Plumber in Fair Haven, Monmouth County, NJ

Fair Haven’s first permanent settlement dates to a structure built in 1816 at the Navesink River near today’s Fair Haven Road. By the mid-19th century, steamboats stopped at “Chandler’s Dock” on a route between Red Bank and New York City, bringing visitors to the area and local oysters to the city. Fisk Chapel was rebuilt in 1882 to accommodate the borough’s African American population.

The steamship “Albertina” is depicted on the Borough seal. It was built in 1882 by Lawrence & Foulks.

Fair Haven has an annual Fireman’s Fair during the last weekend of summer including Labor Day weekend which attracts a couple of thousand people, including noted musicians Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. The Fair Haven Fireman’s Fair also has a Fireman’s night and invites all firefighters from any other firehouse to come and join in the festivities. The Fireman’s Fair used to raffle off a car each year, but most attendees already had their own cars and the decision was made in the 1990s to switch to a 50/50 raffle whose prize can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. The fair is on the Fire Company grounds.