78-540: Califon is a borough in Hunterdon County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 1,005, a decrease of 71 (−6.6%) from the 2010 census count of 1,076, which in turn reflected an increase of 21 (+2.0%) from the 1,055 counted in the 2000 census . The borough's name is said to have been inspired by the California gold rush of 1849. The name
156-401: A guardian angel , Clarence Odbody , gives him a valuable perspective on the worth of his life. George finds through Odbody's angelic power and gift what life would be like if he didn't have his wife, Mary , his children and friends, and what their lives and the social structure of Bedford Falls would be like without him. Bailey is played by James Stewart as an adult and Bobby Anderson as
234-463: A run on the banks which also affects the Building & Loan. Potter's bank calls their loan, and panicked depositors want their money, threatening to take their business to the bank. As a stockholder, Potter threatens to shut the Building & Loan if they are forced to close early. Mary and George use the money saved for their honeymoon to keep the Building & Loan solvent. In 1934, thanks to
312-445: A 58.7% turnout. The Califon School District serves students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Califon Public School. As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 83 students and 14.9 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 5.6:1. In the 2016–2017 school year, Califon had the seventh-smallest enrollment of any school district in
390-513: A Wonderful Life) George Bailey is a fictional character and the protagonist in Frank Capra 's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life . The character is a building and loan banker who sacrifices his dreams in order to help his community of Bedford Falls to the point where he feels life has passed him by. Eventually, due to difficulties in keeping the building and loan solvent, Bailey falls into despair so deep that he contemplates suicide, until
468-462: A 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. The borough form of government used by Califon
546-401: A car and says that George is needed as his father has had a stroke . Three months later August , George is in a meeting with the board of directors of the Building & Loan to appoint a new successor to the late Peter Bailey. Potter argues that the Building & Loan should be dissolved, whereas George recommends his father be succeeded by his brother Billy. The directors tell George that
624-491: A child, and is loosely based on George Pratt, a character in Philip Van Doren Stern 's 1943 booklet The Greatest Gift . The character was portrayed by Pete Davidson in a 2020 television special. In the winter of 1919, George (aged 12, played by Bobby Anderson ) and his friends Bert, Ernie Bishop, Marty Hatch, Sam Wainwright, and his brother Harry are sledding on a frozen river. Harry breaks through
702-434: A colorful but simple solution; the school bus stops at one end of the bridge unloading the students, who then walk across to the other side. Then the empty bus, within imposed weight limits, drives across and the students get back on the bus to continue their ride. Thus the bridge was saved. (Account featured on Califon website). The 1943 short story, " The Greatest Gift ," was set in a town inspired by Califon and adapted into
780-491: A job, which means he would not be taking George's place at the Building & Loan. Harry says that he will keep his promise to allow George his chance at the university. However, George cannot bear to allow his brother to throw away such an opportunity, so he remains in Bedford Falls. While the family is celebrating Harry's return, Ma Bailey mentions to George that Mary Hatch is also back from college and he should pay her
858-422: A loan. Potter sarcastically turns George down, and then swears out a warrant for his arrest for bank fraud . George, now completely depressed, gets drunk at the bar owned by his friend, Martini, where he silently prays for help. He also gets a punch to the face from the husband of Zuzu's teacher, who is drinking there. The belligerent husband gets thrown out by Mr. Martini, the bar's owner and the patriarch of one of
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#1732781043747936-539: A one-year term) and a six-member council (elected to staggered three-year terms). The mayor would preside at council meetings, but had no vote except to break ties. This system resulted in a period, known as " boroughitis ", where large numbers of small boroughs were created. In 1894, the Legislature passed an act requiring each township to have a single school district. A wave of borough incorporations followed, as one part of several townships decided that it would prefer
1014-648: A one-year term. As of 2024, Hunterdon County's Commissioners are: Zachary T. Rich ( R ; West Amwell Township , 2025), Director Jeff Kuhl (R; Raritan Township , 2024) John E. Lanza (R; Raritan Township, 2025), Deputy Director Susan Soloway (R; Franklin Township , 2024) and Shaun C. Van Doren (R; Tewksbury Township , 2026). Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Mary H. Melfi (R; Flemington , 2026), Sheriff Fredrick W. Brown (R; Alexandria Township , 2025) and Surrogate Heidi Rohrbach (R; Lebanon Township , 2028). As of March 2011, there were
