Location of Freehold Borough in Monmouth County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
What is now Freehold Borough was originally incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 25, 1869, from portions within Freehold Township. The town became independent of the township in 1888. On April 15, 1919, Freehold was incorporated as a borough, including all of Freehold and additional portions of Freehold Township, based on the results of a referendum held on July 8, 1919. Additional portions of Freehold Township were annexed on September 7, 1926.[28]
The Hispanic and Latino population has been rapidly growing in Freehold Borough for the last 40 years. The Hispanic population making up 4.6% (0.2% Mexican) in the 1980 Census,[citation needed] 11.3% (2.8% Mexican) in the 1990 Census,[29] 28.0% (17.3% Mexican) in 2000,[30] 42.9% (29.6% Mexican) in 2010,[24] and recently in 2020, a majority at 53.0% Hispanic.[31] Meanwhile, the Black or African American population has decreased in recent decades: 17.1% in 1970, 19.8% in 1980, 18.2% in 1990, 15.8% in 2000, 12.6% in 2010 and 9.4% in 2020.
In 2021, Freehold Borough became one of few towns in the state (including, Bellmawr, Egg Harbor Township, Montclair and Woodbridge Township) that has authorized the sale of cannabis through authorized dispensaries and for the allowance of cultivators, distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers.[32][33][34]
History
Early history
The Lenni LenapeNative Americans were the earliest known people to live in the area that became Freehold.[35] The Lenape were a hunter-gatherer society. They were largely sedentary, changing campsites seasonally. They were prolific hunters of small game and birds. They were also skilled fisherman, and were known to harvest vast amounts of clams from the bays and inlets on the Jersey Shore. They also practiced some agriculture to augment their food supply. During this time, an important crossroad of two major Lenape trails was located in the area of Freehold.[36]
By the late 17th century, the English had begun to take over the area. In 1664, the Duke of York (later James II & VII) granted a patent to Sir George Carteret to develop the area. In 1685, Scottish Presbyterians from Scotland, along with English Baptists and Quakers from New England fleeing religious persecution at home, became the first to settle within the area.[35][37] In 1693, along with Middletown and Shrewsbury, Freehold was established by act of legislature as one of the three original townships in Monmouth County.[38] The name of the borough comes from the word Freehold, an English legal term describing fee simpleproperty ownership.[39]
In 1714, when the colonial government was deciding where to locate the county seat and courthouse, Freeholder John Reid, the first Surveyor General of East Jersey, wanted the county seat located in Freehold Township. Reid sold land suitable for use as a courthouse to the Board of Chosen Freeholders at a bargain price, and this may have been the deciding factor why Freehold was selected over Middletown and Shrewsbury. In return for the heavily discounted price, Reid placed a restrictive covenant in the deed that, should the property ever cease being used as a courthouse, ownership would revert to the Reid family. Direct descendants of John Reid still reside in Freehold Township.[41]
Freehold was officially designated as the seat of the Monmouth County government, and a court house was commissioned to be built on the land purchased from John Reid. The Monmouth Courthouse opened in 1715.[42] A small village quickly began to develop around the courthouse. At first, the village was called Monmouth Courthouse.[43] Over time, other government buildings opened near the courthouse, including a sheriff's office, a prison and a post office. A number of homes and commercial businesses also sprang up in the village, including a blacksmith, a general store, a bank, a hotel, and saloon.[44]
In the area surrounding Monmouth Courthouse, many successful farms began to appear. The farms in Freehold were particularly well known for the production of potatoes, beans, and rye, which were sold in the markets of nearby cities. Freehold also became known for its excellent horse farms.[36] The differences within Freehold between growing village around the courthouse and the surrounding farmland were the seeds for the eventual division of Freehold into two separate municipalities in the early 20th century.
