Keith line, Historical boundary line in central New Jersey, United States.
The Keith Line is a historical boundary in New Jersey that runs from Little Egg Harbor in the south to the south branch of the Raritan River in the north. It now follows the county lines between Burlington and Ocean counties as well as between Hunterdon and Somerset counties.
In 1687, Scottish surveyor George Keith drew this boundary line to separate the British provinces of East Jersey and West Jersey. The line was established during colonial times and guided the administration of these two distinct regions.
The line once separated two religious communities, with Quakers establishing themselves on the western side while Calvinists and Reformed Christians built communities to the east. This religious division still shapes how each region developed its own character.
The Keith Line has no physical markers on the ground, so it is best followed using maps or GPS coordinates. To fully appreciate it, spend time in the region and observe how the characteristics change as you move between the two sides.
Today this line marks subtle regional differences, from tax rates to sports team loyalties, reflecting Philadelphia influence on the west and New York on the east. These modern distinctions reveal how profoundly the original division shaped both sides.
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