Spring Newsletter of the 2008 Bergen County Historical Society

As we approach the first anniversary finally seeing a bright light at the end of of the April flood, I can report that the tunnel and have been told by FEMA events are that we will receive the full amount President’s Message progressing of our application for stabilization positively. The flood event forced assistance for the drowned collections. everyone involved to reexamine our A colossal thank you to Congressman priorties at HNBL and rethink the time frame for implementing our goals. Suddenly the 5-10 year plan for a museum building was no longer adequate. Our collections were not safe at the state-owned and could not go back. HNBL Commissioner Mike Trepicchio, Vice Chairwoman Mary Donohue, Past Presidents Kevin Wright and Tim Adriance, Jim Bellis, representing the Blauvelt-Demarest Foundation, and myself, among others, have been working hard to explore our options to find a safe home Flora in her Chariot by Margaret Van Wagoner, 1824 for the BCHS collections (4,000 objects!) I hope to be able talk about Rothman, Alixon Collazos, Senator a way forward very soon; it is a very Weinberg and Debbie Francica for exciting, if challenging time for BCHS. facilitating our application. And to the many folks at FEMA who have With a little help from our friends... a genuine interest in our plight. We face other important challenges The FEMA funds will go on to be with timely help. I’d like to thank allotted to us by the DEP...coming full Anita DiGiulio, Fairlawn, with helping circle. We have a conservator working to update our insurance policies and on several items where we just couldn’t Jane Willis, Tenafly, with appraising wait to see if we would receive help. our collection. Diligently pursuing Thank you for being a member and the FEMA collections stabilization for all the important contributions of application for the past 8 months, I am time and treasure. Please keep us in mind! In this issue The fun part is seeing our friends Presidents Letter ...... 1 making Bergen County history available Events & News...... 2 & 13 to the public: Next Train Stop...... 3 • Janet Strom, Denise & Elizabeth It’s a Necessary...... 4-5 Piccino, Kevin Wright and myself Bergen Trolley...... 6-11 were able to track down an 1824 A Century Ago...... 12-13 watercolor by Margaret Van Wagoner in a Hackensack Valley matchstick-reeded Colonial-era Broadside...... 14 Bergen County Historical Societycontinued Spring 2008 on page 15 Revolutionary War Book Benefits BCHS by Carol Karels A new book on the Revolutionary War in Bergen County was published by The History Press in October 2007. Entitled The Revolutionary War in Bergen County: The Times That Tried Men’s Souls, the book is a collection of twenty-two essays and sixty photos contributed by nineteen Bergen County historians, including past BCHS presidents John Spring, Robert Griffin, Todd Braisted and Kevin Wright. Other essay contributors include Dr. Henry Bischoff, Kevin Tremble, Marvin Kitman, Carol Greene, Arnold Brown, Donald Londaul-Smidt, Tom Meyers, Barbara Marchant, Eric Nelsen, Arthur Aranda, Joan Dater, Steve Kelman, Ed Moderacki and John U. Rees. Photographers included Ira Lieblich, Carol Karels, Anthony Taranto, Jr. and Susan Braisted. Leonia borough historian Carol Karels is the editor. Among the subject matter covered are the British invasion of 1776, the Retreat, the Loyalist Perspective, W3R, the Black Loyalists, diaries, ’s expense account, New Bridge, battles, the , George Washington’s letters, and more. Profiles of Lafayette, Thomas Paine, Charles Lee, and Theodosia Prevost (the Hermitage) are also included. Royalties from the sale of books in retail book stores and from the BCHS website benefit BCHS. The book was favorably reviewed by Jim Beckerman in the Record on November 25, 2007. The first edition sold out a month after publication. A second edition will be available in March 2007. The book sells for $22.99. v BCHS Member Garage Sale Fundraiser on June 7, 2008 by Barbara Marchant Give us your tired-of-looking-at-them items which you no longer love! Okay, so Emma Lazarus said it a little differently and for another noble sentiment but for the BCHS, we are looking for a few (or many) good items which we can sell for our super garage sale on Saturday, June 7 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Campbell- Christie House at Historic New Bridge Landing. All proceeds from the sale will be going to the BCHS. We will be accepting most items in good condition (except clothing, fabric covered items or items that take more than one person to carry). As you begin your spring cleaning, please keep us in mind and consider giving at least one nice item that will make this a really sucessful fundraiser ! Your discarded items may become a happy addition for someone else’s home and the sale will benefit the BCHS. A total win, win situation for everyone involved! We look forward to seeing you and your donation in the springtime on Saturday, June 7th! The Garage Sale is part of a town-wide event. Please drop off your no longer loved treasures ahead of time at the Barn behind the Demarest House (1201 Main St, River Edge, NJ): Saturdays: March 29, May 10 and 31 - 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Sundays: May 4 and 25 - 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm Friday: June 6 - 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Save the Date! Please email [email protected] if you can help any of the dates. v 2. Spring 2008 Bergen County Historical Society Next Train Stop – Historic New Bridge Landing by HNBL Vice Chairwoman Mary Donohue For approximately three years, Revolutionary War by the Historic New Bridge Landing enticing visitors from Park Commission and the Borough all over the nation of River Edge have been discussing – and indeed the world with NJT officials the advisability of – to visit