Progressive country living defines life in High Bridge Borough, which is strategically located midway between New York City and Philadelphia. This charming town shares its borders with Lebanon and Clinton Townships. Situated in northern Hunterdon County, the 2.4-square mile borough is known for its community spirit and involved citizens.

One example of that civic-minded philosophy is the "I'm For High Bridge" group of volunteers, an organization whose members help out at town activities like the Easter egg hunt, Flag Day parade, High Bridge Expo, summertime Fun Fest, fireman's carnivals, Halloween parade and visits with Santa Claus. Originally founded in 1978, the group also volunteers with townwide improvement projects and presents school awards to an eighth grade boy and girl who best demonstrate community service.

Scenery in High Bridge includes anglers trying their luck along the banks of the South Branch of the Raritan River, wide open spaces, rolling hillsides and a quaint Main Street shopping district. Incorporated as a township in 1871, the borough split from Clinton and Lebanon Townships to become independent in 1898. An abiding sense of history pervades High Bridge, which was named for the elevated bridge built by the Central Railroad of New Jersey spanning the river.

Community Life

High Bridge is a quintessential small town where annual events include a townwide garage sale in May, the annual Pooch Parade held in June, world class cyclists participating in the annual Tour of High Bridge each June, the High Bridge Open Air Farmer's Market with antique dealers and crafters taking place from June to Labor Day, Outdoor Movie Nights at Commons Park on Main Street on Friday nights in July, or an outdoor concert series on Saturdays in September. There is also a Community Day in September and even an old-fashioned soap box derby.

Nature lovers will appreciate local scenery like Ken Lockwood Gorge, the state's premier fly fishing stream. Other attractions are the Lake at Solitude, the Observatory at Voorhees State Park, and the seven-mile Columbia Trail, a sanctuary favored by birdwatchers. Cafés and fine dining establishments line Main Street and cater to every taste, whether you are seeking Mexican specialties at Casa Maya, pub fare at Mrs. Reilly's Publik House or a gourmet dining experience at Circa Restaurant.

History

A little-known fact about High Bridge's long history as an iron ore center is that the local Taylor Foundry cast cannonballs for the American Army during the Revolutionary War. The Taylor Manufacturing Company was established with the arrival of Robert Taylor who came to High Bridge in 1758 from Ireland and lived in a residence now called Solitude House. The Taylor family remained prominent citizens in the area, serving in the Mexican War and Civil War. General W. Taylor died in 1862 at the Battle of Manassas, while in charge of the First New Jersey Brigade. His descendant, Knox Taylor, was another prominent figure in New Jersey. He built the elegant Greystone manor on Nassau Road for his wife, Lucy Jane Miller, in 1907.

Knox Taylor graduated from Princeton in 1895 and his legacy still lives on at the University, where top academics are chosen to be a Knox Taylor Professor of Geosciences, a prestigious appointment in the Department of Geosciences. Knox Taylor played football, competed on the track team for the university and was an active alumna throughout his lifetime. He recalled his college days with such fondness that he named the road his home was sited upon Nassau Road, a nod to the university's oldest and most recognizable building, Nassau Hall. He worked for many years at Taylor Manufacturing Company.

Most of High Bridge's non-farming history centers on the iron foundry. In 1912, Taylor Iron Works merged with the William Wharton Jr. Co. of Philadelphia to become the Taylor-Wharton Iron and Steel Company. The firm built houses for their workers, and company executives constructed appealing Victorian homes in the immediate area and along Nassau Road. After celebrating its 210th anniversary in 1952, Taylor-Wharton was acquired by the Harsco Corporation. The High Bridge plant was finally closed in 1970.

