The History
According to an article by Arthur Cotterell in The Historian, the Summit Historical Society’s newsletter, land that is now part of the Summit Municipal Golf Course was used by George Washington during the Revolutionary War in the summer of 1781 to build what appeared to be an encampment, including storehouses and a brick bakery. But the encampment was a hoax. While the British commander, Gen. Sir Henry Clinton, headquartered in New York, fortified the city because he believed Washington was preparing to invade, American and French troops marched to Virginia to meet Gen. Lord Cornwallis’s forces — and won the Battle of Yorktown.
What You’ll Find
Summit is a six-square-mile Union County city on the Second Watchung Mountain (hence its name) about 25 miles west of Manhattan. Interstate 78, with an exit for Summit, runs near the southern boundary of the municipality. State Route 24 forms the eastern boundary, with the Mall at Short Hills on the other side of the highway. Newark airport is about 10 miles, or 15 minutes, to the east, and New York is a 45-minute drive on a good day. The city’s neighbors include Millburn, Chatham and New Providence. The center of town is charming and walkable, with a village green across the tracks from its busy train station. Lined with shops, a multiplex and a growing variety of restaurants, Springfield Avenue is the main commercial street. Summit Avenue runs north from the center of town; a cluster of apartment buildings is within walking distance of the train station, with larger homes farther from the center.
The Schools
The Summit Public Schools system is a big drawing card. It includes two primary centers with preschool and kindergarten-The program’s goal is to help children become independent and self-confident learners; five elementary schools for Grades 1 to 5; the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, for about 1,000 students in Grades 6 to 8, and Summit High School, with about 1,200 students in Grades 9 to 12. The nationally ranked Summit Public Schools are dedicated to supporting and sustaining a system of learning that “engages all students in compelling work, educates them to their highest intellectual, creative and individual potential, promotes pride in diversity, and results in responsible and productive citizens of the highest integrity.”
Five elementary schools focus on educating children in grades 1-5. These schools are:
- Brayton Elementary
- Franklin Elementary
- Jefferson Elementary
- Lincoln-Hubbard Elementary
- Washington Elementary
With differentiated instruction to meet the needs of the diverse student population, academic excellence is promoted and high expectations are maintained.
The Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School serves students in grades 6-8 with comprehensive instruction that builds on skills learned in elementary school. The school environment is safe, supportive and stimulating.
Summit High School, with a student body of more than 1,100, consistently ranks among the top public high schools.It offers a variety of college prep and non-college prep subjects. The school offers 19 AP courses and 14 Honors courses. Additional courses are available in visual and performing arts, as well as vocational programs. In addition, there are more than 40 extra-curricular activities and 30 varsity sports to round-out a student’s high school experience.
The Commute
The Summit train station, in the center of the city at 40 Union Place, has New Jersey Transit service to New York’s Penn Station, with most direct trains scheduled to take around 40 to 50 minutes. There is also service to Hoboken. Six municipal parking lots are within walking distance of the station. Because it is at the convergence of two train lines, Summit has the advantage of having several direct trains to Mid-Town Manhattan. Summit has train station parking available for residents and non-residents alike which is a rarity. There is one garage and three lots for residents only. Non-residents have valet parking in a parking lot. See locations in the following link: https://www.cityofsummit.org/206/Parking-Services
What to Do
Summit has a nine-hole, par-3 municipal golf course, a seasonal aquatic center and community programs, including a seniors club. Youth athletic programs include football, wrestling and karate. The Summit Playhouse, home to one of the oldest continuously operating amateur community theaters in the United States producing a new show each calendar season, founded in 1918. Dreamcatcher Repertory Theater, at the Oakes Center on Morris Avenue, produces three plays annually, plus a holiday special, an improv comedy program and a cabaret special, among other events. The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, on Elm Street, has exhibitions and a studio school with classes for all ages. Roots Steakhouse on Springfield Avenue is popular, as is the Broadway Diner on River Road. The retro Summit Diner near the train station is a local institution. Natale’s, on Broad Street, is a classic small-town bakery whose signature item is the “Philly Fluff” poundcake.
Private and Parochial Schools Near Summit: There are many excellent private and parochial schools in the area. Some of those options are:
- Delbarton
- The Far Brook School
- Golda Och Academy
- Kent Place School
- Montclair Kimberly Academy
- The Morristown Beard School
- Newark Academy
- Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child
- Oratory Prep
- The Peck School
- The Pingry School
- Saint Peter’s Prep
- Saint Rose of Lima School
- Seton Hall Prep
Preschools Near Summit: There are also many excellent pre-school options in the area. A few of the many options are:
- Cornerstone School
- Summit JCC Early Learning Center
- SuperKids
- Kidville
- Zadie’s Nurturing Den
- The Connection Preschool
- The Learning Circle-YMCA
Useful Links:
- The Bar Method
- Beacon Hill Club
- The DeBary Inn
- femmebot clothing
- Kent Place School
- lululemon athletica
- MONDO Summit
- Oak Knoll School
- Overlook Hospital
- The Papery
- Reeves-Reed Arboretum
- Roots Steakhouse
- Summit Area YMCA
- Visual Arts Center of NJ
- Willow Street
Unique to Town
- The Municipal Golf Course is an award winning, 9 hole, Par 3, 100 yard course.
- The Family Aquatic Center offers swim teams and lessons to all ages and abilities, as well as adult Aquasize. T’Ai Chi and Gentle Chair Yoga are also offered to help community members relax and destress.
- Townwide Community Programs are extensive. Sports programs range from beginner to accomplished athlete, enrichment programs span math, science and more, and special needs and senior services are offered.
Numerous annual local events
- Hot Summer Nights is an outdoor concert series offered every Tuesday night in July.
- Screen on the Green is an outdoor movie series offered Thursday nights throughout July and August.
- Fourth of July is filled with family fun events at Soldier’s Memorial Field during the day and fireworks at night.
- National Night Out Against Crime is an evening of education, entertainment and community held at the Village Green by some of the local community organizations.
- Summit Heritage Day celebrates the cultural diversity of the town. More than 35 different languages are spoken by the town’s residents. Heritage Day is filled with cultural dance and singing performances, cultural food, historical characters and displays, and a concert on the main stage.
- Halloween is celebrated with a parade, a Monster Mash dance party, an outdoor movie event and a bonfire.
Other Useful Links: