CHATHAM, NJ

MORRIS COUNTY

 
 
 

Welcome to “The Chathams”!

Known as “The Chathams”, Chatham Borough and Chatham Township are two adjacent communities that offer small-town charm, great schools, and an easy commute to New York City. Although they are operated independently from one another, they do share common resources such as their school district, public library, and more.

Chatham Borough offers a more quaint-urban feel with residential neighborhoods that are walkable to the town’s Main Street. On Main Street you can find top rated restaurants, local boutiques, fitness centers, and the train station. Residents also enjoy annual festivals such as “Fishawack”, Fourth of July festivities, and the Fishing Derby at Kelley’s Pond!

Chatham Township, on the other hand, provides a much more rural setting giving residents more land and square footage. The Township features ample green spaces including many parks, gorgeous tree-lined streets, and The Great Swamp - a 7,800 acre National Wildlife Refuge with walking trails and educational programs.

All of these qualities and more make “The Chathams” a perfect place for anyone looking for a well-connected residential area that still maintains an intimate community vibe.

 

Quick Facts:

Check out some “Quick Facts” here, or scroll down for a deeper look at the ins and outs of Chatham!

Key Locations

Getting to Chatham + Commute

One of the amazing things about Chatham is the incredibly easy commute to NYC! With a direct train line running 7 days a week, it is truly a commuter’s dream.

Direct Train to NYC:

  • Via NJ Transit at Chatham Borough Train Station - right into NY Penn Station

  • Train ticket to New York Penn costs $10.75 one way or $310 for a monthly pass. Click here for other fare options.

  • Local trains average at 46-59 minutes

  • Earliest train usually at 4:46 AM

  • Latest train back usually at 12:56 AM

Other Commute Options:

Boxcar Bus:

  • All Boxcar buses are equipped with wi-fi, power outlets, and restrooms to make your ride as enjoyable as possible.

  • Buses pick up directly outside town train stations and offer curbside drop-off throughout midtown

  • 5:50 am, 6:20 am, 7:05 am, 8:25 am pick up times. Bus will makes stops in NYC along 42nd street and Madison Avenue.

  • Each ticket costs $19.99, or $14.99 with a Boxcar Commuter membership.

  • In the evening buses leave from 6th Ave (just south of 43rd St) at 6:00pm and travel directly back to train station pickup locations.

  • Click Here for Boxcar Site

Train Station Parking:

  • Railroad Plaza North and Railroad Plaza South - Parking Permits for the Chatham Borough Railroad Station are available to Chatham Borough residents only, at a yearly cost of $480.00.

  • At the present time, there is a waiting list for Railroad Plaza North and Railroad Plaza South Parking Permits.

  • Chatham Borough residents wishing to be added to the waiting list must contact the Utilities Clerk at (973) 635-0674 extension 214 or visit website here.

  • Summit, Murray Hill and Madison train stations have limited parking for non-residents.  Parking for non-residents is also available at the Summit Park & Ride bus lot.

  • Boxcar App allows you to rent local spots nearby as an option

Chatham Schools

Chatham’s award-winning school district, currently ranked #23 in NJ and #3 in Morris County by Niche, is one of the highlights of this community. The School District of the Chathams mission is to discover and grow the gifts within each child - and between all of the great athletic programs, the arts, and dozens of other extra-curricular activities and clubs, students can do just that!

Please note:

  • Chatham offers CHiP to Chatham Borough and Township residents via a lottery system. The cost for the program is $3,000 for the full 10 months, and families are responsible for securing their own transportation. See below for other pre-school and nursery school options for Chatham residents!

  • Chatham offers half-day Kindergarten to all residents, but is now offering full-day tuition-based Kindergarten on a lottery system! For more information click here.

  • The School District of the Chathams offers busing for eligible residents. Visit the website here for more information.

  • Chatham residents are also eligible to apply for Morris County Vocational School District: visit the program website here for more details.

