Kinnelon (/ˈkɪnəlɒn/[19]) is a borough in Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located approximately 33 miles (53 km) west of New York City.

Once known as Charlotteburg, Kinnelon was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 20, 1922, from portions of Pequannock Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on March 21, 1922.

[28] It includes more than 900 unique homes located on 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) in addition to Lake Kinnelon and Kitty Ann Mountain.

[31][32][33] Then still part of Pequannock Township and known as Charlotteburg (named after Charlotte, wife of King George III of Great Britain), early settlements in the Kinnelon area date back to the late 17th century when iron forges and furnaces were first established.

The construction of the Morris Canal in the early 1820s led to a significant decline in the mining industry, after which the land was sold over time.

[34] During the early part of the 20th century, like much of Morris County at the time, the area became a haven for the wealthy who were attracted by the isolation and natural beauty.

[37] One of the largest private holdings in Morris County at any time, Kinney purchased upwards of 5,000 acres (20 km2) of land and built a large "summer cottage" known as Smoke Rise, which is a translation of the Pequannock Native American name for the mountainous area, where a heavy mist often rises at sunset.

His son, Morris Kinney, for whom the borough of Kinnelon was named 41 years later, lived most of his life on the estate.

[38] On February 20, 1922, with only 400 full-time residents, Kinnelon was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Pequannock Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on March 21, 1922.

[34] Upon Morris Kinney's death in 1945, he left the estate to longtime friend John Talbot Sr., former mayor of the borough, and a founder of the Chilton Memorial Hospital, Pompton Plains (John Talbot Sr. was a real estate developer in New York City and a patron of the arts and was credited with the revival of ballet as a major art form in the United States in the 1930s), as a tribute to their lifetime friendship and mutually shared love of Smoke Rise.

[39] When friends asked to purchase land on the estate to build homes, Talbot decided to develop a planned community designed primarily to serve New York corporation executives.

[40] Talbot's intention was to develop the property as a residential club community akin to Tuxedo Park in nearby Orange County, New York; envisioning a community of architect-designed houses suitable for ideal country living.

[1][2] The borough is home to Silas Condict County Park, which covers 1,000 acres (400 ha) and was dedicated in 1964.

[48] Splitrock Reservoir is 625 acres (2.53 km2) of wilderness, located on the borders of Kinnelon and Rockaway Township.

[40][62] It is one of the oldest gated communities in the United States, boasting over 900 unique homes located on 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) in addition to Lake Kinnelon and Kitty Ann Mountain.

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

[65][66] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Kinnelon is Republican James J. Freda, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.

In January 2017, Glenn Sisco was selected from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee and appointed to fill the council seat expiring in December 2017 that had been held by Adam N. Barish; Sisco, served on an interim basis until the November 2017 general election.

[75] In March 2016, the Borough Council unanimously selected William Neely from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Stephen Cobell until his resignation the previous month after nearly 12 years in office; Neely will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.

[76] Selected by a 3–2 majority of the borough council from among three potential candidates, Clifford Giantonio was sworn into office in April 2014 to fill the vacant seat of Ronald Mondello, who had resigned in the previous month citing personal and work conflicts.

This organization is staffed 100% by volunteers from in and around the borough and responds to emergencies in Kinnelon and surrounding towns as part of the Morris County Mutual Aid Agreement.

[82] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 11th congressional district is represented by Mikie Sherrill (D, Montclair).

[84] For the 2024-2025 session, the 25th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Anthony M. Bucco (R, Boonton Township) and in the General Assembly by Christian Barranco (R, Jefferson Township) and Aura K. Dunn (R, Mendham Borough).

[86] Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by County Administrator Deena Leary.

[135] Interstate 287 passes through in the southeastern area, but the closest exit is along Route 23 in neighboring Riverdale.