The town of Westfield, New Jersey was originally a part of the Elizabethtown tract which the English Long Islanders purchased from the Leni Lenape Indians in 1664. In 1693, the Elizabethtown tract officially became Elizabeth Township. Between 1699 and 1700 the West fields of the area were divided into 171 hundred-acre plots. In 1720, Westfield became a distinct settlement and forty-one years later it developed into a voting ward of the Elizabeth borough.
During the American Revolution, the Westfield area served as a command post for the British army, who looted the area; in 1780, many Westfielders participated in the victorious Battle of Springfield. Fourteen years later, in 1794, Westfield became a separate municipality, as Westfield Township. Finally, in 1903, it formed its current government as a Town—the only one it New Jersey. Since then, the town of Westfield has been successfully growing into the homey suburban neighborhood that it is today. The small-town charm of the downtown area coupled with the calm, relaxing atmosphere of the neighborhoods has made Westfield the place that many call home. Former residents of note include:
Renowned poet, novelist and playwright Langston Hughes
Cartoonist Charles Addams (most famous for his Addam’s Family cartoons
Athlete, Actor, Singer, Political Activist Paul Robeson
Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff.
Creator of the Apgar score Dr. Virginia Apgar,
Actor Andrew McCarthy (Pretty in Pink, Weekend at Bernie’s)
NY Knick and NBA Hall of Famer Earl “The Pearl” Monroe
Westfield has also served as the filming location for the popular NBC show Ed, the 2007 Queen Latifah starrer The Perfect Holiday. It has also served as the location for countless commercial productions.