| THE NICKNAMES:
The Garden State: This nickname seems to have originated at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia
on Jersey Day, August 24, 1876. Alfred M. Heston states in his 1926 work, Jersey Waggon Jaunts,
that "The Garden State" was used by Abraham Browning, of Camden. "In his address Mr. Browning
compared New Jersey to an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians
grabbing from one end and the New Yorkers from the other. He called New Jersey the Garden State, and the name
has clung to it ever since."
In later years, the explanation has evolved to reference New Jersey truck farms that provide
floral and agricultural produce to cities in the area instead of an "immense barrel."
These farms have catered, particularly, to the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. Some
support the nickname with stories of the Revolutionary War and the food provided to soldiers by
the small farms of New Jersey.
Probably the most intense promotion of this nickname for New Jersey began when the legislature
voted to add the legend "Garden State" to New Jersey license plates in 1954, in spite of the
Governor's refusal to sign the bill, in part because "New Jersey is noted for its great
strides in manufacturing, mining, commerce, construction, power, transportation, shipping, merchandising,
fishing and recreation, as well as in agriculture. I do not believe that the average citizen of New Jersey regards
his state as more peculiarly identifiable with gardening for farming than any of its other industries or occupations."
The Clam State: This nickname refers to the clams taken off the coast and in the Delaware Bay.
New Jersey is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east.
The Camden & Amboy State: or "The State of Camden and Amboy" is a reference to the old Camden and Amboy
railroad and highlights the powerful influence of this railroad in the state.
The Jersey Blue State: This historical nickname recalls the blue uniforms of the New Jersey Revolutionary
War soldiers.
The Pathway of Revolution: Another nickname recalling the Revolutionary War period, "The Pathway
of Revolution" is a reference to the battles fought on New Jersey soil during the war.
The Switzerland of America: New Jersey, like other states with mountainous areas, has been referred to
as "The Switzerland of America." This reference, made by early settlers, was to the western part of the
state and the Kittatinny range and to the Watchung, Sourland and Pickle mountains in the southeast. Perhaps
the most famous are the Palisades along the Hudson River.
The Mosquito State: New Jersey has sometimes been referred to as "The Mosquito State" obviously in reference
to the irritating, bloodthirsty little insects. New Jersey really does not have more of these insects
than other states, and it is not clear how this appellation originated.
New Spain: or "The State of Spain" came about when Joseph Bonaparte, the King of Spain, fled to New
Jersey around 1812. He bought about 1,400 acres of land in the state and built a "palatial mansion" where
he entertained foreign dignitaries until 1822. It's rumored that Philadelphians were jealous of New
Jersey's good fortune to have such an illustrious resident and they referred to New Jersey, humorously, as
"New Spain" or "The State of Spain."
The Foreigner State: In the same vein as "New Spain," this nickname evolved from the humorous gibe to
New Jersey, that it was a foreign land filled with foreigners under the social influence of the previous
King of Spain. New Jersey was sometimes referred to as "The Foreign State."
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and
Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint)
State of New Jersey, (http://www.state.nj.us/njfacts/garden.htm), October 31, 2002 |