our State’s re-naming the NJT station at North many interesting historic sites. After Hackensack to Historic New Bridge all, few are aware of the fact that Landing. The present name of the more of the American Revolution was station is a misnomer – the station fought in than in any of is located in River Edge – there is no the other original Thirteen Colonies place called “North Hackensack.” The – including Virginia, Massachusetts and Cherry Hill station was thus named in , who have capitalized on 1907 to remove unpleasant associations their connections to our independence. with the 1895 tornado which destroyed New Jersey has not properly told the the “downtown” of the south end story of its very important role in the of River Edge – which was north of Revolutionary War. Hackensack. The station was named to The NJ Transit station whose name identify the location of a natural disaster! we would like to change, is located In addition to correcting this a very short distance from Historic misnaming, the HNBLP Commission New Bridge Landing and its historic believes that there are other valid reasons past. Indeed, the NBLP Commission to warrant the name change. Recently, has seen plans that NJT has for Governor Corzine, aware that tourism its proposed new station at North is an important economic engine, Hackensack which included beautiful established the NJ Historic Tourism motifs of sailing ships on the façade of Task Force in an effort to promote the building that would complement its interest and tourism to New Jersey’s proximity to the . The historic sites that were important proposed new name, “Historic New contributions to the Revolutionary War. Bridge Landing” Station, would not Tourism is the second largest industry only correctly identify this stop on the in the state, concentrating at the present , but would make its time on our beautiful beaches and the passengers and visitors to the site aware casino industries. Governor Corzine that they are indeed on historic ground. and the Task Force are desirous of Very close by is the “little bridge that promoting New Jersey’s important saved the nation” – where Thomas contributions to the American Paine wrote during the despairing

continued on page 14 Bergen County Historical Society Spring 2008 3 It’s a Necessary by BCHS Trustee Jack Goudsward The Bergen County History takes part the Outhouse is great pride in its latest acquisition. original except for the This artifact is steeped in American door. That was replaced history and folklore- it is the venerated when the original Outhouse. The Outhouse came to one wore out from America from Europe, where it was use. This example does seen and used in both cities and towns. have one unique feature-a During its development, since most of window. The window is not present the population was illiterate, a common today but the replacement panel can be signage was devised. seen on the left side of the house. This The woman’s convenience would is not unheard of. The historic record have had a crescent moon cut thought does tell of such features (personal the door and the men’s had a sun motif. communication.) These signs were not only directional The Privy was so ingrained and but functional as well. They would let in loved in Bergen County that in 1959, just enough light to “conduct business” when the Oakland Board of Health put and help in ventilation. But as the men’s forth a proposed ordinance to license privy “fell into disrepair”, more people all privies in town, met with opposition. used the other house. By the time it Mr. Stephen Haff wrote an impassioned came to this country the sun symbol was and heart felt letter to the Board no longer used and was forgotten. denouncing this action. Coming to America the Outhouse His letter to the Board of Health became part of the cultural fabric of follows: the nation and Bergen County. The “How can you? This proposal, “common one seat” unit was six feet six apparently serious, to license privies inches tall by five feet six inches wide at a $5 annual fee is a blow at the and three feet deep, with a raised one fundamental rights of the American foot five inch seat inside. All constructed citizens and I don’t see how you can of wood. The house was build with its deliver such a low blow at those rights”. door facing east to take full measure of “As I have sat contemplating the the rising Sun in winter. beauties of nature, through the crescent Over its long service the Outhouse moon symmetrically carved in the door was called by various names: Nessy, or lithographed on someone’s calendar Necessary, Thunder Box, Crapper, Back hanging below the crescent. I have House, Roosevelt or Monuments. Yes reviled in delight of privacy, one of those the WPA did build Outhouses; the plans rights enshrined in the American dream. reside in the National Archives. This What a rude awakening it would be to convenience had other names of a more find, pasted across some beauty’s most descriptive and colorful nature. beauteous curves: ‘This privy licensed The Bergen County History Society to do business by permission of the Privy is the standard “common” unit Oakland Board of Health. Fee $5 per with a “moon” cut into the door. The annum’. Can it be that the crass desire Outhouse was a gift from Bob Boas to enlarge the borough’s income is going and transported to the site by Jim to interfere with art in such fashion?- Millinchuk. It came from the estate of Perish the thought. Henry W. Hoffman. It stood on the four- “At bottom”, I presume the acre historic farm of Henry W. Hoffman. Board can find its determination to It is believed to be the original one built license such a functional apparatus, for the farm early on. For the most and I fear, in view of the most recent

