Brigantine, New Jersey

Map of Brigantine in Atlantic County

Brigantine is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 12,594.

Geography

Brigantine is located at 39°24′8″N 74°22′45″W (39.402150, -74.379074)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.4 km² (9.8 mi²). 16.7 km² (6.4 mi²) of it is land and 8.7 km² (3.4 mi²) of it (34.32%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 12,594 people, 5,473 households, and 3,338 families residing in the city. The population density was 756.2/km² (1,959.0/mi²). There were 9,304 housing units at an average density of 558.7/km² (1,447.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.15% White, 3.94% African American, 0.18% Native American, 5.72% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.67% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.41% of the population.

There were 5,473 households out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,639, and the median income for a family was $51,679. Males had a median income of $40,523 versus $29,779 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,950. About 7.6% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

History

Early History

The rich heritage of Brigantine Beach began in the 1500s when the Lenni Lenape Native Americans called the island their "summer playground" or "Watamoonica."

The Dutch were the first Europeans to explore the Jersey coastline searching for a waterway through the New World to the Orient. The log book of Henry Hudson's ship "Half Moon" recalls the first observation of Brigantine Beach on September 2, 1608: "This is a very good land to fall in with, and a pleasant land to see..." The legendary pirate, Captain William Kidd is said to have buried treasure under Brigantine Beach sand.

The name of the city comes from a brigantine, a type of two-masted sailing ship; perhaps one of the first of over three hundred vessels wrecked on the notorious offshore shoals - during a two hundred year period.

In the 1700s, several families, whose large landholdings were known as "plantations," owned the island. During the American Revolutionary War, American privateers (patriot - pirates) hid in the north and south inlets and would suddenly streak to attack unwary or disabled British ships. Shipbuilding and salt manufacturing (from sea water) became important industries during the war.

Whalers used Brigantine Beach to launch attacks on migrating whales from New England. (Today the Marine Mammal Stranding Center assists sick and injured whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles. The Brigantine Wildlife Refuge on the north end is a state protected haven for birds, rabbits, and foxes.)

Turn of the 19th Century

Several attempts were made during the late 1800s to develop Brigantine on a significant scale. In connection with one of these attempts, made by the Brigantine Improvement Company, the island's name was briefly changed to "North Atlantic City."

During this period, a railroad was built to connect Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Brigantine; 16 trolleys ran the length of the island; and steamboats carried people to and from Atlantic City during the "Gay Nineties." Hotels sprang up and some served as getaways for important people including President of the United States Grover Cleveland. Hard times and harsh storms ended this boom in the early 1900s. In 1917, the City had only 54 full-time residents and an operating budget of $5,400.

Brigantine Lighthouse

During the 1920s, with the advent of automobile access to the island, Brigantine became the object of a large scale development effort by the Island Development Company, which had succeeded to title to most of the island from the Brigantine Land and Transportation Company. In 1924, a bridge was constructed linking Atlantic City and Brigantine, and a land boom ensued. A boardwalk, a school and a golf course became realities. The Brigantine Lighthouse was built as an attraction and landmark, not as a navigational aid.

The City also undertook a variety of infrastructure improvements, such as streets and sewage and water facilities, for which it issued bonds. With the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression, the island experienced a cessation of demand for homes and the Island Development Company ceased operating, deeding its remaining properties to the City.

World War II to Present

Brigantine Beach bounced back again and again, and survived major storms in 1944 and 1962. The Brigantine Inn was the site of the Coastal Warning Service of the United States Army during World War II when local citizens made extraordinary sacrifices.

After the war the island grew steadily, building up to the present day year-round population of 12,600. The maintenance of controlled, primarily residential, development of the City is mandated by the City's 1992 Master Plan and by state control of types of development in barrier islands such as Brigantine. The advent of legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City in 1978 has caused an increase in certain of these trends, but in the experience of City officials, the basic pattern of orderly growth has continued.

From mid-1976 to 1987, an amusement park on a fishing pier remained famous for its "haunted house" known as "Brigantine Castle". Brigantine Castle burnt down due to arson in 1987.

Government

Local government

Pursuant to the vote of the electorate in 1989, the form of government in the City of Brigantine has been established as the Council-Manager plan under the Faulkner Act. The City of Brigantine is governed by a City Council consisting of a Mayor (elected at large), two at-large Council members and four ward Council members – each serving four-year terms. The Mayor presides over the meetings of City Council. The functions of the Council are, among others, to adopt the municipal budget and to enact ordinances to promote and ensure the security, health, government and protection of the City and its residents.

The Mayor of Briganine City is Philip J. Guenther. Members of the City Council are:

• Councilwoman-at-Large - Sue Schilling
• Councilman-at-Large - John Murray
• Councilman Ward 1 - Robert Solari
• Councilman Ward 2 - Rich Casamento, Deputy Mayor
• Councilman Ward 3 - Sam Storino
• Councilman Ward 4 - Jim Frugoli

Federal, state and county representation

Brigantine is in the Second Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 2nd Legislative District.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).

For the 2024-2025 session, the 2nd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Vincent J. Polistina (R, Egg Harbor Township) and in the General Assembly by Don Guardian (R, Atlantic City) and Claire Swift (R, Margate City). Template:NJ Governor

Education

The Brigantine Public Schools serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The district is governed by the Brigantine Board of Education and operates as a Type 1 school district. The School Board consists of seven members who are appointed by the Mayor, the Council and the City Manager and serve staggered three-year terms.

Brigantine Elementary School serves 700+ students in grades K-4 students. Brigantine North Middle School, services more than 500 students in grades 5-8.

Students in grades 9-12, along with those from Longport, Margate City and Ventnor City, attend Atlantic City High School in neighboring Atlantic City, as part of a sending / receiving relationship with the Atlantic City School District.

External links

• Brigantine City website
• Brigantine Public Schools
• School Performance Reports for the Brigantine Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education
• National Center for Education Statistics data for the Brigantine Public Schools