Hammonton

The Blueberry Capital of the World!

The Town of Hammonton incorporated in 1866, was created from portions of Hamilton Township and Mullica Township. Hammonton is named for John Hammond Coffin, who was one of the first European settlers.

Hammonton is known as the Blueberry Capital of the World. Nearly all of New Jersey’s blueberries come from farms in and around Hammonton.

Hammonton is also known for a vibrant downtown area with shops, restaurants, taverns, art galleries, a theater, and stately turn-of-the-century homes. The Philadelphia Daily News calls Hammonton’s central business district: “A downtown that’s hipper by the minute.”

The Town of Hammonton is located halfway between Philadelphia and the resort town of Atlantic City, along a former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad which is now used by New Jersey Transit’s Atlantic City Line. The town is located almost exactly halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City.

Hammonton borders Folsom to the southwest, and Hamilton and Mullica townships to the southeast; Shamong Township and Washington Township in the northeast; and Waterford Township and Winslow Township to the northwest.

When Europeans arrived, the Hammonton area was inhabited by the Lenape Tribe, and as European settlement continued, the Lenape in the area were displaced. In 1812, the Coffin family arrived and constructed a home and sawmill. Other settlers built factories, including a glass factory. Farming would complement industry, primarily blueberry and strawberry farming.

The Camden and Atlantic Railroad began service in 1854, and the Hammonton Rail Station was built in 1858, and by the late 1800’s the business district would be centered downtown, near the railroad tracks. Factories would be built along the tracks, including a shoe factory. Many of these older buildings are still standing in the downtown area.

Hammonton Facts

Hammonton is known as The Blueberry Capital of the World. The weather and soil make for optimal conditions for growing blueberries. In addition to being one of the largest blueberry producers in the world, there are many other orchards, farms and farm markets in Hammonton selling fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers. The local farms also produce grapes, and Hammonton has three active wineries; DiMatteo Vineyards, Plagido’s Winery, and Tomasello Winery.

Hammonton is also famous for growing sports turf. Green grass grown in Hammonton is at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Field, Boston’s Fenway Park, Lambeau Field in Green Bay and in many other football and baseball stadiums.

The downtown was one of the finalists for the Great American Main Street Award in 2013, in recognition for revitalization efforts, business development, and historic preservation.

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The Hammonton Rail Station is conveniently located downtown. The station connects to NJ Transit trains and buses, and the PATCO Speedline in Lindenwold, Philadelphia, and Amtrak’s 30th Street Station. NJ Transit also connects to the Atlantic City International Airport, the FAA Technical Center, and Stockton University.

For those looking to live in Hammonton, there are stately older homes located downtown, newer developments of single-family houses and townhouses, as well as condominiums and apartments.

Hammonton has several historic sites of interest in the downtown area, which includes many of these original homes built in the late 19th and early century, as well as other historic homes and commercial properties. The Hammonton Historic Preservation Commission leads guided walking tours, and a self-guided tour can be accessed here.

The Noyes Museum Galleries is in the Arts District downtown. The Noyes showcases the work of a wide range of artists. The Hammonton Arts Center is also downtown and offers workshops and lectures. The Arts Center also sponsors exhibits featuring local and regional artists.

There is always something happening in Hammonton. Hammonton hosts several festivals throughout the year. The most well-known, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival, has been held every year since 1875, making it the longest continuously run festival in the United States. The festival is also known as the Italian Festival, and Hammonton’s large population of Italian American’s celebrate their heritage. Other festivals include the Red, White and Blueberry festival held in June, the Hammonton Wine Festival, Hammonton Fall Beer Festival, Teen Arts Festival, Hammonton Food Truck Festival, Hammonton Green Day Festival, and Cruisin’ Main Street.

For recreation, there’s Hammonton Lake Park. There are two paved trails and a nature trail that runs adjacent to the Smith Conservation Area. Hammonton Lake is also great for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking. And there is also a dog park nearby.

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Commercial and Residential Information

Commercial

Hammonton’s largest employers are healthcare and the farming industry. Major healthcare companies are Innova Health, Hammonton Center for Rehabilitation, AtlantiCare, and Integrity Medical Devices. Large agriculture employers are Frank Donio, Inc. and Atlantic Blueberry Patriot Manufacturing.

For information on location your business in Hammonton, contact: Town of Hammonton, 100 Central Avenue, Hammonton, NJ, 08037, phone: 609-567-4300

For information on the downtown district, contact: Mica McCullough, Executive Director, MainStreet Hammonton, phone: 609-567-9014, email: [email protected].

Residential

Residential Abatement Program

Tax abatements are available for residential property owners. Contact the Tax Office to see what properties would qualify: Mary Joan Wyatt, Tax Assessor Phone: 609-567-4300 Ext. 115

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Local Small Business Loan Programs from the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA) 

For Atlantic County Businesses | ACIA Business Loans May be Combined with Small Business Administration Loans for Maximum Impact

Click here for details

New Jersey Economic Development Authority Business Loan and Incentives Programs 

For New Jersey Businesses | Various Loans and Incentives | Click here for details

Primary Contact

• Name: Steve DiDonato
• Title: Mayor
• Phone Number: (609) 567-4300, extension 400
• Email: [email protected]