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 mid-nineteenth century.

The borough was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of both Lebanon and Tewksbury Townships on April 2, 1918.

[26] Local legend has it that California became a regular stop for weekend excursion trains through the countryside.

Anxious to exploit this source of outside revenue, residents petitioned the railroad to let them build a real station, which they did as a community project.

By the time the sign was ready for their artistic touch, the local tale says, "Califon" was as close to California as the inebriated painters could manage.

[citation needed] Califon is situated just north of the Ken Lockwood Gorge on the South Branch of the Raritan River; this pristine stretch of clear water and forest is a well-known treasure for New Jersey trout fishermen.

The center of Califon is the historic iron bridge spanning the South Branch of the Raritan River, which divides the borough.

Incensed citizens objected, protective of the landmark, and found a colorful but simple solution; the school bus stops at one end of the bridge unloading the students, who then walk across to the other side.

The 1943 short story, "The Greatest Gift," was set in a town inspired by Califon and adapted into the 1946 classic film It's a Wonderful Life.

Author Philip Van Doren Stern said in a 1946 interview, "Incidentally, the movie takes place in Westchester County.

[28] Califon became a regional household name when frequently mentioned by Merv Griffin on his TV show during the 1970s.

He and his wife Juliette owned a home in nearby Lebanon Township, which had a Califon mailing address, and, while they were married, they were often seen visiting the village in a fringed-top Bermuda-style resort cart, though they lived over 2 miles away.

Califon is a Victorian-style enclave where the houses are marked with the names of the builders and their dates of establishment rather than with street numbers.

The Califon Main Street Bridge is a Pratt thru truss design built in 1887 by I. P. Bartley & Co. of Morris County.

[33][34][35] Lower Valley is an unincorporated community located along the border of Califon and Lebanon Township.

[40][41] Califon hosts part of a rail trail that was created out of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch.

[6] The borough form of government used by Califon is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie.

The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council.

[46][47] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Califon Borough is Democrat Charles Daniel, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[56][57][58] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).

[60] For the 2024-2025 session, the 23rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Doug Steinhardt (R, Lopatcong Township) and in the General Assembly by John DiMaio (R, Hackettstown) and Erik Peterson (R, Franklin Township).

[88] Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Voorhees High School, which also serves students from Glen Gardner, Hampton, High Bridge, Lebanon Township and Tewksbury Township.

[94] The Califon United Methodist Church was founded in 1867, but the oldest part of the building was built in 1824 at Oldwick and moved here.