NJ name' origin
Sir John Berkley and Sir George Carteret received a royal charter for a
colony in the new land and named this colony for the island of Jersey in
the English Channel. Carteret had been born on Jersey and had spent
several years as Lieutenant Governor of the island.
NJ has countless nicknames emhasizing its most appreciable sides. Here comes some of them.
The Garden State
This nickname seems to have originated at the Centennial Exhibition
in Philadelphia on Jersey Day, August 24, 1876. Alfred M. Heston states
in his 1926 work, Jersey Waggon Jaunts, that "The Garden State" was used
by Abraham Browning, of Camden. "In his address Mr. Browning compared
New Jersey to an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open
at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing from one end and the New
Yorkers from the other. He called New Jersey the Garden State, and the
name has clung to it ever since."
The Clam State
This nickname refers to the clams taken off the coast and in the
Delaware Bay. New Jersey is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east.
The Camden & Amboy State
or "The State of Camden and Amboy" is a reference to the old Camden
and Amboy railroad and highlights the powerful influence of this
railroad in the state.
The Jersey Blue State
This historical nickname recalls the blue uniforms of the New Jersey Revolutionary War soldiers.
The Pathway of Revolution
Another nickname recalling the Revolutionary War period, "The Pathway
of Revolution" is a reference to the battles fought on New Jersey soil
during the war.
The Switzerland of America
New Jersey, like other states with mountainous areas, has been
referred to as "The Switzerland of America." This reference, made by
early settlers, was to the western part of the state and the Kittatinny
range and to the Watchung, Sourland and Pickle mountains in the
southeast. Perhaps the most famous are the Palisades along the Hudson
River.
The Mosquito State
New Jersey has sometimes been referred to as "The Mosquito State"
obviously in reference to the irritating, bloodthirsty little insects.
New Jersey really does not have more of these insects than other states,
and it is not clear how this appellation originated.
New Spain
or "The State of Spain" came about when Joseph Bonaparte, the King of
Spain, fled to New Jersey around 1812. He bought about 1,400 acres of
land in the state and built a "palatial mansion" where he entertained
foreign dignitaries until 1822. It's rumored that Philadelphians were
jealous of New Jersey's good fortune to have such an illustrious
resident and they referred to New Jersey, humorously, as "New Spain" or
"The State of Spain."
The Foreigner State
In the same vein as "New Spain," this nickname evolved from the
humorous gibe to New Jersey, that it was a foreign land filled with
foreigners under the social influence of the previous King of Spain. New
Jersey was sometimes referred to as "The Foreign State."
What does Tom Cruise, Albert Einstein
and the brother of Napoleon all have in common? They
were all New Jerseyans. Check out the many famous people
who have called New Jersey home.
Copperfield, David
Scientists/Inventors
