History of Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA

1854 - Elizabeth
Elizabeth, a township of Essex county, New Jersey, on Newark bay and Staten Island sound, 5 miles S. S. W. from Newark. It is intersected by the New Jersey Central railroad. Population, 5583.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1859
ELIZABETH, a township of Essex co., in the state of New Jersey, U.S., bordered on the E by Newark-bay and Staten-island, and watered by Bound and Morss brooks. Its soil is marshy but generally fertile. Pop. in 1840, 4,184.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1880 - April 2 - Some of the Queer Happenings of a Few Days.
Mr. Pritchard, residing in Elizabeth, N.J., has two sons in the tea business in Japan. About two years ago, after a visit to his father's residence, one of them, by mistake, carried the latch-key of the front door to Japan with him. On Saturday Mr. Pritchard received it through the mail. It was attached to a postal card, and had traveled from Japan, three-fourths of the distance around the world, for one cent.
The Cambria Freemen
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
April 2, 1880

1892 - FATAL RAILROAD ACCIDENT. Two Freight Trains Crash Together at Elizabeth.
A big smashup of freight cars occurred Saturday evening on the Pennsylvania Railroad at the Murray street crossing, Elizabeth, and was the indirect cause of the death of two men. The east bound trains were running close together. The head train was stopped by a signal at the point where the Central Road crosses. The heavy grade in the approach to this crossing was too great for the delayed train to climb, and the train behind was signaled to move forward and assist by pushing up the grade. As this was about to be done the head train parted and the rear portion rolled backward, causing a collision at Murray street. Two grain cars were demolished, the engine of the rear train crashing through one and mounting the other.

Two other cars in the middle of the rear train were smashed, and all the tracks were blocked with debris, delaying travel for several hours. A large number of passengers got off the trains that were stalled along the track and started to walk to Elizabeth on the east... Read MORE...

1895 - Elizabeth
Elizabeth, a city and the capital of Union co., N.J., 2 miles W. of Newark Bay, 5 miles S.S.W. of Newark, and 14 miles W.S.W. of the city of New York. It is connected with these and other cities by the Central Railroad of New Jersey and two of its branches which terminate here, and by the New York division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It has wide straight streets, which cross one another at right angles and are lighted with gas. It contains a court-house, a city hall, 31 churches, an opera-house, 2 national banks, 2 state banks, 2 high schools, a savings-bank, an orphan asylum, and printing-offices which issue 3 daily, 1 semi weekly, and 2 weekly newspapers. Among its churches are 3 or 4 Baptist, 5 Catholic, 1 Congregational, 4 Episcopal, 1 German Lutheran, 5 Methodist, 1 Moravian, and 7 Presbyterian. Several of the churches are large and elegant buildings. Elizabeth has also 4 academies and institutes, a business college, 2 public halls, and 5 masonic lodges. Many persons whose... Read MORE...

1903 - Fire Follows Train Crash. Engineer Who Stuck to his Post Slightly Hurt in Elizabeth Accident.
Elizabeth, N.J., Nov. 21.- A Dunnellen local train on the Central Railroad of New Jersey crashed into a standing coal train at Chilton Street at 4:05 o’clock this morning. The engine of the passenger train mounted the caboose of the coaler and the caboose and the gondola next to it caught fire and were destroyed.

Peter Harsel of Elizabeth, engineer of the passenger train, stuck to his post an was hurt. His fireman jumped and escaped without injury, and Conductor Halsey Braset and the crew of the coaler also jumped and escaped injury. The few passengers on the train were badly shaken up, but none was injured. There were four coaches in the train, which was in charge of Conductor Alexander Wardsman. The Fire Department was called out and the flames from the burning caboose and gondola were extinguished.

An investigation is being made as to the cause of the accident. It is said that Engineer Harsel of the passenger train alleges that there were no end lights on the coal train, or... Read MORE...

1906 - FOUR KILLED BY TRAIN - Boys Struck While Crossing Bridge at Elizabeth, N. J.
Two bodies fell into street

Lads were returning from base ball game and did not hear the train. Father of one collapses on hearing of it.

