Cherry Hill

Origins and Founding

The history of the area now known as Cherry Hill began long before its current name appeared. Originally, these lands were inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape people, who lived here in harmony with nature. European settlement began in the late 17th century with the arrival of the first English settlers—followers of the Quaker William Penn.

The official date of the town's administrative birth is February 25, 1844, when the territory was separated from Waterford Township and named Delaware Township. The modern name was established much later: in 1961, residents voted to rename the town Cherry Hill in honor of the historic Cherry Hill Farm, which was located on a hill among cherry orchards.

Key Factors in its Development

The growth of the settlement was determined by its favorable geographical location and natural resources:

• Proximity to Philadelphia: Its location just a few miles from a major metropolis provided a constant market for local products.
• Water Resources: The Cooper River and its tributaries played a vital role, powering numerous sawmills and gristmills.
• Fertile Soil: The lands of the Delaware River Valley were ideal for agriculture, which defined the agrarian character of the region for centuries.

Early Lifestyle and Economy

Until the mid-20th century, Delaware Township remained a quiet community of scattered farmsteads and small villages, such as Colestown and Ellisburg. The economy was based on fruit and vegetable farming; many local farmers supplied produce for the famous Campbell's Soup company in nearby Camden.

Cultural life in the early period was strongly influenced by Quaker traditions of simplicity and hard work. It was only after World War II that the region began its rapid transformation from a rural area into one of the most famous suburbs in the United States, symbolized by the opening of the first enclosed shopping center on the East Coast.

• Late 17th Century — The first English Quaker settlers begin to develop the land along the Cooper River, where the Lenni-Lenape people previously lived.
• February 25, 1844 — Official formation of Delaware Township, which was separated from the larger Waterford Township.
• Mid-19th Century — Abraham Browning purchases a plot of land and names his estate Cherry Hill Farm due to the abundance of cherry trees; this name would eventually be adopted by the entire town.
• 1942 — Opening of the Garden State Park racetrack, which became a centerpiece of attraction and entertainment for the entire region for many years.
• 1950s — A period of active suburbanization: the quiet rural area begins to be rapidly developed with residential homes, transforming into a modern suburb.
• October 11, 1961 — Opening of Cherry Hill Mall—the first large climate-controlled enclosed shopping center in the Eastern United States, which fundamentally changed the commercial landscape of the area.
• November 7, 1961 — In a referendum, residents vote to change the name from "Delaware Township" to "Cherry Hill" to avoid postal confusion and highlight the area's uniqueness.
• 2001 — Closure of the historic Garden State Park racetrack; later, construction of a large-scale mixed-use complex with housing and shops begins on this site.
• 2004 — Opening of the new, modern Cherry Hill Public Library building, which has become one of the town's most important cultural and educational centers.

Stages of the City's Transformation

The development of Cherry Hill is a textbook example of transforming a quiet agrarian area into a thriving commercial and residential hub. Below are the key milestones that shaped the modern look and status of the town:

• Post-war Housing Boom (1950s).
  Mass development of former farmland into suburban residential quarters, such as Kingston Estates and Barclay Farm. This urban transformation marked the end of the agricultural era and established the town's status as a prestigious "bedroom community" of Philadelphia.
• The Retail Revolution (1961).
  The construction of Cherry Hill Mall—the first climate-controlled enclosed shopping center on the East Coast of the United States. This project didn't just attract shoppers from all over the region; it became a catalyst for economic growth, shifting the focus of the local economy from agriculture to retail and services.
• The Latin Casino Era (1960–1978).
  The relocation of the legendary Latin Casino nightclub to Cherry Hill turned the town into a regional cultural capital. A-list stars, including Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, performed here, giving the town an image as a center for elite entertainment.
• The Formation of a Business Hub (1980s–1990s).
  Active development of office parks and commercial real estate along Route 70 and Route 38. The arrival of major corporations and the opening of headquarters (such as Subaru of America, which was based here for a long time) transformed the town from a simple suburb into a self-sufficient economic center, or a so-called "edge city."
• Revitalization of the Racetrack Site (2000s).
  A massive project to redevelop the former Garden State Park racetrack into the modern mixed-use Market Place district. This project became an example of New Urbanism, combining luxury housing, high-end retail, and public spaces, breathing new life into the heart of the town.
• Investment in Civic Infrastructure (2004).
  The opening of the new Cherry Hill Public Library building, covering nearly 7,000 square meters. This event underscored the priority of the community's educational and cultural development, creating one of the most visited public spaces in New Jersey.

