Fall Newsletter of the 2004 BergenBergen County Historical Society

Greetings: Our fall season of lectures Returning to our usual meeting and programs has been informative and place in the hall of the Second Reformed enjoyable to date and there is much more Church in Hackensack for the October to come as we approach the year’s-end lecture, Doctor Hugh Evans’ illustrated holidays. We talk on the Hidden Campaign, FDR’s President’s Message met jointly Health and the 1944 Election was very well with the Ridgewood Historical Society delivered and well received. I purchased a in September and, as an bonus, got a copy of his book and highly recommend interesting tour of their outstanding it. Beth Potter, of Haworth, will talk about collection of Jersey Dutch artifacts from her interesting work researching house the Saddle River Valley. It is very well done histories on November 18th. and we encourage everyone to visit their Dave Whieldon has launched the Revolutionary War Roundtable on another exciting season. I was hoping to get out to the Old Hook Inn on Tuesday, November 16th, when Kevin Tremble talked about the key role of the Hudson River in Revolutionary War strategy. Hope to see you at a future meeting! Due to family commitments, I was unable to attend two worthy Society events this fall. The fi rst was

Tavern Nite at the Campbell Christie House Dr. Lenk’s Walking Tour of the Hackensack Green School House museum, located behind on September 26th. He is a walking the old Paramus Church. We appreciate encyclopedia of local history and always their hospitality and will continue to worth the listen, no matter what the reach out to all our friends in the history occasion or opportunity. Deborah and I community. were also unable to attend the ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary 21st Annual Colonial Christmas Concerts of the Camp Merrit Monument, but I & Holiday Tavern Nights understand from talking to people who See page 5 for more information attended the event on November 7th, that Past-Presidents John Spring and Robert In this issue Griffi nwere very well spoken. Since our Presidents Letter ...... 1, 2 & 15 Society was instrumental in erecting the Events & News ...... 2 –7 monument, we were proud that John Author Ruth Paci...... 6-7 and Bob represented us and explained Indian Castles ...... 8-10 the signifi cance of Camp Merrit to a new generation. I understand that John Spring History, A Century Ago ...... 11 was present (as a seven year old boy) at Nike Base NY 93/94...... 12-15 the monument’s dedication in 1924, when continued on page 2 Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 General “Black Jack” Pershing spoke. I well as preparing and dispensing minutes hope he will write us a description of his of our meetings. I am also grateful to memories of that historic event for future everyone who keeps the wheels turning publication. for the Society, week after week, often You can read the good news about behind the scenes and without the full our continuing success with the Historic credit and appreciation they deserve. I New Bridge Landing initiative in another am afraid to begin the litany for fear that column and I don’t want to steal anyone’s I might inadvertently overlook someone, thunder! I proudly sat with a jubilant but you have my thanks just the same. We Bergen County delegation, including send our best regards to Joanne Carlino, County Executive Dennis McNerney Gail Goldstein and Janet Strom’s mother, and River Edge Mayor Peg Watkins, with wishes for full and speedy recovery. when Governor McGreevey announcedannounced Joanne has ably and generously done our Historic New Bridge Landing as one of school outreach program for several years. the new urban state parks at the Great We have revised our holiday special Falls in Paterson. I thought back over all events this year, doing what we have always the years to all the people in our Society done well but also trying something a who have worked and believed for so long little different. Linda Russell & Companie in our goal of winning for Historic New will present their Colonial Christmas Bridge the proper esteem that this great Concerts on December 11th and 18th. DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell, River Edge Mayor Margret Watkins, former Governor McGreevy, Revolutionary War battleground truly We hope to see all of you who have made Mary Donohue, HNBL Commission member, and Robert Griffi n, HNBL Commission Chairman. deserves. For those who drive by the old this very special piece of musical theater “North Hackensack” postal substation a part of your holiday tradition. It is a New State Park at Historic New Bridge Landing on Kinderkamack Road, please note great opportunity to meet and to catch that it has been renamed “New Bridge up with so many good friends. Thanks On October 21st, Governor James McGreevey announcedannounced the establishment of three Landing.” After 104 years, New Bridge is to the special efforts of Denise Piccino new State Parks, one at the Great Falls in Paterson, one to combine several existing back on the map! We particularly thank (with a little help from her friends!), park sites in Trenton, and one at Historic New Bridge Landing (HNBL). The new HNBLP Commissioner Mary Donohue, we will host our fi rst Holiday Tavern parks fulfi ll the Governor’s promise to create at least two so-called urban parks within of River Edge, for her outstanding Nights on December 12th and 19th at the state. We regard the new designation of Historic New Bridge Landing as a State Park efforts in this and other recent notable the Black Horse Inn in the Campbell- to be a critical “next” step in our move to make HNBL the outstanding national historic achievements. Christie House! The tavern nights will landmark we all know it to be. I want to thank our offi cers and begin with Linda Russell providing While no specifi c new funding or other newly stated initiatives were offered in the trustees for their friendly support and a short (approximately 20-minute) Governor’s announcement, we can see several immediate benefi ts to the designation. advice. Our new treasurer, Sherri-Lee musical presentation on Tavern Lore in For example, the State continues to be in negotiation with the owners of the now vacant Mix, is a godsend — I don’t even want the Steuben House. Our guests will then junkyard next to the Campbell-Christie House. The new designation will strengthen to think where we’d be without her. I enjoy some light tavern fare to further our bargaining position, by making