Union Township, New Jersey Real Estate
Union Township: Beauty, Fertility and Freedom

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Union Township is located in Union County, New Jersey. The Union County municipalities of Elizabeth, Hillside, Springfield Township, Kenilworth, and Roselle Park, and the Essex County communities of Irvington, Maplewood and Millburn border the Township. As of the United States 2000 Census, Union Township had a total population of 54,405. The area that is now Union Township was formerly called Connecticut Farms and was the site of a Revolutionary War battle that took place on June 7, 1780.

Much of Union County is relatively flat and low-lying. Only in the northwestern corner does any significant relief appear as the Watchung Mountains cross the county. It is there that highest elevations, two areas approximately 560 feet (171 m) above sea level, are found in Berkeley Heights. The lowest elevation is sea level along the eastern shore.

From the 15th to 17th Centuries, the Dutch and English were drawn to this area -- then occupied by the Lenni Lenapi Indians (or Delaware tribe, as the Europeans called them) -- because of its incredibly easy access by sea. They developed the first colonial settlements in the area because of its natural beauty, vast abundance of fertile fields and natural resources, and offer of personal freedom. The development of the area was greatly helped by the criss-cross network of Indian trails, which became colonial roads and, centuries later, major highways.

Today, Union County is the world headquarters for Merck and Co., Lucent Technologies, Schering-Plough and Wakefern Food Corp. Its top industries are retail, pharmaceuticals, petroleum and telecommunications.