The city is crisscrossed with railroads and major highways and offers easy and reliable public transit to New York, the Jersey Shore, and beyond. Because of its ideal location and waterfront access, South Amboy has been a transportation hub since its earliest days. Its first human inhabitants were one of the oldest Native American tribes known to us, the Lenni-Lenape—so old that the various Algonquin tribes referred to them as the “Grandfather” tribe from which they all descended. The Lenni-Lenape made exceptional use of South Amboy’s prime positioning by establishing strong trade routes. By the 1600s, they had become so powerful that it was estimated their population topped 20,000 people. As more and more Europeans began to settle in the area and conflicts arose, their numbers dwindled. Longhouse villages and a landscape once speckled with totem poles and birchbark wigwams gave way to Dutch settlements, and most of the Lenni-Lenape eventually relocated to Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Skirmishes with local Indians are only a small part of South Amboy’s turbulent history, however. This stalwart town has seen more than its share of notoriety, tragedy, and ultimately, triumph. It was a strategic target area of the British in the Revolutionary War and was specifically mentioned in multiple pieces of war correspondence written by George Washington, who at one point was sheltered nearby and awaiting the Redcoats’ invasion right in this very spot.

Other wars have left their mark here as well. In 1918 during World War I, an explosion of military ammunition amounting to six kilotons rocked the town. The T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant was destroyed along with 300 buildings surrounding it. At least a hundred people were killed, and hundreds more were injured. The entire town, along with two neighboring municipalities, had to be evacuated and rebuilt. Then, in 1950, another massive explosion ripped through the city when four transfer barges and several railroad cars carrying 420 tons of military explosives were accidentally detonated at the Raritan River Port. Thirty-five people were killed, and the entire waterfront was destroyed. Witnesses commented that the sky was “cluttered with debris” as cement blocks and railroad ties rained down upon them—remnants of which are still sometimes found on the beach there to this day. And speaking of rain, even Hurricane Sandy took a resounding whack at South Amboy, wiping out its waterfront area yet again in 2012.

Yet through it all, South Amboy and its residents have persevered. They pulled together, rebuilt, and recovered to make it what it is today, a highly desirable mecca for suburbanites, a charismatic town with gumption and heart that is stronger than ever. South Amboy is a diverse and thriving populace of about 9,500 residents today. It is a place where most people own their own homes, community values are strong, and people know their neighbors. It’s a wonderful place to live and has even been referred to as “The Best Kept Secret” by realtors and investors. It has great schools, low crime, a stable economy, and a plethora of cultural, entertainment, and dining opportunities.

Hike or bike along the Waterfront Loop. Stroll along the sparkling white expanse of beach. Take a boat out for a sail in the calm waters of Raritan Bay, or simply enjoy watching the boats from Raritan Bay Waterfront Park. The park is also a favorite gathering place where you can enjoy a variety of sporting activities like baseball, football, soccer, and more. If you’d rather strap some wheels on your feet instead of kicking a ball around, check out South Amboy Arena, a favorite hangout and birthday party spot where you can go roller skating and play some old-school arcade games. For foodies, you’ll find a variety of great dining options here, too. Don Giovanni’s has some of the best pizza in New Jersey. Fine dining doesn’t get any better than Mara’s Continental Cuisine. You can skip the napkin on the lap and grab a hot dog from Dave’s, or hit the Blue Moon, a cozy bar where you can toss back a few drinks, have a meal, and see some great live music. And, of course, you can grab a fast train to Manhattan from the local station.

Yes, life is good in South Amboy. The only thing exploding around here lately is growth and prosperity as the town gears up in 2020 with plans to revitalize parts of the waterfront, add a new ferry terminal, and build new luxury beachfront apartments. Well, maybe one other not-so-great thing is exploding, too: pests. Unfortunately, climate change and global warming have had a significant effect on pests, not only in South Amboy but across the country. As temperatures go up, so do their numbers and the problems that they cause.  If you are experiencing a pest problem, don’t despair. Just give Elite Pest Control a call. We’re not just your neighbor, we’re the top-rated exterminator in the area, and we’re here to help.