As of 1745, the majority of families in Freehold were still Scottish immigrants.[45] In modern Freehold today, many important streets bear the name of early colonial families, including Barkalow, Applegate, Rhea, Throckmorton, and Schanck.[45]
Freehold was deeply impacted by the American Revolution. By the early 1770s, the Sons of Liberty were actively recruiting local members in Freehold, and were agitating the relationship between the British government and the colonists.[46] In 1775, immediately after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Capt. Elias Longstreet recruited the first company of Freeholders to join the Continental Army.[47] Freehold was a known center of patriot activity. The Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed, read aloud, from the steps of the Freehold Courthouse just a few days after being signed in Philadelphia.[45]
However, after British success at the Battle of Long Island, Freehold and all of Monmouth County fell under the control of Loyalists.[48] The British government continued to operate the Freehold Courthouse, and several people involved in revolutionary activism were arrested and tried for treason at the courthouse.[48] The success of the Continental Army at the Battle of Trenton helped to weaken loyalist control of Freehold.[49]
In June 1778, the British Army began a major strategic evacuation of Philadelphia. They attempted to protect a long, slow moving column of loyalist families, equipment, and other supplies seized in Philadelphia, as they moved towards ships in New York Harbor. On June 28, 1778, the Continental Army intercepted the column in Freehold (the area is now part of Freehold & Manalapan Townships).[50] The Battle of Monmouth was one of the largest battles of the Revolutionary War, involving over 25,000 soldiers combined in Continental, British, and Hessian forces. The initial engagement was in doubt until Washington arrived because Charles Lee was retreating from the battlefield. Washington rallied the Continentals and strongly engaged the British forces and they held their ground on the battlefield. However, the British forces were successful in completing their primary goal, the evacuation of Philadelphia. Both sides claimed victory in the battle.[50]
In the aftermath of the Battle of Monmouth, Loyalist control of Freehold faltered. The town ceased to have a functioning municipal government, and the courthouse was closed until the end of the war. Minor clashes between loyalists and continentals flared up in town, with the violence peaking around 1780.[52]Colonel Tye, an escaped slave and leader of a prominent loyalist guerilla force, conducted several raids in and around Freehold. One famous incident was the capture and hanging of Joshua Huddy by British Loyalists under the direction of Richard Lippincott. Colonel Tye was killed during the raid on Huddy's home.[53] Patriots later cut down Huddy's body hanging from the gallows and buried it in Freehold, at Old Tennent Church.[54] At the end of the war, the community was deeply divided, and nearly 120 loyalist families left Freehold, fearing persecution from their neighbors. Most of these families re-settled in Canada.[55]
During the early 19th century, Freehold steadily grew in size. The village around the courthouse was now called Freehold, along with the surrounding farmland.[56] In 1852, when long distance railroad systems were first being developed, a railroad station, with trains making regular stops, running along what is now known as Throckmorton Street, about one block from the courthouse. Freehold soon had public sewers in the village and in some of the outlying farmland. By 1883, there was an electrical grid and a telephone switchboard, at a time when these inventions were still brand new.[56] These public advancements caused rapid economic growth in Freehold. The village of Freehold became an important commercial and industrial hub in central New Jersey. The farms in the rest of Freehold benefitted greatly by being able to sell their products more easily in New York and Philadelphia.[57] Both the village and the farms prospered together, however the public policies sought by the two different communities continued to grow further apart. The municipal government was increasingly divided between the villagers and farmers.
In 1824, the American Hotel opened on Main Street in Freehold; It is still standing today, and is one of the oldest buildings in Freehold. In 1853, the Freehold Raceway opened. Though the original grandstand burned down in a fire, the racetrack is still open today, and is one of the oldest harness racetracks in America. The Great Fire of Freehold happened on October 30, 1873. The fire reportedly began in a commercial building on Main Street. It soon spread to engulf a large section of the village, and many wooden buildings, including Monmouth Courthouse, were burned down.[58]
Freehold also has an important place in the history of the bicycle. Cycling champion Arthur Augustus Zimmerman resided in the borough during his racing career in the 1880s and 1890s, and from 1896 to 1899 operated the Zimmerman Bicycle Co.; the company's bicycles were known as the "Zimmy." Today, Freehold Borough is home to the Metz Bicycle Museum, where the only extant "Zimmy" can be seen.[59]
At the beginning of the 20th century, Freehold was an increasingly divided community. The issue of local tax dollars, used as funding for public works and infrastructure projects, was the primary point of contention.[61] The Freeholders living in the downtown area, around the courthouse had very different ideas about how to spend public money compared to the Freeholders living in the surrounding farmland. Tension within the community increased greatly in 1916 when a severe polio epidemic swept through Freehold.[62]
After contentious public debate, a referendum was held to on the future of Freehold, and voters overwhelmingly decided to split the town into two separate municipalities.