1092-489: A partisan election. Only two boroughs, Roselle and Roselle Park , have ward structures with councils having five ward members and one at-large. The borough system has a weak mayor and the council performs most legislative and executive functions. This form of local government is used by 39% of the municipalities in New Jersey. There are a total of 253 boroughs in New Jersey, which include: George Bailey (It%27s
1170-487: A risky interception of a kamikaze that was about to attack an Army transport, saving the lives of fifteen soldiers, to which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor . On Christmas Eve morning, Uncle Billy is on his way to the bank to deposit $ 8,000 of the Building & Loan's cash funds. Holding a newspaper which has Harry on the front page, he greets Potter and taunts him about Harry’s success in
1248-507: A total of 723 registered voters in Califon, of which 214 (29.6%) were registered as Democrats , 252 (34.9%) were registered as Republicans and 257 (35.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were no voters registered to other parties. In the 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 51.0% of the vote (290 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 47.3% (269 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (10 votes), among
1326-524: A visit. He eventually goes to Mary's home to visit her, only to find that she is being courted by his friend, the now wealthy Sam Wainwright. However, George is encouraged to pursue Mary by Mrs. Bailey, who has concurred with Mrs. Hatch that while Sam would be a good provider, his constant absence would be problematic for Mary. A few months later, George and Mary are married. Their plans for a honeymoon in New York City and Bermuda are interrupted by
1404-467: A voucher good for an ice cream; the train would stop so tourists could wander around and cash in their ice cream coupons. Anxious to exploit this source of outside revenue, residents petitioned the railroad to let them build a real station, which they did as a community project. Citing the local account again, two sign painters who came to letter the sign rode the train from Dunellen , but the background paint wasn't dry when they arrived. They sat and drank at
1482-399: 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
1560-568: Is a 164-acre (66 ha) historic district encompassing much of the borough. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1976, for its significance in commerce. The district includes 154 contributing buildings , three contributing structures , and one contributing site . It was created through the efforts of the Califon Historical Society. Califon is a Victorian-style enclave where
1638-514: Is a failure who has friends. P.S. Thanks for the wings! Love, Clarence." A bell on the Christmas tree rings, and his daughter Zuzu says, "Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!" George agrees and looks up to Heaven , realizing that he truly has a wonderful life. Bosley Crowther , reviewing for The New York Times , described Bailey as "a young fellow who wants to break away from his small-town life and responsibilities but
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#17327810437471716-449: Is governed by a Board of Chosen Commissioners composed of five members who are elected at-large on a partisan basis 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 each January, the commissioners select one member to serve as the board's Director and another to serve as Deputy Director, each for
1794-432: Is home to the highest number of boroughs of any New Jersey county, at 56. The Borough Act of 1878 allowed any township (or portion thereof) with a land area of no more than four square miles (10 km ) and a population not exceeding 5,000, to establish itself as an independent borough through a petition and referendum process on a self-executing basis. As enacted, a borough would be governed by an elected mayor (serving
1872-535: Is maintained by Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation and is called the Columbia Trail , which includes a scenic area known as the Ken Lockwood Gorge . Califon 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. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and
1950-441: Is never able to do so because slowly they close in upon him". Crowther said Frank Capra's character as "a personable fellow who wants to travel and do big things but ultimately finds himself running a building-and-loan association in a one-horse town, married and locked in constant struggle with the greedy old banker of the town". Kate Cameron of New York Daily News described Bailey as a "guy who wished he had never been born, when
2028-515: Is now run by Nick, whom George knew as a bartender to Martini, but now has a gruff personality. Mr. Gower was sent to prison for poisoning the child and is despised and homeless. George's friend Violet Bick is a taxi-dancer who gets arrested. Bert is still a policeman, albeit with a darker personality and more brutal in his duties. Ernie still works as a taxi driver, but now desperately poor due to divorce and his family forsaking him. Uncle Billy has been in an insane asylum since he lost his brother and
2106-574: Is part of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District , which also includes students from Bethlehem Township , Clinton Town , Clinton Township , Franklin Township , Lebanon Borough and Union Township who attend North Hunterdon High School in Annandale . Eighth grade students from all of Hunterdon County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by