it more diffi cult for a private buyer to counter-offer. also appreciate the return of a longtime musical accompaniment and other social Being designated a State Park will also enable us to more fully utilize the professional friend, Martha Slezak, who heads our entertainments in our newly furnished skills of the Div. of Parks’ staff in Trenton. In addition, there is another privately- Finance Committee. Janet Strom is doing tavernhouse. Seating for all these holiday owned site in New Milford that we are interested in acquiring, and we hope to re-open great work as our secretary, handling the events is limited, so please get your tickets negotiations for that property as well. incredible volume of incoming mail as now! With state ownership comes the promise of better funding for planning and building continued on page 15 a much-needed visitor’s center and other public facilities. Presently, HNBL falls under NEW IN THE BCHS LIBRARY! the jurisdiction of Ringwood State Park, in Passaic Co. We now hope to have our own The new three-volume DAR Patriot Index, 2003 edition. This exhaustive identity and budget authority within the State Div. of Parks. Further along, we can compendium, much updated and expanded, is the defi nitive source on Revolutionary envision our own maintenance capability, on-site management and administration. War patriots. Finally, we think this represents the fulfi llment of a long-neglected need for greater attention by the State to the wants of heavily urbanized areas, especially those in the THE DEMAREST FAMILY GENEALOGY northern parts of the state. HNBL offers a wonderful combination of attributes that Contributions of family data are still being accepted for the December 2005 edition appeal both to people’s spiritual needs for outdoor recreation and nature as well as to of the Demarest genealogy. Contact Nancy Morrison, The Demarest Genealogical their more intellectual needs for historical research and education. Both can now be Society, at [email protected] or 316 Howard Avenue, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. addressed in an effective and comprehensive way by the State. – Bob Griffi n

2 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 3 The Black Horse Tavern (Aka Campbell Christie House) 21st Annual Colonial Christmas Concerts Saturday December 11 & 18 - 7 & 8:30 pm The Tavern is about to turn another corner. Thanks to the hard work of Louis Fallon, Our famous, magical holiday concerts with renown singer of colonial & folk Elizabeth Piccino, Barbara Flurcheck and Denise Piccino. All of whom spent many music, Linda Russell, includes candlelit tours of our 3 historic houses. Enjoy the hours over 2 weeks – conditioning , staining and assembling the furniture needed to warm outkitchen with hearth-cooking demonstrations & hot mulled cider. Suggested accommodate our future patrons. Donation: $15 ($12 for BCHS members) $10 children 5-12 yrs (not suitable for smaller There is a lot more to be done. Training for our Christmas tavern nights will be held on children). Tickets must be purchased in advance. Send your check with 1st & 2nd choice Saturday & Sunday–December 5 & 6. Calling all Docents and Interpreters. We need your of time & date & a SASE to BCHS Colonial Christmas, PO Box 55, River Edge, NJ 07661. help and serving experience to make our tavern come alive with the atmosphere of colonial No phone sales. Tickets limited. Wear walking shoes. Tickets may also be putchased Bergen County!! at the Steuben House, during public hours: Wednesday thru Saturday 10-12, 1-5pm, Elizabeth’s notes: New Years celebrations of open houses originated with the Dutch. Sundays, 2-5pm She recalls her mother and father continuing a tradition begun in their home in Sluys. They served cookies, honeycake, ollibolen. Toast to the New Year were made with Holiday Tavern Nights Sunday December 12 & 19 – Starts at 5pm thru 8:30pm genevre, avocaat, Bisschopswyn (punch), with Boerenjougen and Boerenmeisckes, the The evening begins at the Steuben House with Linda Russell performing a 20- young farm boy and girl. Submitted by Denise Piccino. minute show on tavern lore. Guests will proceed to the Campbell-Christie House for light tavern fare and music. Linda Russell leads the merriment with holiday and tavern songs. Tickets cost $25 each. Limited to 25 guests each Sunday. HARVEST HAUNT, THE 2004 COLONIAL LANTERN TOUR OF NEW BRIDGE LANDING The Society Twelfth Night Party Saturday January 8, 2004 3:00 pm played by Sue Shutte, the curator of As William Shakespeare wrote “The Join us for an afternoon of celebration and New Year cheer at Campbell-Christie Steuben House, volunteered to guide the plays the thing” and so it was onon OcOctobertober Tavern, HNBL. 30, 2004, an autumn evening with mist visitors and supplied them with lanterns rising from the Hackensack River as eighty as they set out on foot. Our visitors were St. Nickolas Koekjas Speclulaas (Latin for Mirror) visitors attended the three Bergen County warned that there were British spies in the Historical Society’s performances of a area and all matter of rogues about. The The dough is pressed into molds and when released “Harvest Haunt”. A better title for these Continental Army had a patrol of soldiers the Colonial vignette plays might be “Colonial in the area. picture is the mirror image of the carving in the mold. Lantern Tour of New Bridge Landing,” Lanterns in hand, the intrepid party These cookies are a great favorite in Holland and are but no matter. Under the able direction started their trek, casting apprehensive made for the St Nicolas Holiday, December 6. of Ms. Tina Ishihara overover twenty-fitwenty-fi vvee rree looks at the menacing trees and bushes. Some of the designs refl ect a pre-Christian past but enactors in period attire performed for On they went, encountering a wily British most of the molds come in 1 lb shapes of a man and the audience, showing our visitors how spy, a patrol of American troops who woman, known as the “Sweetheart” and “the Suitor,” perilous life and travel were in Colonial ferreted out the spy, a friendly graveyard also windmills, and of course St. Nicolaas. America. Tina deserves three huzzahs for keeper and his charges, a fi erce group of her successful effort in the production women pirates, an old lady in the woods 1 cup of butter 1/2 teaspoon cloves and direction 1 cup of brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon baking soda of these plays, 2 cups fl our 1/4 teaspoon salt which brought 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 cup sour cream history alive for 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 cup chopped almonds our guests. At the outset, Cream butter with the sugar. Sift the fl our a messenger spices, salt and baking soda and alternately with arrived, carrying the sour cream. Add the nuts. The dough will a news report of be soft. Divide dough in half. Shape into 2 logs. a battle fought in Wrap in waxed paper and chill overnight. South Carolina Slice 1/4 inch thick. Place on cookie sheets only three weeks about 2 inches apart, as they spread slightly. earlier, fresh Bake for 8 minutes at 375o news indeed! A friendly inhabitant,