On April 15, 1919, Freehold Borough formally separated from Freehold Township. Freehold residents generally refer to the different municipalities simply as the Borough and the Township. The borough, the downtown area around the courthouse, retained all the existing government buildings around Court Street and Main Street. The borough also kept the designation as county seat.[63] Freehold Township, the farming communities that surrounded the courthouse, set up a new city hall complex on Schanck Road. The township completely encircles the borough. On September 7, 1926, Freehold Borough annexed additional territory from the township.[63]
The Borough in the 20th century
Freehold is known for its Victorian era homes like those pictured here in a quiet suburban neighborhood on Brinckerhoff Avenue.
Freehold Borough initially prospered in the early 20th century. However, by mid-century, the Borough began to decline as downtown areas across the country shrank, and suburban areas began growing. In 1961, the A & M Karagheusian rug factory closed.[64] This factory had long been the largest employer in the area, and its closure had a devastating effect on the economic stability of the borough. The borough managed to turn around its economic decline by establishing the downtown area as a center for restaurants and nightlife.[65] Several well-known local restaurants on Main Street are now crowded every night of the week.
Freehold Borough was an important center of African American civil rights activity in New Jersey during the years leading up to the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954.[66] In 2007, Jaye Sims became the first African American official to be elected to office.[67]
Bruce Springsteen grew up in the borough. His family lived in various homes on Randolph St, Institute St and finally South St. In 1963, he graduated eighth grade from St. Rose of Lima School, and graduated from Freehold Borough High School in 1967.[68] In 1973, he released his first album, and rocketed to international fame. Springsteen has always remained loyal to Freehold and makes reference to it in several of his famous songs, including "My Hometown". In 1996, he conducted a small benefit concert in Freehold for St. Rose of Lima.[68]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.93 square miles (5.01 km2), including 1.93 square miles (5.00 km2) of land and <0.01 square miles (<0.01 km2) of water (0.10%).[1][2] It is situated in the heart of Monmouth County and is located approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of New York City and 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Philadelphia.[69] Freehold is also about 16 miles (26 km) west of Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore.[70]
Freehold has an elevation of 174 feet (53 m) above sea level at its center.[7]
The borough is completely surrounded by Freehold Township,[71][72][73] making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.[74]
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Freehold Borough sits on the northern border between the humid subtropical climate (Cfa) zone and the humid continental climate (Dfa) zone, with the borough being one of the most northern localities in North America that has a humid subtropical climate. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons.
Climate data for Freehold Borough, New Jersey, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
The 2010 United States census counted 12,052 people, 4,006 households, and 2,660 families in the borough. The population density was 6,180.8 per square mile (2,386.4/km2). There were 4,249 housing units at an average density of 2,179.1 per square mile (841.4/km2). The racial makeup was 65.72% (7,920) White, 12.57% (1,515) Black or African American, 0.52% (63) Native American, 2.89% (348) Asian, 0.07% (8) Pacific Islander, 15.35% (1,850) from other races, and 2.89% (348) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.87% (5,167) of the population.[24]
Of the 4,006 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 44.3% were married couples living together; 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.6% were non-families. Of all households, 26.2% were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.48.[24]
24.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 111.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 112.0 males.[24]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $52,000 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,634) and the median family income was $60,471 (+/− $3,989). Males had a median income of $29,752 (+/− $8,068) versus $34,976 (+/− $8,305) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,331 (+/− $1,602). About 13.1% of families and 16.01% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.[84]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 10,976 people, 3,695 households, and 2,571 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,501.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,124.0/km2). There were 3,821 housing units at an average density of 1,915.1 per square mile (739.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 71.02% White, 15.83% Black, .55% Native American, 2.45% Asian, .02% Pacific Islander, 6.64% from other races, and 3.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.07% of the population.[30][83]
There were 3,695 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.39.[30][83]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.[30][83]
The median income for a household in the borough was $48,654, and the median income for a family was $53,374. Males had a median income of $35,855 versus $30,377 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,910. About 7.7% of families and 12% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.[30][83]
Economy
Suburbanization within the vicinity of the Freeholds region has been due to its convenient location near the Jersey Shore, and proximity to cities such as New York, Newark, Trenton, and Philadelphia. The region has, thus, been a longtime premier shopping destination in Central New Jersey.
