Hamburg, New Jersey isn't as well known as Newark or Newton or Morristown, but it's home to a fair number of people. We may have to go to one of the surrounding towns just for something as simple as a McDonald's cheeseburger, but, for the most part, we don't mind. We've got a few things that make our town what it is; here are five things special to the residents of Hamburg and truly make it home.

1. The school gym secretly used to be a barn

There's actually no solid evidence to confirm this, but every student who went to Hamburg Public School has come to the conclusion that the gymnasium heavily resembles a barn. One look at the ceiling, and that's all you can think of. I remember sitting on the bleachers with friends during indoor recess, and just commenting on how possible it was that the gym truly did start out as a barn.

2. No one knows where it is unless they live there

Getting rides home from friends was always a fun time, especially when I'd get the typical "Where is that?" once I told them I live in Hamburg. However, seeing as it's only one square mile long, it's not hard to understand the confusion. People probably pass through the town every day and never even notice it. Whenever people ask, I just tell them it's about as far north in New Jersey as you can get.

3. Hamburg Hot Bagels are life

Okay, maybe not everyone stands by this, but I definitely do! HHB is a great place to stop, whether it's for breakfast, lunch, or just a bagel to snack on. The guys who work there are always super friendly and have such a great relationship with the customers. I'm personally on a first name basis with most of them (as is the rest of my family) and the same seems to go for the rest of the community (which, once again, isn't hard when the town is only a square mile). Also, it is my humble opinion that Hamburg Hot Bagels is superior to Bagel Tree; sorry, not sorry.

4. The Gingerbread Castle

Once upon a time, Hamburg's Gingerbread Castle used to hold tours and special Halloween events for the children town. Now, however, it's closed to the public and kind of look like it's falling apart. Of course that doesn't stop people from getting past the recently placed chain link fence to hang out there. I mean, it is a Pokemon Go gym after all. I've also heard the acoustics in there are great for singers looking to record themselves and practice. No matter what though, there's no denying the castle's Humpty Dumpty is a little creepy; just look at him:

5. Hamburg Junior Police Academy

So maybe not every child in Hamburg participated, but it was no secret the Hamburg police officers used to volunteer their time to fifth through eighth grade students, sort of training us as mini officers. We'd take trips to the Sussex County Jail, to the police academy in Morris, the pool at VoTech, as well as other places to learn the ins and outs of being officers of the law. Unfortunately, as far as I'm aware, the program is no longer in existence. It wasn't a very common thing, but it was Hamburg's thing and that was enough for us.

Well, there you have it. Of course, there are more than these five things that make Hamburg unique. These were just the first to pop into my head when thinking of home.