CUMBERLAND COUNTY
County Offices
790 E. Commerce Street
Bridgeton 856-453-2125
www.co.cumberland.nj.us
Chamber of Commerce
76 Magnolia Avenue
Bridgeton 856-455-1312
www.baccnj.com
Major Highways
Routes 55, 322
Since its separation from Salem County in 174, rural Cumberland County has continued to experience slow and steady growth. This multi-faceted and diverse community is proud of its rich agricultural heritage and the townships, boroughs, and municipalities that dot the countryside. Picturesque farms still flourish, once blending with important glass, canning, oyster, and clothing industries. While some of these traditional industries still flourish, many new retail businesses and manufacturing companies are finding a comfortable, affordable home in Cumberland County.
Often called the “garden spot” of the Garden State, Cumberland County preserves nearly 1,000 acres in fertile farmland. The Vineland Produce Auction is the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the nation, boasting $50 million in annual sales. Vineland also hosts the annual Jersey Fresh Festival, featuring fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products. Other important agribusiness activities include vegetable and seafood processing plants, ornamental nurseries, fruit orchards, and farms for dairy, poultry, and swine. Rutgers University carries on valuable research in this area, from variety improvement to crop protection, weed control, and mechanical harvesting.
However, farm-fresh goods and a more relaxed rural pace are not the only benefit of life in Cumberland County. Historic sites and homes abound, particularly in Historic Bridgeton. Visitors are able to walk through time in New Jersey’s largest historic district, catching glimpses of more than 300 years of American history that includes Colonial, Federal, and Victorian architecture. The Bridgeton story began in 1686 when Richard Hancock built the first sawmill and workman’s houses. Today, “Potter’s Tavern” and Ebenezer Miller’s house remain from their pre-revolutionary era. By the latter half of the 19th century, Bridgeton had evolved into an industrial center. The city’s fine examples of elegant Victorian homes are reminiscent of the prosperity that these enterprises generated. Throughout Cumberland County, newcomers will discover quaint communities like Bridgeton that are restoring fine old homes and vintage treasures.
Services
The construction of Route 55 opened the door of expanded commerce, industry, and residential development in Cumberland County. Traversing the county with a convenient connection to major thoroughfares like the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Interstate 295, the highway greatly simplified access to Philadelphia and reduced commuting time by 30 minutes or more. County residents are able to drive from the Landis Avenue ramp in Vineland to Broad Street in Philadelphia in less than 40 minutes. The result of this important transportation improvement has been, is now, and will continue to be an acceleration of growth and development throughout the area. Commuters also have the advantage of New Jersey Transit bus service to key destinations and major employment centers. One of New Jersey’s important transportation amenities is located in Cumberland County. Millville Airport, boasting a 6,100-foot runway, is distinguished as the state’s only FAA Flight Service Station. The airport has been further designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone and enjoys Foreign Trade Zone status.
State-of-the-art healthcare facilities and services in Cumberland County are anchored by the highly respected South Jersey Hospital System, by far the county’s largest employer. With nearly 3,000 professionals and personnel employed by the system, more than half are based at the newly opened SJH Regional Medical Center in Vineland. Tracing its roots back to 1898 when the original Bridgeton Hospital first opened its doors, SJH also operates a hospital in Elmer and a medical center in Bridgeton. Because this outstanding network is affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, local residents are able to consult with specialists without traveling to Philadelphia. Full-service wellness facilities with fitness equipment and hospital-based women’s centers are just two of the comprehensive services. SJH Regional Cancer Center joins a select group of hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that work in partnership with Fox Chase Cancer Center to offer the latest in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Quality education is available in Cumberland County in well-managed public school districts and a selection of private schools, both independent and parochial. Cumberland County College in Vineland enriches the area intellectually and culturally. The Guaracini Fine & Performing Arts Center at the college provides diverse programs in the visual and performing arts while it gives students an opportunity to express their talents. Cumberland County College creates a springboard for success by giving students of all ages an opportunity to learn a new skill, earn a certification or degree in a specialized career field, or launch an affordable four-year degree program close to home. Also convenient for Cumberland County residents are Stockton State College and Rowan University.
Lifestyle
For homespun delights, small-town friendliness, historic charm, and communities that are growing residentially and economically, Cumberland County offers the best of all worlds. Many of the attractions in this region are unique for their historic importance as well as their entertainment value. Cohanzick Zoo in Historic Bridgeton’s 1,100-acre city park, for example, is celebrated as New Jersey’s first zoo. Undergoing extensive renovation, the zoo features hundreds of birds and mammals from around the world including white tigers, bears, leopards, ring-tailed lemurs, and eagles. The Albert J. Kolonich, Jr. Nature Trail extends from the Cohanzick Zoo to Sunset Lake, creating a nature trail of educational signs about the ecosystem, fish, and fish migration. Bridgeton’s waterfront downtown district along the Cohansey River draws residents and visitors to quaint shops, eateries, and family entertainment centers.