4 Spring 2008 Bergen County Historical Society decision permitting a Board of Health device? Can the police interfere with repetitive to invade a home without natural functions? Is a constable a search warrant on a hunt for rats, empowered to build over the that the Supreme Court will not householder? Or will the new ordinance stand in the way of a diligent search be so loosely applied, that only the of privies for evidence of use, even if ordinary bum will suffer, while the the board representative has neither economic royal American, benefiting by search warrant nor shovel. If this is his strong connections with the seats of what American democracy is coming the mighty, will escape”. to, no wonder a certain odor attaches “Another angle should be those who claim the protection of the considered there are certain homes in Constitution”! Oakland so located that the installation “However I’d like to know if you of cesspools or septic tanks has already gentlemen have considered certain been pronounced impossible. If the questions in regard to this proposal to board insists upon it’s pound of flesh license privies. Is this fee to be a general from the owners of such homes and they one for any backyard telephone booth, should be taken short in the pocketbook or is it to be based on the cubic content, that they could not afford the fee- what or capacity-and if the latter, how is it then? Is the board prepared to face to be measured? Is the meek little one- the civic stench resulting from such a situation , or would it hide behind the paper work entailed and ignore it”? “It is my hope, gentlemen, that you will required those reasons seriously, from top to bottom-and that in the end you will display sufficient intestinal fortitude to digest this matter properly, and for the benefit of all the people. Rear up gentlemen, and eliminate this unfortunate un-American licensing of privies”! (Wyckoff News) Sadly the last remaining Outhouse that sat on its original location in Oakland, New Jersey, was destroyed in 2006. This too fell victim to progress. (Heffernan). v THE OUTHOUSE OF HISTORIC NEW BRIDGE LANDING BIBLIOGRAPHY Wyckoff New “Ordinance Requiring Privy License Termed “Blow To Citizens’ Rights,” May 14, 1959 Personal Communication with Bob Boas Web site of the Outhouse Of America Tour holer to be licensed at the same rate as “Story of Oakland”. By Kevin Heffernan- Published by, its opulent three-holer neighbor, despite The History Press Charleston, N.C. the latter’s greater ability to accumulate capital. Is this a license for content, for use, or for intent, or merely a general Visit our website for events, permit for the bank of deposit-one articles and messageboard. would like to know.” www.bergencountyhistory.org “There are also some questions relating to statute law. Is there any rule that permits the board or its Newsletter printed at Tech Repro, Inc., Hackensack representatives to stop the use of this Bergen County Historical Society Spring 2008 5 Bergen Trolleys by Past President Kevin Wright On September Main and Passaic Streets along Grand 25, 1894, George W. Avenue to Clinton Place, Linden Street, Wheeler and David southwest to Anderson Street, thence A. Pell, representing to Main Street. On October 8, 1894, the Bergen Turnpike without local authorities considering Company, appeared or approving their plans, the company before the New employed a contractor to take up the Barbados Township Committee and street for the purpose of laying rails. asked for the right of a trolley franchise In response, Vice-Chancellor Pitney over portions of Grand Avenue and ordered the Turnpike Company to Main Street in Fairmount, Hackensack, submit their plans for government and Cherry Hill in River Edge. The approval and to obtain the consent Turnpike Company failed to forward of property owners and municipal their petition in advance as required authorities. Realizing that the only by law and so no action could be way to make progress toward building taken. The following property owners, their trolley line through Main Street consenting to the trolley line through was to “retrace their steps and start their district, signed the petition: anew,” the Bergen Turnpike Company Owner Road Frontage laid its plans before the Hackensack in Feet Improvement Commission in John C. Zabriskie & Son 860 November 1894. A few weeks later, Ann E. Ackerson 780 property owners representing 1,674 Conrad Besold 150 feet of road frontage went on record Jacob Reinhold 50 as favoring the trolley road. While Fairmount Land Company 2,000 this case was being decided, Delos E. Andrew C. Zabriskie 1,250 Culver, a civil engineer and contractor Leon Abbett 409 of New York, who conceived of laying Total: 5,519 a trolley line from Rutherford through The signers represented about two- Carlstadt and up the Polifly Road to thirds of the road footage along the Hackensack, organized the Union route, in addition to which, the heirs Traction Company. In December 1894, of the Voorhis Estate at Fairmount had engineers for an electric railway from also consented to sign. the Fort Lee Ferry to Englewood began Legal arguments flew in court to survey the most sensible route up regarding the right of the Bergen the Palisades at Edgewater. Turnpike Company to establish In January 1895, the Mehrhof a trolley line down Main Street, brickyards in Little Ferry shipped Hackensack. In 1858, a charter 600,000 bricks to Secaucus for amendment authorized the company construction of a new trolley to lay down iron rails and to powerhouse. The latest trolley talk purchase horses or mules to pull cars; claimed “that the Palisades railroad is locomotives were not allowed, since to be transformed into a trolley road they might pose a hindrance to safe and that the immense elevator at the travel on such a busy thoroughfare. terminus in Weehawken is to be taken An 1875 supplement authorized the down, and the cars run down the hill Turnpike Company to construct a direct to the West Shore ferry, right railroad from the intersection of of way having been already obtained.”

