Trenton, New Jersey, with a population of 82,883 (as of 2008), is not a large city, but it is an influential one. The city is a county seat, a state capital and was once even the capital of the United States. Trenton is located in central-western New Jersey along the Delaware River. With its motto proclaiming to the world, "Trenton Makes, the World Takes," the city has a history as a major manufacturing area as well as a government center. Moving to Trenton allows you to be part of this city's vibrant and colorful past and future.
Economy:
Trenton left its agricultural origins in the past by the end of the 19th century, when the city became a center of manufacturing and industry. In the early 20th century, Trenton was the national leader in such manufacturing industries as steel, rubber, wire, rope, linoleum and ceramics. Many of the city's manufacturing industries disappeared in the 1960s and 1970s, but Trenton still produces refrigerated showcases, light bulbs, rubber, purses, automotive parts, textiles, food products and electronic goods. Most Trenton residents, however, work in government (the biggest employer is the state of New Jersey), trade and services. Today moving companies are very busy in Trenton, bringing new residents to the city every day.
History:
Trenton's history began with a settlement of English Quakers in 1679. Called "the Falls of the Delaware" in its early years, Trenton was renamed "Trent-towne" in 1719 after a local landholder. During the American Revolution, Trenton was the site of the first major American military battle, when on December 26, 1776, General Washington crossed the Delaware River to defeat assembled Hessian troops. During November and December of 1784, Trenton held the honor of being the new nation's capital city before a more southern site was chosen. The city instead became the state capital in 1790. The defining moment in modern Trenton's history occurred in 1968, when major riots followed the assassination of Martin Luther King. A week of rioting led to more than 300 arrests, 200 businesses burned and the beginning of a major exodus of residents and businesses from the central urban area.
Tourism:
Although not known as a major tourist destination, Trenton still holds much of interest for the visitor. The city's several museums include the City of Trenton Museum, the Contemporary Victorian Museum, the Meredith Havens Fire Museum and the New Jersey State Museum. Other attractions around the city are the Battle Monument (commemorating the first Battle of Trenton), the New Jersey State House and the Old Masonic Lodge (built in 1793). Travel in and around Trenton is easy, thanks to the overlapping of the New Jersey Transit and SEPTA (Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority) bus and train systems. The closest airport is the Trenton-Mercer Airport, but most travelers use the major, nearby airports in Newark and Philadelphia.