2184-553: Is pregnant. Their first child is a son, whom they name Peter after George's late father. Their second child is a daughter, Janie. During the war years, George and Mary had another two children, a daughter nicknamed "ZuZu" and a son, Thomas. George was classified 4-F by the draft board due to his ear. Ernie became a paratrooper and parachuted into France on D-Day . Marty helped capture the Bridge at Remagen , Sam produced plastic hoods for planes, and Bert went to Africa to fight, where he
2262-436: Is preparing for an overseas trip. He gets invited to Harry's graduation party . Before going George talks with his father about his plans for the future, in which architecture has replaced exploring, but he still desires to leave Bedford Falls and see the world. Peter Bailey explains that the work they have done in the building & loan is a way to make their mark on the world, but endorses George's decision to leave town "if he
2340-517: Is president of the Bailey Brothers Building & Loan, but his father is meeting with Henry F. Potter , one of the shareholders. When he returns to the store, Gower angrily berates him for not delivering the capsules, until George blurts out Gower's mistake. Realizing this would have been fatal, Gower tearfully thanks George, who promises that he will never tell anyone what happened. In June 1928, George (played by James Stewart )
2418-597: Is regularly restocked by the state fisheries service. The center of Califon is the historic iron bridge spanning the South Branch of the Raritan River , which divides the borough. Recently the State of New Jersey announced that the bridge would be replaced because a loaded school bus represented more weight than the aging bridge could safely carry. Incensed citizens objected, protective of the landmark, and found
Califon, New Jersey - Misplaced Pages Continue
2496-792: Is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For the 2024-2025 session , the 23rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Doug Steinhardt ( R , Lopatcong Township ) and in the General Assembly by John DiMaio (R, Hackettstown ) and Erik Peterson (R, Franklin Township ). Hunterdon County
2574-403: Is unwilling to crawl to Potter". At the high school , he meets Marty Hatch, who reintroduces him to Mary, now a teenager. A rival suitor of Mary's attempts to embarrass George by dunking him into a swimming pool situated beneath the dance floor, but George and Mary take it in stride and the partygoers consider it a splash. While walking Mary home they are interrupted by Uncle Billy, who comes by in
2652-428: The 2000 United States census there were 1,055 people, 401 households, and 301 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,093.2 inhabitants per square mile (422.1/km). There were 410 housing units at an average density of 424.9 per square mile (164.1/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White , 0.76% Asian , and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of
2730-521: The 2004 presidential election , Republican George W. Bush received 51.2% of the vote (330 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 47.2% (304 votes) and other candidates with 1.3% (10 votes), among the 644 ballots cast by the borough's 796 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 80.9. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 62.4% of the vote (237 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 35.3% (134 votes), and other candidates with 2.4% (9 votes), among
2808-602: The Hunterdon County Vocational School District , a county-wide vocational school district that offers career and technical education at its campuses in Raritan Township and at programs sited at local high schools, with tuition covered by local taxes. The Califon United Methodist Church was founded in 1867, but the oldest part of the building was built in 1824 at Oldwick and moved here. The newer sanctuary facing River Road
2886-653: The United States Census Bureau , the borough had a total area of 0.98 square miles (2.54 km), including 0.96 square miles (2.48 km) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km) of water (2.04%). Califon borders the Hunterdon County municipalities of Lebanon Township and Tewksbury Township . Lower Valley is an unincorporated community located along the border of Califon and Lebanon Township. The 2010 United States census counted 1,076 people, 394 households, and 309 families in
2964-517: The 1946 classic film It's a Wonderful Life . Author Philip Van Doren Stern said in a 1946 interview, "Incidentally, the movie takes place in Westchester County . Actually, the town I had in mind was Califon, N.J." The historic iron bridge in Califon is similar to the bridge that George Bailey considered jumping from in the movie. Califon became a regional household name when frequently mentioned by Merv Griffin on his TV show during
3042-505: The 1970s. He and his wife Juliette owned a home in nearby Lebanon Township, which had a Califon mailing address, and, while they were married, they were often seen visiting the village in a fringed-top Bermuda-style resort cart, though they lived over 2 miles away. Califon Productions created all of his television ventures. Hoffman's Crossing was named for Issac Hoffman, who farmed land that lies just south of Califon Bridge, along present day County Route 513 . The Califon Historic District