4 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 5 Civil War white marble headstone for Captain Wright’s grave — fulfi lling his mother’s DEAREST FRIENDS: long-ago stated wish, in a letter (included in Dearest Friends), wherein she wrote, April For many years, in a back room of Edgewater’s Free Public Library, there stood an 11, 1865, “…at the earliest opportunity I will come north to have a suitable monument aged, brass handled, oak fi le cabinet, fi lled to overfl owing with old documents. When I erected in his memory…” fi rst saw it, I was researching a piece I intended to write about Edgewater. Many drawers When I was told by the Offi ce of Veterans Affairs that the monument could be were fi lled with old reference material about the State and its environs but one drawer engraved and delivered in three months time (I made application in December of contained some interesting items about Edgewater. Slowly, I opened this stuffed drawer 2003), I set about seeing if the Borough would undertake enlarging their Memorial and spotted a tattered folder--simply inscribed Civil War Letters — Captain Augustus M. Day Celebration in May 2004 to include the dedication of Captain Wright’s headstone Wright. and also if I could fi nish and publish Dearest Friends in tandem with the Borough’s WithWith heightenedheightened anticipation,anticipation, I poredpored overover the fragilefragile and fadedfaded lettersletters writtenwritten celebration. duringduring the CivilCivil WarWar byby CaptainCaptain AugustusAugustus M. Wright,Wright, toto the With the encouragement and assistance of Edgewater’s Mayor Nancy Merse, the WatkinsWatkins familyfamily ofof Edgewater,Edgewater, NJ.NJ. InIn the dim Borough Council, Borough Administrator Harvey Weber–and Edgewater’s American light, I was fascinated by the story the letters Legion Farrell-Huber Post 116, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5420, (who toldtold and was determineddetermined toto oneone dayday bringbring organized the Memorial Day program), a dignifi ed and beautiful ceremony was held these lettersletters toto the peoplepeople ofof Edgewater.Edgewater. in Edgewater’s Old Historic Cemetery, this past spring, in honor of all veterans and Upon further examination and research, I especially Captain Augustus M. Wright, his headstone being unveiled by members of discovereddiscovered that the lettersletters werewere donateddonated toto the the two Veteran Posts in the Borough. Afterward, the crowd dispersed to decorate other LibraryLibrary bbyy KKatharineatharine WWatkins,atkins, granddaughtergranddaughter veterans’ graves with American fl ags, an annual “Flags In” ceremony in Edgewater. ofof the rrecipientecipient ooff the leletters,tters, CharlesCharles Watkins.Watkins. Funding for the printing of Dearest Friends was made possible by Edgewater’s Free Katharine Watkins had given the letters Public Library, donors, and in part by a grant from the Bergen County Department toto the thenthen LibraryLibrary DDirector,irector, AnnaAnna (Nancy)(Nancy) of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs and the Historical BowmanBowman in the 1930s (M(Mississ BBowmanowman Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs, in the Department of State through grant servedserved the LibraryLibrary as DDirectorirector frfromom 1927 fforor funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural overover 30 years).years). AtAt the time,time, MissMiss BowmanBowman and Historic Affairs. was arrangingarranging an histhistoricalorical eexhibitxhibit in the The book, Dearest Friends was released on Memorial Day 2004, and is being sold at Library,Library, and the Borough News of February Edgewater’s Free Public Library, 49 Hudson Avenue, Edgewater, NJ for $20.00--or by 1930 reportedreported herher as stating,stating, “The“The LibraryLibrary is mail, add a dollar for postage. beginningbeginning momodestlydestly wwhathat wwee hohopepe wwill,ill, oonene dadayy The book can also be purchased at Borders Book Store, 1642 Schlosser Street, Fort bebe an histhistoricalorical museum.”museum.” Lee, NJ 07024. There are over twenty letters and notes in the All proceeds from the sale of this book will go towards the cataloging, scanning, and WatkinsWatkins C Collectionollection w writtenritten b byy the Captain,Captain, his family,family, contemporaries,contemporaries, offioffi ccers,ers, archival care of the Edgewater Library’s historic picture collection. and referencesreferences toto WrightWright fromfrom CivilCivil WarWar diaries.diaries. Submitted by Ruth Paci In his letters Wright tells of the horror of war, the endless marches, the privations — lack of food, clothing and sleep — and the courage of his comrades and offi cers during The A.J. Meerwald Sails the Hudson River Again this Summer battle. Captain Wright’s mother, sister, and friend Charles Watkins tell the sad story of The A.J. Meerwald returned to Alpine Boat Basin again this summer to help raise his wound, death, and his last wish — to be buried in Edgewater. The letters had to be handled with cotton-glove care and deciphered with a money for the Bergen County Historical Society. magnifying glass. This work required a full summer of work with frequent time out The Meerwald, N.J.’s offi cial tall ship, is a restored 1928 two-masted 115 foot oyster to consult numerous Civil War histories and historians, reference books, libraries, schooner out of Bivalve, N.J. She arrived July 30 and took around 45 people out sailing museums, and battlefi elds. I also drove to Pennsylvania for a fact-fi nding trip to the on the Hudson on seven beautiful sails. Gettysburg National Museum Park, Battlefi eld, and Reference Library--to obtain further Organized by Kevin Tremble, Martha Lieblich, and Deborah Fisk, the sails earned material on Wright’s regiment, and to photograph the regiment’s Monument there. over $2000 for the Historical Society. The Tenafl y Nature Center and the