55-618: The Summit Playhouse is a theater in Summit, New Jersey and home to one of the oldest continuously operating amateur community theaters in the United States producing a new show each calendar season. In 2011, it presented Meet Me in St. Louis , Closer Than Ever , and Speed the Plow . The original stone Romanesque building designed by Arthur Bates Jennings was constructed in 1891 as
110-756: A bridge over the Arthur Kill in Linden . Summit operates under the city form of municipal government; one of 15 (of the 564) municipalities statewide that use this form. On April 11, 1899, Summit voters adopted as the Charter of the City of Summit the Statute of 1899 applicable to cities of less than 12,000 population. On December 15, 1987, the New Jersey Legislature enacted a law that repealed
165-1032: A computer lab. The Arts Center features a 260-seat theater, an art gallery, a dance studio, and practice rooms. Athletic facilities include a field house (gymnasium and weight room), three playing fields, and five tennis courts. Advanced Placement Program (AP) courses offered at the school include AP Art History , AP Biology , AP Calculus AB , AP Calculus BC , AP Chemistry , AP Computer Science , AP English Language and Composition , AP English Literature and Composition , AP Environmental Science , AP European History , AP French Language , AP Latin Literature , AP Macroeconomics , AP Music Theory , AP Physics 1 , AP Spanish Language , AP Spanish Literature , AP Statistics , AP Studio Art , AP United States History , AP United States Government and Politics , and AP World History . The school also offers additional advanced mathematics courses in multivariable calculus and linear algebra. The Kent Place School Dragons compete in
220-515: A crest of a "summit ridge", removing "an impenetrable tangle of wild vines ... and myriads of rattlesnakes", to build a house with a view of New York City, The Times Building , and the Brooklyn Bridge . The present-day incarnation of Summit, known formally as the City of Summit, was incorporated on April 11, 1899. During this time, Summit was the home of America's "antivice crusader", Anthony Comstock , who moved there about 1880 and built
275-565: A family was $ 117,053. Males had a median income of $ 85,625 versus $ 46,811 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 62,598. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over. Corporate residents of Summit include: The Summit Opera House was built in the 1890s by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union as meeting place and dry entertainment hall. It currently houses Winberie's restaurant on
330-538: A house he called Summit Lodge (perhaps a namesake of the town) on what is now called Kent Place Boulevard. He lived there until 1847. Today, the lodge is part of a large mansion, at 50 Kent Place Boulevard, opposite Kent Place School . In 1837, the Morris and Essex Railroad , which became the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad and is now NJ Transit 's Morris and Essex Lines , was built over what
385-538: A house in 1892 at 35 Beekman Road, where he died in 1915. In the 19th century, Summit served as a nearby getaway spot for wealthy residents of New York City in search of fresh air. Weekenders or summer vacationers would reach Summit by train and relax at large hotels and smaller inns and guest houses. Calvary Episcopal Church was built in 1894–1895; the New York Times called it a "handsome new house of worship". Silk weaving, which had thrived as an industry in
440-614: A segment of the abandoned Rahway Valley Railroad (RVRR). The park will connect the central business district, another public park, walkways, and nature areas while offering a view of the Manhattan skyline. Approved in December 2020, the park's creation is fully funded by foundation grants and individual and corporate donations. Its creation is guided by the non-profit Summit Park Line Foundation. A footbridge over Morris Avenue in Summit
495-431: A shift in the city becoming politically competitive between the two parties. In 2005, star baseball athlete Willie Wilson and former Summit graduate returned to Summit High School . Wilson said: "To me, Summit is a special place ... It's where it all began and I have great memories. This is where I want to help kids and youth baseball, and I want my own son and daughter to come and help me create something here." During
550-621: A sport. Physical education is required in Primary School and grade six. The field hockey team won the North II Group I state sectional championship in 1999. The spring track team was the Non-Public Group B state champion in 2013. The cross-country team won the Non-Public Group B state championship in 2013. The track team won the Non-Public Group B indoor track championship in 2014. The girls' tennis team won
605-635: A stronghold of the Republican Party for years. From 1921 to 2001, no Democrats served in elected office and very few ran for office. The real elections occurred in the Republican primary. In 2001, two Democratic candidates were elected to council: Michel Bitritto won in Ward I and Jordan Glatt won the at-large seat. Summit had never elected a Democrat as mayor until 2003, when Jordan Glatt was elected. Kent Place School Kent Place School
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#1732790334157660-422: A sweeping Republican victory in the election, the citizens of the eastern portion of the city claimed they had been gerrymandered by the city's Republican leadership in mayor Elmer J. Bennett and council president Frank Lehr. The eastern half of the city was more ethnically diverse and with a predominately Democratic voter base. As such Joseph R. Angelo was proclaimed the "Mayor of East Summit" and citizens sued
715-422: A two-year term of office, while the six ward members serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with one seat in each ward up for election each year. The council elects from its membership a president and a president pro tem, each serving a one-year term. The president presides at all council meetings, and the president pro tem presides in the president's absence. The president pro tem also serves as acting mayor in
