Not Just Tomatoes: Celebrating the Legacy of the Garden State

Courtesy of Claire Hlotyak ’27

Often dismissed as just the “in-between” state or the armpit of America, New Jersey, in fact, hides a story of revolution, invention, diversity, and culture that proves it is far more than it seems. From its pivotal role in America’s founding to its world-changing innovations, vibrant communities, and cultural icons, New Jersey has left an outsized mark on the nation—making it one of the most influential, underestimated, and proudly worth celebrating (and maybe even worth gatekeeping) states.

Jersey has a much richer history than meets the eye. Just like its neighbors, it is one of the original 13 colonies and played a key role in the fight against the British. George Washington had suffered a crushing defeat in New York and had to regroup his troops when he realized that he could lead a surprise attack against the British by crossing the icy water gap on Christmas Eve. This hasty maneuver quickly won the Battle of Trenton, which boosted the morale of his frozen army, and led to another victorious battle in Princeton. These victories became known as the “Ten Crucial Days,” which would carry the momentum and spirit of the revolution. Without New Jersey, we would not have seen our colonies become states, which is why we remember them via the 13 red and white stripes on our glorious flag; so never forget one of those stripes, New Jersey.

In the present era, New Jersey is a trailblazer in policy, inventions, and science. New Jersey was the first state to pass the Bill of Rights, arguably more important than the Constitution. As well, even if it had a big asterisk, it was the first to grant land-owning women the right to vote. Many activities that are staples in American culture had origins in New Jersey. The first Professional Baseball game was in 1846, where the York Knickerbockers played the New York Nine in Hoboken. The first professional basketball game took place in 1896 when the Trentons team defeated a Brooklyn YMCA squad 16-1. New Jersey is also home to the first drive-in movie theatre, created in 1933. 

Where most states have to ship fruits and vegetables from neighboring states, New Jersey is recognized as ‘The Garden State’. The southern half is best known for its juicy red tomatoes which, when ripe, all the New York pizza shop owners flock over to use for their second-best pizza. New Jersey is also known for its highbush blueberries, which are shipped all around the country because of their delicious taste, shape, and color; it is also why it’s the state Fruit! Another thing that can be found from north to south is New Jersey’s state school, “Rutgers”. It is the eighth-oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S. and holds the unique distinction of being a colonial college. In fact, Rutgers held the first college football game against Princeton and won 6–4 (it was a different game back then). 

Thomas Edison, a legendary inventor who is not nearly talked about enough, created the first incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and a motion picture studio in the U.S. His invention of harnessing the power of light is why you can read this article while printed out or the pixels shining from your phone. You can also thank him for the ability to play music without having a live orchestra in front of you. His name is remembered and known by all who reside in this state, but especially by those who live in the township of Edison. 

Edison, New Jersey, encapsulates another great aspect of the state, and it’s the group of people who have formed pockets within it. Anytime my family needs specialty groceries that we can’t find anywhere else, we turn to one of the many Indian groceries in Edison and buy the best mangos this side of the world. When we need Pita bread, olive oil, or yogurt, we turn to the Arab hub found in Paterson, a place that Arabs internationally know. For Korean products, Fort Lee, Filliono in Jersey City, and Newark have a wide range but a concentration of Portuguese, Brazilian, and Puerto Rican products. New Jersey also has a higher Jewish population compared to the rest of the country, so bagels and delis from here are like nowhere else. Our historical Italian population also claims that we have the best deli, pizza, and hit TV show.

The Sopranos is a name that every American knows, and it takes place thirty minutes from my hometown. It is always fun to watch such an amazing show and hear references from places that are so close or in your town. House, M.D. is another famous show that aired on FOX, set in central New Jersey. Sticking with popular culture, many famous artists come from NJ like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra (take that New York, New York), Fugees, most notably Ms. Lauryn Hill, and My Chemical Romance. Many famous actors and actresses, such as Anne Hathaway, who is from my hometown, Meryl Streep, Danny DeVito, and Michael B. Jordan. Jon Stewart has been my mom’s favorite late-night news host since 1996, and Cory Booker, who held a 25-hour speech smashing all records. Finally, athletes like Derek Jeter, Shaquille O’Neal, and Marques Brownlee, who not only helped Team USA win the World Ultimate Championships but also have the biggest tech YouTube channel.

A staple of New Jersey is its boardwalks, which are found all along the shore. The first one was built in Atlantic City in 1870. Filled with tourists, amusement parks, and funnel cake, the boardwalk is enjoyed by all people from near and far at all ages. Different boardwalks have different cultures and reasons why some people are very loyal to one boardwalk over another. A few notable locations include Wildwood, which is known for its retro vibe and neon lights, Atlantic City, boasting a six-mile stretch and casinos, and Point Pleasant, a great place for families with young kids. The boardwalk is something that New Jersey haters still regrettably go to because there is no place on the East Coast like it. Another thing that New Jersey haters will have to face is that the upcoming World Cup finals will take place in MetLife Stadium. Located 0.3 miles from the stadium is the American Dream Mall with 3 million square feet. You can enjoy hundreds of stores, water parks, and mini golf.

New Jersey is far more than the stereotypes or the punchlines people so often assign to it. It is the state where a revolution turned in our favor, where the light bulb illuminated the modern world, where cultures and communities from across the globe came together, and where music, sports, and art found some of their most iconic voices. To overlook New Jersey is to overlook a cornerstone of America itself. So whether you come for the boardwalks, the pizza, the history, or the innovation, remember: New Jersey has always been at the heart of the story