Association of At fi rst, I envisioned publishing a pamphlet or small publication that would contain New Jersey Environmental Commissions also benefi ted from the fundraiser. this fi rst-hand account of Wright’s Civil War experience. But, upon further refl ection We even made the society pages of a local glossy magazine! and research I believed a fuller story could be told if I could fi nd out more about the The guests not only enjoyed a beautiful day on the river, but heard educational talks Watkins family of Edgewater, Wright’s regiment, Wright’s burial place and the Civil from the staff of the Meerwald and various speakers knowledgeable about the geology War. The inclusion of all this material would result in a 92-page book, entitled Dearest and history of the Hudson River. On Saturday night guests were treated to the bluegrass Friends, A Civil War Soldier Writes to Edgewater, NJ. music of Rich Rainey and Loretta Meyers. On Sunday, they heard Tim Dacey, Bergen I found Captain Wright’s last resting place to be Edgewater’s Old Historic Cemetery County Administrator, discuss the history of the steamships on the Hudson. Sunday but noted, too, that the grave was unmarked. Armed with Wright’s muster roll evening’s sail featured Kevin Wright and his research on the history along the Hudson. information and other data from the National Archives and Records Administration, Many thanks to everyone who made this project such an overwhelming success! Washington, D.C., I applied to the Offi ce of Veterans Affairs also in the District, for a Submitted by Deb Fisk

6 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society Paddle for Open Space – photo by Sue Shutte Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 7 were then set into the notch formed near of plank fi ve inches thick, nine feet high, The Question of Indian Castles 2 by Kevin Wright the top of the crossed palisades. and braced around with balk full of port- In his Geographia Americæ, Swedish holes.”6 The place-name Wiquaeskeck MENACHKHASU: they are afraid, that the Sinnekus (Senecas) engineer Peter Lindestrom stated probably derives from wiquajek, meaning A FORTIFIED PLACE might kill them.” Accordingly, the sachems categorically of the Renappi () “the head of the creek”, referring in this The absence of proof is sometimes requested “a small piece of ordnance, to and related tribes of the Delaware Bay, instance to the head of the Saw Mill River, mistaken for proof of absence. Never use it in their fort against the Sinnekus “they know nothing of taxation and near Tarrytown, Westchester County, New having discovered physical evidence and protect their corn.” The Director- they are entirely ignorant of architecture York. of Indian Castles oorr fortififortifi ccationsations iinn General responded that “our small pieces of and fortifi cations.” He stated that only AN INDIAN CASTLE AT New Jersey, noted archeologists have ordnance had altogether been sent off and the Minquas or Susquehannocks, an HISTORIC NEW BRIDGE? concluded and routinely maintain that the others were too large, to bring into their Iroquoian people settled upon the lower In July 1663, when Oratam, sachem country and that the Sinnekus were our reaches of the Susquehanna River, used the autonomous bands of Algonquian- 3 of Hackensack, was asked by the Dutch to speaking peoples, now collectively friends as well as they...” palisades around their dwellings. It is sell Old Hackensack Neck, meaning the known as the Lenape, did not build Writing his Description of New important to understand, however, that peninsula between the such fortifi cations. The depiction on a Netherlands iinn 11656,656, AdriænAdriæn VanVan DerDer when Lindestrom referred to the Renappi and the Hackensack River now occupied seventeenth-century map of a large village Donck mentioned how the Indians or Lenape, he was only talking about six by Ridgefi eld Park, Bogota and Teaneck, fortifi ed with palisades, associated with fortifi ed “their villages and castles” with neighboring villages, located on lowland he answered, “that most of the young men thethe MMinisinksinisinks whowho “strong“strong fi rrmm wworks,orks, aadapteddapted ttoo tthehe pplaces”laces” fl anking the Schuylkill estuary, settled of the tribe are out hunting, so that he has toto protectprotect “against“against thethe suddensudden invasioninvasion ofof “under six sachems or chiefs, each not been able to speak with them, but he theirtheir eenemies.”nemies.” VillagesVillages andand townstowns werewere one commanding his tribe or people has talked with the old warriors, who say, oftenoften enclosedenclosed withwith suchsuch palisadedpalisaded under him, and each with its own that they would not like to sell, preferring works,works, soso thatthat largelarge numbersnumbers ofof peculiar language, being several hundred to keep a portion of it to plant, for they people could be protected men strong, under each chief, counting dare not go further inland for fear of being within such defenses, women and children, some being stronger, 7 4 robbed by their enemies.” Consequently, surrounded by maize lands some weaker.” He was not referring to the the Hackensacks sold only the lower half 1 and woods. Probably many autonomous bands of Algonquian- of the peninsula, extending northward describing the Iroquois, Van speaking peoples dispersed in at least to Cedar Lane in Teaneck, which became Der Donck noted Indian three dialectal groups or familial alliances, known as the Kiersted Patent. They castles surrounding “twenty extending between the head of tides on the moved from Old Hackensack northward, or thirty houses,” some of Hudson River and the head of Chesapeake Bay. establishing their villages between along This illustration from Captain David DeVries’ Journal (1644) depicts a Hackensack man and these houses measuring “a The documentary evidence changes as woman. Note the long house just right of center in the background. Teaneck Path (now Teaneck Road) and hundred and eighty yards one travels north and east from the tidal the outlet of French Creek into the inhabited the Delaware valley north of long...” Small castles or forts were also built reaches of the Delaware River. According Hackensack River at New Bridge. Uteneyik, the Delaware Water Gap, is quite credibly near native plantations to guard women to report of Johann De Laet, the Sequins now Teaneck, literally means “villages.” explained as the cartographer’s misplaced and children “against the sudden irruption were a tribe residing along the Connecticut And who were the