Forest Hill, Newark, New Jersey - Definition and Overview

Forest Hill is an affluent pre-World War II neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey's North Ward. It is bounded on the east by Branch Brook Park and on the west by Summer Avenue and Mt. Prospect Avenue, the neighborhood of Broadway..

Forest Hill is located on a ridge between the Passaic River and the valley of the Branch Brook. It was first developed by Elias Heller, who owned a file factory in North Newark, on the Belleville border. From the 1870s to the 1920s generations of wealthy Newarkers built hundreds of stately homes in the area in various styles, including Beaux-Arts, Victorian, Colonial, Gothic, and Spanish Revival. Along with their mansions, the wealthy of Forest Hill also developed scores of social and literary clubs. Other than the homes, landmarks include the old Tiffany factory and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Basilica.

The neighborhood is very well-preserved. Almost none of the historic houses have been torn down, converted to apartments, or converted to institutional use. The northern part of the neighborhood is part of an official historic district.

From time to time there are special tours through the New Jersey Historical Society where homeowners open their doors to visitors. Aside from those nights, the homes of Forest Hill are private property.