Education

With an average class size of about 18 students, High Bridge Elementary School at 40 Fairview Avenue is a close-knit educational community. Children in preschool through fifth grade receive instruction tailored to their specific needs. The curriculum includes reading, writing, math, plus weekly instruction in art, music and library skills. Students participate in physical education twice a week and teacher-supervised recess every day. Instrumental music begins in grade three with recorders and continues with band in grades four and five. Fourth and fifth graders may also perform in the chorus. Technology studies start in second grade and continue throughout fifth grade. Each classroom is equipped with computers, internet access, cable television and an intra-school broadcast system. There are also a number of co-curricular, after-school activities.

High Bridge Middle School at 50 Thomas Street has an average class size of about 20 students in grades six, seven and eight. A strong academic program includes language arts, inquiry-based science, mathematics, advanced math, algebra, social studies, Spanish, art, music, computer literacy and family/consumer science. After-school, co-curricular and athletic programs such as chorus, band, drama, homework club, a literary magazine, volleyball, cross country, basketball, baseball and softball are offered to expand student interests and to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Public school students in grades nine to twelve attend Voorhees High School located at 256 Route 31 in Glen Gardner. The high school also serves students from Califon, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon and Tewksbury. It is part of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. In 2012, the New Jersey Department of Education placed Voorhees High School on its list of the Highest Performing Schools in the state.

Twelve academic departments offer approximately 1,140 students a wide array of courses at the general, college prep and honors levels. Over 20 Advanced Placement courses are available to qualified students. Vocational courses are offered in several departments as well as through the Hunterdon County Polytechnical School.

A large majority of Voorhees High School graduates pursue higher education, and many are accepted to some of the most competitive colleges and universities in the nation. Of the Class of 2012, 95% are enrolled in institutions of higher learning; 70% are attending four-year colleges, 20% are attending two-year colleges, and 3% are attending business and/or technical schools.

Other impressive statistics about Voorhees High School include that fact that over 70% of the students participate in athletics and about 60% are involved in student organizations. The student-to-faculty ratio is 10.4 to 1.

Transportation

Located a mile east of Route 31 and about two miles north of Interstate 78 in Clinton, High Bridge is convenient to major roadways. The High Bridge train station is the last stop on NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line, where riders take advantage of free, permit-based parking in the lot on West Main Street. Passengers can commute to Newark Penn Station and transfer to either the Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line for service to New York's Penn Station. Several newly-scheduled weekday trips go directly into and out of Manhattan during midday hours.

Trans-Bridge Lines provide daily bus service in nearby Union Township or Clinton. Bus routes go to Newark Liberty International Airport, the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan and Kennedy International Airport.

Real Estate

The real estate market in High Bridge is well-represented with a variety of architectural styles including antique homes, historic houses, stone homes, vintage Colonials, center hall Colonials, ranches, Victorians, townhomes, contemporary residences and newer custom homes.

Residents can choose to live within the town and be close to High Bridge's shops and restaurants, or reside on a larger lot further from town. Often, buildable land is available for those wishing to create their own new home in High Bridge.

Local Attractions

The Columbia Trail is an old rail trail using the same route as the former Central Railroad of New Jersey's tracks. This flat seven-mile trail is maintained by Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation. It runs northeastward from the center of High Bridge at the junction of Main and Church Streets, heading toward Califon and through the scenic beauty of the Ken Lockwood Gorge. Hikers, bikers and bird watchers frequent the Columbia Trail all year long.

Union Forge Park is the borough's main public park, located across the river from the site of the former Taylor-Wharton Iron and Steel Company. Another park is the Borough Commons situated at the beginning of the Columbia Trail. A grant received by the Union Forge Heritage Association in 2008 was used to create the Taylor Steelworkers Historical Greenway, which measures a little over five miles around the borough, starting at Columbia Trail and connecting the borough's parks and historic sites.

The High Bridge Hills Golf Club is a par 71 course designed in the British tradition by Mark Mungeam in 2000. The course is certified as a Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. Located at 203 Cregar Road near Route 31, facilities include a clubhouse, golf shop and on-site dining at the High Bridge Hills Grille. High Bridge residents are given priority tee times and competitive membership rates.