Commerce
Main Street
Freehold at dusk
The borough is home to Downtown Freehold, located on East and West Main Street (County Route 537). This downtown section has various eateries, bars, boutiques, historical sites, and other excursions. Within this section of town, there have been plans to revitalize the downtown area, as outlined in the Freehold Center Core Revitalization Plan (2008),[85][86] in which NJ Transit has sponsored a project in transforming the Freehold Center Bus Station into a Transit Village.[87] This new designation would foster in the creation of a transit-oriented development zoning district around the bus station.
Established in 1853, making it the nation's oldest half-mile harness racing track, Freehold Raceway offers horse lovers and bettors an opportunity to see harness racing.[88] The raceway announced in September 2024 that they will close, with the final racing date being December 28.[89]
Completed in August 1990, the Freehold Raceway Mall is a super-regional mall located in neighboring Freehold Township. The mall was constructed at a cost of $125 million on a site covering more than 175 acres (71 ha)[citation needed] across from the Freehold Raceway over U.S. 9, and it has a gross leasable area of 1,600,000 square feet (150,000 m2).[90]
In 2021, the Freehold Borough council approved an ordinance to opt-in for cannabis businesses to operate within the borough. In a 4–1 vote, the ordinance established the parameters and zoning regulations to where cannabis businesses could operate, including commercial manufacturing and limited professional office zoning categories.[33] This would make Freehold one of the few municipalities in the state (including, Bellmawr, Egg Harbor Township, Montclair, and Woodbridge Township) that has authorized the sale of cannabis in New Jersey, especially within the greater central New Jersey region.[32] NJ Leaf, a medical cannabis dispensary located on Park Avenue, opened in March 2023 and is expected to also expand to recreational sales in the near future.[91]
Manufacturing
The Karagheusian Rug Mill as it stood, long abandoned, in Freehold in 1990. The property is now used for affordable housing.[92]
Freehold Borough and Township began to grow in commercial and industrial manufacturing of goods during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A & M Karagheusian, Inc. was a rug manufacturer headquartered at 295 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Manufacturing was located in Freehold Borough, New Jersey and operated for 60 years before closing in 1964. It employed 1,700 people at its peak operation in the 1930s. There was another factory in Roselle Park, New Jersey, that operated from May 19, 1923, to 1962.[93]
Brockway Glass Company built a facility on Center Street in 1955. Brockway Glass then proceeded to build additional facilities in the region in 1956, 1967, 1969 and 1976. The company ceased operations in the township in 1991,[95][96] in which the site is now operated by the Freehold campus location for Iron Mountain, an enterprise information management services company.
Nestle
Nestle opened a production plant in 1948, which closed in 2023.[97]
The Freeholds region is home to a wide array of nature spaces, including Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Turkey Swamp Park, and Lake Topanemus, providing assorted recreational opportunities. Smaller parks in the borough are operated by the Borough Recreation Commission, and they include Liberty Park, Veterans Park, and Vinyard Park.[98]
The southernmost segment of the Henry Hudson Trail starts in the borough and runs northeast to the Raritan Bayshore area along an abandoned rail line to Matawan. There is a parking lot located at 119 Dutch Lane Road in Freehold Township. The trail is used by walkers, runners and bicyclists.[99]
Lake Topanemus is a 71-acre (29 ha) suburban park located in Freehold Township, but is owned and operated by the borough.[100] The pond's attractions, include freshwater fishing, paddle boating, and canoeing. The park is also known for its picturesque nature trails, playgrounds, outdoor calisthenics, and open fields.
