Gloucester, New Jersey, United States

🇺🇸 Gloucester Township is a township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. The township ranked as the 19th most-populous municipality in the state.

Gloucester Township was formed in 1695, while the area was still part of Gloucester County. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. It became part of the newly created Camden County upon its formation on March 13, 1844. Portions of the township have been taken over the years to form Union Township (November 15, 1831; dissolved on February 25, 1868, with remaining land chartered as Gloucester City), Winslow Township (March 8, 1845) and Clementon Township (February 24, 1903; dissolved on May 16, 1941, into Laurel Springs).

The township is part of the South Jersey region of the state and constitutes part of the larger Philadelphia metropolitan area.

History Present Gloucester Township was one of the original townships that comprised old Gloucester County. It became the county's first political subdivision in 1685. The boundaries of Gloucester County extended from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean until 1683, when it was divided into two townships; Egg Harbor Township and Gloucester Township, which took its name from the cathedral city of Gloucester on the banks of the River Severn in England. Gloucester Township further subdivided into four smaller townships, and on June 1, 1695, became one of the first New Jersey municipalities to incorporate. In 1844, the township became part of newly formed Camden County.

The Gabreil Daveis Tavern House, located at 4th Avenue in Glendora, is a pre-Revolutionary War tavern that was built in 1756 and for many years served as an inn for boatmen who transported their products to Philadelphia via nearby Big Timber Creek. It was recently restored and now serves as Gloucester Township's historical centerpiece. This building has also been referred to as the Hillman Hospital House because it was designated a hospital by George Washington during the Revolution. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to visitors on Sunday afternoons from April through December, excepting holidays.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 23.30 square miles (60.34 km²), including 22.95 square miles (59.45 km²) of land and 0.34 square miles (0.88 km²) of water (1.46%).

Blackwood (with a 2010 Census population of 4,545) and Glendora (4,750 in 2010) are unincorporated communities and places (CDPs) located within the township. Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Blenheim, Chews Landing, Davisville, Erial, Glen Oaks, Grenloch, Hilltop, Lakeland, Lambs Terrace, Little Gloucester, Nashs Mill Point Pleasant and Turkey Foot.

The township borders the municipalities of Hi-Nella, Lindenwold, Magnolia, Pine Hill, Runnemede, Somerdale, Stratford and Winslow Township in Camden County; and Deptford Township and Washington Township in Gloucester County.

Big Timber Creek flows east to west through the township to the Delaware River. A large enclosed dog park is located near the banks of Big Timber Creek.

Transport: Road As of May 2010, the township had a total of 239.44 miles (385.34 km) of roadways, of which 186.25 miles (299.74 km) were maintained by the municipality, 41.69 miles (67.09 km) by Camden County, 9.10 miles (14.65 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 2.40 miles (3.86 km) by the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

The Atlantic City Expressway is the most prominent highway in Gloucester Township, passing through the south-western portion of the township. Route 41 clips the north-western tip very briefly while Route 42 (the North-South Freeway) and Route 168 both pass through the township in the western part. CR 534 travels through the centre while CR 544 runs along the northern border.

Public transportation NJ Transit bus service between the township and Philadelphia is provided on the 400 route, with local service available on the 403 and 459 routes.