6 Spring 2008 Bergen County Historical Society The tracks were then being extended line from Passaic to Lodi, thence to from Fort Lee to Coytesville. In July Hackensack, to connect eventually with 1895, almost 2,000 feet of roadbed was the line of the Bergen County Traction graded in the Borough of Undercliff Company at Fort Lee. The company (Edgewater) for the Bergen County was also looking for a franchise to run Traction Company’s proposed trolley through Garfield. In November1897, line. Seventy men worked on the the Bergen County Traction Company, project. On April 11, 1896, the gong operating the trolley line between of an electric trolley car was heard for Fort Lee and Englewood, planned the first time in the woods atop the to apply for a franchise through Palisades at Fort Lee, signaling Hackensack as soon as they the inauguration of service received permission to cross over the line. The car the Northern Railroad left the powerhouse at Englewood; it was at Pleasant Valley said that the company in charge of J. purposed “coming to D. H. Spatz and Hackensack by way conductor H. of Cherry Hill” and Darbeck. The trip were also desirous from the ferry of connecting with to the eastern the Union Traction boundary line of the Company. Borough of Leonia On February 26, was made in fifteen 1898, the Chancellor minutes. The trolley line decided against the Bergen was expected to open a section County Traction Company’s of the County theretofore considered petition to allow it to cross the inaccessible, running from Pleasant Northern Railroad on grade at Palisade Valley up the face of the Palisades to Avenue, Englewood. After meeting Palisade Avenue, then north to Main with their engineers, the Company’s Street in Fort Lee and west along executive officers abandoned the that road to Leonia before taking a original plan of extending their line northerly course along Broad Avenue west through Central Avenue, Leonia, to Englewood, thence running west to Bogota and crossing the county to Hackensack. The trolley was a bridge over the Overpeck—instead, single-track affair of standard gauge, they decided to continue north on built according to the “most modern Broad Avenue to Riley Avenue, then and improved order of subway go due west to the Court Street construction.” A ferry house was built Bridge over the Hackensack River, in connection with the railway. Regular crossing the Northern, West Shore and service commenced on Monday, April Susquehanna Railroads above grade 20, 1896, with cars running at twenty while building a new bridge over the minute intervals from 7:00 A. M. until Overpeck. Except for a short stretch 12:30 A. M. It cost 5¢ to ride from along Riley Avenue, the new route Pleasant Valley to the terminus and 10¢ passed over undeveloped meadow to ride to Englewood. and farmland. By March, the Bergen On July 29, 1897, the Saddle County Traction Company and the River Township Committee heard Erie management agreed on a plan the application of the Passaic & to extend the trolley line over the Hackensack Rail Company for a trolley Northern Railroad at Englewood. continued on page 8 Bergen County Historical Society Spring 2008 7 Meanwhile, the Saddle River Traction single track, standard gauge, on oak Company secured the right-of-way ties in a bed of solid ballast using sixty- from Garfield to Lodi and announced pound steel rails. The trolley crossed plans to begin construction before July the Erie and West Shore Railroads on 1st. overhead steel bridges; a substantial On August 5, 1898, ground was steel plate-and-girder bridge spanned broken at Leonia on the extension the Overpeck. George Wilson was of the Bergen County Traction Superintendent. By August 1899, Company’s trolley line to Hackensack. trolley buses were averaging 250 to The extension consisted of a single 300 passengers daily. Work on the track of standard gauge (4' 8-1/2") extension of the trolley from Bogota running from Leonia across the to Hackensack commenced in October meadows through Teaneck to Bogota, 1899. The pile driver for the new trolley thence parallel to the Susquehanna bridge over the Hackensack Rover was Railroad to a point almost directly at the Court Street Bridge, preparing to opposite River Street, Hackensack, commence work in February 1900. where it would cross the river on a Since the same people owned steel-plate-and-girder bridge through three of the companies, the Highland the Erie property, terminating in the Improvement Company, the Riverside vicinity of the ice house opposite the & Fort Lee Ferry Company, the Susquehanna & Western Railroad Ridgefield & Teaneck Trolley Company Station. Ford, Bacon & Davis of New and the Bergen County Traction York did the engineering. The Passaic Company merged into a single Rolling Mill delivered the trolley rails corporation in 1900. W. H. Clark on August 4th. The iron viaduct for became president of the consolidated the trolley line over the West Shore New Jersey & Hudson River Railway. Railroad at Bogota was completed on January 15, 1899. The first car over the Hackensack branch of the Bergen County Traction Company’s system ran February 21st; the car on this experimental trip for testing the line left the Fort Lee ferry at 1:30 P. M. in charge of Assistant Superintendent Spatz, but The Bergen Turnpike Company began snow drifts prevented it from entering patching its road between Sand Hill in Bogota. The trip from Fort Lee to Little Ferry and the Turnpike Bridge Bogota lasted fifty minutes with stops over the Hackensack River. Its trolley along the line to take in guests and to scheme had been abandoned for the inspect the road. present as the corporation sold its stock Ford, Bacon & Davis of New York of ties to the Bergen County Traction constructed 3-1/2-mile line with a Company, which moved them from