Monmouth County Hall of RecordsFreehold Borough Municipal Building
Freehold is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[101] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] The borough form of government used by Freehold is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[102][103][104]
As of 2024[update], the mayor of Freehold Borough is Democrat Kevin A. Kane, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Freehold Borough Council are Council President Sharon C. Shutzer (D, 2024), Michael DiBenedetto (D, 2026), Jeffrey J. Friedman (D, 2026), Annette Jordan (D, 2024), Adam Reich (D, 2025) and Margaret Rogers (D, 2025).[3][105][106][107][108]
Michael Wilson had been elected in 1985 and served in office until January 2012, making him the longest-serving mayor in Freehold Borough history, with 26 years of service.[109][110]
Federal, state, and county representation
Freehold Borough is located in the 3rd Congressional District[111] and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.[112][113][114]
Monmouth County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as director and another as deputy director.[120]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,108 registered voters in Freehold, of which 1,459 (28.6%) were registered as Democrats, 820 (16.1%) were registered as Republicans and 2,827 (55.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[135]
In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 54.5% of the vote (1,958 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 41.8% (1,501 votes), and other candidates with 3.7% (134 votes), among the 3,593 cast by the borough's voters. In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 61.4% of the vote (2,182 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 37.3% (1,326 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (48 votes), among the 3,591 ballots cast by the borough's 5,270 registered voters (35 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 68.1%.[136][137] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 57.7% of the vote (2,222 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 39.0% (1,500 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (53 votes), among the 3,849 ballots cast by the borough's 5,390 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.4%.[138] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 52.3% of the vote (1,955 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 45.6% (1,705 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (50 votes), among the 3,737 ballots cast by the borough's 5,316 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 70.3.[139]
In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 50.7% of the vote (1,064 cast), ahead of Republican Kim Guadagno with 46.2% of the vote (969 votes), and other candidates with 3.1% (64 votes), among the 2,097 cast by the borough's voters. In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.7% of the vote (1,264 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.6% (750 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (33 votes), among the 2,093 ballots cast by the borough's 5,279 registered voters (46 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 39.6%.[140][141] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 55.0% of the vote (1,360 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 36.6% (906 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.9% (170 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (26 votes), among the 2,474 ballots cast by the borough's 5,178 registered voters, yielding a 47.8% turnout.[142]
Freehold Borough's public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Freehold Borough Schools.[143] As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,641 students and 162.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.1:1.[144] Schools in the district (with 2022–23 school enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[145]) are
Freehold Learning Center[146] with 566 students in grades PreK–2,
Park Avenue Elementary School[147] with 470 students in grades 3–5 and
Freehold Intermediate School[148] with 519 students in grades 6–8.[149][150][151]
Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Freehold High School, as part of the Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD).[152][153] The Freehold Regional High School District also serves students from Colts Neck Township, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Township (which also has some students at Freehold Borough High School), Howell Township, Manalapan Township and Marlboro Township.[154][155] As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,409 students and 97.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.4:1.[156] Students may apply to attend one of the district's six specialized learning centers, including the Medical Sciences Learning Center hosted at Freehold High School.[157] The FRHSD board of education has nine members, who are elected to three-year terms from each of the constituent districts.[158] Each member is allocated a fraction of a vote that totals to nine points, with Freehold Borough allocated one member, who has 1.0 votes.[159]
U.S. Route 9, the largest and busiest road in FreeholdRoute 79 northbound at the split with CR 537 eastbound in Freehold
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 31.31 miles (50.39 km) of roadways, of which 26.60 miles (42.81 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.30 miles (2.09 km) by Monmouth County and 3.41 miles (5.49 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[161]
Freehold Circle was located near the western boundary of Freehold Borough near Freehold Raceway. The circle carried traffic between U.S. Route 9, Route 33 Business and Manalapan Avenue (CR 24); it was eliminated in the 1980s due to the increased traffic load caused by a boom in commercial and residential development. Most notable of the commercial development is the Freehold Raceway Mall, in Freehold Township just south of the old circle on US 9, whose development in the late 1980s was a major impetus to redesign the circle. The former circle now features several jughandles, and most Manalapan Avenue traffic must use a connector road to Business Route 33 to reach the main intersection, but it is still known by locals as Freehold Circle.[168][169] In the early 1940s, the Freehold Circle was the planned terminus of highway that would funnel traffic from South Amboy to the Jersey Shore by way of Matawan and Marlboro Township.[170]
Public transportation
Rail
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Freehold Borough and Freehold Township had two major railways. One major railway in the area was the Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad, which was owned and operated by the Camden & Amboy Railroad Company (C&A). Surveying for the line began on September 8, 1851, grading began on October 19, 1852, and the first track was laid on April 4, 1853.[171] The first section of line was opened on July 18, 1853.[172] The establishment of the Freehold & Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad caused the Freeholds region to become a transportation hub.[173] The other major railway in the area was the Central Railroad of New Jersey, which had a branch that connected the still-active former Penn Central line from Jamesburg to CNJ's Seashore Branch and the New York and Long Branch line (now owned by NJ Transit) at Matawan.
