New Jersey Real Estate - Cranford NJ Real Estate and Information

Cranford NJ History

Cranford NJ owes its beginnings to John Crane, formerly of Elizabeth Towne (now Elizabeth), who in 1720 built a grist mill on the north side of the Rahway River and a saw mill on the south side. The mills provided grain to Washington's troops during the Revolution and the area became known as Crane's Ford. Development started in 1838 when the Elizabethtown and Somerville Railroad made it accessible to New York City. Cranford was first popular as a recreation center and later as a suburb of New Your City. At the turn of the century, it was know as the Venice of New Jersey. 

Cranford was incorporated as a township in 1871. At that time, 76 residents commuted to and from New Your City. Growth was hindered by frequent flooding until the Army Corp of Engineers built detention basins and dredge the river in the 1970's. 

Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey. The latest Census in 2000 reported a population of 22,500+. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Cranford as its 37th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey. 

Life in Cranford NJ 

Cranford NJ is a charming bedroom community with a flourishing downtown, bountiful parks and recreational amenities, and top-ranked schools. Residents enjoy small town living within a stone's throw of New York City. Downtown is the main retail shopping area for the township is loyal to its roots with family owned businesses in historic buildings. A redevelopment project was initiated in the 1980's which included installation of new light fixtures and cobblestone sidewalks, along with decorative planters and benches. Locally-owned restaurants and a downtown park have allowed downtown to flourish both day and night. 

Cranford has an active recreational program for residents. Many local parks and county parks, Nomahegan, Lenape, Unami, and Rahway River Parkway, offer abundant recreational activities for Cranford residents, including walking, running, biking and playgrounds for the little ones. The Rahway River is the perfect spot for fishing and boating. The Cranford Canoe Club is a historic spot where residents rent canoes to use on the river. A 13.5 mile bike path runs through the township, connecting major points of interest. The township also hosts a section of the East Coast Greenway. A 3000-mile urban path linking the major cities along the Atlantic coast between Calais, Maine and Key West, Florida.

Cranford NJ is well known in Hollywood and has been used in many film and televisions projects. It was the setting for the 2005 film ‘Guess Who' with Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher. Portions of the films Garden State, Far From Heaven and September 12 were shot here. Cranford was seen in the opening credits of the TV show, ‘Ed'. The Cranford downtown was used to depict "Main Street" in a notable Domino's Pizza advertisement where the CEO of the company (David Brandon) poked fun at the Wall Street bailout.

Cranford NJ Schools

Cranford residents put an emphasis on quality education. Cranford High School was ranked as one of the top 30 high schools in New Jersey in 2008 and has won a series of national and statewide awards for its innovative curriculum. Cranford High School has a curriculum which has a strong push for technology in the schools, along with stressing service learning. The high school is recognized for its work in service learning and for being a national school of character. Cranford High School students are regularly admitted to some of the nation's top private and public universities, with over 90% of each graduating class going onto college.

Cranford has two public middle schools, Orange Avenue School (grades 3-8) and Hillside Avenue School (K-8) and four elementary schools,

Bloomingdale Avenue School (K-2), Brookside Place School (K-5), Walnut Avenue School (K-2), and Livingston Avenue School (3-5).

Cranford offers several religious and private schools. Saint Michael's School, located in downtown Cranford, is a major Roman Catholic parochial school which offers Nursery through Grade 8 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools.

The main campus of Union County College, New Jersey's oldest community college dating back to 1933, is located in Cranford.

Cranford NJ Real Estate 

Cranford NJ real estate has a wide variety of homes in all price ranges. From the condos and townhomes of Parkway Village and Riverside Drive, to charming Cape Cod, Victorian and Center Hall Colonial styles, Cranford offers the opportunity of home ownership in one of New Jersey's finest suburban communities, just a 30-40 minute train or bus ride to New York City. 

Email Home Finder offers email updates of homes for sale in Cranford NJ without having to speak to an agent until you're ready.

Cranford NJ Information And Links 

Cranford Township Website
Parks and Recreation
Chamber of Commerce
Public Schools
Union County