Four-season recreation in Cumberland County includes miles of frontage on the Delaware Bay for water-sport enthusiasts. As part of the Southern New Jersey peninsula, this area enjoys a milder climate than most of the Northeast, tempered by the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream. As a result, seasonal changes are spectacular in scope and color without a tendency toward extremes. Golfing, tennis, swimming, biking, hiking, camping, and boating opportunities at major recreational sites combine with the facilities and programs developed within each community for a full range of sports and outdoor activities.
Just 40 miles from Philadelphia, the county is approximately a three-hour drive from New York City’s world-class cultural attractions and the Smithsonian Institute museums of Washington, DC. White-sand beaches and the dazzling casino resorts in Atlantic City are only 35 miles from home. Professional sports enthusiasts are 40 minutes away from Philadelphia’s wildly popular teams like the Eagles, Flyers, 76ers, and Phillies. However, first-class recreational and cultural attractions are abundant throughout Cumberland County.
Cumberland County College enriches the region with a calendar of events and performing arts at the Guaracini Fine & Performing Arts Center. Nestled on rustic wooded acreage in Millville, the Barn Studio of Art has served as a hub for the Southern New Jersey art community for more than 25 years. Sunset Lake Amphitheatre in the vast Bridgeton City Park hosts everything from children’s productions to star-studded shows like the Bridgeton Folk Festival and a medley of other high-quality yet affordable entertainment. Another cultural treasure is the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, offering experiences in the arts and fine crafts for residents of all ages. One of the most well-known of the local arts organizations is Wheaton Village, where highly skilled artists deftly employ century-old techniques as they transform hot, molten glass into exquisite works of art in the 1888 TC Wheaton Glass Factory. The elegant Museum of American Glass feature more than 7500 objects. Other highlights include the Down Jersey Folklife Center, the Stained Glass Studio, the Gallery of American Craft, and unusual museum stores.
Rolling townships, small towns and villages, bustling cities, historic districts, and beautiful new residential communities are all encompassed within Cumberland County’s diverse and beautiful landscape. The housing selection ranges from vintage Victorians and lovely old mansions to cozy bungalows, rambling family homes, horse properties, quaint farmhouses, and vibrant new construction. Bay or lakefront views, country charm, and quiet neighborhoods lined with mature trees encourage residents to settle back after a day’s work and listen to the sound of crickets chirping or wave from the front porch at neighbors who are enjoying an evening stroll.
Little surprise that Money Magazine has cited Cumberland County as one of the best places to live in New Jersey, and the National Association of Home Builders recently named the area one of the most affordable housing markets in America. With its active arts community, bustling shopping mall, historic zoo, vast historic wetlands, fertile farmland, and a rich glassblowing heritage, Cumberland County offers a home like no other in Southern New Jersey or the entire Northeast.
Bridgeton
Municipal Offices
Bridgeton 856-455-3230
www.cityofbridgeton.com
Chamber of Commerce
Bridgeton 856-455-1312
www.baccnj.com
The quaint and historic city of Bridgeton serves as the Cumberland County seat of government and an important destination for tourists and visitors. Actively working to restore its proud heritage and wealth of remarkable architecture, the city offers wonderful eateries and delightful shops in its Victorian downtown district. The 1,100-acre city park features a historic zoo and performing arts amphitheater, an ideal gathering place for colorful festivals and celebrations. Throughout the city are homes, taverns, and churches that have remained in use for as long as three centuries. The city boasts New Jersey’s largest historic district, showcasing more than 2,200 homes and buildings on the National Historic Register of Places. Newcomers will discover an enchanting cityscape that has been influenced and changed by nearly every period of American history.
Commercial, Downe, Laurel Lake, Port Norris
Municipal Offices
Commercial 856-785-3100
www.commercialtwp.com
Downe 856-447-3100
www.downetwpnj.org
Chamber of Commerce
Bridgeton 856-455-1312
www.baccnj.com
The Maurice River and Delaware Bay have always influenced the rural villages nestled in Commercial and Downe townships. Well known for its former oyster industry, Port Norris in Commercial Township still supports a strong crabbing industry, net fishing, and recreational boating. Other township villages include Mauricetown with its Victorian homes, New England ambiance, and antique shops; and the former resort village of Laurel Lake, today a desirable and close-knit community of lovely homes. Downe Township features Fortescue, often called the Weakfish Capitol of the World, an area surrounded by marshlands of the Egg Island Wildlife Management Area. Vast tracts of conservation land cover the township, which is also home to the small villages of Dividing Creek and Newport.
