Flemington, NJ

Flemington is a small town in New Jersey with about 4,200 residents. This borough is the county seat of Hunterdon County and spans just over one square mile. Flemington is an independent municipality located entirely within Raritan Township. The town is named after Samuel Fleming who purchased part of this land in 1756 and built his Bonnell Street home, which remains there today.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Flemington is a historic residential town that accommodates more than 1,800 houses with an occupancy ratio that is a little more than 96 percent. Out of occupied houses, owners occupy about 700 houses and renters occupy about 1,100 houses.

The Flemington Historic District boasts a Main Street that has been touted as one of the prettiest in America, largely due to its beautiful mix of Greek Revival and Victorian buildings. Sixty percent of the buildings in this area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, most notably the Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse.

Three historic districts lie within 5 miles of the city, but outside of Flemington's city limits:

• Clover Hill Historic District is split between East Amwell Township and Hillsborough Township. Known as Clover Hill by 1848, this area included houses, a store, hotel, blacksmith shop, post office and church by 1880. Clover Hill is known for its Late Victorian, Gothic Revival, and Greek Revival architectural styles.
• Dart's Mill Historic District, on the south branch of the Raritan River, was once housed a thriving complex of mills dating back to 1730. No mills remain today, however; the last one burned in 1994.
• John Reading Farmstead, located northeast of Flemington on River Rd., this farmstead dates back to the mid-1700s and features Georgian architecture.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

With no major industries, the majority of Flemington's residents commute to nearby towns for work, although about one-third of them work in Flemington itself. About 6.9 percent of Flemington's population is below the poverty line. About 81 percent of employees work in the private sector, while 11 percent work for the government, and about 6 percent work for themselves. Some of the larger employers include Hunterdon Medical Center, Johanna Foods and Hunterdon Central High School.

Hunterdon Medical Center is Flemington's primary medical facility. It is a comprehensive complex offering a range of services, among them cardiac care, hospice, maternity, behavioral health, home and community care, rehabilitation, and a health and wellness center. The center also offers educational community events on health-related topics.

EDUCATION

Hunterdon County Polytech Career Academy is a career and technical high school also offering local adults continuing education programs. This academy offers about a dozen main programs as well as college credit, licensing and certifications.

FAMILY FUN

• Borough Park features a Victorian-era gazebo and is the site of many community events.
• Mine Brook Park offers a playground, a picnic area, ball fields and walking paths.
• Tuccamirgan Park is a green natural space with walking trails.

FOR VISITORS

• Northlandz is a miniature world featuring the Great American Railway with some 100 miniature trains that run daily. Other features of the site include the La Peep Dollhouse, which has about 94 rooms, a swimming pool, and ballroom; the Raritan River Railway, a 2/3 scale steam rail that runs on 50,000 feet of track; and the Doll Museum, which features more than 200 dolls. Finally, the Music Hall has a large pipe organ and theater.
• Flemington Circle, the largest of the three traffic circles in Flemington, is home to the Historic District.
• Mediatech Foundation, a not-for-profit community organization, aims to provide residents with access to technology.
• Hill-Fulper-Stangl Museum preserves the history of ceramics. The museum features the last known Stangl kiln and tells the story of ceramics from the 1850s to the present. This museum is open daily and admission is free.

EVENTS

• Train Show introduces residents the layout of an operational train and a number of vendors are on hand selling all kinds of train-related merchandise.
• Winter Wonderland Cat Show offers visitors the chance to see various breeds of cats, while owners can enter their own felines in various competitions, including Best in Show. Orphaned cats are also available for adoption.
• The Trial of the Century is an exciting reenactment of the 1935 Lindbergh trial and is held in the same courthouse as the original.
• FRBA Classic Car Show is a family-friendly event featuring antique cars and live big-band music.

SHOPPING

• Flemington Circle Shopping Center offers residents easy access to affordable shopping chains.
• Main Street offers visitors shopping, restaurants and live music. Community parades travel down this road as well.
• Liberty Village offers shopping and restaurants.
• Turnabout Junction is open Tuesday through Sunday and offers a variety of outlet retail shops.

BEST BETS

• Union Hotel was built by Neal Hart in the early 19th century. During this time, the hotel was used as a meeting place for socialites. Eventually, it was turned into a restaurant and the top two floors were closed and converted into offices. Employees have reported strange happenings, and rumors persist that the hotel is haunted.
• Hunterdon County Courthouse was built in 1791 and gained notoriety in the 1930s with the Lindbergh trial. The courthouse was renovated in 1997 and currently displays historical artifacts, including the witness chair from the Lindbergh trial.
• Fleming Castle, built in 1756, was the home of Samuel Fleming, an Irish-born tavern master. Now a museum, the property preserves history with a depiction of 1700s living.
• Flemington Children's Choir School is the home of the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission. This old school building is also open for tours by appointment.
• The Doric House is an 1845 Greek Revival-style home. The six-room home includes a genealogical library with information on the town's local families.

GETTING AROUND

• The LINK offers low- to no-cost transportation for senior citizens, disabled individuals and low-income residents.
• The Cross County LOOPs offer public commuter services within Flemington and the surrounding communities.
• The Flemington Shuttle offers buses that travel to major cities, including New York and Atlantic City, as well as the Newark and JFK airports.

LOCAL MEDIA

Flemington's local radio stations include:

• WWJZ 640 AM - children's
• WZZD 990 AM - talk
• WCHR 1040 AM - religious
• WHWH 1350 AM - business
• WNWR 1540 AM - ethnic
• WMWX 95.7 FM - adult contemporary
• WTHK 94.5 FM - Top 40
• WPST 97.5 FM - classic rock
• WOGL 98.1 FM - oldies
• WAWZ 99.1 FM - Christian
• WKXW 101.5 FM - talk

Flemington's local publications include:

• Star Ledger
• The Courier News
• Hunterdon County Democrat