Califon, New Jersey
Califon is a borough in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,005, a decrease of 71 (−6.6%) from the 2010 census count of 1,076, which in turn reflected an increase of 21 (+2.0%) from the 1,055 counted in the 2000 census. The town was originally called California starting in 1849, but the name was shortened to Califon around 1875 in order to fit on a sign being painted at the train station. Alternatively, the name was related to a bright yellow cattle feed sold during the Gold Rush. History Califon was a station on the High Bridge Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The station was built in 1875 and is now used as a museum by the Califon Historical Society. The rail line was abandoned in 1976 and now serves as a Hunterdon County-administered rail trail called Columbia Trail, which runs south to High Bridge and north to points in Morris County. Though the mills were present in the area of Califon for some time prior to its incorporation as a town, it was quite a while before growth became evident in the