The Chathams, Connected area in Morris County, United States
The Chathams comprise two adjacent municipalities—Chatham Borough and Chatham Township—situated in Morris County in northern New Jersey. The pair forms a connected geographic area where the communities interlock in ways that create a unified whole despite maintaining separate administrations.
The Chathams took its current form when Chatham Township separated from Chatham Borough in 1892, establishing two distinct administrative entities. This split marked a turning point in how the communities organized themselves while remaining geographically intertwined.
The two communities are often experienced as one by residents and visitors, as the boundary between Chatham Borough and Township is not visually obvious when moving through the area. This blending creates a sense of a single neighborhood despite the presence of two separate governments.
Access to both communities flows through the Chatham train station, which offers direct service toward New York City and Newark. The central location of the station makes it easy for visitors and residents to move between the communities or travel beyond.
The boundary between Borough and Township does not follow a straight line but traces an intricate interlocking pattern across the landscape. Few visitors notice this unusual border arrangement, even though it visually demonstrates how tightly the two municipalities are woven together.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
