The area that now includes Summit, New Jersey was purchased from the local Indians on October 28, 1664 for "twenty fathoms of trading cloth, two made coats, two guns, two kettles, ten bars of lead and twenty handfuls of powder."

Summit is located in Union county, one of the smallest counties in New Jersey. It’s roots date back to the years prior to the American Revolution. The earliest white settlers arrived in the area around 1710. They were a combination of Puritans, fleeing religious persecution in England as well as people already established in New England, many from the Connecticut and Long Island regions. The area was especially attractive to the new settlers because it was blessed with abundant timber for building, rabbits for pelts, wild turkey for food plus the valley was extremely fertile boasting soil ideal for growing wheat and corn. In addition the Passaic River that passed through the area was full of fish to eat and suitable for transportation.  

Summit was originally a part of an area called “Turkey” because of the wild turkey abundant in the area. During the Revolutionary period and for some time afterwards Summit was called the "Heights over Springfield" and was considered a part of New Providence. The original name of Summit was "Turkey Hill" to mark it apart from "Turkey", as New Providence was known until 1750. The oldest home in the city is the Carter House, built in 1741, which is the home of the Summit Historical Society.

When the American Revolution broke out, Summit was still only a region of several farms with a few small clusters of development including some mills and forges along early roads and the river. It remained a cozy farming community populated by about 300 people until 1837 when the railroad came over the "The Summit" hill. The name was later shortened to Summit, and the present-day town was on its way to being created. Union County was officially formed by the state legislature on March 19th, 1857 and it was the last of New Jersey's counties to be created. In 1869, with a population of about 1,100, Summit seceded from New Providence Township and created Summit Township because residents disagreed over the rapid increase in population and businesses due to railroad facilities. The town center around Union Place and Maple Street continued to grow and within thirty years, on April 11 1899, the City of Summit was incorporated.  

Following the Civil War, Summit became a renowned summer resort area. Summit attracted extremely wealthy people who built extensive summer estates. By the 1850s, the easy commute to Newark and New York on the trains and the fresh air and cool breezes that offered a respite for big city residents from the summer heat, drew many visitors to establish year-round homes in town. Today, a number of what those wealthy New Yorkers called “cottages”, but which were in fact opulent mansions, still exist.
The Grand Summit Hotel, originally known as the Blackburn, played an important role in drawing people to Summit for summer retreats in the township’s early years and continues to be a preferred dining and hotel destination. More than 130 years of history echo in the gracious and traditional décor. Originally constructed in 1868, the current building dates from 1929 and was built by expert European craftsmen whose detailed work left all the rooms beautifully appointed.  

One of Summit's Many Historic Districts

By 1904 the present railroad station was constructed on Springfield Avenue, which had become the main commercial street. As Summit continued to gain a reputation as a desirable commuter city, streets were lined with architect-designed houses demonstrating the many eclectic styles of the period, including Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival. The landmark high school building, now the middle school, was constructed in 1923. In 1925, way ahead of its time, Summit was the first city to bury utility wires underground.  

Following World War II, the city experienced its second great building boom. The mansions on New England Avenue were razed to make room for apartments, and the Canoe Brook Parkway neighborhood saw the construction of hundreds of split level houses designed for families who decided to call Summit home. In the last few years the city has made a big push to modernize its downtown business district. A beautification project that included widening of sidewalks for pedestrian traffic, improved street and sidewalk lighting, festive space for markets and special events with sidewalk tree and seasonal plantings was realized.  

The downtown business district now features a wide variety of retail and commercial businesses with an abundance of specialty boutiques, gift shops, clothing stores, furniture dealers, restaurants, bakeries, fine wine outlets and a movie theater all within short walking distances. The downtown improvements are a shining example of Summit’s celebration of its past and its determination to always make the future even brighter.