Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

The town overlooks where the Atlantic Ocean and Raritan Bay meet at Sandy Hook, and its hills mark the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. south of Maine. For hundreds of years, the original inhabitants were the Lenape, who lived in and along the cliffs and creeks of Atlantic Highlands. The Lenape traded with the Europeans and sold a group of English settlers an area that covered the entire peninsula that was named Portland Poynt. The area was laid out with 10 lots in 1667, making them the first European residents of present-day Atlantic Highlands. Colonists convened the first Assembly of New Jersey in 1667 in what is now Atlantic Highlands. During Revolutionary War years, loyalists to the British crown and patriots of the new America clashed in repeated raids and counterattacks across these lands. Retreating English troops passed through after their defeat in 1778 by George Washington at the Battle of Monmouth. During the late 1800s, the many farms were subdivided by resort developers, church groups and builders who created the Victorian core of the borough, attracting thousands of visitors and year-round residents. In 1879, a surveyor was engaged to lay roads and lots for a permanent community. The Atlantic Highlands Association was formed by prominent members of the Methodist Church. This organization developed the community of Atlantic Highlands. Individuals and groups came from New York City and the surrounding vicinity to camp along the water in tent colonies. An outdoor amphitheater was created with a large seating capacity and outstanding acoustics. An indoor auditorium was built, which was utilized for entertaining visitors at the camp meetings. In 1887, Atlantic Highlands was incorporated as a borough, containing of land bordering on the Raritan Bay. In 1966, the Central Railroad of New Jersey pier was destroyed by fire. Its rail route is now used by the Henry Hudson Trail. The bungalows on the East Side of the borough, which in the 1920s were summer bungalows, are now occupied year-round. Portland Pointe is a five-story residence for senior citizens. ==Geography==

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 4.56 square miles (11.82 km2), including 1.26 square miles (3.27 km2) of land and 3.30 square miles (8.54 km2) of water (72.35%). Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Brevent Park, Hillside, Hilton, Hilton Park, Navesink and Stone Church. Atlantic Highlands has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average monthly temperatures range from in January to in July. The hardiness zone is 7a or 7b depending upon elevation. ==Demographics==

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Atlantic Highlands had a population of 4,414. The median age was 48.8 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.7 males age 18 and over. 100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas. There were 1,949 households in Atlantic Highlands, of which 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.1% were married-couple households, 18.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. 2000 census As of the 2000 United States census There were 1,969 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.00. In the borough the age distribution of the population shows 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males. The median income for a household in the borough was $64,955, and the median income for a family was $79,044. Males had a median income of $60,857 versus $36,060 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,798. About 4.4% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over. ==Sports==

Atlantic Highlands Recreation Committee runs many events in town throughout the year including a Summer Concert Series in the harbor, youth programs such as basketball in the winter and soccer in the fall. ==Parks and recreation==

Atlantic Highlands has a large park system with eight borough-owned parks and two county operated parks. One of larger parks is Lenape Woods. It is nestled among tall trees and steep slopes, Lenape Woods offers approximately of natural woodlands and freshwater wetlands that are the headwaters to Many Mind Creek. Many groups and local residents volunteer their time to maintain the woods. Monmouth County operates two parks in the town, Henry Hudson Trail and Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook. Henry Hudson Trail runs from the Aberdeen/Keyport border at the intersection of Lloyd Road and Clark Street to the Atlantic Highlands border at Avenue D, and has been expanded to connect to Highlands. Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook is located about above sea level, at the highest natural elevation from Maine to the Yucatán, providing views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay and the New York skyline. This site is also home to Monmouth County's 9/11 Memorial. ==Arts and culture==

The town's history can be learned at both the Queen Anne-style Strauss Mansion Museum, and the local maritime museum. Lodgings can be found at a number of cottages and inns, such as the Blue Bay Inn. Entertainment venues include the First Avenue Playhouse, which offers dessert-and-dinner theater and puppet shows. Maritime attractions include a yacht club, marina and charter boats for fishing and touring. Other places of interest include a number of gift shops, galleries, and dining establishments. Atlantic Highlands is also home to two annual film festivals, FilmOneFest and Smodcastle Film Festival. According to the Monmouth County Master Plan, Atlantic Highlands has been designated as an Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment (ACE) Hub, which is defined as municipalities that have a high concentration of arts and cultural activities to serve as a destination for both visitors and locals, usually including an active nightlife scene in proximity to said cultural activities. Only eight towns in Monmouth County share this designation, with two additional towns designated as upcoming ACE hubs. ==Government==