3120-444: The 383 ballots cast by the borough's 774 registered voters (3 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 49.5%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 55.4% of the vote (251 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 30.5% (138 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 12.1% (55 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (4 votes), among the 453 ballots cast by the borough's 772 registered voters, yielding
3198-403: The 573 ballots cast by the borough's 773 registered voters (4 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 74.1%. In the 2008 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 51.1% of the vote (324 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 46.4% (294 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (11 votes), among the 634 ballots cast by the borough's 792 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.1%. In
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3276-415: The Building & Loan will only stay open if he agrees to remain and carry on his father's work. George foregoes a trip to Europe and his plans for college, giving the funds saved toward tuition to his younger brother. In 1932, George and Uncle Billy are waiting at the Bedford Falls railroad station for Harry to come home from college, when Harry arrives with his new wife, Ruth. Her father has offered Harry
3354-554: The Building & Loan, the Martini family move out of 'Potter's Field' to the new 'Bailey Park', (this home is the only original building from the movie that still exists) a residential development created by George that proves successful enough to seriously threaten Mr. Potter's rental interests. Potter offers George a job. Although this would bring a significant increase in social status and salary, as well as opportunities for travel, George declines. George returns home to learn that Mary
3432-407: The Building & Loan; Sam Wainwright extends a $ 25,000 line of credit by telegram . As they celebrate, the town's sheriff tears the warrant for his arrest and joins in the festivities. Harry also arrives to support his brother, and toasts George as "The richest man in town.” In the pile of donated funds, George finds a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer inscribed, "Dear George: Remember, no man
3510-475: The advice and consent of the council. As of 2023, the mayor of Califon Borough is Democrat Charles Daniel, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Califon Borough Council are Council President Michael P. Medea (D, 2024), Richard Baggstrom ( R , 2023), Ed Haversang (R, 2023), Leo M. Janas (D, 2024), Jason Ruggiero (R, 2025) and Cathy Smith (D, 2025). Police coverage in
3588-474: The armed forces." A large number of interpretations of It’s a Wonderful Life have been advanced, and as George Bailey is the protagonist , many of those interpretations hinge on interpretations of his role in the film. Bailey is conventionally interpreted as the hero of the film, and he was listed ninth on the American Film Institute 's 2003 list of the 50 greatest screen heroes. While
3666-408: The average family size was 3.11. In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for a household in the borough
3744-558: The bank examiner just outside the room. George and Billy go through the town taking every step Billy took in the morning and it goes to a dead end. George later goes home, and Mary knows straight away something is wrong with him. To add to his anger, he finds out his youngest daughter Zuzu has come home with a cold, which George blames on her teacher. When the teacher calls, he berates her on the phone. His frustration culminates into smashing models of bridges and buildings he had made in his earlier years. A desperate George appeals to Potter for
3822-506: The borough is provided by the Washington Township (Morris County) Police Department under the terms of a shared services agreement between the two municipalities. Califon is located in the 7th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. ( R , Westfield ). New Jersey
3900-449: The borough. The population density was 1,133.3 per square mile (437.6/km). There were 419 housing units at an average density of 441.3 per square mile (170.4/km). The racial makeup was 96.10% (1,034) White , 0.28% (3) Black or African American , 0.09% (1) Native American , 0.84% (9) Asian , 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander , 0.09% (1) from other races , and 2.60% (28) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% (14) of
3978-476: The bridge and begs to be allowed to live again. Bert shows up at the bridge. When Bert is not there to arrest him but glad he has found him as everyone was worried to his whereabouts, George joyously hugs Bert then runs home. Running through town, George is overjoyed to see it is once again Bedford Falls and wishes everyone he passes a Merry Christmas, even Mr. Potter. Mary, Uncle Billy, and a flood of townspeople arrive with more than enough donations to save George and
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#17327810437474056-447: The context of local government in the U.S. state of New Jersey , refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government (in addition to those established under a special charter ). The borough is the most common form of local government in New Jersey . In 2023 there were 253 boroughs in New Jersey. However, boroughs were not always so common. In 1875 only 17 boroughs had been created, all by special acts of