8 Spring 2008 Bergen County Historical Society Cherry Hill to Bogota. Work on the president; Frank R. Ford, second vice- iron trolley bridge over the Hackensack president and General Manager; W. N. River was rushed in April 1900 and Barrows, secretary and treasurer. pile drivers reached a point nearly The Hudson River Trolley half way across the river. Anticipating Company installed a large engine in delivery of the ironwork and stone for its powerhouse, capable of generating the abutments at any time, contactor F. over 1,000 horsepower, in July 1900. R. Long expected to have cars crossing The Bergen Turnpike Company, under the trolley bridge by June; workers had new management, made a determined nearly finished filling on the east side of effort to get franchises to construct a the river. trolley over the Bergen Turnpike from The trolley gong was first heard Hudson County to Hackensack with the in the City of Hackensack on June 21, object of laying a double track touching 1900, when a trolley car of the Hudson all ferries. On August 17th, Freeholder River Railway & Ferry Company A. Z. Bogert of Midland Township crossed the Hackensack River and introduced a resolution, adopted by entered the town on River Street. About the Board, which made the building of one hundred residents of Hackensack, a bridge on the Paterson Leonia, Englewood and neighboring contingent upon the trolley companies, towns rode on the inaugural excursion, which used it, contributing $50,000 stopping at the Fyke between Teaneck cash to the County within thirty days. and Leonia for a lunch in the woods. In August 1900, an electric motor was The steel bridge over the river, 160 first used to open the draw on the feet long, was reached by a long trestle trolley bridge across the Hackensack built of Georgia yellow pine upon River. A tool house was also built. white-oak pilings, which extended out At this time, a speed limit of twelve from the main land nearly 1,400 feet miles per hour was prescribed for to the bridge. The switchback on the automobiles in Hackensack and some side of the Palisades, near Edgewater, people thought that this was entirely underwent extensive improvements. To too fast since Port Jervis limited such accommodate the laying of a second vehicles to a speed of six miles per hour. track, the road was widened 70 feet into By May 1901, the Bergen Turnpike the side of the cliffs on the west, while Company reached New Durham on its Mayor A. F. Neumann, of Cliffside, built proposed trolley line to Hackensack. On a wall 70-feet wide and 55 feet high on July 10th, the Hackensack Improvement the east side. The Hackensack branch Commission granted the Bergen used open “excursion” cars, equipped Turnpike Company a ninety-nine with modern appliances and the latest year franchise to operate a trolley brakes, capable of instantly stopping line on Hudson and Main Streets to a car moving at full speed. They ran Fairmount and Cherry Hill. Through its between Hackensack and the ferry every counsel, the Bergen Turnpike Company half hour, the running time between announced its intention to extend its the two points being about 35 minutes. proposed trolley line to River Edge. The Ford, Bacon & Davis of New York Bergen Turnpike Company mortgaged constructed the railway. The resident its road from Hoboken to Hackensack engineer was Ralph Crump with Harry to the North Jersey Title Company for Goble as his assistant. F. W. Bacon was one million dollars for fifty years at 5% general superintendent and the officers interest in order to secure bonds issued of the company were: A. Merritt Taylor, for that amount to cover the cost of president; W. H. Clark, first vice- constructing a trolley road, together continued on page 10 Bergen County Historical Society Spring 2008 9 with rolling stock and equipment. Cherry Hill, the road was to be paved The vitrified brick to be used with blocks inside of the tracks and by the Hudson River trolley line in with macadam outside to the gutters. paving Mercer Street, Hackensack (as Once granted the franchise, the well as other portions of their route Bergen Turnpike Company made rapid through town) arrived in that city in progress in building its trolley line. August 1901 via the New Jersey & New They erected a powerhouse near Sand York Railroad. Twenty-one carloads, Hill in Little Ferry in December 1901. containing about 130,000 bricks, were On December 25, 1901, the Hudson received and distributed at convenient River line opened its trolley into points along the line of construction, a Maywood. large number being stored in the rear On July 23, 1902, the Hackensack of the burnt ruins of the Opera House. Improvement Commission met with The bricks weighed nine pounds each David Young, president of the Bergen and cost 9¢ apiece; one hundred and Turnpike Company, and agreed five of these bricks were required to upon a trolley franchise satisfactory stretch across Mercer Street from curb to both parties. The Commission to curb. The extension of the Hudson had previously notified Mr. Young River trolley line through Hackensack that unless they could agree upon brought a picturesque lot of West India specifications and the manner in which Africans, who worked on laying track. the roads would be constructed, the The Bergen Turnpike Company franchise previously passed by the declined the Hackensack Improvement Commissioners would be repealed. This Commission’s offer of a 99-year brought the business of construction to franchise in September 1901 with a