Local government Atlantic Highlands is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Atlantic Highlands is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. , the mayor of Atlantic Highlands is Democrat Lori Hohenleitner, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Brian Dougherty (D, 2027), Jon Crowley (D, 2024), Alyson Forbes (D, 2026) Brian Gorsegner (D, 2028), Jose E. Pujols (D, 2027) and Kathleen Scatassa (D, 2028). Federal, state and county representation Atlantic Highlands is located in the 6th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 13th state legislative district. Politics As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,238 registered voters in Atlantic Highlands, of which 842 (26.0%) were registered as Democrats, 800 (24.7%) were registered as Republicans and 1,589 (49.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were seven voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 50.2% of the vote (1,167 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 48.3% (1,124 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (35 votes), among the 2,342 ballots cast by the borough's 3,329 registered voters (16 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 70.4%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 49.3% of the vote (1,287 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 47.5% (1,242 votes) and other candidates with 1.8% (48 votes), among the 2,612 ballots cast by the borough's 3,454 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.6%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 50.7% of the vote (1,350 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 46.3% (1,232 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (30 votes), among the 2,663 ballots cast by the borough's 3,464 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.9. In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.5% of the vote (989 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.2% (509 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (36 votes), among the 1,547 ballots cast by the borough's 3,357 registered voters (13 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 46.1%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 56.9% of the vote (1,020 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 33.7% (604 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.9% (124 votes) and other candidates with 1.8% (32 votes), among the 1,794 ballots cast by the borough's 3,309 registered voters, yielding a 54.2% turnout. ==Transportation==

Roads and highways in Atlantic Highlands , the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Monmouth County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. New Jersey Route 36 is the main highway running through Atlantic Highlands. The closest limited-access road is the Garden State Parkway, which is accessible via Route 36. Public transportation Atlantic Highlands is a stop for the SeaStreak Ferry, which travels from the East 34th Street Ferry Landing and Pier 11/Wall Street (with shuttle bus service to the World Financial Center) in Manhattan daily. ==Education==

Students in public school for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from both Atlantic Highlands and Highlands are served by the Henry Hudson Regional School District. The district came into existence as of July 1, 2024, through the consolidation of the formerly independent Atlantic Highlands School District and Highlands School District with Henry Hudson Regional High School into a single school district. As of the 2024–25 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 725 students and 86.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.4:1. Schools in the district (with 2024–25 enrollment from the National Center for Educational Statistics) are Atlantic Highlands Elementary School with 282 students in grades PreK–6, Highlands Elementary School with 153 students in grades PreK–6 and Henry Hudson Regional High School with 278 students in grades 7–12. ==Notable people==

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Atlantic Highlands include: • Jeff Anderson (born 1970), actor, best known as Randal Graves in Kevin Smith's Clerks • Engelbert Brenner (1904–1986), soloist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra who was active locally as a conductor with the municipal band and as a tree warden • Donald Brown (born 1987), running back who has played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers • Leonard S. Coleman Jr. (born 1949), last president of the National League, serving from 1994 until 1999 when the position was eliminated by Major League Baseball • Steve Corodemus (born 1952), represented the 11th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992 to 2008, and was a member of the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council from 1986 to 1988 • Cicely Cottingham, artist best known for her paintings and works on paper • Burgoyne Diller (1906–1965), abstract painter • Peter E. Fleming Jr. (1929–2009), criminal defense lawyer • John J. Flemm (1896–1974), businessman and politician • Anna Genovese (1905–1982), businesswoman and second wife of mobster Vito Genovese • Vito Genovese (1897–1969), mob enforcer who helped shape the rise of the American Mafia and would later lead Luciano's crime family, which was renamed the Genovese crime family • John A. Hall (1877–1919), collegiate football player who was head coach of the Carlisle Indians football team in 1898 • Emerson Hart (born 1969), songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and producer who is the lead singer and songwriter of the alternative rock band Tonic • Reamer Keller (1905–1994), cartoonist who often drew 50 cartoons a week and routinely published a thousand cartoons annually for decades • Bernard F. Martin (1845–1914), politicians from New York City who served in the New York State Senate • Ruth Crawford Mitchell (1890–1984), immigrant advocate and designer of the Cathedral of Learning's Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh • Knowshon Moreno (born 1987), running back who has played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins • Sterling Stryker (1895–1926), Major League Baseball pitcher • Jerry Vasto (born 1992), former MLB pitcher who played for the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals • Max Weinberg (born 1951), drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and television personality • Bill Wenzel (1918–1987), cartoonist best known for his good girl art ==References==