1664History
== History ==
=== 18th century ===
The region in which Summit is located was purchased from Native Americans on October 28, 1664.
1710History
Summit's earliest European settlers came to the area around the year 1710.
1741Architecture
The Carter House – at 90 Butler Parkway, Summit's oldest known structure, built in 1741, now home to the Summit Historical Society.
1759History
The original name of Summit was "Turkey Hill" to distinguish it from the area then known as "Turkey" (New Providence's original name until 1759).
1837Military
In 1837, the Morris and Essex Railroad, which became the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad and is now NJ Transit's Morris and Essex Lines, was built over what was then ca...
1847History
He lived there until 1847.
1868Infrastructure
In 1868, a hotel named "The Summit House" burned beside the railroad.
1869Civil Rights
Originally incorporated as Summit Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 23, 1869, from portions of New Providence Township (now Berkeley Heights) and Springf...
1880Architecture
During this time, Summit was the home of America's "antivice crusader", Anthony Comstock, who moved there about 1880 and built a house in 1892 at 35 Beekman Road, where he died ...
1885Architecture
Vanderpoel Castle was a large residence built by George Vanderpoel in 1885.
1892History
In the late 19th century, the area began shifting from farmland to wealthy estates; in 1892, renowned architect C.
1894Architecture
Calvary Episcopal Church was built in 1894–1895; the New York Times called it a "handsome new house of worship".
1899Government
The present-day incarnation of Summit, known formally as the City of Summit, was incorporated on April 11, 1899.
1907Military
Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child (K–6 coed; 7–12 for girls), which operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
Oratory Preparatory School (7–12) wa...
1908Architecture
Constructed in 1908 based on a design by architect Alfred F.
1915Economy
In 1915, there was a strike at the Summit Silk Company on Weaver Street.
1916Architecture
In 1916, the land was subdivided and sold, the house was moved 200 feet (61 m), and it opened as a hotel in 1923; later it housed senior citizens.
1921Government
From 1921 to 2001, no Democrats served in elected office and very few ran for office.
1931Architecture
Its Mabie House was built in 1931.
1938History
The Summit Diner, located on the corner of Union Place & Summit Avenue, is a 1938 O'Mahony diner that has wood paneled walls, eight booths and 20 stools.
1939Architecture
Real estate taxes vary; an $800,000 four-bedroom, 2-full-bath, 2-partial-bath single-family home built in 1939 had taxes of $16,000 in 2009.
1965Education
The Velvet Underground played their first paid concert at Summit High School on December 11, 1965.
1969Culture
Later divided into apartments, it was demolished in 1969.
1973Military
Until 1973 the city had been divided into two wards, east and west, by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad tracks.
1974Government
In 1974 there was a lawsuit to split "East Summit" off as its own municipality.
1986Government
Founded in 1986 as a local charity, the organization now has affiliates nationwide.
1987Government
On December 15, 1987, the New Jersey Legislature enacted a law that repealed the original charter, retaining those sections not covered by general law that were specific to Summit.
1988Government
Founded in 1988, Bridges Outreach in 2020 delivered 65,000 brown bag meals, 10,000 pairs of underwear and socks, 7,500 toiletry kits, 49,000 cups of soup, and other clothing to ...
1990Government
Founded in 1990 by the Summit Interfaith Clergy Fellowship and supported solely by donations, SHIP serves more than 15,000 lunch and dinner meals each year to homeless and at-ri...
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
At the 2000 United States census there were 21,131 people, 7,897 households and 5,606 families residing in the city.
2001Government
This changed in 2001 with the election of Democrat Jordan Glatt to the Summit Common Council as Councilman-At-Large.
2002Government
The city supports a program of public art organized by Summit Public Art, a volunteer-based city organization founded in 2002, whose mission is to bring art to public spaces thr...
2003Government
Glatt would then go on to be elected Summit's 27th, and first Democratic, mayor in 2003, marking a shift in the city becoming politically competitive between the two parties.
2005Education
In 2005, star baseball athlete Willie Wilson and former Summit graduate returned to Summit High School.
2006History
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $109,602 and the median family income was $1...
2009Culture
(formerly Schering Plough pharmaceuticals until a 2009 merger); these facilities were previously home to Novartis (formerly Ciba-Geigy).
2010History
Union County, which includes Summit, had the 10th highest property taxes in the nation as of 2010, based on data gathered by the National Taxpayers Union.
2011Government
In November 2011, Republicans swept all the open seats, with Ellen Dickson elected mayor and Gregory Drummond, Patrick Hurley and Robert Rubino sweeping the three council seats,...
2012Sports
In 2012, the team was ranked second in New Jersey and in the top 20 nationally.
2016Government
Founded in 2016 by the Junior League of Summit with The Connection and The United Way, GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for our Community's Essentials) give food and basic...
2017Government
In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 3,886 votes (56.4% vs.
2018Government
In November 2018, for the first time in Summit's history, Democrats were elected to hold the majority of seats on council.
2019History
In 2019, Summit was ranked the second best place to live.
2020History
=== 2020 census ===
=== 2010 census ===
The 2010 United States census counted 21,457 people, 7,708 households, and 5,519 families in the city.
2021Government
In February 2021, the common council selected Lisa K.
2022Architecture
A footbridge over Morris Avenue in Summit was installed in October 2022.
2023Government
In November 2023, Republicans swept the local election, winning the mayoralty and three city council seats, bringing the composition to five Republicans and two Democrats.
2024History
In October 2024, President Russell M.
2025Military
In November 2025's election in Summit, Democrats won all seats up for re-election, winning 2 new council seats (at-large and Ward 1) and brought Summit's upcoming city council s...
2026Government
As of 2026, the mayor of Summit is Republican Elizabeth Fagan, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.
2027Military
New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).