770-405: A year for the next fifty years on condition that the group maintain the facility. In 1960, a 120-seat auditorium was added and the original 1891 structure was converted into a stage. The Summit Library Association officially deeded the building to the theater in 1968. Summit, New Jersey Summit is the northernmost city of Union County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey , located within
825-577: Is a girls' independent college-preparatory day school (with a coeducational nursery and pre-kindergarten ) serving students in preschool through twelfth grade in Summit , Union County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . Kent Place School is a member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools . In 2007, The Wall Street Journal listed Kent Place School as one of the world's top 50 schools for its success in preparing students to enter top American universities. As of
880-718: Is available at the Watchung stables, located in the Watchung Reservation since the 1930s. The city supports a program of public art organized by Summit Public Art, a volunteer-based city organization founded in 2002, whose mission is to bring art to public spaces throughout Summit. In 2019, the city was encouraging artists, including singer-songwriters, to perform at local venues in the downtown area, as part of its Summit Street Sounds program. In October 2024, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that Summit would be
935-487: Is known for today. In 1974 there was a lawsuit to split "East Summit" off as its own municipality. Until 1973 the city had been divided into two wards, east and west, by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad tracks. Right before the 1973 municipal election new ward districts where determined that overrode the preexisting geographic boundaries in order to make the two wards roughly equal in population. Following
990-456: The 2010 census count of 21,457, which in turn reflected an increase of 326 (+1.5%) from the 21,131 counted in the 2000 census . Originally incorporated as Summit Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1869, from portions of New Providence Township (now Berkeley Heights ) and Springfield Township , Summit was reincorporated as a city on March 8, 1899. Possible derivations of Summit's name include its location atop
1045-617: The Galloping Hill Golf Course through Kenilworth and Roselle Park. The New Jersey Department of Transportation , which owns the railbed, has been working to clear its southern end for possible use as a trail. Were the rail trail to expand even farther, beyond the 7.3 mile RVRR Main Line railbed, it could conceivably connect in the Cranford area with the unused Staten Island Rapid Transit line, eventually connecting to
1100-558: The Morris County Traction Company , once ran a passenger trolley through Summit to/from Newark and Morris County , in the early part of the 20th century. Broad Street in Summit was designed and built for the trolley, which is why it is wider and straighter than most streets in the city. Portions of the rails could still be seen on it as late as the 1980s. Relations between city authorities and businesses have not always been smooth; in 1898, city authorities and
1155-609: The New York metropolitan area . Situated on a ridge in northern – central New Jersey, the city is located within the Raritan Valley and Rahway Valley regions, and also borders both Essex and Morris counties in the Passaic Valley region. Summit is a commercial hub and commuter town for New York City. As of the 2020 United States census , the city's population was 22,719, an increase of 1,262 (+5.9%) from
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#17327903341571210-628: The Second Watchung Mountain ; the Summit Lodge, the house to which jurist James Kent moved in 1837 and which stands today at 50 Kent Place Boulevard; and to a local sawmill owner who granted passage to the Morris and Essex Railroad for a route to "the summit of the Short Hills". The region in which Summit is located was purchased from Native Americans on October 28, 1664. Summit's earliest European settlers came to
1265-813: The Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference , which is comprised of public and private high schools in union County and operates under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). Before the 2010 realignment, the school had participated in the Mountain Valley Conference , which consisted of public and private high schools in Essex County and Union County. With 396 students in grades 10-12,
1320-456: The "Heights over Springfield" during the late 18th century and most of the 19th century, and was considered a part of New Providence . During this period, Summit was part of Springfield Township, which eventually broke up into separate municipalities. Eventually, only Summit and New Providence remained joined. Lord Chancellor James Kent , a Chancellor of New York State and author of Commentaries on American Law , retired to this area in 1837 in
1375-491: The 2021–22 school year, the school had an enrollment of 636 students (plus 18 in PreK) and 90.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 7:1. The school's student body was 49.7% (316) White, 25.6% (163) Asian, 11.2% (71) Black, 6.8% (43) two or more races, 6.6% (42) Hispanic and 0.2% (1) American Indian / Alaska Native. The Primary, Middle, and Upper Schools each include science labs, art studios, and
1430-515: The New York and New Jersey Telephone Company had disputes about wires and telephone poles; the city acted and "wires and cables of the company were cut from the poles." There were disputes between Summit's commuters and the Lackawanna railroad about walkways; in one incident in 1905, "a number of passengers seeking to board the 6:35 train found their way barred. They made a united rush, and when
1485-691: The Overlook Medical Center on the edge of downtown Summit as the Summit Park Line and then head south along the old railbed through Springfield , Union , and Kenilworth and ending at the southwest edge of Roselle Park at the Cranford border. In 2022, as the Summit Park Line proceeds, advocates have also been pushing for immediate development of the RVRR Main Line portion south of Route 22 , running southbound past
