Explore Hudson County’s Rich Cultural Diversity
Hudson County has historically been home to a range of cultural influences, diverse neighborhoods and international talent. With most of Ellis Island, the “Gateway to America,” firmly within its borders, New Jersey has a long history of welcoming newcomers. This legacy has also famously dubbed Jersey City “America’s Golden Door,” as these arrivals have added to the richness of the culture in the region for centuries and counting.
From the authentic Cuban cuisine in Havana on the Hudson to the vibrant neighborhoods of India Square, Hudson County represents cultures that span the globe.
A Contested Border
While Ellis Island has been frequently associated with New York throughout its history, a majority of the island sits within the New Jersey border. The Ellis Island border had been disputed for decades, but a Supreme Court case settled the matter in 1998, ruling that around 83% of Ellis Island belongs within New Jersey. The ruling helped reaffirm the significant role that New Jersey has played in welcoming immigrants to America.
“This has always been an area where immigrants have found homes and started families,” says Danny Klein, manager of Jersey City Free Public Library’s New Jersey Room.
The New Jersey Room has long been a resource for residents and researchers to learn more about the area. The New Jersey Room specializes in local history, specifically of Jersey City and Hudson County. Created in 1964, the room features books, maps, photos and manuscripts, some of which date to the 17th century. Historic Dutch Bibles, rare 18th century books and manuscripts from the Hudson County Historical Society further represent the long history of the region.
Originally inhabited by Lenape Indians, Hudson County was later charted by Henry Hudson of Britain and settled by the Dutch. The county has since welcomed immigrants from Italy, Ireland, Germany, and later Cuba, Puerto Rico, India and beyond.
For some early immigrants, the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal in present-day Liberty Park was a gateway to the rest of the country, while others chose to make a permanent home in Hudson County.
For Klein, a lifelong West New Yorker with Dutch, German, Irish and Italian roots, there’s no place he would rather reside.
“It’s home,” Klein says. “It has always been home.”
Cultural Hubs
Early European immigrants seeded much of the cultural diversity across Hudson County, but later waves helped form the ethnic neighborhoods that still exist today. In Jersey City, India Square is home to the largest population of Indians in the Western Hemisphere. That heritage is celebrated through authentic cuisine and an annual cultural event marking the Hindu festival Navratri in the fall.
Jersey City is also the site of Little Manila, a densely populated Filipino neighborhood, while the northern part of the county has become known as Havana on the Hudson due to a historic Cuban population.
Connecting these neighborhoods is Bergenline Avenue, a vibrant commercial artery that serves as the culinary backbone of North Hudson. Often called “The Miracle Mile,” it boasts a staggering density of international eateries where you can find everything from Salvadoran pupusas and Peruvian ceviche to authentic Italian pastries and Colombian empanadas within just a few blocks.
In the 1950s and ’60s, many Cubans fleeing the communist regime in their home country began settling in Hudson County. Today, Havana on the Hudson comprises the areas of Union City and West New York, and is home to restaurants, cultural events and businesses steeped in Cuban culture.
For Alan Lopez, founder and owner of Rumba Cubana and Rumba’s Café, a passion for creating an authentic, welcoming and affordable dining experience that celebrated his cultural heritage helped spark a chain of seven restaurants and cafes across the county.
“My passion has always been creating spaces where food, culture, music and community come together,” Lopez says.
Lopez’s family established roots in the region in the 1980s, finding a welcoming community that grew to support him as a business owner and entrepreneur. With locations in Jersey City, North Bergen and Guttenberg, Rumba Cubana has become a hub of Cuban culture shared by locals and visitors alike.
“I’m proud not only to operate restaurants here, but to contribute to the cultural fabric of the community that helped shape who I am,” Lopez says.
Get to Know Hudson County, NJ
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