The Freehold and Jamesburg Railroad was abandoned by the early 1930s. A 2.8-mile long (4.5 km) portion of the former railroad's right-of-way was later approved to be sold by the New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners (PUC) to Jersey Central Power & Light Company in 1966, with occasional freight service still being used through the Freehold Industrial Track. Meanwhile, The Central Railroad of New Jersey went into bankruptcy in the early 1970s and entered into Conrail on April 1, 1976, with its freight service on the rails from Freehold to Matawan being terminated in 1979 (the rails were removed in 1980). Today, it is mostly a rail-trail, converting into the Henry Hudson Trail. Freehold's former train station for both of these important railway routes now serves as the central bus station for town.
The Monmouth Ocean Middlesex Line is a proposal by New Jersey Transit to restore passenger railway service to the region, by using the same tracks as the Freehold Industrial Track. The borough and its neighboring township would be potential stops for the 'MOM' Line.[174][175][176][177]
In 2019, Freehold Borough Council members began to authorize Planning Board members "to investigate if properties in the downtown district constitute an area in need of redevelopment. If board members determine redevelopment is warranted, they will prepare a redevelopment plan for the designated area."[178] On April 20, 2020, borough council members had reached an agreement in adopting an ordinance that would purchase a new building to house as the municipal complex.[179] The hopes of relocating the current municipal complex on West Main Street to this new location on Mechanic street would be in opening up more space for potential developers that could bid for the NJ 'Transit Village'.
Freehold Borough is served by CentraState Healthcare System, which is affiliated with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, located in neighboring Freehold Township. The regional hospital is a 287-bed medical facility. CentraState Healthcare system also provides healthcare through its various family practices in communities across western Monmouth and southern Middlesex counties in central New Jersey. CentraState Family Medicine Residency Program is one of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's residency halls, which is located in Freehold Borough on Park Avenue.[184] CentraState Healthcare System is the county's fourth-largest employer.[185]
St. Peter's Episcopal Church was built in 1771 based on a design by architect Robert Smith and was added to the National Register in 1998 as one of one five churches in the state dating back to the 1700s still standing.[190]
Bruce Springsteen often incorporated Freehold into his music, including the entire song "My Hometown". His connection to Freehold was documented by the Monmouth County Historical Association in a 2019 exhibition titled "Bruce Springsteen: His Hometown".[194] In the film Blinded by the Light, Javed, the protagonist of the film who falls in love with Springsteen's music, visits Freehold. Many local sights such as Randolph Street (one of the streets on which Springsteen lived), Springsteen's childhood home, and a Downtown Freehold sign (which Javed is photographed next to) are briefly featured.[195]
Rebecca Soni (born 1987), Olympic gold medalist at the 2012 London Olympic Games who set world records in the 100-meter breaststroke (short course) and the 200-meter breaststroke (short and long course)[204]
Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), rock musician, was raised in Freehold Borough[205][206] The borough is the subject of his song "My Hometown," from the Born in the U.S.A. album, which described racial and economic tensions in the 1960s (the "textile mill being closed" was the A & M Karagheusian rug mill at Center and Jackson Streets). Springsteen has also performed a humorous song about the borough called "In Freehold", which can be found on some bootleg live recordings.
^ abMayor and Council, Freehold Borough. Accessed December 10, 2024. "Freehold Borough is governed by six council members and a mayor. Council members are elected for a three year term and the mayor is elected for a four year term. The governing body is empowered to adopt local ordinances and pass resolutions."
^ abGuion, Payton. "Marijuana legalization would force tough choice for N.J. towns", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 15, 2017. Accessed July 25, 2021. "NJ Advance Media reached out to mayors in all five towns that have medical dispensaries: Bellmawr, Cranbury, Egg Harbor, Montclair and Woodbridge."
^PBS Resource Bank. Colonel Tye", "Africans in America". Accessed October 13, 2013. "In September, 1780 Tye led a surprise attack on the home of Captain Josiah Huddy, whom Loyalists had tried to capture for years. Amazingly, Huddy and his friend Lucretia Emmons managed to hold off their attackers for two hours, until the Loyalists flushed them out by setting the house afire. During the battle, Tye was shot in the wrist, and days later, what was thought to be minor wound turned fatal when lockjaw set in."
