About Short Hills

Stylish Residential living
Millburn-Short Hills has been able to retain its country appeal despite its easy access to the city. The towns grew in the early days, by offering city dwellers respite from the heat during the summers.

The towns have a wealth of architectural styles: Gothic Revival, Italianate. During the late 1900’s a host of delightful Queen Anne style mansions were built for the wealthy New Yorkers on land formerly used for farming.

Following the turn of the century, noteworthy architects started to create the town’s Arts and Crafts homes, and the by the 1920’s and 30’s European and Tudors began to appear. Many of these homes are registered as historic landmarks now.

The town has continued to grow and thrive with many new styles of homes.

The Wyoming and South Mountain sections are steeped in local history, winding streets and wonderful landscaping. These friendly neighborhoods are all within walking distance of the town.

A History of Residential living
Millburn was first settled through agriculture which slowly evolved by the start of the 19th Century as a mill and factory community before it became more residential in Victorian times.

Millburn’s history is evident through the wonderful homes and quaint districts.

Milburn became its own separate township in 1857 having split from the earlier Newark and later Springfield settlements.

The towns of Milburn and Short Hills have been influenced by the nature of the land itself. In fact the name Short Hills came from the trails around the small hills made by the Lanape Indians. The streams that ran between those hills would bring power to the mills and factories of the 19th Century.

Industry came after the Revolution when the land changed from agriculture over to lumber and paper helped by the locally present ponds. In fact the first paper mill was established here in 1790 by a Scott’s man. Paper kept most of the mills busy including the building that is now the Paper Mill Playhouse.

In fact it was the towns mills and streams, or “burns” in Scottish, that gave the town its name.

In 1835 the Morris and Essex Railroad was completed which enabled the residents to be connected through the North East.

The railroad brought more people to the town and the surrounding area. In the late 1800’s two new residential suburbs grew up. Inventor Stewart Hartshorn purchased over 1500 acres in order to build what would become the first planned suburb in America. This town was called Short Hills.

Millburn & Short Hills Getting here and away…
Located in North Central New Jersey and falls in Essex County. The township is only 20 miles from New York however it does feel like it as you walk through its peaceful historic streets. Nearby are the towns of Summit, Chatham, Livingston, South Orange, Maplewood and Springfield.


By Car
The township has always been well connected. Its easily accessed from Route 24 , the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike via I-78.

By Train
New Jersey Transit serves the township which is connected to the Essex and Morris lines easily brining commuters into New York, Newark and Morristown.

By Air
Milburn-Short Hills is also close to Newark’s Liberty Airport.

Millburn & Short Hills Recreation…
Millburn-Short Hills has some wonderful parks that the town’s residents take full advantage. Taylor Park has a rose garden, pond, picnic tables, tennis courts, athletic track, playground and the Bauer Community Center. In the summer if you like outdoor concerts the Taylor Park also has a series for you to enjoy on Sunday evenings.

For sports there are many fields such as
Gero Park
Old Short Hills Park
Hobart Avenue Park

The town also has a newly renovated pool (Millburn township pool). This pool features a water slide, wading pool for younger children, a new bathhouse, snack bar and is situated amongst trees.
Beside the pool are the tennis courts and a Par 3 golf course.

Recreational Activities for all
The Millburn Recreation Department has a host of activities to keep children, adults and seniors entertained which such things as:
Soccer
Basketball
Wrestling
Softball
Skiing
Swimming

Seniors can register for fitness programs, social clubs, shuffleboard, golf and seasonal trips. There’s also a Senior Citizen Bus service that offers free rides to shopping locations to residents over 62.

An involved community
A sense of community is alive and well in Milburn-Short Hills. Groups include:
Millburn-Short Hills Arts Association
Movie Makers Club
Chess Club
Camera Club
The Rotary
The Garden Club

If you are wondering who organized the beautiful planters that can be seen on the town’s streets the answer is the Beautification League.

Useful Numbers
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum: 973 376 3587
Greenwood Gardens: 973 258 4026
Par 3 Golf Course: 973 379 4156
Pool: 973 376 3822
Senior Citizen Bus Service: 973 564 7076
Paper Mill Playhouse: 973 379 3636


Millburn & Short Hills Schools
Millburn Township is home to no less that seven schools for the approximately 4,500 students. 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school. There is also an active preschool program for both regular and special needs children.

Millburn High School is regarded as one of the most respected and exemplary high schools both in the state and the nation. 96% of the students go onto a 4 year college course and the average SAT score is 1229. Over 50% of the students are actively involved in the athletic program which includes 26 varsity sports. Music also features prominently with over 50 different related clubs.

Millburn Middle School was selected as a New Jersey Benchmark School by the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence based o the school’s high performance on the states testing requirements. The school is very much involved within the local community and promotes leadership and responsibility within the student body.

The 5 elementary schools
Deerfield
Glenwood
Hartshorn
South Mountain
Wyoming
All feature prominently in the standardized testing in New Jersey. The schools place emphasis on reading, writing and the use of technology.

There are also many private and parochial schools that offer excellence in education.