Norman Rockwell himself might have dreamed up Califon as an ideal all-American village. Within its one-square-mile boundaries are charming Victorian-style homes on quiet streets-so quiet, in fact, the borough doesn't even have a traffic light. Set along the banks of the South Branch of the Raritan River, Califon is located in the beautiful rolling hills of Hunterdon County, bordering Lebanon and Tewksbury Townships.

Califon also was the inspiration behind one of the most iconic holiday movies ever made. Philip Van Doren Stern, a 1924 Rutgers graduate who grew up in New Jersey, authored "The Greatest Gift," a short story behind the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life." And although the movie's fictional Bedford Falls setting takes place in upstate New York, the writer was actually inspired by Califon. Those who are familiar with the Califon's historic iron truss bridge will recognize its role as a focal point of this beloved movie.

History

The Califon Historical Society has over 150 structures registered with the National Register of Historic Places. In keeping with its Victorian heritage, the houses are marked with wooden plaques noting the builders' names and construction dates rather than street numbers.

The Borough was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature in 1918. Its unusual name was shortened from the original choice, California, in honor of a resident returning from that state's Gold Rush. Mail addressed "California, New Jersey" was just too confusing for the post office to handle, so the named was shortened to Califon.

The High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey began service to Califon in 1875, where there was a wooden freight and passenger station. The rail line was abandoned in 1976 and now serves as Columbia Trail, a picturesque Hunterdon County-administered rail trail.

Community Life

Califon is a riverside village set on both banks of the South Branch of the Raritan River. This part of the river offers some of the best stream fishing in the state with an abundance of trout. Small shops are services are found along the borough's main street or in the Victorian Square shopping center on Route 513.

The village of Califon is just minutes from the towns of Chester and Long Valley, which offer over 100 shops, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Also located within several miles of Califon are golf courses, art museums, local theaters and nature preserves.

Nature and wildlife are part of this rural community's surroundings. Horses graze inside white-fenced pastures, while barns, small herds of deer as well as wild turkeys and native birds are common sights.

Education

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Califon Public School at 6 School Street. The school is known for its small class sizes, excellent teachers and an approach that values global outreach. Their active Twitter account can be viewed @CalifonStrong or on the school's website, califonschool.org.

Public school students in grades 9 through 12 are served by the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District. Voorhees High School serves students from Califon Borough as well as Glen Gardner Borough, Hampton Borough, High Bridge Borough, Lebanon Township and Tewksbury Township.

Local student achievements have garnered high marks in the national media. Voorhees High Schools ranked among the Best High Schools in America for 2019, according to U.S. News & World Report. Voorhees ranked 1,468 nationally among 17,245 high schools across the country and 64th among New Jersey high schools. Voorhees High School was also recognized as one of the Top High Schools in New Jersey according to New Jersey Monthly magazine in September 2018. Voorhees ranked 61st out of 305 schools listed. The Washington Post ranked Voorhees One of America's Most Challenging High Schools for 2016. Out of the 3,000 schools included in the list, Voorhees ranked 1,114 overall. Among the New Jersey high schools on the list, Voorhees ranked 34th.

Transportation

Califon is a few miles north of Interstate 78, about 60 miles west of New York City, and less than an hour from Newark Liberty International Airport. A few miles east on I-78 brings you to I-287 which runs north toward Morristown and south toward the Garden State Parkway.

There is train service into New York City from High Bridge, about three miles south. Bus service runs from Clinton and Annandale along I-78 to both Newark Airport and New York City.

For long-distance travel, Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania is about 42 miles away, and Newark Liberty International Airport is about 47 miles from Califon.

Real Estate

In addition to the classic front porch Victorians in town, Califon has a mix of housing styles including waterfront homes on the river; Federal homes from the early 1800s; vintage homes dating from the early 1900s, sometimes with a detached garage building or small barn in the back; traditional Colonials; historic stone and clapboard homes; antique farmhouses and well-kept residences built in the second half of the past century.

Local Attractions

Ken Lockwood Gorge: Just down the river from Califon in High Bridge is Ken Lockwood Gorge, an area known for huge glacial boulders in the water, calm pools, bubbling rapids and tall hemlocks along the banks. It's popular among fly fisherman and those who appreciate the unique scenery.

Califon Historical Society Museum : Located at 25 Main Street, The Califon Historical Society shares the site with the town museum. Original station furniture, historic photos and antique uniforms donated by long-time residents are among the displays. The Central of New Jersey Railroad built both a wooden freight and passenger station in town around 1875, and the citizens of Califon replaced it at their own expense with the existing stone structure.

Columbia Trail: The seven-mile long Columbia Trail passes through Califon, running from Lake Solitude and the South Branch of the Raritan River on to High Bridge. As a former railroad bed, the level trail has no grades higher than 2.5%, making it ideal for hiking, biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing.

Fun Fact #1: Merv Griffin (1925-2007), television producer, once owned a farm a few miles outside of Califon. When he launched the game show Wheel of Fortune, he gave a nod to Califon when naming the production company which was expressly responsible for the show. To this day, Wheel of Fortune officially does business as Califon Productions, Inc., although the show is owned by Sony Pictures.

Fun Fact #2: Movie buffs will be pleased to discover that Califon was the inspiration for "It's a Wonderful Life," the classic holiday movie in which an iron truss bridge-like the one in Califon-plays an essential role in the plot.