Few American resort cities rival the romantic slpendor of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Since 1854, this island has evoked dreams and memories of days lived amid white sand beaches, a vibrant boardwalk, exciting amusement piers, and grand hotels. For decades it was a place where teenagers fell in love, returned for honeymoons, and later brought families. Atlantic Cities is a nostalgic return to the pre-casino days that now seem relatively innocent. The founders believed that the city would become a grand health resort, featuring healthful sea breezes and balmy days. Nearly deserted when the...

The once-expansive Chatham Township was reduced to only a fraction of its size after Florham Park, Chatham Borough, and Madison Borough split from the township between 1889 and 1899. Its present, smaller size, however, does not reflect its vast history. Few municipalities possess such dramatic events, colorful figures, or community spirit. For instance, when the Newark Evening News reported that the powerful Port of New York Authority would take over 10,000 acres of the Great Swamp and spend $220 million to create an international jetport, people of the township and outraged citizens in a...

The Borough of Madison, New Jersey, known as Bottle
Hill until 1834, was first settled in the middle of the eighteenth century. Its historical significance, now often forgotten by its cosmopolitan population, includes a railroad heritage dating to 1837, commuter traditions that began with the railroad's arrival, the founding of Drew University in 1866, the development of fabled millionaire estates that have largely disappeared, and the location of a nationally known rose-growing industry that is now gone. Even as it attracted a number of very wealthy estate owners, Madison also became...

Chatham and the Passaic River have been inextricably linked for nearly 275 years, since the town's founding under the informal name of Day's Bridge. That name honored John Day, builder of the first span across the river, which forms the eastern edge of the town. The nature of generations of the town's residents is reflected in the area's permanent name, selected by villagers in 1773. Chatham is named for Great Britain's William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham, who was a champion of American liberties during that revolutionary era. The Passaic, fondly referred to by locals as "The Fishawack,"...