Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, United States, and the county seat of urban Essex County. As of the 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 273,546, making it the largest municipality in New Jersey and the 64th largest city in the U.S. According to the US Census Bureau, the city's 2006 population estimate is 281,402, an increase of 2.9% from 2000.
It is located approximately five miles (8 km) west of Manhattan and two miles (3 km) north of Staten Island. Its location near the Atlantic Ocean on Newark Bay has helped make its port facility, Port Newark, the major container shipping port on Newark Bay and for New York Harbor. Together with Elizabeth, it is the home of Newark Liberty International Airport, which was the first major airport to serve the New York metropolitan area.
Newark was originally formed as a township on October 31, 1693, based on the Newark Tract, which was first purchased on July 11, 1667. Newark was granted a Royal Charter on April 27, 1713, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. During its time as a township, portions were taken to form Springfield Township (April 14, 1794), Caldwell Township (February 16, 1798, now known as Fairfield Township), Orange Township (November 27, 1806), Bloomfield Township (March 23, 1812) and Clinton Township (April 14, 1834, remainder reabsorbed by Newark on March 5, 1902). Newark was reincorporated as a city on April 11, 1836, replacing Newark Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on March 18, 1836. The previously independent Vailsburg borough was annexed by Newark on January 1, 1905. Newark is divided into five wards; North Ward, South Ward, West Ward, East Ward, and Central Ward.
Forest Hill is an affluent pre-World War II neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey's North Ward. It is bounded on the west by Branch Brook Park, on the south by Bloomfield Ave. (some maps place the southern limit at 2nd Ave.), and on the east by Summer Avenue and Mt. Prospect Avenue, the neighborhood of Broadway.
Forest Hill is located on a ridge between the Passaic River and the valley of the Branch Brook. It was first developed by Elias Heller, who owned a file factory in North Newark, on the Belleville border. From the 1870s to the 1920s generations of wealthy Newarkers built hundreds of stately homes in the area in various styles, including Beaux-Arts, Victorian, Colonial, Gothic, and Spanish Revival. Along with their mansions, the wealthy of Forest Hill also developed scores of social and literary clubs. Other than the homes, landmarks include the old Tiffany factory. Both the Branch Brook branch and the North End branch of the Newark Public Library serve the Forest Hill neighborhood.
The neighborhood is very well-preserved. Almost none of the historic houses have been torn down, converted to apartments, or converted to institutional use. The northern part of the neighborhood is part of an official historic district. From time to time there are special tours through the New Jersey Historical Society where homeowners open their doors to visitors. Aside from those nights, the homes of Forest Hill are private property.
The Park Ave, Bloomfield Ave, Davenport Ave and Branch Brook Park stations on the Newark City Subway are all across the park from the Forest Hill neighborhood.