Hackensacks’ enemies representation of an Iroquoian fortifi ed of the small marauding parties of their River near present-day Windsor in 1614. livingliving furtherfurther iinland?nland? NNoneone otherother thanthan thethe village. But if such fortifi cations did not enemies.” TheThe SSequinsequins ccultivatedultivated maizemaize andand “had“had exist among the Minisinks, then why did According to Van Der Donck, the a village resembling a fort” for three Minisink sachems request a small Indians usually chose “a situation on the protection against their enemies, cannon for their fort from side of a steep high hill, near a stream or the neighboring Nawaas. Speaking rather generally in 1625, Van Tantaqua’s mark (the equivalent of his signature) on the 1677 deed for the New in August 1663? river, which is diffi cult of access, except Hackensack Patent (northern Teaneck) depicts a Tortoise For, as the Minutes of the Council from the water, and inaccessible on every Wassenaer reported that, in times of indicate, the great other side, with a level plain on the crown of war, the natives “fortify their tribe or Tappans, whose family territory included Hackensack elder, Oratam, appeared of the hill, which they enclose with a strong nation with palisades, serving them for the cultivable river plain north of French at Fort Amsterdam accompanied by stockade work in a singular manner.” Large a fort, and sally out the one against the Creek in present-day New Milford. Weswatewchy, Meninger and Wemessamy, logs, laid upon the ground and frequently other.” Sentinels mounted a tree at the On January 6, 1676, Tantaqua chiefs of the Menissincks (i. e., Minisinks), fi rmed by a layer of smaller logs, served as center of the fort “to observe the enemy joined Cusquehem, Nechtamcepepeaw, on August 15, 1663. These Minisink a strong foundation. Two roughly parallel and discharge arrows.”5 In 1626, war broke Wansoughham, Kanagions, Anesachore sachems, speaking through Oratam, stated lines of oak palisades were planted in the out between the Mohicans and Mohawks; and Poughquickquarae in the sale of “that they have no connection with the ground, one line on each side of the log consequently, the Mohicans built a fort New Hackensack, extending from the Esopus savages regarding the present war.” foundation, with their upper ends being opposite Fort Orange. In 1644, “three bounds of Old Hackensack (Cedar Lane) They desired peace with the Dutch, “for crossed and joined. Tree trunks or logs castles” at Wickquasgeck were “constructed northward to “a small kill or Vale [French

8 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 9 continued from page 9 Creek] adjoining to the Great Indian Field a sakemaker’s son. Danckærts’ landlords by Kevin Wright — called the Indian Castle” to Laurence related that “when they lived on Long A CENTURY AGO Andriessen (Van Boskerk) & Company. Island, it was once a very dear time; no On Election Day, November 8, 1904, seemed to have gone entirely out of This is a rare reference to a palisaded provisions could be obtained, and they TheodoreTheodore RooseveltRoosevelt carcarriedried existence. The editor of The Bergen County Lenape fortifi cation, or “castle” in New suffered great want, so that they were BergenBergen CountyCounty byby 2,657 Democrat said ofof the ddyingying custcustom:om: “One“One Jersey. It apparently stood above the reduced to the last extremity; that God the votes out of 18,269 cast. hears nothing of it nowadays. For the Hackensack River in “the Great Indian Lord then raised up this Indian, who went Republican gubernatorial disappearance of some features of the Field” somewhere south of French Creek at out fi shing daily in order to bring fi sh to candidate Edward Caspar day everyone should be thankful, but the New Bridge. them every day when he caught a good StokesStokes defeateddefeated DemocratDemocrat abandonment of the pleasant custom of An upper sandy terrace, overlooking mess, which he always did.” Possessing a CharlesCharles C. Black.Black. calling and renewing acquaintances is to the cove of the Hackensack River, would “great affection for him,” they gave him The Fourth Annual Chrysanthemum be lamented.” match Van Der Donck’s description of the name Jasper and considered him their Exhibition opened in Trolley Park Governor Edward Caspar Stokes was an ideal site for a defensive works, being “nitap, that is, my great friend.” Reportedly, on the Palisades during the second inaugurated Tuesday, January 17, 1905, the “level plain on the crown of the hill,” “he sometimes got drunk…” In the week of November 1904 with 170 in the Trenton Opera House. A blizzard situated “on the side of a steep high hill, Sanhican Lenape dialect, “tinteywe” means varieties. Superintendent J. M. Hunter, struck Wednesday and Thursday, January near a stream or river…which they enclose fi re. who annually arranged this splendid 25th and 26th, delaying business and with a strong stockade work in a singular In October 1679, Tantaqua explained to exhibition, raised 70 varieties. railroad travel considerably and leaving manner.” Jasper Danckærts a seemingly godless act The fi rst snow fell on Sunday, snow several feet deep. Milk trains failed of creation, taking a piece of charcoal from November 13, 1904. The Delaware, to show for several days. TANTAQUA AND THE LENAPE Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company The fi rst passenger trolley car over TORYTORY OFOF ENESISENESIS the fi re and drawing upon the fl oor: S G Work commenced work on the erection the Palisades Park branch of the Hudson Tantaqua was the last great elder or He fi rst drew a circle, a little oval, to of new shops at Kingsland at the end of River Line ran February 9, 1905, but the headman of the Hackensacks. He was listed which he made four paws or feet, a head November. The site was cleared for the road was by no means complete and as a native owner of lands surrounding the and a tail. “This,” said he, “is a tortoise, erection of a paint and coach shop, mill was opened simply to comply with the tidal estuary of the Hackensack River, from lying in the water around it,” and he moved building and power station. A contract was terms of the franchise. The birthdays of northward to New Bridge, in his hand round the fi gure, continuing, awarded to Nichols Brothers, of Chicago, Washington and Lincoln were observed in various deeds dated July 1668, February “This was or is all water, and so at fi rst was for construction of an electric transfer public schools. 