Public Pre-School: CHiP

 
 

Elementary Schools: (Grades K-3)

Junior School: (Grades 4-5)

Middle School: (Grades 6-8)

High School: (Grades 9-12)

Chatham Main St. + Recreation

Chatham, NJ is such a special place to call home. Read below for some of our favorite local traditions and events, plus information on recreation, private clubs, the local dining/shopping scene, and more.

Chatham, New Jersey Fun Traditions + Annual Events:

  • This annual retro festival takes over the town for a weekend, allowing everyone to celebrate local businesses, eateries, art, and live music! “The day honors Chatham's place in Native American history, when it became the crossover location for tribes, because it was where the Passaic River - called "Fishawack" by the Lenni Lenape - was narrowest.”

    Check for updates here.

  • Show your Cougar pride at the annual Cougar Weekend sports celebration! Enjoy cheering on your favorite teams across Fall athletics, specifically the football game under the lights!

  • Enjoy your Saturdays at the Farmers Market in Downtown Chatham Borough at Railroad Plaza South! June-November. For more information, click here.

  • The Chatham Borough Fire Department's annual Small Fry Fishing Contest at Kelley’s Pond is a community favorite! Check here for updates!

  • Celebrate the Fourth of July in Chatham! Residents band together for a classic parade through town, and then fireworks + celebrations at night.

  • Embrace your green thumb with fellow residents by getting involved with the community garden! Get more information on the community garden here.

  • Kick off your family Thanksgiving celebrations with the annual Turkey Trot 5k! “Each year, The Chatham Turkey Trot attracts upwards of 1,000 runners who help raise funds for our first responders and diabetes research and education.” Get more information here.

  • The Holiday season is magical in Chatham - join the town for a tree lighting in the decorated gazebo, winter festivals, menorah lightings, and more!

 

How to spend a perfect day in Chatham

  • 9:30am - Arrive in Chatham Borough:

    • Get off the train or if driving - park at the any of the following lots: Bowers Lane, Post Office Plaza, Center Street East, or Center Street West.

    • Grab a coffee at T M Ward Coffee Shop or sit down for breakfast at Sorriso Kitchen (try our favorite lemon ricotta pancakes!)

Then head back home, and reminisce on your amazing day spent in Chatham - and call your Price Group agent to start booking home tours!

Back in time…

The Minsi group of the Lenni Lenape Indians were the first settlers of what is presently Chatham.  In 1680 Sir George Carteret paid the Minsi $55 for this land.  In 1721, John Budd, a wealthy merchant from Philadelphia owned most of the land in the area.  He sold some of his holdings to John and Daniel Day who were the first settlers on the west bank of the Passaic.  It was John Day that built the bridge over the Passaic  - at the location of the present day Route 124 bridge - to connect the two villages, called Day’s Village, that were expanding on either side of the river. By 1750, this was ¾ of a mile on either side of the bridge.  This village became a center for residents in Chatham and outlying areas to barter goods, have their grain ground at the mill or their lumber sawed.  

The new name of Chatham was chosen in 1773 to honor Sir William Pitt, Earl of Chatham - a staunch supporter of the American colonies’ opposition to King George III’s tax policies.  The name Chatham actually means “a village of cottages” and that amply described the area at the time. 

After the Revolutionary War, the population of Chatham grew and people migrated West. In 1801 a group of New York investors created the Morris Turnpike - its first section ran from Elizabeth to Morristown through Springfield and Chatham.  In 1837 The Morris and Essex railroad came to Chatham and New Yorkers seeking fresh air and places for the summer came in droves.  It grew as a resort town and a commuter town as residents realized they could get to NY on business and back home on the same day.   Real estate developers purchased land and built homes for commuters.  The railroad brought industry to the Chathams as well - a thriving brick business, roofing paper factories and the rose growing industry. 

Today’s residents of Chatham are drawn to the city’s quaint Main Street with it’s shops, restaurants, library, and post office.  But more importantly the over 19,000 residents are here for its proximity to New York City and surrounding areas and the amazing community that still reflects the town’s early roots.

Welcome!