Newark, New Jersey, USA
1854 - Newark

Newark, a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Essex county, New Jersey, is situated on the right bank of the Passaic, about 4 miles from its entrance into Newark bay, and on the railroad connecting New York with Philadelphia, 9 miles W. from the former, and 78 miles N. E. from the latter; lat. 40° 45' N., Lon. 74° 10' W. This city, the largest in the state, and one of the most flourishing E. of the Alleghany mountains, is built chiefly on a plain, terminated on the W. by an elevation, or ridge of land, extending from the northern to the southern extremity of tho town. It is regularly laid out, for the most, part, with wide, straight streets, intersecting each other at right angles. Broad street, the principal thoroughfare and seat of business, is one of the finest avenues anywhere to be met with. It is upwards of 80 feet in breadth, and extends throughout the entire length of the city, dividing it into two nearly equal parts. Near its centre it is intersected by Market street, which is also an important thoroughfare, communicating with the principal railroad depot. North of this, and bordering on Broad street, are two beautiful public squares, called the Upper and Lower parks, each adorned with majestic elms. In the vicinity of these parks are some of the finest residences in Newark. Among the public buildings deserving of notice, may be mentioned the Court House, a large brown stone edifice, in the Egyptian style, at the inter section of Market with High street, and the Market-street railroad depot. The latter is a very imposing structure, adorned with a colonnade on each side. The Library Building, in Market street, is one of the finest edifices in the city, and contains, besides the apartment for the library, a large hall for public lectures, concerts, &c, and in the third story an Art-Union gallery. The literary institutions of Newark comprise the Library Association, occupying the library building above referred to : it maintains an annual course of lectures on scientific subjects ; the New Jersey Historical Society, founded in 1845: its meetings are held alternately at Newark and Trenton ; it has a library of 1200 volumes: the New Jersey Literary Association, founded in 1842, with provision for monthly lectures ; the Association of Teachers and Friends of Education, founded in March. 1853. The Wesleyan Institute has a fine brick building, situated on the most elevated part of High street. From the grounds is obtained a beautiful view of the city and Passaic valley for many miles. The institute, although organized but a few years since, now numbers up wards of 300 pupils, and is in n most prosperous condition. Many of the churches are splendid edifices. The Catholic church in Washington street, the Methodist church in Market street below Broad, and the new Presbyterian churches, one near the Lower park, and the other in High street, all of which have recently been erected, are scarcely surpassed by any similar buildings in the country. The three first arc especially remarkable for their lofty and graceful spires. Several large church edifices are now in course of construction, among which may be mentioned the Methodist Episcopal church in Broad street be low Market street; estimated cost, when completed, $80,000. There are, in all, about 40 churches of the various denominations. About $17,000 are annually expended on the public schools of Newark. There are 7 fine brick school houses, one in each ward of the city; each of these contains 2 schools, one for either sex. Number of pupils attending public schools, about 2,500. A substantial edifice is now in course of construction for the purpose of organizing a high-school. Four or five newspapers are published in the city, three of which are dailies. There are also 4 banks, with a capital of about $1,800,000, and several insurance companies. Gas is used to light the streets.

The rapid growth of Newark is chiefly owing to its manufactures, for which it has long been distinguished. This department of industry is not generally controlled by mammoth corporations, as in some of the towns of New England, but includes a great number of enterprising persons, who, with a moderate capital, employ a few hands and do a profitable business. There are, however, several very extensive establishments, among which may be mentioned those for the production of India-rubber goods, 3 or 4 of carriages, 1 of omnibuses, and several of machinery and castings. Leather, boots, shoes, saddles, harness, and clothing, have always constituted an important part of the Newark manufactures, the various branches of which comprise nearly every article in use. The commerce of the port is limited chiefly to the coast trade. June 30, 1852, its shipping amounted to an aggregate of 257 4 tons registered, and 4848 tons enrolled and licensed. Of the latter, all was employed in the coast trade, and 1188 tons in steam navigation. The foreign arrivals for the year were 21, (tons, 2304,) and the clearances 13, (tons, 1393.) During the period above specified, 3 schooners and 1 steamer, with an aggregate burthen of 296 tons were admeasured. Railroad cars leave for New York nearly every hour during the day. Newark also has communication with the metropolis by steamboats plying on the river, and by a plank-road completed in 1852. It is likewise the eastern terminus of the Morris and Essex railroad, and of the Morris canal. At the entrance of the latter into the western suburb is a very steep inclined plane, over which loaded boats arc passed and repassed by the application of water-power furnished by the canal. Newark was settled in 1606, by a company from New Haven and other towns in Connecticut. Population in 1830, 10,050; in 1840, 17,290; in 1850, 38,983, and in 1853, about 45,500.

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.

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