1672, January 1676, September 1677, the world or the earth, when the tortoise table, 70 x 700 feet, to be located between The Public Service Corporation and November 1686. He was listed as a gradually raised its round back up high, the paint, coach and machine shops. leased the Gas & Electric Company of Sackamaker (headman) of the Hackensacks and the water ran off of it, and thus the Boys skating on the upper Hackensack Bergen County on March 1, 1905. After in April 1678. After selling the northern earth became dry.” He then took a little signaled the arrival of cold weather. a few springlike days in the third week part of Teaneck (then known as New straw and placed it on end in the middle Others were having the time of their lives of March, the Hackensack river shed its Hackensack) in 1677, he and his kinfolk of the fi gure, and proceeded, “The earth catching on to sleighs and stealing a ride. heavy winter coat of ice and local net moved westward across the Hackensack was now dry, and there grew a tree in the A few days before Christmas, Hackensack fi shermen began the conquest of the River. His last known residence was on middle of the earth, and the root of this stores reported a little better business at famous Hackensack smelt and its less the ground where the Steuben House now tree sent forth a sprout beside it and there this holiday season than for the same time aristocratic, but very palatable relative, stands, which was called Tantaquas Plain grew upon it a man, who was the fi rst male. the previous year. The annual Christmas the sucker. The latter was growing in in the 1680s. Coles Brook, which enters the This man was then alone, and would have festival of the Cherry Hill Sunday School popularity with fi n-eaters who formerly Hackensack River immediately south of remained alone; but the tree bent over until was held Wednesday evening, December had despised him. the Steuben House, was originally called its top touched the earth, and there shot 28th, featuring musical exercises entitled Consequently, large catches of suckers Tantaquas Brook. therein another root, from which came “The Star Of Rejoicing.” Superintendent from the Hackensack River found a According to a journal that he kept of forth another sprout, and there grew upon Ralph N. Voorhis welcomed the crowd ready market in New York at about 12¢ his travels through the Middle Atlantic it the woman, and from these two are all and Pastor Duryea spoke on the perper ppound.ound. TheThe latlatee arrivalarrival ofof springspring colonies in 1679-80, Jasper Danckærts, men produced.” 1 Christmas Star. The young people recited weatherweather delayeddelayed the advanceadvance a Labadist missionary, met an old Van Der Donck, Description, p. 81 2Van Der Donck, Description, pp. 80-81 and rendered their parts admirably and a guardguard ofof the smesmeltlt bbyy Hackensack sachem named Tantaqua at 3 Lindeström, Peter, Geographia Americæ, (Philadelphia: The beautiful Christmas tree pleased the eye. aboutabout a wweek,eek, butbut Danckærts’ lodging in Manhattan. He Swedish Colonial Society, 1925), p. 206; 241 4 Santa Claus came through the window therethere werewere reportsreports ofof described him as “a man about eighty years Lindeström, Peter, Geographia Americæ, pp. 170-171 5Wassenaer, Historisch Verhæl, NNN, p. 80 high above the platform and swinging by fi sheshermenrmen capcapturingturing of age, whom our people called Jasper, 6 JournalJournal ofof NNewew NNetherland,etherland, NNN, p. 281 a roperope toto the fl ooor,or, distdistributedributed ggifts;ifts; eeveryvery smallsmall masses ooff who lived at Ahakinsack [Hackensack] 7 Since the Tappans were the inland neighbors of the scholar and worker was remembered. these deliciousdelicious pan or at Ackinon [Acquackanonck].” He Hackensacks, this reply offers clear evidence that these two By New Year’s Day 1905, the old fi shsh oonn SSaturday,aturday, was the brother of a sakemaker and was bands or affi nes were not closely affi liated; the Tappans were part of the Minisink superaffi ne, whereas I suspect the tradition of making New Year’s calls MarchMarch 18th. accompanied by a young man identifi ed as Hackensacks were Sanhicans. 10 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 11 how the missile works in conjunction to Captain. The Public History of the Franklin Lakes with the radar. The expert explained that Capt. Anthony was the guest speaker at NikeNike Base NY 93/94. the missile explodes on impact or when the Franklin Lakes Memorial Day exercises by Jack Goudsward it reaches lethal proximity. Information of 1956. His last public appearance was was also disclosed that the Nike has an when he addressed the local PTA. He With the advent of the Cold War and land will be opened to restricted public Atomic warhead capable of destroying talked about the development of the Nike the preconceived threat of waves of Soviet use in accordance with Army regulations. all aircraft within a half-mile or more of Missile and then showed a short fi lm bombers attacking the Continental United The army also said that it would probably the missile. He went on to describe the dealing with the missile system. States the Nike Weapon Systems were require 100 acres for the installation. control site. It included a combination The public too reached out to the men conceived and deployed. The Army also put out for bid a Barracks and Bachelors Offi cers Quarters, at the base. The Wyckoff Post #83 of the The following was taken from local construction contract to build the base. Administration Building and a Mess Hall. American Legion hosted a dinner and newspapers and deals with what the The base would consist of a Launching All are one story above ground and made dance at the St. Elizabeth’s Auditorium. public learned about the base during its 15 Area and Control Area. The launching of concrete. The Launch Area contains The high point of the year was the fi rst years of operation. This also shows how area would include of a Guided Missile a combination Barracks and Bachelors public open house at the base. Tours of the base tried to fi t in and become part of Magazine, Fuel Storage and Maintenance Offi cers Quarters, Missile Assembly and 20 people were lead by Sgt. Clifford Day. the community. Facilities. The Control Area will handle Test Building and a Generator Building It was announced at that time the base Early in 1954 Army representatives Radar-to track aircraft and equipment to for Emergency Power. Three underground would be opened to the public and on the and engineers began making surveys coordinate the Nike Missiles. Tandy and