Glassboro

History

Glassboro's early industrial history was built on the manufacturing of glass. The town was first established in 1779 by Solomon Stanger as Glass Works in the Woods. Glass manufacturers over the years since include Heston-Carpenter Glass Works, Olive Glass Works, Harmony Glass Works, Temperanceville Glass Works, Whitney Brothers Glass Works, Owens Bottle Company, Owens Illinois Glass Company, and Anchor Hocking. Rowan University, formerly Glassboro State College, was founded in 1923. The university was the site of the Glassboro Summit Conference in 1967 between U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin. In 1958, a typhoid fever epidemic broke out in the predominantly African-American neighborhoods of Elsmere and Lawns, which was attributed to 20 years of municipal neglect of the sanitary infrastructure in these neighborhoods. The Glassboro Summit Conference between U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin took place in Glassboro. Johnson and Kosygin met for three days from June 23 to June 25, 1967, at Glassboro State College (later renamed Rowan University). The location was chosen as a compromise. Kosygin, having agreed to address the United Nations in New York City, wanted to meet in New York City. Johnson, wary of encountering protests against the Vietnam War, preferred to meet in Washington, D.C. They agreed in Glassboro because it was equidistant between the two cities. The summit's generally amicable atmosphere was referred to as the "Spirit of Glassboro," although the leaders failed to reach agreement on limiting anti-ballistic missile systems. On June 19, 1986, Ronald Reagan became the first sitting president to speak at a high school graduation when he spoke at the Glassboro High School commencement…

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 9.36 square miles (24.24 km2), including 9.32 square miles (24.14 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of water (0.41%). Glassboro borders the Gloucester County municipalities of Clayton Borough, Elk Township, Harrison Township, Mantua Township, Monroe Township, Pitman, and Washington Township. The area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Glassboro has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Washington Township High School
  High · SEWELL · 2,075 students · 12:1 ratio
• Williamstown Middle School
  Middle · WILLIAMSTOWN · 1,819 students · 13:1 ratio
• Williamstown High School
  High · WILLIAMSTOWN · 1,782 students · 14.4:1 ratio
• Gloucester County Institute of Technology
  High · Sewell · 1,609 students · 14.8:1 ratio
• Clearview Regional High School
  High · MULLICA HILL · 1,431 students · 14.8:1 ratio
• Deptford Township High School
  High · DEPTFORD · 1,084 students · 12.8:1 ratio
• Delsea Regional High School
  High · FRANKLINVILLE · 1,074 students · 12.3:1 ratio
• Deptford Township Middle School
  Middle · SEWELL · 928 students · 12.7:1 ratio