^Councilman Jaye Sims[usurped], Freehold Borough Democrats. Accessed August 13, 2014. "Jaye was appointed to the Freehold Borough Council in June 2006. It was an historical appointment. Jaye was the first member of the African American Community to serve on the governing body."
^DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain.
^"Station: Freehold-Marlboro, NJ". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
^Home page, Freehold Raceway. Accessed December 4, 2012. "Welcome to Freehold Raceway, the nation's oldest and fastest daytime half mile harness racing track. Located in central New Jersey in the historic town of Freehold, Freehold Raceway was established in 1853 and features live Standardbred harness racing for trotters and pacers."
^"Historic N.J. racetrack is shutting down", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 19, 2024. Accessed September 27, 2024. "Freehold Raceway — the oldest operating racetrack in the country — is ceasing all live racing and simulcast operations at the end of the year, racetrack officials announced Thursday. The last day at the horse-racing track in Monmouth County will be Dec. 28. "Freehold Raceway — the oldest operating racetrack in the country — is ceasing all live racing and simulcast operations at the end of the year, racetrack officials announced Thursday. The last day at the horse-racing track in Monmouth County will be Dec. 28."
^Morgan, Audrey; Pagnetti, Patricia; Sokol, Barbara (2000). Roselle Park. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. pp. 97–98. ISBN0-7385-0430-0. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
^Demasters, Karen (April 9, 2000). "A Factory That Wove Rugs and Bound a Town Together". The New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2007. History of old Karagheusian Rug Mill in Freehold Township, New Jersey, recalled by Bernadette Rogoff, curator at Monmouth County Historical Association; long-empty mill is being converted to housing, office and retail space. For more than half of the 20th century, life in Freehold, the county seat for Monmouth County, revolved around the Karagheusian Rug Mill, which employed 1,700 people at its peak operation in the 1930s. The mill was referred to in the Bruce Springsteen song My Hometown; Mr. Springsteen's father worked there for a time. The 15-ton looms have been removed, and the sole remaining building is being converted to apartments, office and retail space after sitting empty for several years. The Monmouth County Historical Association will mount an exhibition on the mill at the association headquarters in Freehold starting next fall. Bernadette Rogoff, the historical association curator, talked recently about why the association is doing the exhibition. ...
^Form of Government, Borough of Freehold. Accessed May 2, 2022. "Freehold Borough is governed by six council members and a mayor. Council members are elected for a three year term and the mayor is elected for a four year term."
^Celano, Claire Marie. "Friends salute retiring mayor: Michael Wilson has been Freehold Borough's mayor since 1985", News Transcript, November 16, 2011. Accessed March 15, 2012. "The end of an era is fast approaching in Freehold Borough. Michael Wilson, 61, who has been the mayor of his hometown since May 9, 1985, will leave office on Dec. 31 after 26 years.... On May 10, 2005, Wilson became the longest running mayor in Freehold Borough's history, eclipsing the previous mark set by Dr. Peter F. Runyon, who was mayor from Jan. 1, 1926, to Dec. 31, 1945."
^Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022. "Monmouth County is governed by five commissioners elected at-large for three-year terms. Each January, the freeholders select one of their members to serve as the director of the board for the year to preside over the meetings and activities of the Board."
^Freehold Borough Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Freehold Borough Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Freehold Borough School District. Composition The Freehold Borough School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Freehold Borough."
^Freehold Borough Public School District 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 9, 2017. "The Freehold Borough Public School District serves a growing and diverse population of PK-8 students in historic Freehold Borough, the county seat of Monmouth County. The Borough covers 1.9 square miles allowing nearly all children to walk to school. Upon graduation from 8th grade, the students enter the Freehold Regional High School District for grades 9–12, which is under a separate governing board of education."
^Freehold Regional High School District 2016 Report Card NarrativeArchived December 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 9, 2017. "The Freehold Regional High School District, the largest regional high school District in New Jersey, has six high schools with over 11,000 students and over 1,500 employees and spans 200 square miles. District members include the townships of Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan, and Marlboro, and the boroughs of Englishtown, Farmingdale, and Freehold."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Freehold Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education, June 30, 2018. Accessed January 19, 2020. "The Freehold Regional High School District is a Type II District located in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The School District is an instrumentality of the State of New Jersey, established to function as an educational institution. The Board of Education of the Freehold Regional High School District, comprised of nine elected individuals, is the primary governing authority of the District."
