Like many of New Jersey's older towns, Linden owes its existence to the
enterprising and visionary Puritan colonists from Long Island who sought
religious freedom and better farmland among the virgin wilderness of
northeastern New Jersey. Close upon the heels of these pioneering and
hard-working farmers, legions of merchants and artisans flocked to the
small villages they established, thus ensuring industry, culture, and
expansion for centuries to come. Linden's unique offering of picturesque
setting, between Staten Island Sound and the Rahway River, and its
proximity to major urban centers, such as Newark, Elizabeth, and New
York City, has contributed greatly to the community's overall growth and
continues to attract new people chasing the same dreams and destinies
that the first settlers sought.
With over 100 illustrations, Linden, New Jersey chronicles the exciting
story of a community that has survived wars and depressions and
flourished both economically and culturally in times of prosperity.
Journeying across an evolving landscape, readers will experience
firsthand the early settlers' struggles against both land and man, the
fear and violence from the British and Hessian raids during the
Revolutionary War, and an assortment of events that shook Linden, from
local political discord to dutiful service during times of national
crisis. This comprehensive volume recalls much more than traditional
textbook history, but celebrates the township's diverse population, such
as the historic Jewish community, and immigrant cultures that have
called Linden home over the years.
