Montclair A Town with Something for Everyone BY ERIN McFEETERS
P
erched on the East slope of the Watchung Mountain, just under 16 miles from Times Square, New York City, Montclair has the best of what New Jersey has to offer—historic communities, diversity, a walkable downtown, convenient access to public transportation, a rich arts scene, and so much more. “Montclair is a kaleidoscope of nationalities and ethnicities that have contributed to the development of the multicultural community that we experience here in Montclair today,” said Montclair History Center Executive Director Angela Diggs. “When looking at Montclair over the last 150+ years we see the shifts and changes of people into this community.” According to Diggs, the Montclair area was inhabited by Lenni Lenape until the English and Dutch settled in the 1700s. Migration waves continued in the 1800s,
12 | NEW JERSEY REALTOR ® | November/December 2023
Photo courtesy of The Wright Group at Christie’s Montclair–Yantacaw Brook Park
TOWN SPOTLIGHT
Photo courtesy of The Wright Group at Christie’s Montclair–CU Church Street Cafe Giotto
Photo courtesy of The Montlclair Foundation–Van Vleck House Entrance
and brought many Irish and Swedish families. The establishment of trains for cross-country travel shaped the town even further as many looked to Montclair for more opportunities for their families to prosper. The township’s diversity and culture are prevalent amongst its restaurants, which feature fare from Italian to Brazilian, and events such as the Montclair Film Festival, Montclair Jazz Festival, the African American Heritage Parade and Festival, and more. While Montclair’s ties to art cultivate a unique community feel amongst its nearly 40,000 residents, according to Diggs, Montclair always has something to offer for everyone. Whether it’s seeing a new exhibit at the Montclair Art Museum, attending a Winter Wonderland Open House at the Montclair History Center, or buying tickets for an upcoming show at the
Photo courtesy of The Montlclair Foundation–Van Vleck Fairy Trail
Wellmont Theater, there’s always something to do. “People take pride in contributing to a community where everyone has a place to belong and bring something to the table,” said Diggs. “Montclair’s history speaks to an ever-changing community, and we are seeing that again today, but at the core of it is that Montclair has something special to offer whether to its longtime residents or the newcomers it’s a space to set down your roots.”
