Have you ever wondered about why some New Jersey towns have the word “Mount” in their names, such as Mount Holly and Mount Ephraim, when their topography seems so flat? This quirky fact sparked the interest of John O’Brien, cartoonist for the New Yorker and inspired him to draw a cartoon that was published in the New York Times in 1995. Jeff Hoffman, DEP’s State Geologist, saw this cartoon and was, in turn, inspired to write a report entitled “Highest Elevations by County in New Jersey.” Listen in as Bob Bostock sits down with John and Jeff to hear the story behind the cartoon and the report it inspired.

Click here to view the “Highest Elevations by County in New Jersey” report.

Click here to visit the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey website.

Click here to explore John O’Brien’s website.

Photo: John O'Brien (left) and Jeff Hoffman (right).

Cartoon by John O'Brien

Photo: (left to right) John O'Brien, Commissioner Bob Martin, Jeff Hoffman