Unexpected Things From New Jersey

We all know the things that the Garden State is famous for, and all those major history moments that happened right here in New Jersey. But you probably don't know this. There are surprising things that are made in each state, and the item that represents our state is, well, a little less glamorous than you might hope for.

Garden State Parkway sign (Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media NJ)

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So, the website Cheapism decided to find that one surprising item from each state, and lots of them are pretty impressive. For instance, Alabama's is rockets, and in Arizona it's artificial hearts.

The surprising item Delaware can be proud of it spacesuits, and in North Dakota, they can boast about their caviar. So what surprising item will make the chest of New Jersey residents swell with state pride?

The pencil. Wait, what?

Photo by Frank Vessia on Unsplash

Yes, the unexpected item we're responsible for here in the Garden State doesn't orbit the Earth or get placed in the chest of a patient whose life it will save. But it does come in handy on a standardized test.

Actually, the No. 2 pencil story here in the Garden State is really an amazing one. The General Pencil Company has been making awesome pencils since the late 1800's right here in Jersey City, and yes, all kidding aside, that is something we should all be proud of here in the Garden State.

And who knew there were so many different varieties of pencils. It's pretty amazing. So, no, we don't have spacesuits here in the Garden State, but our most unexpected item is pretty awesome, too.

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These are the 25 Best Places To Live in New Jersey

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New Jersey using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.