Elizabeth, N. J., Aug. 14. - Four boys, all under 9 years of age, were struck and killed by a Pennsylvania railroad train while walking across the railroad bridge over Broad street in this city. The bodies of two of them fell into the crowded street amidst a number of women shoppers, several of whom fainted.

The boys killed were: Lloyd Griffin and his brother, Walter, of this city; their cousin, Willie Griffin, a son of Michael Griffin, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Raymond Druburt, of this city. Willie Griffin was visiting his cousins. The little party had been watching a base ball game, and were returning home by way of the tracks. The apparently neither saw nor heard the train, which was an express. The parents of Willie Griffin arrived here from Wilkes-Barre. They had decided to make their home here, and had sent the lad to his... Read MORE...

1916
Elizabeth, a city and the capital of Union co., N.J., 3 miles W. of Newark Bay, 4 miles SSW. of Newark, and 12 mile* SW. of the city of New York. It is connected with these and other cities by the New Jersey Central, the Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley Rs. It contains a court-house, city-hall, theatre, the Elizabeth Institute, Pingry School, and various other academic institutions. Many merchants of New York reside in this city. Its industries comprise the manufacture of sewing-machines, chemicals, paints, pumps, hardware and tools, hats, etc., iron-founding, and ship building. That part of the city which is popularly called Elizabethport is on Staten Island Sound, 2 miles SE. of the centre of Elizabeth and 12 miles SW. of New York. Elizabethport is a leading place in the shipment of iron and anthracite coal. Elizabeth was settled in 1664 and was long known as Elizabethtown. Pop. in 1860, 11,567 ; in 1870, 20,832 ; in 1880, 28,229 ; in 1890. 37(764 ; in 1900, 52,130.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1930 - BLAME BROKEN PIPE LINE FOR BLAST THAT KILLED 10. MANY OF THOSE HURT WILL DIE OR BE BLINDED. NAPTHA FLAMES, AFTER EXPLOSION IN PLANT, CAUSE BURNS.
Elizabeth, N.J., Feb. 19. (AP) - The ranks of 60 injured workmen, who were seared with exploding naptha at a Standard Oil refinery late yesterday, were depleted by death today until the list of fatalities had reached 10.

Among the 50 bandage swathed laborers in three hospitals here, were 20 whose chances of recovery were doubtful. It was feared that several of these would be permanently blinded if they survived the scorching blast which spurted thru part of the bay way refiner.

The dead:
DOMINICK BIONI, Elizabeth.
WILLIAM S. DUFFY, Bayonne.
WILLIAM F. CASEY, Elizabeth.
ARTHUR LUKASLOWICZ, Elizabeth.
ARTHUR CROFT, Union.
HOWARD A. HOLLIDAY, Bayonne.
GEORGE ROBERTSON, Roselle.
JOHN LUBAS, Elizabeth.
CLARENCE CROFT, Bayonne.
JOHN SULLIVAN, Elizabeth.

The explosion occurred yesterday afternoon in the alcohol plant of the refinery. J. Raymond Carringer, general manager, said the blast was caused by the breaking of a gas line.

Survivors said the pipe which broke was a... Read MORE...

1964 - August 12 - Race riot in Elizabeth NJ

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2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Elizabeth, New Jersey:
Liberty Science Center: Located just a short drive from Elizabeth, this interactive science museum is a fantastic place for families and science enthusiasts. It features hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, and even a planetarium.

The Mills at Jersey Gardens: This massive outlet mall is a shopper's paradise. With over 200 stores, including big-name brands and designer outlets, you can spend hours hunting for bargains.

Warinanco Park: A beautiful urban park offering walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll, a game of frisbee, or a family picnic.

Boxwood Hall State Historic Site: History buffs will appreciate a visit to this historic home where Elias Boudinot, the president of the Continental Congress, lived. It's a glimpse into colonial-era New Jersey.

St. Patrick's Church: This stunning Catholic church is a testament to the city's history. It's a beautiful place to visit for its architecture and spiritual... Read MORE...