Architectural Landscape and Urban Planning

Cherry Hill is a classic example of American suburbanization. Unlike the older cities of Europe or the U.S. East Coast, you won't find Gothic cathedrals or Baroque quarters here. The architectural fabric of the town is woven from its farming heritage, post-war modernism, and contemporary commercial development, reflecting the transformation of a quiet rural area into a dynamic "edge city" (a self-sufficient business suburb).

Historical Eras and Styles

The urban development of Cherry Hill can be divided into three key stages, each with its own architectural signature:

• The Agrarian Era (18th — First Half of the 20th Century)
  Styles: Federal style, Colonial Revival.
  During this period, the area was covered in farms. Surviving buildings include historic red-brick or wooden manor houses, characterized by the symmetry and understated decor typical of early American architecture.
• The Suburbanization Boom (1950s–1970s)
  Styles: Mid-century modern, Ranch-style, Split-level.
  The era of mass residential development. Architecture became functional and car-oriented. Residential neighborhoods were built with elongated single-story "ranch" houses and "split-level" homes. The commercial sector was dominated by large shopping centers and motels.
• The "Edge City" Era (1980s — Present)
  Styles: Postmodernism, Contemporary commercial architecture, Neo-traditionalism.
  The town's development as a business hub led to the emergence of office parks, glass facades, and large-scale mixed-use developments that combine housing and retail in a single space.

Iconic Sites and Districts

The look of Cherry Hill is shaped by several key sites that illustrate its development:

• Barclay Farmstead — Built in 1816, this is a prime example of the Federal style. It is one of the few buildings remaining from the town's agrarian past and today serves as a living museum of local history.
• Cherry Hill Mall — Opened in 1961, this site became an icon of 20th-century retail architecture. Originally designed by the famous architect Victor Gruen, it set the standard for enclosed malls across America, turning shopping into a cultural phenomenon.
• Cherry Hill Public Library — This modern building, opened in 2004, is an example of 21st-century civic architecture. Its spacious halls and use of natural light and modern materials highlight the library's status as the town's new community center.
• Garden State Park Complex — An example of modern site redevelopment (formerly a racetrack). It implements the "city within a city" concept with dense construction mimicking traditional city streets (New Urbanism), featuring shops on the ground floors and apartments above.

Notable People of Cherry Hill

Thanks to its prestige and proximity to Philadelphia, Cherry Hill has often been home to famous athletes, actors, and cultural figures. Here is a list of the most famous people whose lives and careers are linked to this town.

• Muhammad Ali (1942–2016)
  Legendary heavyweight boxer and social activist.
  The greatest boxer in sports history lived in Cherry Hill in the early 1970s (from 1971 to 1974). It was during his time living here that he prepared for his famous bouts against Joe Frazier and George Foreman. His former residence on Winding Drive remains an unofficial local landmark.
• Cristin Milioti (born 1985)
  Stage and film actress, singer.
  A Cherry Hill native and graduate of Cherry Hill High School East. She gained wide fame for her roles in the series "How I Met Your Mother" (the Mother) and the film "The Wolf of Wall Street," and she is also a Grammy Award winner for her work in the Broadway musical "Once."
• Bobby Ryan (born 1987)
  Professional hockey player (NHL).
  A National Hockey League star and 2010 Olympic silver medalist with Team USA. Ryan was born in Cherry Hill and began his journey into professional sports here, playing for local youth teams before becoming the second overall pick in the NHL Draft.
• Lauren Cohan (born 1982)
  Actress and model.
  She gained worldwide fame for her role as Maggie Greene in the cult series "The Walking Dead." Although she wasn't born here, Lauren spent her teenage years in Cherry Hill after moving with her family from the UK, which shaped her unique cultural background.
• Orel Hershiser (born 1958)
  Baseball player (pitcher) and sports analyst.
  A Major League Baseball (MLB) legend, Cy Young Award winner, and World Series champion. Hershiser grew up in Cherry Hill and is one of the most illustrious alumni of Cherry Hill High School East, where he began honing his skills as a pitcher.
• Gene Hart (1931–1999)
  Sports commentator.
  Known as the "Voice of the Flyers." For nearly 30 years, he called games for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team, including their Stanley Cup-winning seasons. He lived in Cherry Hill for a long time and was an integral part of the region's sports history.