East Orange, New Jersey, nicknamed “The Crossroads of New Jersey,” is conveniently located at the intersection of the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 280, just several miles from Newark Liberty International Airport and less than 30 minutes from New York City. Originally founded as a township in 1863, East Orange became incorporated as a city on Jan. 1, 1909. With approximately 65,000 residents, the four square miles of East Orange are adjacent to the municipalities of Orange, West Orange, South Orange, Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield and Newark.

By the close of the 19th century, East Orange was an agriculturally rich area populated by oil tycoons and Newark industrialists. Post World War II, it became a growing destination for the migration of black middle class from the South, as well as southern parts of the state.

Known for its expansive homes and wide tree-lined streets, East Orange experienced a huge population surge between 1940-1950, paving the way for the addition of luxury high-rise buildings and a boom of commercial businesses along Main Street and Central Avenue. Once called the “Fifth Avenue of New Jersey,” Central Avenue attracted shoppers from around the state. In 1945, East Orange was ranked the 20th best place to live in the country among cities of a similar size and named the “Cleanest City in America” three times before 1970.