There are many ways New Jersey’s second largest city is so special. Jersey City has a history dating back long before its official incorporation in January of 1820 to the original residents, the Lenape, a collection of tribes, later called the Delaware Indian. A big part of the city’s history is the preservation of the many original Jersey City Brownstones found throughout the different neighborhoods.
The History of Jersey City Brownstones
The original Jersey City brownstones were incredibly popular during the period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of the Jersey City Brownstones during this time period were made from the brownstone from the Hummelstown Brownstone Company, just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The brownstone building material from the Hummelstown Brownstone Company was known for its purplish and reddish hues, making it unique within the brownstone architectural time period.
The Brownstone Revival Coalition played an important part of protecting the original Jersey City brownstones. This organization works to preserve and protect brownstones in New York City and Jersey City. Currently, there are four historical neighborhoods in downtown Jersey City that are on the National Register of History Places that highlight original Jersey City Brownstones. These neighborhoods include Paulus Hook, Harsimus Cove, Van Vorst Park and Hamilton Park. The push to have these four neighborhoods preserved, and ultimately their Jersey City brownstones, took place from 1970 to 1980 when many developers were trying to knock many of these buildings down and replace them with large condo complexes.
Jersey City Brownstones Today
The Jersey City brownstones are much beloved still today. The love and admiration for this style of building architecture can be seen as new buildings that are designed in the old style. This allows for the old to blend with the new perfectly in the different neighborhoods throughout Jersey City, ultimately creating a great continuity from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Regardless if someone lives in an one of the original Jersey City Brownstones or a new building designed in the old style, many seek out these buildings to make their home so they can enjoy living in a historic neighborhood, even if they are in a new state-of-the-art building.
