Trenton, NJ

The capital city of Trenton, New Jersey is located in the exact geographical center of the state, and is heavily influenced by the nearby metropolitan centers of New York City and Philadelphia. The city is bordered by the townships of Ewing, Lawrence, and Hamilton. To the west, Trenton is separated from Pennsylvania by the Delaware River. The Trenton-Morrisville Toll Bridge, the Lower Trenton Bridge, and Calhoun Street Bridge all connect Trenton with nearby Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

Since the year 2000, Trenton has repeatedly been designated one of the twenty most dangerous cities in the United States by a variety of surveys, including the Morgan Quitno report. The New Jersey State Prison is located in Trenton.

Trenton is densely populated, with about 83,000 residents. The city has always been ethnically diverse, and there were once large Italian, Hungarian, and Jewish neighborhoods.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

There are several distinctive neighborhoods scattered throughout the city. Among the most prominent include:

• Chambersburg: Located in the south section of the city, the neighborhood was once predominantly Italian. Though much of the Italian population is gone, "The Burg" is still known by residents throughout the city for its uniquely Italian character, with Italian restaurants, stores, and festivals, including the Feast of the Madonna, throughout the district.
• North Ward: Traditionally known as the "Five Points" neighborhood, this economically-distressed district still features some of the city's most important historical sites. Among the most significant landmarks is the Trenton Battle Monument, a tall column commemorating the victory of George Washington's Continental Army at the Battle of Trenton.
• East Ward: The Trenton Train Station is located in this district.
• West Ward: A predominantly suburban district, the neighborhood of West Ward crosses Trenton's city borders to encompass parts of Ewing Township.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Trenton's number one employer is the state government of New Jersey. Healthcare, construction, education, and accommodation and food services are other leading industries.

To help boost the local economy, portions of Trenton have been designated Urban Enterprise Zones, where shoppers enjoy a sizeable sales tax reduction on purchases.

During the early- and mid-1900s, Trenton was a major manufacturing center, its main products being rubber, wire rope, ceramics, and cigars. Toward the latter half of the century, however, production declined in the region. In order the help revive its lagging manufacturing industry, the city adopted the slogan "Trenton Makes, The World Takes." Today, large white letters still exhibit the slogan on Trenton's Lower Free Bridge.

FOR VISITORS

• New Jersey State Museum: The museum offers fine art and specimens of natural history, archeology, and industrial history dating back to the early 1800s. The museum also houses a planetarium and an auditorium.
• Old Barracks Museum: Located near the New Jersey State House in downtown Trenton, the museum offers a glimpse into what life was like for colonial soldiers during the French and Indian War. Tours of the building are available.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Patriots Theater at the War Memorial: Featuring performances from acclaimed musicians and symphonies from around the world, the theater is one of the centers of New Jersey's musical arts. In recent years, the theater has been remodeled in the Italian Renaissance Revival style.
• Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion: Presenting a collection of art and artifacts from Trenton's past, the museum is located in an Italianate villa, and is the centerpiece of Cadwalader Park. Open year round, the exhibits on the first floor typically feature contemporary art, and rotate regularly. Upstairs, a permanent collection of the mansion's furniture, cutlery, and artwork exhibit life in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
• Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra: The symphony performs in the Trenton War Memorial Auditorium, and is the oldest professional symphony orchestra in New Jersey.

EVENTS

• Trenton Film Festival: An annual event since 2004, the festival brings together filmmakers and film lovers from the Trenton area. The screenings are all within walking distance of one another.
• Trenton Computer Festival: Established in 1976, the annual event originated in Trenton State College, which has since become The College of New Jersey and has been designated as a part of nearby Ewing Township. The festival offers leading industry speakers, a Robotics Competition, a Micromouse Contest, and a flea market.

EDUCATION

• Thomas Edison State College: Located in downtown Trenton, the college offers a range of undergraduate and master's degrees, as well as a number of professional certificate programs.
• Mercer County Community College: A two-year college established in 1966, the college offers Associate of Art and Associate of Science degrees, as well as accreditation degrees. The college recently added a new campus, the James Kerney Campus, which is located in Trenton.

SPORTS TEAMS

• Baseball: The city is home to the American Minor League baseball team the Trenton Thunder. The team is part of the Northern Division and has won the Eastern League championships in 2007 and 2008.
• Hockey: Part of The Premier AA league, the Trenton Devils won the Kelly Cup in 2005.
• Football: Part of the American Indoor Football Association, the Trenton AIFA team will begin playing in the Sovereign Bank Arena in 2010.

LOCAL MEDIA

Several local newspapers serve the residents of Trenton:

• The Times
• The Trentonian
• Trenton Downtowner