BRIEF HISTORY OF NEWARK Newark's history is divided into four chapters. The first was its Puritan origins; the second, the rise of its industrial and
commercial empire; the third, the present century and its roller-coaster ride into modem history; and the fourth, its recent reawakening now being referred to as Newark's "Renaissance." Looking around the city today,
it seems difficult to imagine that Newark was founded by Puritans, the same people who settled New England at the opening of the American experiment. So stern was the government of the Newark church-state that not to belong to the
church meant one was actually outside the law and not subject to protection or benefits of Newark's township form of government. It was not until Colonel Josiah Ogden dared to harvest his wheat on a Sunday that Calvinism met its
first challenge, and oligarchic government was ended. Newark's second chapter ushers in the era of industry and commerce. At first, small homes or cottage industries began to develop along Broad Street with products for export.
But it was the leather industry dating back to the origin of the old township in the 17th century, which was largely responsible for creating the industrial giant Newark became in the 19th and 20th centuries. Aiding Newark's
industrial development were three key events which took place in the 1830's. First, was the completion of the Morris Canal; second, the connecting of Newark to the outside world by different train links; and finally, in 1836, the
signing of the charter giving city status to the former township. Newark's industrial endeavors were encouraged by great developers and inventors. In the late 18th century, Moses Combs helped create an industrial climate which
brought Seth Boyden to Newark where he developed patent leather, created malleable iron, invented the nail-making machine, and perfected dozens of other useful industrial inventions. The list of 19th century inventors who
followed, included some of America's greatest names: Thomas Edison, who was responsible for the world's developments in light and sound, lived and worked in Newark where he perfected the ticker tape; Rev. Hannibal Goodwin who
invented celluloid film, thus making the motion picture industry possible; and Edward Weston who invented measuring instruments. So important an industrial giant was Newark that by the eve of the American Civil War, it had become
the American South's leading supplier of manufactured goods labeled, "Made in Newark, N.J." Newark's third era begins with the 20th century - a century which was, as To many, this downward trend seemed irreversible, but the development of the
"New" Newark Movement in the 1950's by Mutual Benefit, Prudential and Mayor Leo P. Carlin was a godsend when it was announced on the pages of the Newark Evening News. At last, two of Newark's commercial giants had taken
a stand and began to rebuild their downtown headquarters. Other corporations soon followed and shared in the revitalization of the city. The airport and seaport expanded, the university complex got off to an energetic start, and
reinvestment became a reality in many industrial facilities. As in 1916, Newark set aside a time to reflection on its past accomplishments in 1966 when it marked its 300th anniversary with an important and thoughtful celebration
held in May, as in many major cities in the late 1960's, shadows of poor housing, discrimination, crime, rioting, and the loss of a workforce all were working against the City's future. This might have been the final stages of
Newark's existence as a major American city had the decline been allowed to continue. Without the firm hand of Kenneth Gibson, the first African-American elected mayor of a major American East Coast city, the political, social,
and economic health of the City might have slid into hopeless bickering with endless backlash. Plans were set in place for yet another "New" Newark. Two decades ago, applying the term "Renaissance" to Newark
might have seemed unrealistic, but today it seems appropriate. The great new downtown Gateway towers are stunning examples of the state's largest office complex. Across Raymond Boulevard is the pink and blue Legal Center. The
new PSE&G tower is being closed in by the march of new buildings up Raymond Boulevard. Newark Center incorporates both Seton Hall Law School and a commercial structure, and One Penn Center adds a stunning southern anchor to
the complex. Around the city, rehabilitation and adaptive conversions have taken place at St. Joseph's Plaza, the old Gibraltar Building of the Prudential, and the former Two Guys Department Store. Those conversions continue with
the former Macy's and Haynes buildings which are being converted for multiple-tenant retail use. Small business establishments are refacing their facades. Newark Airport has become one of the nation's, busiest and most important
international air centers. A $375 million Monorail now links the terminals to the parking lots (plans are proposed to link the monorail with the downtown areas of both Elizabeth and Newark). The universities and colleges are
expanding and bringing national recognition to the community, and the newly refurbished Newark Museum is proving to be a major cultural asset. Launching its second century of service to the city, the Newark Public Library has
greatly improved its facilities and opened a Information Technology Center for public training and use. But unlike previous renewal eras, there are two new elements which make this a truly great movement. First there is
tremendous growth in private housing. For the first time in nearly 75 years, vast numbers of upscale private townhouses and condos are being built throughout the city. The largest of these developers is K. Hovnanian. Attractive
and affordable low-rise and low-income housing has been built by the New Community Corporation, and the Newark Housing Authority has started replacing its high-rise buildings of the 50's and 60's with more human-scale units. A
second ingredient to the success of Newark's Renaissance has been the political scene. A hard-working Municipal Council is successfully applying innovative solutions to old problems. Sharpe James, Newark's bold and energetic
mayor, has become a nationally-recognized municipal leader. Mayor James has hailed Newark as a city on the ascent. It has come to symbolize the achievement to which other Northeast urban centers now aspire. The mayor's close
association with the business community has helped to stabilize the City's business environment, and companies are now returning to Newark from suburban locations. Few Newark leaders have been so respected, popular and well-known
locally, regionally and internationally as Mayor James. In 1916, when Newark celebrated its 250th anniversary, its key word was 'pride.' Today, as we reflect on more than 330 years of rich history, not only pride" but also
"optimism" characterize Newark's mood. Charles Cummings
The year, 1995, marked Newark's
330th birthday. Only two other major American cities, Boston and New York, claim such a long history.
Close on the heels of Newark's meteoric rise in manufacturing came the development of the city's commercial empire.
Banking began as early as 1804 with the creation of the Newark Banking Company. In the last half of the century, the insurance business developed, and today both Prudential and Mutual Benefit, founded in Newark, remain national
leaders in their industry.
stated, marked by boom and bust, peaks and valleys, hardship and hope. In 1916 nearly everybody took time to reflect in a
year-long celebration of
Newark's founding. But a peaceful atmosphere was tested by national and international crises, two world wars, the worst depression in the nation's
history, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and
the terrible national riots in 1967. While the factories churned out products of war on a 24- hour basis, people were displaced and families uprooted.
City Historian