New Jersey History

Welcome to New Jersey. New Jersey ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1787 becoming the third state to do so, and was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights in 1789.

New Jersey is an aggressively industrial state, and has been throughout U.S. history. As far back as 1791, when Alexander Hamilton chose the Great Falls of the Passaic River as the site of a model factory town, industry began to shape the state. Then, throughout the 19th century, New Jersey saw transportation feed industry, as canals, railroads, roads, and ports were built. And on into the 20th century, as its highway and transportation systems improved, it has continued to reign as one of the leading industrial states in the country.

THE NAME:
Sir John Berkley and Sir George Carteret received a royal charter for a colony in the new land and named this colony for the island of Jersey in the English Channel. Carteret had been born on Jersey and had spent several years as Lieutenant Governor of the island.

Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994

THE NICKNAMES:
The Garden State: This nickname seems to have originated at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia on Jersey Day, August 24, 1876. Alfred M. Heston states in his 1926 work, Jersey Waggon Jaunts, that "The Garden State" was used by Abraham Browning, of Camden. "In his address Mr. Browning compared New Jersey to an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing from one end and the New Yorkers from the other. He called New Jersey the Garden State, and the name has clung to it ever since."

In later years, the explanation has evolved to reference New Jersey truck farms that provide floral and agricultural produce to cities in the area instead of an "immense barrel." These farms have catered, particularly, to the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. Some support the nickname with stories of the Revolutionary War and the food provided to soldiers by the small farms of New Jersey.

Probably the most intense promotion of this nickname for New Jersey began when the legislature voted to add the legend "Garden State" to New Jersey license plates in 1954, in spite of the Governor's refusal to sign the bill, in part because "New Jersey is noted for its great strides in manufacturing, mining, commerce, construction, power, transportation, shipping, merchandising, fishing and recreation, as well as in agriculture. I do not believe that the average citizen of New Jersey regards his state as more peculiarly identifiable with gardening for farming than any of its other industries or occupations."
The Clam State: This nickname refers to the clams taken off the coast and in the Delaware Bay. New Jersey is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east.

The Camden & Amboy State: or "The State of Camden and Amboy" is a reference to the old Camden and Amboy railroad and highlights the powerful influence of this railroad in the state.
 

The Jersey Blue State: This historical nickname recalls the blue uniforms of the New Jersey Revolutionary War soldiers.

The Pathway of Revolution: Another nickname recalling the Revolutionary War period, "The Pathway of Revolution" is a reference to the battles fought on New Jersey soil during the war.
The Switzerland of America: New Jersey, like other states with mountainous areas, has been referred to as "The Switzerland of America." This reference, made by early settlers, was to the western part of the state and the Kittatinny range and to the Watchung, Sourland and Pickle mountains in the southeast. Perhaps the most famous are the Palisades along the Hudson River.

The Mosquito State: New Jersey has sometimes been referred to as "The Mosquito State" obviously in reference to the irritating, bloodthirsty little insects. New Jersey really does not have more of these insects than other states, and it is not clear how this appellation originated.

New Spain: or "The State of Spain" came about when Joseph Bonaparte, the King of Spain, fled to New Jersey around 1812. He bought about 1,400 acres of land in the state and built a "palatial mansion" where he entertained foreign dignitaries until 1822. It's rumored that Philadelphians were jealous of New Jersey's good fortune to have such an illustrious resident and they referred to New Jersey, humorously, as "New Spain" or "The State of Spain."

The Foreigner State: In the same vein as "New Spain," this nickname evolved from the humorous gibe to New Jersey, that it was a foreign land filled with foreigners under the social influence of the previous King of Spain. New Jersey was sometimes referred to as "The Foreign State."

Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint)
State of New Jersey, October 31, 2002

THE CITIZENS:
People who live in New Jersey or who come from New Jersey are called New Jerseyites or New Jerseyans.

THE QUARTER:



On December 18, 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify the Constitution of the United States and join in this great union. The New Jersey state quarter was the third of the five quarters minted in 1999. The scene is the familiar "Washington Crossing the Delaware" and is based on an 1851 painting by Emmanuel Leutze."