4134-411: The cost of being a separate municipality to paying for the other schools. The Borough Act of 1897 amended the original Act, eliminating the self-executing incorporation feature of the earlier legislation. Henceforth, newly incorporated boroughs (or those seeking to dissolve or increase or decrease in size) required approval of the legislature. The elected mayor and six-member council were retained, with
4212-440: The families who moved into Bailey Park. Mr. Martini angrily says that any man who would raise his fists to George is never welcome here. George drunkenly drives his car into a tree and comes to a bridge intending to commit suicide, feeling he is "worth more dead than alive", echoing Potter's mocking of George's life insurance policy. Before he can leap, another man jumps in first and pretends to be drowning. After George rescues him,
4290-406: The family business. George's own mother, a woman defeated by the world, fails to recognize him. George then goes to Bailey Park, which is now a cemetery. Harry is dead as a result of George not being there to save him from drowning, resulting in the deaths of the servicemen not saved by Harry's heroism. (A deleted scene exists in which George learns why the bar is Nick's and not Martini's; George finds
4368-475: The film shows some obvious instances of heroic behavior in Bailey’s youth, such as saving his brother Harry from drowning and preventing Mr. Gower from poisoning a customer, doubts about the worth of Bailey’s adulthood actions turn into the central question of his life. Bailey’s deficiencies as a hero are highlighted by the facts that the film’s climactic scene portrays Bailey as the person being rescued and that “Capra
4446-474: The going gets too tough, and was permitted to see what his home town would have been like without him". Variety ' s Bert Briller wrote, "At 30 a small-town citizen feels he has reached the end of his rope, mentally, morally, financially." Briller said of the guardian angel showing him the impact of his life, "The recounting of this life is just about flawless in its tender and natural treatment." Crowther commended James Stewart's performance as Bailey, "As
4524-486: The graves of the Martini family near Harry's and realizes the family perished in a tenement blaze as George was unable to provide them affordable housing to move out of Potter's slums.) Mary is a shy spinster who works at the public library . When George desperately tries to convince her he is her husband, she considers it creepy and intimidating and yells for help. Her cries are answered by Bert, who thinks nothing of opening fire on George as he flees. George runs back to
4602-546: The hero, Mr. Stewart does a warmly appealing job, indicating that he has grown in spiritual stature as well as in talent during the years he was in the war." Cameron said, "[Stewart] carries most of the burden of this long picture on his still slender shoulders and for the most part gives an endearing performance." The Hollywood Reporter ' s Jack D. Grant wrote, "James Stewart is distinctively Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, his initial role in Hollywood after five years in
4680-404: The hotel, which later burned down. By the time the sign was ready for their artistic touch, the local tale says, "Califon" was as close to California as the inebriated painters could manage. Califon is situated just north of the Ken Lockwood Gorge on the South Branch of the Raritan River ; this pristine stretch of clear water and forest is a well-known treasure for New Jersey trout fishermen. It
4758-557: The houses are marked with the names of the builders and their dates of establishment rather than with street numbers. The Joseph Tiger House was built of stone in 1846. A stone raceway runs under the former Beatty's Store, indicating a possible mill site. The mid-19th century house at 1 First Street features a gable roof with an intersecting dormer. The Califon Main Street Bridge is a Pratt thru truss design built in 1887 by I. P. Bartley & Co. of Morris County . According to
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#17327810437474836-425: The ice and George jumps into the freezing water to save him. In doing so, George became ill with an infection that waylaid him for some time and caused him to lose hearing in his left ear. In May 1920, George returns to his job at Mr. Gower's drugstore, where he first attends to the soda fountain when two customers are a young Mary Hatch and her friend Violet Bick. George announces his plan to be an explorer and travel
4914-405: The legislature. These original boroughs were subdivisions of townships, established by state charter; Elizabeth was the first, established by royal charter in 1740, within the now defunct Elizabeth Township. About half of them had been dissolved, or changed into other forms of government—often cities. In 1875, a constitutional amendment prohibited such local or special legislation. Bergen County
4992-420: The man reveals himself to be George's guardian angel , Clarence Odbody . George does not believe him, and he bitterly wishes he had never been born. Inspired by this comment, Clarence shows George what the town would have been like without him. In this alternative scenario, Bedford Falls is instead named Pottersville, and is home to sleazy nightclubs , pawn shops , and amoral people. The bar George frequented
