Elizabeth, New Jersey is a city of firsts: first English-speaking colony in the state, first state capital, first home of Princeton University, and the site of the first shots fired after the Declaration of Independence. This impressive history is bolstered by the town's production of the first U.S. Navy submarine, Singer sewing machine, and ice cream soda, but these triumphs should not overshadow the hardships endured along the way. With no precedent to guide the way, the industrious people of Elizabeth built traditions rather than uphold them, and for nearly 340 years this community has...

Founded in 1666 by stalwart Puritan settlers along the Passaic River, Newark has evolved over the centuries from an ecclesiastical hamlet into a metropolis renowned as a center of industry and opportunity. The history of Newark is an engaging tale of American ambition, resolve, innovation, and spirit, propelling the city into a premier role on the world's economic and cultural stage. From Newark's initial settlement to the present, this
comprehensive volume chronicles the fascinating story of the city's past, bringing to life many of the events and characters that shaped its unique...