New Jersey Has A State Rock And It Has A Fascinating History
Every state has its own official symbols and designations…birds, bugs, fruits, mottos…but there are also some unofficial state items just waiting for a status upgrade. In order to become official, the state Legislature has to adopt the item and sign documentation to acknowledge that recognition. These promotions to official status often occur for tourism or history-related reasons, though there are certain official items I can’t explain (New Jersey’s state dance? The Square Dance.). Though these designations may not seem like a big deal, the debates behind them can get pretty heated.
In 2003, there was a big battle over the state fruit. Some thought it should be the tomato, certainly Jersey staples. Others argued the blueberry was more significant and, ultimately, it won out. When it comes to state rock, there’s only one contender…
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Brownstone was an important building material, used in thousands of houses, churches, and all kinds of structures across the Northeast between the early 1700s to the early 1900s. New Jersey was the nation's most important producer of brownstone and provided most of the brownstone used in New Jersey, New York, and Eastern Pennsylvania.
Brownstone is a reddish-brown sandstone that is common in the Delaware Valley.
Some of the best brownstone in the U.S. was found in Little Falls, New Jersey. Local quarries produced a superior, fine grained brownstone that was used in mansions, churches, and sculptures in New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia. Quarries in and around Belleville, New Jersey were the most productive, supplying more material for brownstone houses than any other source in the U.S. - this stone was a lighter brown than the stone from the Little Falls quarries.
Many quarries shut down by the middle of the 19th century, following a decreased demand for the stone. It is now most often used in foundations and windowsills, rather than entire houses.
If you're interested in getting your hands on New Jersey Brownstone (along with other rocks and minerals), the state government officially offers a rock and sediment kit.
Speaking of sediment and minerals, we have two contenders for official state mineral - Prehnite and Franklinite.
Prehnite is typically a pale green color and the stone was first found in South Africa but is also prevalent in Paterson. Franklinite is multicolored (black, white, rust) and found in and around Franklin, New Jersey. It contains zinc, iron, and manganese.
So, how do items get upgraded from official to unofficial? How do they make their way up to the state legislature?
Campaigning. The Violet became the official state flower of New Jersey in 1971 after significant campaigning by local garden clubs. The horse became our official state animal in 1977 after hard work put in by students in Harrington Park and Freehold.
If you’ve got some free time and are interested in making a lasting impact on local history, you can organize a group and campaign to make the state rock official – or maybe you’d prefer we have an official state dessert like Missouri. They chose the ice cream cone, but I think the Garden State should have something like Blueberry Pie, or perhaps the cannoli…what do you think?
If you want to get your hands on that New Jersey rock kit I mentioned earlier, you can purchase them here. You’ll get 17 rock and sediment samples, a 20-page booklet, and a geologic map of New Jersey for $16. How fun! If you’re interested in expanding your adventures beyond the Garden State, subscribe to our bucket list newsletter.
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management. Contact: [email protected]
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