chambers that are 28 feet deep, 52 feet third Sunday of the month from 2 PM to and asking landowners the value of their Allen Construction Co. of Hackensack long and 28 feet wide for the storage of the 4 PM. Visitors could bring cameras if they land and would they be willing to sell. won the contract with a bid of $517,500. Nike. Two will be on racks on the surface wanted. At this time the base was in full This started a large protest against ”An The contract called for the construction of while the third is on elevators to bring operation and armed with the Nike Ajax Instillation in Mahwah”. Telegrams were storage magazines, launching platforms, the missiles to the surface. (Wyckoff News missile. The base was under the command sent to the Department of Defense, Rep. roads, water system and a power plant. March 3 - April 7, 1955) of Capt. William L. Sullivan. (Wyckoff Widnall, State Senators, The Board of The launch area is located near the Near the end of 1955 10 soldiers News December 20 - December 27,1956) Chosen Freeholders and Bergen Park property of the Immaculate Conception arrived at the under construction Franklin Capt. W.E. Sullivan was born in Commission condemning the installation. Seminary in Darlington. While the Radar Lakes Base. They were lead by S/Sgt Massachusetts. He entered the Army in The land under consideration was Installation was located 1000 feet south William Shoemaker. He came with a Jan. 1941 and served in the European located in Darlington and Franklin Lakes. of the land partially owned by Edward C. Medic, one Corp., one Pvt. 1st Class, and Theater in World War 2. He returned to The surveys were centered on the high May. The Army reported that it took over six Pvts. They were under the command Civilian life in 1945 and was recalled for ground of Phelps Road in Franklin Lakes. a year to fi nd an area that ”Would cause of Capt. Herbert Anthony. At the time the the Korean Confl ict on 1951. He served The Darlington land was partly owned by least disturbance to the Community and Military designation of “A” Battery of the at B Battery at Packanack Lake, N.J. He the County and Immaculate Conception fi t the defense plan for the Metropolitan 43rd AAA Missile Battalion (NIKE) was then was given Command of the Franklin Seminary. Richard and William Gass Region.” They also announced that eighty- given to the base. Lakes base. Capt. Sullivan attended along with Edward C. May owned the seven men would be stationed at the base. (Wyckoff News September 22, 1955) the 1957 Franklin lakes Memorial Day Franklin Lakes property. There was also (Wyckoff News May 13- June-20-August Capt. Herbert L. Anthony was born Services as principal speaker along with a the public fear that the base would be 12, 1954) Sept. 4, 1923 in Berlin N.Y. He went to Color Guard from the base. dangerous and would adversely affect land As 1955 arrived the Army started to school in Sidney N.Y. He entered the (Wyckoff News June 8, 1957) values and would ruin the parkland. At make inroads into the Community. This Army in January 1942 and served in the In May of 1957 the dental Bus arrived that time the army said it would require started off with a talk at the Franklin 386 AAA A.W. BN. at Camp Edwards, at the base. This allowed the stationed 20-30 acres for the base that would be Lakes Republican Club. A Guided Missile Mass. He participated in the Louisiana personal to attend to their dental needs. garrisoned 24 hours a day by 40 men. expert from the First Army Anti-Aircraft maneuvers and shipped over seas in Before the arrival the personal had to (Wyckoff News March 25,1954) Regional Command spoke at the meeting. January 1944 to England. He participated travel to West Point for treatment. A few weeks later it was announced He was obtained through the cooperation in the invasion of Normandy and on into (Wyckoff News May 23, 1957) that after a closed door meeting with of Capt. L. DeVanzo of the Army. Germany. All this was accomplished as an The Offi cers were not the only ones to the Army the Freeholders started The speaker stressed several topics. Enlisted man. He received the Bronze Star have contact with the public. Early in 1958 “Condemnation Proceedings to acquire The fi rst was that the missiles would only in World War 2 along with Purple Heart Gary E. Leebeck, a 24 year old stationed a section of County-owned Park land in be fi red when an enemy is approaching. and the Croix De Guerre from France. He at the base, appeared before Magistrate A. Mahwah for the installation of a guided Second, that the missile would not be was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on Edward Hook. He fi ned the soldier $25.00 missile station for the defense of the shooting down bombers with atomic Sept. 23, 1949 at fort Riley, Kansas and and $5.00 cost of court for driving with Metropolitan Area.” Of the 14 acres of bombs overhead. The missile is designed then promoted to 1st Lieutenant Jan. 1951 an improper registration and suspended parkland acquired only about 3 acres will to target bombers before they reach their in England while with the 4th AAA A.W. the fi ne and leveled a $3.00 cost of court be used for the installation. The rest of the target. He gave guarded information on BN. Then on July 8, 1954 he was promoted an a careless driving charge. The Careless

12 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 13 driving Summons was issued by Ptl. John 8,1961, May 29-June 6, 1962, May 4, 1964, people knew. It was known as NY 93/94 continued from page 14 Bockhorn because Leebeck knocked down June 3, 1965, May 26, 1966, May .29, 1968) or RAMSEY/DARLINGTON/MAHWAH. I have several favors to ask. We are road and street signs at Circle Avenue and The base continued to do public It was known as a ‘DOUBLE SITE’”. That looking for someone to handle hospitality Pulis Ave. Leebeck a native of Wisconsin, outreach programs. Capt. Guy is a site that has six launch sections and at our lecture meetings. We are always stated that he was going too fast to make DeChandease, now the commander of the twenty-four launchers. looking for docents and general helpers the curve and another soldier in the front base, gave a talk to the Junior Chamber of The base was built around the Nike at HNBL to assist with our visitor seat fell against him causing him to lose Commerce of Oakland. He spoke on Civil Ajax missile. They had an altitude of services. Lifestyles have changed over control. (Wyckoff News March 6, 1958) Defense and showed a fi lm of the Nike 60.000 feet. Later the base was upgraded recent decades and