close. The new agreement provided the explanation that its ownership that Main Street should be paved with of the Turnpike was perpetual and it brick equal to that of the Mack brick on therefore expected a trolley franchise Mercer Street; the curb was to be four to be similarly unbounded in time. inches by twenty inches; rails were to The company further claimed that be laid in concrete. The town’s engineer it would cost $62,000 to pave Main would supervise all work. Moreover, Street with vitrified brick and to put $60,000 was to be deposited as a in the necessary curbing (as required guarantee; $15,000 of which was to be in the Commission franchise). On returned when the work was completed October 7, 1901, the Hackensack as far as the line of the Susquehanna Improvement Commission granted the Railroad; $35,000 when Anderson Street Bergen Turnpike Company a franchise was reached, and the balance upon through Hackensack for 99 years with completion of the work. In August perpetual renewals, the Turnpike 1902, contractors on Main Street, Company agreeing to pay a 2% tax on Hackensack, pushed construction to its gross receipts for the duration of completion. Completion of the River the franchise. For the right to build the Edge Depot was delayed because of trolley line, the Company also agreed to the failure of contractor Cooper & pave Hudson Street, between the tracks, Demarest to procure materials on time. with Belgian blocks and with macadam In September 1902, eleven buttonball on each side of the tracks to within trees opposite the Judge Banta and three feet of the gutters. Main Street Paulison properties on Main Street, was to be paved to Anderson Street with Hackensack, were cut down to make vitrified brick, from curb to curb, and way for the trolley line. Down in new curbs set. From Anderson Street to Hackensack, a bricklayer on the Main

10 Spring 2008 Bergen County Historical Society Street trolley line reportedly laid 16,000 purposes whereas cars were used for bricks a day and, as each brick weighed pleasure traveling. Like everything else, 9-1/2 pounds, considerable hard work the automobile could be had in any was involved. The most skillful of the style, to suit almost any purse—price men was an African-American, who ranged from a few hundred to a few could do up to 18,000 bricks per day. thousand dollars. Courtland Linkroum The Newark and Hackensack trolley always sought out the newest and the added a snowplow to its equipment in best model. January 1903. Work on the extension On August 8, 1904, the first car of the Hudson River trolley line to of the Hudson River Trolley line Hasbrouck Heights commenced May from Hackensack crossed the Passaic 13, 1903. In March 1904, Assemblyman River and entered the city of Newark, Loveridge’s bill, authorizing the Bergen traveling via Hasbrouck Heights, Turnpike Company to operate a trolley Woodridge, Carlstadt, Rutherford, line on the Lyndhurst, Kingsland, Arlington, and from Hoboken to Hackensack, passed Kearney. The first passenger trolley the Assembly by a vote of 34 to 10 after car over the Palisades Park branch of a stormy debate. A week later, work the Hudson River Line ran February commenced on the new trolley line 9, 1905, but the road was by no means from Hackensack to connect at Lodi finished and opened prematurely with a line to the City of Passaic. simply to satisfy the terms of the According to The Hackensack franchise. In October 1906, work began Republican, it hadn’t been too many on installing cement sidewalks and years before that an effort was made three electric lights along Main Street to stop farm wagons from passing from Zabriskie Street, Hackensack, to through the streets of Hackensack on the trolley station. In December 1909, a Sunday. Now the streets were alive every new fire alarm, made from a section of Sunday with noisy, spluttering autos trolley rail, was placed in the triangle on and motorcycles, rumbling trolleys and Main Street, but residents complained loud-mouthed, uniformed baseball that it looked too much like a gallows. players, going to games at either end As of January 1, 1909, animals were of town thrown in for a bargain. barred from the trolleys and no more Many sighed for “the good old days.” dogs, cats, poultry or pigeons would Adding to the noise and pollution, be carried. In January 1909, work on Hackensack residents owned and the North Jersey Trolley line began operated 37 automobiles in May 1904. west of the Easton property at Arcola, Mayor Courtland Linkroum was the just north of the Hudson River trolley local pioneer when he came out with a route. In June 1910, the old toll gate noisy chug-chugger that could clip off which formerly stood upon the brow fifteen miles an hour and frightened of the hill near the trolley powerhouse every horse within half a mile—it was on Hudson Street, Hackensack, was a curiosity that attracted great notice. removed some 200 or 300 feet north, Those who received the courtesy of a so as to cut off entrance to the old ride in this machine deemed themselves Calicoon Neck Road without first highly favored, but entered upon the paying toll to the Turnpike Company. In venture with misgivings and thoughts 1913, E. Tyler, manager of the Virginia of a paid-up life insurance policy for Inn, at the end of the trolley line, on the little ones at home. Automobiles Main Street, River Edge, advertised soon became as common as horses. “the Best Dinner or Supper in Bergen Motorcycles came into use for business County for the money.” v