1540-562: The absence of the mayor. As of 2024 , the mayor of Summit is Republican Elizabeth Fagan, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the common council are Council President Lisa K. Allen (R, 2025; Second Ward), President Pro Tem Delia Hamlet (R, 2025; First Ward), Jamel Boyer (R, 2026; Second Ward), Andy Minegar (D, 2024; First Ward), Bob Pawlowsk (R, 2026; First Ward), Kevin Smalllwood (R, 2025; At Large) and Greg S. Vartan III ( D , 2024; Second Ward). In February 2021,
1595-542: The area around the year 1710. The original name of Summit was "Turkey Hill" to distinguish it from the area then known as "Turkey" ( New Providence 's original name until 1759). During the American Revolutionary War , Summit was known as "Beacon Hill", because bonfire beacons were lit on an eastern ridge in Summit to warn the New Jersey militiamen of approaching British troops. Summit was called
1650-418: The average family size was 3.18. Age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 92,964, and the median income for
1705-858: The city include Brantwood Park and Tall Oaks. It is bordered to the northeast by Millburn in Essex County , to the northwest by Chatham Borough and Chatham Township , both in Morris County , to the west by New Providence , to the southwest by Berkeley Heights , to the south by Mountainside and to the southeast by Springfield Township . The city has long been popular with traders, investment bankers, and money managers, with nearly 20% of Summit's residents working in finance and real estate. One report said that Manhattan's financial elite prefers living in Summit because of large houses, great schools, and NJ Transit 's rail link to Manhattan 's financial district. The 2010 United States census counted 21,457 people, 7,708 households, and 5,519 families in
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1760-432: The city. The population density was 3,490.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,347.8/km ). There were 8,146 housing units at an average density of 1,345.7 per square mile (519.6/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 87.77% White , 4.33% African American , 0.09% Native American , 4.45% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 1.70% from other races , and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.17% of
1815-467: The city. The population density was 3,578.9 per square mile (1,381.8/km ). There were 8,190 housing units at an average density of 1,366.0 per square mile (527.4/km ). The racial makeup was 83.54% (17,926) White , 4.52% (970) Black or African American , 0.14% (30) Native American , 6.38% (1,368) Asian , 0.01% (3) Pacific Islander , 2.84% (610) from other races , and 2.56% (550) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.29% (2,851) of
1870-520: The common council selected Lisa K. Allen from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the Second Ward seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Stephen Bowman until he resigned from office. Allen served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when she was elected to serve the balance of the term of office. Summit had been
1925-567: The crowd of nearly 2,000 called out names he had left out." A few World Trade Center firms moved to Summit. Since its incorporation, Summit had been a stronghold of the Republican Party , never having a Democratic mayor, or any democratic members of the city council. This changed in 2001 with the election of Democrat Jordan Glatt to the Summit Common Council as Councilman-At-Large. Glatt would then go on to be elected Summit's 27th, and first Democratic, mayor in 2003, marking
1980-450: The dust cleared away, the door wasn't there. It is said the company will put the door back. The commuters say they will remove it as often as it is replaced." Following World War II, the city experienced a building boom as living outside New York City and commuting to work became more common and the population of New Jersey grew. At this point, Summit took on its suburban character of tree lined streets and architect-designed houses that it
2035-552: The economic downturn of 2008–2009, Summit was listed as #6 on a list of American communities "likely to be pummeled by the economic crisis." Crime is generally not bad in the city; the summer 2010 assault of Abelino Mazariego-Torres during a robbery attempt gone awry shocked residents in what one person described as a "very small and very peaceful town." Several youths were charged in the murder. Summit has consistently ranked high in NJMonthly's biennial Top 100 Towns. In 2019, Summit
2090-516: The ground floor, and a church, office space, and apartments on the upper floors. It is located at Springfield Avenue and Kent Place Boulevard in downtown Summit. The Summit Playhouse mounts live dramatic performances. The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, on Elm Street diagonally across from the Summit Middle School, is a professionally recognized regional art center with an art school and an exhibition program. Horseback riding
2145-569: The late 19th century, declined in the early decades of the 20th. In 1915, there was a strike at the Summit Silk Company on Weaver Street. In the early 20th century, there was much building; in 1909, one report suggested at least 40 residences were being built (some with stables) with costs varying from $ 4,500 to $ 45,000, making it "one of the greatest periods of building activity this place, the Hill City , has known." A new railway
2200-608: The municipal government. The lawsuit to split the city in half, Mosely v. Kates , got as far as the Supreme Court of New Jersey which ultimately ruled in favor of the defendants and the city was kept whole. In the late 1970s, Summit had a mini-bus system, with three long circular routes through most parts of Summit that were primarily designed to bring commuters to the railroad station downtown. The Velvet Underground played their first paid concert at Summit High School on December 11, 1965. The headlining act for that concert