5070-482: The mayor now serving a two-year term. The Borough Act of 1987 was created to streamline borough law and clear away amendments, changes, and contradictory rules that had accumulated over the century of the Borough's existence as a form of government. The 1987 Act allowed for the delegation of executive responsibility to an appointed administrator. Traditionally, voters elect a mayor and six council members at-large in
5148-414: The mills were present in the area of Califon for some time prior to its incorporation as a town, it was quite a while before growth became evident in the mid-nineteenth century. The J. K. Apgar Farmhouse , listed on the National Register of Historic Places , exemplifies the early stone farmhouses constructed in the region in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. The area that would become Califon
5226-430: The population were under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 34.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.5 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income
5304-413: The population. Of the 394 households, 40.1% had children under the age of 18; 67.8% were married couples living together; 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 21.6% were non-families. Of all households, 17.8% were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.14. 28.2% of
5382-405: The population. There were 401 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.8% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and
5460-403: The state. Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Voorhees High School , which also serves students from Glen Gardner , Hampton , High Bridge , Lebanon Township and Tewksbury Township . As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 780 students and 76.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.2:1. The school
5538-430: The war. Potter angrily snatches the paper, but Billy inattentively allows the money to be snatched with it. Potter notices the money and keeps it, knowing that misplacement of bank money would result in bankruptcy for the Building & Loan and criminal charges for George. Confused and embarrassed, Billy tells George that he has misplaced the money, and doesn't know where it is. George is extremely worried, especially with
5616-474: The world, citing National Geographic as an inspiration where Mary whispers her love for George in his deaf ear. George then finds a telegram informing Gower that his son has died in the Spanish flu pandemic. A visibly distraught Gower directs George to deliver medicine to a customer, but George realizes that, in his distress, he had inadvertently put poison into the capsules. He seeks advice from his father, who
5694-426: Was $ 108,375 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 9,026) and the median family income was $ 110,365 (+/− $ 5,782). Males had a median income of $ 95,536 (+/− $ 13,555) versus $ 73,958 (+/− $ 14,845) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 42,975 (+/− $ 5,250). About 1.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 0.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. As of
5772-468: Was $ 76,657, and the median income for a family was $ 85,963. Males had a median income of $ 59,167 versus $ 41,125 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 31,064. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over. Califon hosts part of a rail trail that was created out of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch . The trail
5850-589: Was built in 1891. The Lower Valley Presbyterian Church was built in 1871. Both are noted by the Califon Historical Society. As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 11.50 miles (18.51 km) of roadways, of which 9.50 miles (15.29 km) were maintained by the municipality and 2.00 miles (3.22 km) by Hunterdon County. The most prominent roads passing through Califon are County Route 512 and 513 . People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Califon include: Borough (New Jersey) A borough (also spelled boro ), in
5928-520: Was first called California, from Jacob Neighbor's enthusiasm in the milling business about the time the California Gold Rush broke out. The borough was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of both Lebanon and Tewksbury Townships on April 2, 1918. Local legend has it that California became a regular stop for weekend excursion trains through the countryside. When riders bought their tickets they were issued
6006-695: Was shortened to Califon, supposedly because the longer name could not be fit on signs at the train station. Califon was a station on the High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey . The station was built in 1875 and is now used as a museum by the Califon Historical Society. The rail line was abandoned in 1976 and now serves as a Hunterdon County-administered rail trail called Columbia Trail , which runs south to High Bridge and north to points in Morris County . Though
6084-555: Was wounded and eventually got the Purple Heart and Silver Star . While all of this happened, George served as an Air Raid Warden. Despite having to look after four children, Mary still had time to run the United Service Organizations in the town, and Mr. Potter became head of the draft board. It was Harry Bailey who had the crowning achievement of Bedford Falls. Harry, who became a Navy pilot, engaged in
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