Bergen County Historical Society Spring 2008 11 A Century Ago by Past President Kevin Wright Thermometers registered only 16° Following a change of the moon above zero at 8 A. M. on January 6, 1908. on April 30th, there was a heavy fall of But, despite a couple of frigid days, rain, accompanied by a gale of wind coal dealers soon complained about that damaged many trees. Two large slack sales due to mild weather. The elm trees on the Green, opposite the first genuine snow storm of the season Mansion House, were broken. At J. H. struck January 23rd, blanketing the Huysoon’s coal dock, near the Court countryside with eight inches of snow. Street Bridge, heavy rain swamped a By February 1908, iceboats flitted along “lemon-squeezer” canal boat, loaded the river. Fishermen speared many eels, with coal. cutting holes through the ice to hook A 4,200-pound gun arrived from the wrigglers. Muskrat hunters on the the Watervleit Arsenal and was placed meadows were not very successful as the on the south side of the Green, opposite rats stayed in their holes on cold days. the Court House, on May 18, 1908. Potatoes from Florida sold for $6 per It was mounted at an angle of 45°, barrel. pointing at the Palisades. The cannon Children gathered pussy willows was unveiled on Memorial Day and at February’s end. Carpenters worked dedicated to veterans of the Civil and on the Van Buskirk homestead at New Spanish-American Wars. The old Milford. Brower Brothers made their boiler house of the Hackensack Water first haul of suckers on February 28th, Company, located on the south side of pulling in 4,000 pounds. On Leap Year’s New Milford Avenue, was converted into Day, Charles Folkenberg fell from a a storehouse and the tall brick chimney scaffold while carrying tile for John removed. Herbert J. Riley, who became a Neuscheler’s new residence on Summit resident of River Edge a year ago, fitted Avenue at River Edge Heights, fracturing up a building in the rear of his residence his right arm and badly bruising his on Bridge Street (River Edge Avenue) body. as a studio for the new process lantern By March 1908, navigation opened slides of the Riley Optical Instrument and the railroad bridge-tenders resumed Company. their accustomed duty. Soon, Easter Hirshfield’s pearl button factory lilies bloomed and anglers reported at New Milford resumed operations perch running up the river. Robins were May 1, 1908. The Brookchester Land seen on Hackensack Heights, flitting Company began developing the John among old apple trees, hunting for H. and Isaac Zabriskie farms, recently nesting places, while flocks of blackbirds purchased on the east side of the river flew overhead. Massive iron girders at River Edge, on May 4, 1908. The were in transit from the Passaic rolling company laid sidewalks and made other mill for the Court Street Bridge. Eggs improvements, before offering building were quite plentiful and sold for 28¢ per lots for sale. A. Spence, of the Bronx, dozen. With the return of fair weather, a salesman for the Brookchester Land Albert Hughes, of Teaneck, floated Company, occupied the house vacated his big steam launch, which had been by Jacob B. Christie, who moved to beached at River Edge over the winter. Hackensack the week before. John H. Joseph Russell, an extensive pigeon Zabriskie, who sold his farm and leased breeder, having nearly 1,000 birds, was a residence on Park Street, Hackensack, making large shipments to city markets. changed his mind and decided not to

12 Spring 2008 Bergen County Historical Society leave the old homestead where he had was needed to improve conditions. lived 62 years—he instead repurchased Huckleberries came on the market, but the old home and a plot of ground. not from Moonachie swamp, where Mrs. Zabriskie was in poor health and the best variety grew. Improvements adverse to moving. around the fountain on the Green Riverside Camp acquired a rival, consisted of concrete flooring and located about 300 feet to the south, four vases. Numerous camping parties where Charles Salzmann fitted up frequented the riverside groves between a resort for boating parties on the Oradell and North Hackensack. riverbank in May 1908. Crimson Bergen farmers marketed their ramblers and daisies bloomed in the sweet corn in July. Governor Fort declaimed the open and flagrant violation of the Bishops’ Law in Atlantic City, where municipal authorities made no attempt to end the sale of liquors, gambling and the operation of immoral last days of May. A haymaker harvested houses on Sundays. Consequently, he the grounds of the River Edge Depot issued a proclamation on August 27, and at the same time enhanced its 1908, informing the public that he appearance. There were twenty rainy would, if necessary, call out the militia days in May 1908, making it the wettest and order a special session of the May yet on record. Legislature to restore law and order. v The Hackensack River Steamboat Company’s barge Edith docked at We will miss long-time member and Huyler’s wharf on June 1, 1908, Trustee Emeritus Doug Bisset, who inaugurating the new river freight passed away last December. Doug service between New York and points on the Hackensack River. Motorboats was a faithful guardian of BCHS were now almost as numerous on the library collections at Felician College, river as automobiles on the highways. Lodi. He helped make the collections Mayor Meyerhoff of New Milford available to the public and worked to shipped asparagus to Hackensack preserve and stablize it. Doug had a markets and the Brower Brothers long-time fascination with the deed caught three large carp, each weighing 25 pounds. Complaint was made history of Bergen County. He was a that the river in the vicinity of New retired history teacher at Leonia High Milford was fast filling up and dredging School.

