The history behind the iconic name linked to one four square mile section within Newark’s East Ward is somewhat argumentative.

While it is somewhat subjective how this Newark neighborhood attained its name in the first place, no argument can be made that that name we are referring to – Ironbound – came to be as one direct result attributed to what was going on in this neighborhood in the early part of the 19th Century.

By the 1830’s, Newark was fast emerging as one of the preeminent United States manufacturing centers. Trains. Lots of them. Freight trains. Lots of them. Train tracks. Lots of them. And within that network of Newark train tracks is where we find the origin for the “Ironbound” name.

In the early 1800’s, Newark transitioned away from its existence as a city whose economy was based upon agriculture. To an economy centered on manufacturing. Freight trains played a large part in the success of Newark’s economic transition.

By the 1830’s, rail had become the most efficient way to transport finished manufactured goods which were made in Newark to outside markets where they could be sold.

During the first half of the 19th century – with this advent of rail – what once had been a section of the city, strewn with swamps and farms, was going through a seismic change. It was becoming a neighborhood dominated by heavy industry. Ironbound. Surrounded by railroad tracks. Railroad tracks everywhere. Hence, the origin for our name, “Ironbound.” Train tracks. Lots and lots of train tracks. In this four square mile Newark neighborhood. Ironbound.

There is an alternative point-of-beginning for the name “Ironbound.” One attributed not to the network of train tracks in Newark’s East Ward. But rather, to the preeminence of Ironbound metalworking, forges and foundries.

A portion of the reasoning for linking the origin of the Ironbound name to 19th Century metalworking – rather than to rail – could be knowing that train tracks are made of steel. Not iron. But, a caveat…

It was only in the mid-19th Century that, for the very first time, steel rails could even be thought of as being used as a possible replacement for the iron train track rails which were always used. The first steel rails – ever – were laid in Britain. In 1857. 1857…twenty-one years after Newark Broad Street Station opened as Newark’s first freight train station.

So, when those 19th Century trains roared into – and out of – Ironbound, those 19th Century train tracks the trains rode on were made of iron. Not steel. Hence, Ironbound.

For those who believe the origin for the Ironbound name is based upon Ironbound foundries…Seth Boyden.

Seth Boyden opened the first malleable iron foundry in the United States which was capable of producing the buckles and the harnesses which, when used together, then made up the two primary ingredients for the carriage industry. Boyden’s Newark’s foundry was the Malleable Cast Iron Foundry and Condit. The Malleable Foundry and Condit was established in Ironbound. On Orange Street.

Balbach and Sons Refining and Smelting Company – once the second largest metal processing enterprise in the United States – was located where one now finds Riverbank Park in Ironbound.

The Oscar Barnet Foundry was located on McWhorter Street in Ironbound.

Hensler’s Beer Brewery was located on Hamburg Place in Ironbound.

Ballantine and Sons Brewing Company was located on Ferry Street in Ironbound.

Feigenspan Brewery was located on Belmont Street in Ironbound.

Foundries. Metalworking. Breweries. Forges.

The Ironbound name? It was, likely, those Ironbound train tracks. Those iron Ironbound train tracks.