Deerfield, Upper Deerfield, Rosehayn, Seabrook Farms
Municipal Offices
Deerfield 856-455-3200
www.deerfieldtownship.org
Upper Deerfield 856-451-3811
www.upperdeerfield.org
Chamber of Commerce
Bridgeton 856-455-1312
www.baccnj.com
The neighboring rural townships of Deerfield and Upper Deerfield are located in northern Cumberland County near Vineland and Millville. Thriving businesses, productive farms, schools, churches, recreational areas, open space, country homes, and residential villages share an ideal location near a network of major thoroughfares. Access to the major thoroughfares of Routes 55, 56, 552, and State Route 49 is available in or near this area for a convenient yet rural lifestyle. Nestled in central Deerfield Township is Carmel, the home of the Cumberland County Fairgrounds, as well as the trucking and banana processing center of Rosehayn. Seabrook Farms is an unusual village in Upper Deerfield Township, home to the Seabrook Educational and Cultural Center. These townships have experienced slow and steady growth in recent years, preserving their open feeling.
Fairfield, Lawrence, Fairton, Greenwich
Municipal Offices
Fairfield 973-882-2700
www.fairfieldnj.org
Lawrence 856-477-4554
www.lawrencetwpcumberlandnj.com
Greenwich 856-423-1038
www.greenwichtwp.com
Chamber of Commerce
Bridgeton 856-455-1312
www.baccnj.com
Nestled along the Cohansey River, Fairfield Township is home to the unincorporated community of Fairton and recreational amenities that include the Cohanzick Country Club. Like much of Cumberland County, the township preserves the strong agricultural base and vast tracts of farmland. Lawrence Township, spanning nearly 38 square miles, is bounded by Fairfield and Downe townships to the west and east, and Millville and the Delaware Bay to the north and south. The township is home to several wildlife management areas including Buckshutem, Cedarville Ponds, and Nantuxent. The seat of government, Cedarville, was once an oyster center and agricultural village. Historic Greenwich Township offers a unique rural community with a rich heritage. Nearly all of the homes built during the 18th century along the tee-shaded Ye Greate Street remain intact, and the entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hopewell, Stow Creek, Shiloh
Municipal Offices
Hopewell 856-455-1230
www.hopewelltwp-nj.com
Stow Creek 856-451-8822
www.stowcreektwp.com
Shiloh 856-455-3054
Chamber of Commerce
Bridgeton 856-455-1312
www.baccnj.com
The beautiful and affordable rural community of Hopewell Township is probably best known for the delightful attraction of Dutch Neck Village. Unusual boutiques, home cooking, brick pathways, a country museum, and lovely landscaping make this a popular destination. Balancing suburban and rural living, Hopewell blends thriving businesses and working farms. The growing retail, professional, and corporate center is the Shiloh Pike corridor, just west of Bridgeton. In addition to handsome suburban homes and neighborhoods, the rolling countryside is dotted with churches, schools, fields, lakes, streams, and wooded areas. The smaller neighboring communities of Shiloh Borough, home of DeCou Orchards, and Stow Creek benefit from Hopewell’s development and the close proximity to Bridgeton amenities.
Millville, Maurice River
Municipal Offices
Millville 856-825-7000
www.millvillenj.gov
Maurice River 856-785-1120
www.mauricerivertwp.org
Chamber of Commerce
Millville 856-825-2600
www.millville-nj.com
“Holly City,” as Millville is often called for its legacy of holly tree cultivation, offers a charming hometown surrounded by farmland, bay recreation, and wildlife preserves. The former Holly Farm is now the home of the Brian A. Parent Center, combining conference facilities with art galleries and a nature preserve. Millville has also transformed a part of its downtown district into the Glasstown Center Arts District. Many lovely parks, lakes, streams, and nature centers add to the beauty of the community. The Millville Army Airfield Museum offers a glimpse of World War II History, while the annual spring air show of “Wings over Millville” features vintage and high-tech aircraft in flight. The neighboring Maurice River Township is equally rich in natural beauty and wildlife. This area supports exceptional fishing and boating recreation, offering serene settings for residential development in quiet villages and open countryside.
Vineland
Municipal Offices
Vineland 856-794-4000
www.vinelandcity.org
Chamber of Commerce
856-691-7400
www.vinelandchamber.org
Claiming the highest number of residents of any community in the county, Vineland is also distinguished as the largest New Jersey city in area. Vineland combines industry and agriculture with bustling retail centers that include Cumberland Mall at Routes 47 and 55. Municipal services are well developed, including a local electric utility and a daily newspaper. This culturally diverse community has welcomed waves of immigrants through the centuries and celebrates a popular Puerto Rican Festival each summer. Vineland was originally a one-square-mile planned community surrounded by farmland and was the founding home of Welch’s Grape Juice in the late 1800s. Quality public and private schools, quiet neighborhoods, nearly 240 acres of parkland, affordable homes, and the vast resources associated with Cumberland County College add to the quality of life.
