Montclair

Montclair is a residential township in Essex County that spreads across the slopes of the Watchung Mountains at an elevation of about 300 feet (92 meters). Six commercial districts are scattered throughout the area, surrounded by parks and green spaces that thread through the neighborhoods.

The township separated from Bloomfield in 1868 to allow construction of a second railroad line through the growing region. Rail connections accelerated development and transformed the area into a residential community for people working in New York City.

The Montclair Art Museum displays American art and works from different cultures, while the Wellmont Theater hosts live music performances in a restored venue. Small galleries spread across the commercial districts show rotating exhibitions from regional artists and national collections throughout the year.

New Jersey Transit runs trains on the Montclair-Boonton Line that connect directly to New York City, taking about 38 minutes on average. Several train stations are located throughout the township, providing access from different neighborhoods to the rail service.

Six historic districts with a combined total of 92 individual landmarks preserve architectural styles from different periods of the township's growth. Protected buildings show details from the 19th and early 20th centuries and shape the character of several residential neighborhoods today.

Location: Essex County

Elevation above the sea: 92 m

Shares border with: Clifton, Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Verona, West Orange, Orange, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield

Website: https://montclairnjusa.org

GPS coordinates: 40.82440,-74.21230

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:02