This history of the neighborhood plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived in the neighborhood for many years, the neighborhood history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by. If you have just come to call the neighborhood home, it is a way to learn more about the new community you have joined. We would love nothing more than to be able to share the history of neighborhood name with all who reside there. If you are interested in writing a brief history of the neighborhood to share with the community, please contact us! |
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National Park HistoryCOMMUNITY INFORMATION
A. History
National Park was referred to originally as Roder Udden from the Swedish language, meaning Red Bank. The use of the term arose from the color of the soil in the high Delaware River bank. The immigrant Swedes first came to this area in 1638. Over the next 25 years, the Swedes and Dutch fought for possession of the Delaware River valley, but both lost out to the English in 1664.
In 1686, Gloucester County was organized. In 1694, five townships were created: Greenwich; Deptford; Gloucester; Newton and Waterford. The present site of National Park was in the Deptford Township area. An early surviving home in National Park is the Ann Whitall House, built in 1748.
The first land purchase by the United States of America occurred on July 5, 1776 and covered a 96 acre tract on the Delaware River at Red Bank, upon which the new government constructed Fort Mercer to protect Philadelphia from a river approach. On October 22,1777, more than 1200 Hessians stormed Fort Mercer. They were disastrously defeated by 614 American troops causing over 500 casualties. This decisive battle occurred on the ground now known as National Park. Two monuments have since been erected on the battlefield, one in 1826 and the other in 1901.
The National Park Association was organized on October 22, 1894 for the purpose of providing a young peoples' resort on the river front; a grove retreat for the hot months where intellectual and religious services could be held and for the founding of a suburban city under moral and religious forces. Over five hundred acres were put under restriction against the sale of liquor, rowdiness and other nuisances. The site of National Park was incorporated as a borough on April 5, 1902.
B. Geography / Topography
The Borough of National Park is located in the northern tip of Gloucester County on the Delaware, six miles south-southwest of Camden and across the river from Philadelphia. The borough is one square mile in area, bordered on the west by the Delaware River and on the north, south, and east by West Deptford Township. Dividing lines are Delaware Avenue on the north, Woodbury Creek on the south, and Red Bank Avenue on the east.
The community lies on a relatively flat plain overlooking the Delaware River. The soil is generally sandy with good drainage.
C. Land Use
National Park covers 656 acres or approximately one square mile. Of this amount, 256 acres or 39%, is undeveloped. Over 400 acres or 61% of the developed land is in residential use while another 19% is used for right-of-way. Thus, only 20% is currently used for public as well as industrial and commercial purposes residential lots must be a minimum of 6000 square feet.
Of the undeveloped land 50 acres (approximately) is fill which cannot be built upon during this decade. The US Army Corps of Engineers holds another 40 acres for dredging purposes; no plans can be projected for this land. An additional 119 acres is either water or wetlands. Remaining land upon which development is possible is then only about 50 acres. Public service owns 21 acres, which could be used for residential development at some future time, but no such plans are currently approved. Much of the remaining land is nonconforming. Therefore, in total, the only significant residential development that could occur in the next decade would be on the Public Service owned 21 acres.
D. Population Characteristics
The population of National Park has been relatively stable for the past forty years. The 1960 census figure was 3380, just 350 below that of 1970. The 1980 census figure shows a similar total of 3730. The 1990 census indicates a population of 3,414 for a decline of 8% below the 1980 census. The most recent census taken for the year 2000 totals 3,205.
The age characteristic of the National Park level of education as taken from the 2000 census was:
For population 25 years and over in National Park Borough
* High school or higher: 76.7%
* Bachelor's degree or higher: 7.0%
* Graduate or professional degree: 1.2%
* Unemployed: 5.4%
* Mean travel time to work: 23.9 minutes
Marital Status for population 15 years and over in National Park Borough
* Never married: 25.9%
* Now married: 56.8%
* Separated: 2.1%
* Widowed: 6.6%
* Divorced: 8.7%
0.9% Foreign born
Median resident age: 36.7 years
Median household income: $48,534 (year 2000)
Median house value: $92,800 (year 2000)
Races in National Park:
* White Non-Hispanic (97.5%)
* Hispanic (1.4%)
* Other race (0.5%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: Irish (36.1%), German (24.5%), Italian (20.0%), English (13.0%), Polish (7.0%), United States (2.7%).
E. Commercial / Industrial Development
With the exception of The Bank of Gloucester County, the only employers in National Park are family owned commercial establishments. The largest taxpayer is Public Service Electric and Gas which has an unattended substation in the Borough. This situation is not expected to change in the near future.
F. Transportation and Traffic
National Park is reached by Interstate 295 (US 130) which parallels the Delaware River about one mile east of National Park. The main road connecting National Park to Interstate 295 is Hessian Avenue, which runs generally east and west. The average daily traffic count on this road is approximately 5000 vehicles. The main street running north and south through National Park is Grove Avenue, which has an average traffic count close to 5000 vehicles also. Other main roads are Columbia Boulevard, running east west, 1500 average daily traffic count and Lincoln Avenue, running north south. No new highway construction in the Borough of National Park is projected at this time.
The Pennsylvania-Reading ShoreLine has a branch running through Thorofare about three miles south of National Park. Freight service is available. Bus service is only available to the city of Woodbury, the Deptford Mall, and the Cherry Hill Mall. Major air transportation facilities are available at nearby Philadelphia International Airport. Private air facilities at are available about twelve miles south off Interstate 295 in Bridgeport, NJ.
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