Bergen County Historical Society Spring 2008 13 A Colonial-era Broadside by BCHS Past President Bob Griffin About three years ago I learned of research that was being done for a new book about New Jersey Broadsides. The author, historian and rare book dealer Joe Felcone, of Princeton, asked me to search our manuscript collection for possible examples that might be included. After looking in the several indexes that we have for our manuscripts, I found one possibility. It was listed as a Colonial-era broadside issued in 1768 by New Jersey’s last Colonial Governor, William Franklin. However, when I went to the proper file-drawer to find it, I was disappointed to discover only a photo-copy – in fact, several photo-copies. Fortunately, devastating flood damaged and destroyed before giving up, I spotted a faint pencil so much of our artifact collection in the notation on the reverse side of one of the Steuben House, the valuable broadside copies: “In Safe.” was spared. The NJHC approved our It took Kevin Wright and I considerable grant application in March 2007, and effort to locate it, but I finally spotted an the beautifully restored broadside was old orange-colored, cardboard, paper- returned to us in October. towel tube. Inside, rolled up tightly was The description of the broadside as it will the badly damaged document. Once appear in the book, New Jersey Printing, Joe had a chance to examine it, he 1754-1800. A Descriptive Bibliography, by told me that 18th century broadsides Joseph Felcone, is as follows: are exceedingly rare, especially those New Jersey. Governor, 1763-1776 signed by Gov. Franklin. Thus, ours (William Franklin). was certainly one-of-a-kind and very [Royal arms.] By His Excellency William important for its rarity. Therefore, Franklin, Esquire…A Proclamation. I decided to apply a grant from the Whereas the due regulation and N.J. Historical Commission to have it management of the prerogative court of restored and repaired. So, off it went to this province…will greatly tend to the the Northeast Document Conservation peace and security of the inhabitants Center (NEDCC) in Andover, MA for of this colony…Given under my hand their appraisal and estimate, which was and seal at arms, at Burlington, the completed in July 2006. As they ordinarily eleventh day of Februay…one thousand do in such cases, the NEDCC held seven hundred and sixty-eight. William onto the document until I was able to Franklin…[No imprint.] [1768.] advise them of the outcome of the grant application, which I sent immediately Broadside. Broadsheet. upon receipt of the estimate. Type: Great primer. [arms are not in Thus it was that in April 2007 when the Reilly and do not match the arms on 1768 Stephen Skinner proc in PPL; 14 Spring 2008 Bergen County Historical Society President’s Letter, continued from page 1 Goddard could, of course, have had frame. It had been missing in storage multiple arms cut.] since the 2000 move when the Steuben Paper: Foolscap, marked GR within floral House roof was replaced. This is my sprigs surmounted by crown. favorite piece in the collection, we are Leaf: 12.8 x 15.5 in. much relieved to have found it. Notes: Ordering changes in prerogative • Steve Weigl, Averil Genton, Dee court procedures designed to stop abuses Cobianchi are making steady progress in the settling of estates and the licensing at our library at Felician College and of marriages. v opening it every Wednesday, 12-5 pm. Steve was able to give library help to Next Train Stop, continued from page 3 BCHS member Despina Metaxatos who winter of 1777, that “these are the later gave a really wonderful talk at our times that try men’s souls; ” where the February History Café. land was soaked with Patriot, Hessian, • Folks using the message board, Tory and British blood, and where recently to ponder what former use a Native Americans lived on a riverside recently discovered backyard tunnel encampment. could have had. There are also local economic • Treasurer and neighbor Mike reasons for this name change. The Trepicchio and son Luke often taking a Borough of River Edge has walk to check up on the site. commissioned a world-class urban • Barbara Flurchick and Mary Karr planner, Anton Nellesson, to guide its used the repaired bee-hive oven to bake re-development plans for the southern corn muffins and apple dumplings for end of the town. Mr. Nellesson the Lenape New Year event. recognizes and values the significance • Frank Campbell’s family making of the area and is highlighting the park, his collection of maps and documents the river, the bridge, and the Steuben available to us, along with a generous House in his drawings and plans. donation, VP Albert Dib facilitated this. The present NJT Station of North • The well-received new book; Hackensack has a prominent place Revolutionary War in Bergen County. in his vision for the area. We strongly • An article in the Bergen Record believe that it would be of significant brought out crowds for Washington’s advantage not only for tourism in New Birthday celebration, one family emailed Jersey, but to HNBLP, River Edge, and me afterwards on how impressed they to all the commuters who daily use the were with the enthusiasm of the BCHS NJT, and also to NJT itself, to capitalize volunteers and signed up to be members! on all of the above simply by changing Email continues to be an the of a station that presently has important and inexpensive way to absolutely no connection to where it is keep in contact with membership. We located. “Historic New Bridge Landing” have been sending out event email alerts. is not only the appropriate and correct If you are not receiving email and would name because of its proximity to an like to, please contact me at: important historic site, but it is also [email protected]. a name that arouses interest for its Deborah Powell, BCHS President v location and piques the BCHS member and author Firth Haring Fabend has a new novel interest of a traveler. We hope out – Land So Fair. The family saga, opens in 1737 on a Bergen that this name change, which is an important component County, NJ, farm, where the family’s land, “sought, bought, cleared, of our plans for Historic New planted, harvested, bequeathed, fought over, challenged, confiscated, Bridge Landing Park will and laced with blood and bones,” is threatened anew each generation. soon become a reality. v Please see the BCHS messageboard for a more compete description. Bergen County Historical Society Spring 2008 15 Items for the newsletter may submitted be Bergen County Historical County Bergen Society or emailed to [email protected] 69 Christie 69 Christie Ave., River Edge, NJ 07661 P.O. Box 55, River Edge, NJ 07661 www.bergencountyhistory.org Deborah PowellDeborah & Kevin Wright, to D. Powell, Attn: Newsletter at editors & layout 201.343.9492 Address Service RequestedAddress Service River Edge, NJ 07661 P.O. Box 55 Historical County Bergen Society

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