the number of active, This was not the only incident to Hercules and Zeus Missiles. He then held with the larger Nike Hercules Missile. This participating members has declined. involve the soldiers and the law. This a question and answer period. (Wyckoff missile had an altitude of >100,000 feet. There are never enough hands to do the incident involved James E. Roberts, 20 of News August 3, 1961) During the bases, modifi cation between work and we are grateful for any and Backler Road Liverpool N.Y. He escaped The year 1964 held another high point May 1958 and May 1959 the base gained every contribution of time and talent. A unhurt after hitting a Utility pole at 216 for the base. It was at this time that 1st Sgt. an AN/ FPS-71 as an Alternate Battery membership drive is my highest priority. Darlington Road in Ramsey. Ptl. John William A. Leonard received his fi rst Oak Acquisition Radar (ABAR). This was used We need your support and value your Alberse sighted him for driving as fast leaf Cluster to his Army commendation to detect targets at longer ranges attainable membership! PleasePlease as 70 miles an hour, blowing a tire and Medal. The citation accompanying the with the Nike Hercules. The base also spread the word skidding 175 feet then hitting the pole. metal stated Sgt. Leonard was commended received the Defense Acquisition Radar and join our very (Wyckoff News September 9, 1958) for unusual professional competence, known as AN/FPA-16. The base also held specialspecial ccommunityommunity ooff The local Government also took outstanding leadership ability and a command center along with a number interest. Remember,Remember, an active interest in the base. A safety exceptional outstanding leadership ability of maintenance and support Buildings. All the past cannot inspection involving Civil and Military and exceptional resourcefulness resulting guarded twenty–four hours a day seven speak for itself and offi cials, as well as then Franklin Lakes in the high state of combat readiness days a week. cannot save itself. Mayor John I. DeKorte, reviewed the for his unit. Battery Commander Capt. ACKOWLEDGMENTS Help us extend the precautions at the base. This was in George S. Gregory III presented the award. I would like to thank Mark Morgan lessonslessons ofof histhistoryory toto response to the explosion of 8 Nike (Wyckoff News July 30, 1964) for his help in the Technological aspects of another generation. Missiles at Leonardo Base that claimed In 1968 the base personal were again this paper. I hopehope ttoo seesee youyou 10 lives in Middletown Township in in the news. This time Ronald McCabe, REFERENCES soon. Best regards, KevinKevin Monmouth N.J. They were assured a solder at the base, lost his license for 90 Wyckoff News 1954-Published by the Wright, that this could not happen at this base. days for speeding. Ptl. Richard Canova Wyckoff News Wyckoff N.J. March 25, May 13, June 20, August 12 BCHS President Effi gy pipe found in Hackensack in 1871 (Wyckoff News May 29, 1958) clocked McCabe going 95 miles an hour Wyckoff News-1955 In 1959 the base started to upgrade on Route 208. McCabe paid a $15 dollar March 3, April 7, September 22 Wyckoff News-1956 continued from page 4 the installation with the Nike Hercules fi ne and $5 dollars cost of court. May 17, November 8, Dec 20, Dec 27 Missile. The missile equipment arrived by (Wyckoff News May 26, 1966) Wyckoff News-1957 May 23, June 6 tending a fi re and other adventurers. Wyckoff News-1958 Mar 6, May 29, Sept 4 rail and off loaded by crane at a siding at The base opened to the public for the Wyckoff News- 1959 April 30 Finally the visitors arrived at the Campbell the Susquehanna Station in Wyckoff N.J. last time in 1968. On this Memorial Day Wyckoff News-1960 June 2 -Christie tavern and delivered the written Wyckoff News-1961 June 8 and trucked to the base. The main missile the public was given a hardy lunch, shown Wyckoff News-1962 May 31 news report to the jovial innkeeper, Todd components were shipped to Campgaw a movie about the Nike and toured the WyckoffWyckoff News-1963News-1963 MayMay 29, JuneJune 6 Braisted, who was so overjoyed at the news WyckoffWyckoff News-1964News-1964 MayMay 4, 1907JulyJuly 30 Station and convoyed under guard to the base. Later this year the base was turned Wyckoff News-1965 June 3 of an American victory that he ordered a base. (Wyckoff News April 30, 1959) over to the New Jersey Air National Guard. Wyckoff News-1966 May 26 round of hot cider and fresh donuts to the The 1960 Memorial Day Parade was (Wyckoff News May 16, 1968, August Wyckoff News-1968 May 16, May 29, Aug 22 Wyckoff News-1971 Mar 11 visitors, on the house, no less. Then friend a high point for the Base. The soldiers 22, 1968) and foe alike joined our visitors to sing attending the parade brought with them The base closed offi cially on June rousting tavern songs as we all celebrated. Bergen County Historical Society a Nike Ajax on its transporter. After the 30, 1971. At that time it was the second A happy time was had by all. Huzzah! P.O. Box 55, River Edge, NJ 07661 function a public viewing of the missile largest in the country. It was in operation Our visitors agreed that they had a fi ne was held. At the display it was stated for 15 years. The base land, in Franklin 201.343.9492 time! This has been the third year that that the Hercules Missile in now at the Lakes, for a time reverted temporarily to www.bergencountyhistory.org Tina Ishihara has so ably produced and base and is 4 times the size of the Ajax. the General Services Administration. The Deborah Powell & Kevin Wright, directed the event and all agreed that it From 1961 to 1968 a rifl e Squad always Mahwah acreage reverted to the county. editors & layout has been the best year yet! participated in the parade. Upon arriving The personal left and the missiles were Items for the newsletter may be submitted Submitted by Louis A. Fallon at the memorial they would take part in removed. After that the base passed into to D. Powell, Attn: Newsletter at the fi ring of the salute to the fallen. history. (Wyckoff News March 11, 1971) 69 Christie Ave., River Edge, NJ 07661 (Wyckoff News June 2,1960, June In reality the base was more than the or emailed to [email protected] Newsletter printed at Tech Repro, Inc., Hackensack

14 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society Bergen County Historical Society Fall 2004 15 Address Service RequestedAddress Service River Edge, NJ 07661 P.O. Box 55 Historical County Bergen Society

16 Fall 2004 Bergen County Historical Society