Red Bank, New Jersey

The Borough of Red Bank is a town located in Monmouth County, New Jersey incorporated in 1908.

History

Originally part of "Shrewsbury Towne", Red Bank was named in 1736, "when Thomas Morford sold Joseph French 'a lot of over three acres (12,000 m²) on the west side of the highway that goes to the red bank.'" Borough of Red Bank, History, supra. Red Bank was settled in the 17th century, but was not populous until approximately 1809. By 1844, Red Bank had become a commercial center, focused on textiles, fur, tanning, and manufacturing goods for sale in Manhattan. Because of the dredging of the Navesink River about 1845, Red Bank became a port from which steamboats transported commuters to Manhattan. Red Bank grew in size as a result of this and the laying of rails in the town by the Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad, about 1860.

Related Topics:
1736 - 17th century - 1844 - Textiles - Fur - Tanning - Manufacturing - Manhattan - 1845 - Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad - 1860

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During the 20th century Red Bank was a strong cultural, economic, and political center in Monmouth County, New Jersey, until it was hindered by the economic recession that began in 1987. During this time, Red Bank's economy, based largely on retail commerce, was in decline, leading local pundits and urban planners to refer to the town as "Dead Bank." Beginning in approximately 1991, under the New Jersey Development and Redevelopment Law, the town authorized the creation of an organization to manage redevelopment in what was designated a Special Improvement District. This organization is known as the Red Bank RiverCenter. RiverCenter retains authority over the management and redevelopment of an agreed-upon "downtown business district."

Related Topics:
20th century - Economic recession that began in 1987 - Retail - 1991 - New Jersey Development and Redevelopment Law

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:The downtown district includes Broad Street from the post office to Marine Park and from Maple Avenue to one block east of Broad Street. The district that was originally proposed was much larger. It originally included the commercial areas west of Maple Avenue, including the antique buildings, the Galleria, and Shrewsbury Avenue. However, some property owners in this area were opposed to the idea because they did not want to pay the assessment. Plans for the larger district advanced but opposition became more rigorous. Therefore the proposed district was amended to exclude those who were opposed, and the district that was adopted stops at Maple Avenue.

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: Red Bank RiverCenter, About us.

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Red Bank was the birthplace of literary critic Edmund Wilson (1895-1972), jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie (1904-1984), and Daniel J. O'Hern, Esq. (b. 1930), Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. During the 1990s, news media figure Geraldo Rivera was involved in developing a newspaper for the Red Bank area, The Two River Times. Musician Bruce Springsteen lives in nearby Rumson and was often involved in Red Bank-related events. It is often associated with filmmaker and actor Kevin Smith (b. 1970), who was born in the nearby Borough of Highlands. Smith filmed parts of his 1997 film Chasing Amy at locations in Red Bank, along with other nearby towns. His 1999 film Dogma had scenes set in Red Bank that were filmed in other locations. Currently, his comic book store Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, named after characters in many of his films, and his film production company, View Askew Productions, occupy a building on Broad Street in Red Bank.

Related Topics:
Edmund Wilson - 1895 - 1972 - Jazz - Count Basie - 1904 - 1984 - 1930 - New Jersey Supreme Court - 1990s - Geraldo Rivera - Bruce Springsteen - Rumson - Filmmaker - Actor - Kevin Smith - 1970 - Borough of Highlands - 1997 - Chasing Amy - 1999 - Dogma - View Askew Productions

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