Goshen, New Jersey

Goshen, New Jersey
Census-designated place
Goshen School, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Goshen Location in Cape May County Show map of Cape May County, New Jersey Goshen Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Goshen Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°08′29″N74°51′11″W / 39.14139°N 74.85306°W / 39.14139; -74.85306
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Cape May
Township	Middle
Area [1]
• Total	1.75 sq mi (4.53 km2)
• Land	1.75 sq mi (4.52 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	10 ft (3 m)
Population  (2020) [2]
• Total	400
• Density	229.10/sq mi (88.47/km2)
ZIP Code	08210
FIPS code	34-27030 [3]
GNIS feature ID	0876685 [4]

Goshen is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) ^[5] located within Middle Township, in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. ^[6]

Route 47, also known as Delsea Drive, runs directly through the center of the community.

History

Goshen Fire Station

The area was settled by Aaron Leaming, who began raising cattle in 1693. By 1710 there was a settlement. Goshen's first industry was a king crab mill and a canning factory. Shipbuilding and lumbering industries flourished. A post office was established in 1818, with Richard Thompson Jr. as the first postmaster. ^[7]

The Garrison shipyard on Goshen Creek had stocks for the simultaneous construction of two vessels, which, upon being launched, were slipped into the water sideways. Between 1859 and 1898, twenty-five ships of record were built there, along with many smaller craft. Around 1900, Cape May County's shipbuilding industry was shut down. The last ship launched by the Goshen shipyard was the Diamond in 1898. Due to the lasting effects of the brackish water there, the remains of the docks are still visible at the end of Goshen Landing Road during low tide.

The Tavern House (circa 1725), on the corner of Route 47 and Goshen Landing Road, is one of the oldest homes in Cape May County. At different times it has been a tavern, hotel, dentist office and residence. While significant changes have been made, much of the original workmanship is still evident. Rough-hewn logs still support the house, and wooden pegs hold the rafters in place.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, the area had a population of 400. ^[2]

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	400		—
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 2020 [2]

Education

The community is served by the Middle Township Public Schools, which operates Middle Township High School.

Countywide schools include Cape May County Technical High School and Cape May County Special Services School District.

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Middle Township, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Goshen include:

• Andrew J. Tomlin (1845-1906), awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Civil War. ^[9]

Wineries

• Natali Vineyards

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
2. Census Data Explorer: Goshen CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 15, 2023.
3. Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed June 9, 2023.
4. "Goshen". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved October 6, 2012.
5. State of New Jersey Census Designated Places - BVP20 - Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 1, 2022.
6. Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed June 9, 2016.
7. Stevens, Lewis Townsend (1897). The History of Cape May County, New Jersey: From the Aboriginal Times to the Present Day. Star of the Cape Publishing Co. p. 466.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
9. Andrew J. Tomlin, Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States of America. Accessed July 9, 2013.