2255-510: The original charter, retaining those sections not covered by general law that were specific to Summit. The charter now specifies that "1: The council may, by referendum, change the term of the councilman at large from a two year term to a four year term. 2: Resolutions adopted by the council do not have to be approved by the mayor. 3: The council pro tempore shall be the acting mayor in the mayor's absence due to sickness or other cause. 4: The municipality may appoint an administrator in accordance with
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2310-432: The population were under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.0 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income
2365-404: The population. There were 7,897 households, of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and
2420-418: The population. Of the 7,708 households, 39.6% had children under the age of 18; 60.6% were married couples living together; 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.4% were non-families. Of all households, 23.4% were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.29. 29.0% of
2475-473: The provisions of N.J.S. 40A:9-136. 5: The municipality may adopt an administrative code." The mayor is elected by the city for a four-year term and is the city's official spokesman and chief elected official. The mayor can appoint various officials, including the chief of police and the board of education . The mayor serves as the chairman of the Board of School Estimate and on various committees, and has
2530-528: The right to speak at common council meetings, but can only vote to break ties in the council. This bully pulpit role is considered the mayor's strongest power. The common council has the chief policy making and administrative oversight role in city government. The council approves all laws and adopts the city budget. The council also oversees the work of city department heads. The council is comprised of three members from Ward I and three members from Ward II plus one member elected at-large. The at-large member serves
2585-796: The school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Non-Public A for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 381 to 1,454 students in that grade range (equivalent to Group I for public schools). The Upper School offers varsity-level teams in cross-country, soccer, tennis, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, swimming, squash, ice hockey, fencing, indoor track, lacrosse, softball, and outdoor track. Middle School teams are available in basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Physical education classes are also offered in Middle and Upper School in place of
2640-628: The site of the Church's first temple in New Jersey. Renovated and expanded in 2019, the Summit Community Center has two gymnasiums, a senior citizens lounge, a meeting room, a game room, and a small kitchen. As of 2022, construction was underway on the Summit Park Line, a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) pedestrian linear park that will run from Morris Avenue by the Overlook Medical Center to Briant Park, mostly along
2695-570: The town's first library. A municipally-operated Summit Public Library was established in 1900, and in 1910 the library was moved to another building, leaving the Romanesque building under-utilized but still belonging to the library. In 1918, The Playhouse Association was founded as a World War I relief organization, and the theatrical group rented the empty older library from the Summit Library Association for one dollar
2750-463: Was $ 109,602 and the median family income was $ 145,083. Males had a median income of $ 109,608 (+/− $ 15,245) versus $ 61,368 (+/− $ 8,854) for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 70,574. About 4.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over. At the 2000 United States census there were 21,131 people, 7,897 households and 5,606 families residing in
2805-601: Was a local band, The Myddle Class. More than a dozen Summit residents died in the September 11 terrorist attacks . Many worked in the World Trade Center , and commuted by rail to Hoboken. A few days after the attacks, townspeople assembled on the town green while a minister "called out the names of a dozen residents still unaccounted for after Tuesday's attack on the World Trade Center. Others in
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#17327903341572860-460: Was constructed from what was then-called New Orange . The Rahway Valley Railroad connected Summit with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W). In the early 20th century, both freight and passenger service were offered by this line. (Although in 2009, Union County was exploring the possibility of reactivating the long-dormant line for freight traffic. ) A trolley line called
2915-674: Was installed in October 2022. Beyond its Summit portion, area residents have pushed for the full abandoned RVRR Main Line to become a rail trail. Doing so would create a 7.3-mile (11.7 km) pedestrian linear park along the RVRR main line from Summit to the southwest edge of Roselle Park and provide a protected greenway to connect several county parks akin to the High Line in New York City. The rail trail would run eastbound from
2970-548: Was ranked the second best place to live. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city had a total area of 6.05 square miles (15.66 km ), including 5.99 square miles (15.52 km ) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km ) of water (0.84%). It is about 20 miles (32 km) west of Manhattan. Springfield Avenue is the city's main street. Unincorporated communities , localities and place names located partially or completely within
3025-495: Was then called "The Summit" hill, a name later shortened to Summit. The railroad allowed Summit to outgrow neighboring New Providence, which didn't have a train station. In 1868, a hotel named "The Summit House" burned beside the railroad. In 1869, Summit and New Providence separated and the Summit area was incorporated as the "Township of Summit". In the late 19th century, the area began shifting from farmland to wealthy estates; in 1892, renowned architect C. Abbott French cleared away
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