History of Clifton, New Jersey

In April 2017, Clifton celebrated its 100th birthday, but documented European settlements in the area date back to 1679, when a representative of the Lenape Native Americans gave Hans Frederick a deed for 11,000 acres along the Passaic River. The moniker "Clifton" was derived from the cliffs of Garrett Mountain, which border the Albion Place neighborhood in the city's westernmost section. Clifton was once an agricultural center and home to the U.S. Animal Quarantine Station, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture operated there beginning in 1903. It was served by the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad's Newark Branch. It was the primary location on the East Coast where animals, including poultry, horses, and cattle, as well as menagerie animals, were put under quarantine after entering the United States in order to prevent the spread of disease. Prior to its relocation to Stewart International Airport in the late 1970s, the federal station was located in Clifton.

Due to their close proximity to Manhattan (Clifton is less than 15 miles west of Midtown), Clifton and surrounding municipalities have long since converted farmland into suburban communities. However, the city still contains three small working farms that sell fresh and organic produce when in season. Learn about the geography of Clifton, New Jersey.