About Millville

At the head of the tidewater on the Maurice (MOR-ris) River, Millville began as a river port. With the discovery of silica sand the town soon became a glassmaking center; by the end of the 19th century the only American city to produce more glassware than Millville was Pittsburgh. Glass remains among the city's diversified industries.

The region also is noted for having been the home of hunter and woodsman “Stretch” Garrison, whose alleged feats included riding sharks and porpoises up the Maurice River and raising a rooster so tall that it ate from the porch roof. Although it is suspected that his nickname resulted from what he might have done to the truth, “Stretch” remains a local folk hero.

A holly farm in East Millville once produced 14 varieties of holly for shipment around the world, leading to the town's designation as “The Holly City.” The red-berried tree's history, science and folklore are depicted in the 62-foot-long Holly City Mural at 8 E. Mulberry St. in downtown Millville.

Visitor Information

Millville Chamber of Commerce: 4 City Park Dr., P.O. Box 831, Millville, NJ 08332; phone (856) 825-2600.

Millville hotels