." This is a Lenape Native American term, originally "Wakioak" meaning "Land of Plenty".^[2] The area was also widely known as Tanner's Landing from the early 1700's until approximately 1820, so named for the pier at the end of what was Tanner's Landing Road (now Main Street). Tanner's Landing was a principal port for the area for many years.^[3]
Though the source of this information does not state exactly when, the land took on its second official name of Granville. The name originated from the importance of the Phillips Mill, and the grain producing farms in the region. The name held until 1880s.
During the century, Granville became home to its own church, two lighthouses and small businesses. Roadways were beginning to form from repeated use of horse and buggies. The beach was already a favorite to visitors. Population was about 300 people, who mostly farmed and clammed for a living.
On Sunday, March 22, 1877, at "half past 9 o'clock," Granville welcomed the newly assigned pastor of the Granville Methodist Episcopal Church, William W. Ramsay. At 19 years of age, Ramsay was slated to serve in the church for one year. His success at the helm of church lead to another year in Granville, after which he decided to make the village his permanent home.
Ramsay and his wife, Eliza S Wood, purchased the land that is 69 Church Street and opened a general store in 1881. In the coming years, Ramsay took greater and greater interest in Granville and eventually arranged a petition to establish a post office. The list of 132 names was passed on to John Kean of Elizabeth, a candidate for Congress. His efforts led to the opening of the post office in 1884, with Mrs. Ramsay serving as its first postmaster. That year, the name Keansburg was adopted.
Further development continued with the creation of postcards depicting the village and land purchases, including some key buys by William A. Gehlhaus and the Keansburg Beach Company. A school was built at the cost of $30,000 in 1890 and sat on what is today the corner of Ramsay Avenue and Church Street (now Fallon Manor).
More history to come, see This Site
The infamous Irish Mobster Jimmy Coonan owned a house on Forest Avenue.

After the town's decline, small beach houses were cheaply sold and converted into year-round housing. Efforts to lower crime seem to be working, slowly but surely, in many areas. Further evidence of a possible comeback include the Keansburg beautification project, building of new condominiums across the street from the boardwalk, the construction of a skate board park, the hiring of a part-time recreation program director and the opening of the first free-standing public library in borough. The Keansburg Waterfront Public Library, founded in 2004, is the result of a concerted effort on the part of townspeople and the borough government to provide a high quality library with resources that address the needs and interests of the community. Currently, the library is open on a limited basis and is staffed by a part-time library director, library assistant and two additional part-time pages. In spite of this, the library has seen an overwhelmingly positive response from patrons in the community.

Government

Local government

Keansburg is governed by a five-member Borough Council. Members of the Keansburg Borough Council are Mayor Lisa Strydio, Deputy Mayor Drew Murray, Art Boden, Jimmy Cocuzza and George Hoff.^[4]

Federal, state and county representation

Keansburg is in the Sixth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 13th Legislative District.^[5]

Education

Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade are served by the Keansburg School District, an Abbott District. Schools in the district are
Port Monmouth Road School (PreK-2),
Joseph C. Caruso School (3-4), Joseph R. Bolger Middle School (5-8) and
Keansburg High School (9-12).

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Keansburg include:

★ James Coonan, former boss of The Westies Irish gang.^[6]

★ Tommy Castillo, artist whose work as appeared in many comic books, including DC's Batman

★ Jason Mewes, actor.^[7]

★ Lou Taylor Pucci, actor.^[8]

References

1. Keansburg Historical Society, accessed April 10, 2007.
2. Harnes, John A. "Of Wakioak and 'clam diggers'", ''Asbury Park Press'', July 18, 2002. Accessed April 10, 2007. "Since the Lenni-Lenape Indians called the area Wakioak, which meant "land of plenty," this area of Monmouth County south of Raritan Bay has been called many names, including: Colman's Point, Middletown, Granville, Raritan and finally Keansburg, when the community's first post office was created through the efforts of Rep. John Kean and the Rev. William Ramsay."
3. "Keansburg High School History of Keansburg, at Chapter 5 (Story of the Seas)". Accessed July 23, 2007. "In the early days TANNER'S LANDING, now Main Street Beach, was at the foot of TANNERS LANDING ROAD (Main Street). This was a principle road going through Monmouth County, as it attached to the "KINGS HIGHWAY", the Landing itself being a Major freight port of the countryside. The first steamboat that came into Monmouth County was to use this landing, it was a sidewheel boat which was commanded by Captain Pennoyer. The Tanner's landing was used as a principal port as late as 1820...Tanners landing was a bee-hive of activity around the Revolutionary War period, due to the fact that it was a Major port." Also see the map at:"Map of Tanner's Landing, 1851", Keansburg Historical Society].
4. Keansburg Borough Council, Borough of Keansburg. Accessed August 13, 2007.
5. 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 59. Accessed August 30, 2006.
6. Leith, Rod. "GANG'S EX-LEADER TESTIFYING BEFORE U.S. GRAND JURY", ''The Record (Bergen County)'', July 20, 1986. Accessed August 13, 2007. "The Westies reportedly are headed by James "Jimmy" Coonan, a Keansburg man who, investigators said, has been associated both with Paul Castellano and John Gotti, who assumed control of the Gambino family after Castellano's murder last Dec. 16."
7. Jason Mewes arrest report, ''The Smoking Gun'', accessed April 10, 2007.
8. 25 NEW FACES OF INDIE FILM 2004, ''Filmmaker'', Summer 2004. Accessed July 24, 2007. "Pucci, who grew up in Keansburg, N.J., appeared in increasingly larger parts at the Sayreville Main Street Theatre Company before landing a part in The Sound of Music on Broadway."

External links

★ Keansburg Borough web site

★ Keansburg School District

★

★ National Center for Education Statistics data for the Keansburg School District

★ Reference to Keansburg in ''The Westies''