^Vilacoba, Karl. "Marlboro files challenge to FRHSD voting system", Central Jersey Archives, September 26, 2002. Accessed January 19, 2020. "Under the current weighted FRHSD vote apportionment, a nine-point voting system is in place. Howell has two board members for a combined 2 voting points; Marlboro, Manalapan and Freehold Township each have one vote worth 1.4 points; Colts Neck and Freehold Borough each have one vote worth 0.9 points; and Englishtown and Farmingdale each have one vote worth 0.5 voting points."
^"Rail Right-of-Way Inventory and Assessment". North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. October 2013. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017. In 1996, routes in the Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex (MOM) corridor were evaluated for potential feasibility for passenger service. The feasibility study considered eleven possible future alternatives. Nine of the alternatives were build alternatives for commuter rail service to New York Pennsylvania Station, on three different alignments utilizing either the North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) or Northeast Corridor (NEC), and routing to New York Pennsylvania Station26.In 2001, NJ TRANSIT initiated a DEIS for the development of a rail option using State and Federal funds. The DEIS is examining three alignments: Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction, Lakehurst to Red Bank and Lakehurst to Matawan. In 2006, the alternatives were refined to incorporate direct, one-seat ride, service to New York Penn Station. Ridership, cost and environmental work were adjusted accordingly. Updating demographics and ridership analyses continued during calendar 2009. Lower-cost versions of the three main build alternatives were analyzed and a draft alternatives analysis report was completed in 2010.
^Historic HousesArchived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The Monmouth County Historical Society. Accessed October 13, 2013. "Built 1752-3, it served as headquarters for British General Sir Henry Clinton before the Battle of Monmouth in 1778."
^St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Freehold, New Jersey Historic Trust. Accessed October 13, 2013. "St. Peter's Church was built between 1771 and 1806 by Robert Smith, a leading colonial architect and builder. This Georgian-style structure is one of the only five eighteenth-century church structures still standing in New Jersey."
^Garbi, Jill. "Shul celebrates century of 'tradition and caring'", New Jersey Jewish News, December 6, 2010. Accessed October 13, 2013. "In 1911 residents drew up a charter for the formation of an Orthodox synagogue and purchased a lot at First and Center streets. The land and the construction of the small wooden structure cost about $1,000, which was collected in pennies, dimes, and quarters from members of the struggling congregation."
^History, Metz Bicycle Museum and Treasures of Years Gone By. Accessed October 13, 2013.
^Kuperinsky, Amy. "Springsteen-inspired film ‘Blinded by the Light’ brings N.J. audience to tears with story of teen who was born to run", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 15, 2019. Accessed November 26, 2020. "The prize: a trip to a conference at Monmouth College (now Monmouth University). Watching the scene in the film, the Montclair audience erupted with glee at the Jersey connection. Javed is ecstatic to travel to Springsteen’s haunts in Asbury Park, including the Stone Pony, along with his childhood home in Freehold."
^Morris, Tim. "Pats' win over CBA is historic"Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, News Transcript, January 28, 2004. Accessed May 8, 2007. "If the great area teams that had featured all-state forward Zucker, who went on to a fine career at Rutgers, or that had future NBA player Tim Perry of Freehold Borough couldn't beat CBA, who could?"
^Celano, Clare Marie. "Colts' Reid returns home with plan to help youths", News Transcript, June 21, 2006. Accessed May 15, 2007. "Reid, a former Freehold High School football player, is currently a member of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts but a piece of his heart remains in the town in which he grew up – Freehold Borough."
^Rebecca Soni, WNBC-TV. Accessed August 2, 2012. "Known as 'Reb,' Soni was born in Freehold Borough, N.J."
^Sapia, Joseph. "A day in the life of Freehold Borough", Asbury Park Press, December 16, 1999. Accessed May 8, 2007. "Maybe it's a case of Springsteen's lyrics having been influenced by his environment. Just as the borough is Coyne's hometown, it is Springsteen's as well."
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