USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > Ridgewood > Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, past and present > Part 3
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PAST AND PRESENT
PRIVATES
** Ackerman, Abraham R. Aekerman, Garret
Demarest, John
Demarest, John J.
Perry, John H. Post, John J. Post, Robert J.
* Ackerman, George W. Ackerman, JJames P.
Dow, John
Pulis, Peter D.
Ackerman, James W.
Earl, Daniel
Ranlet, C. Louis
Aekerson, John C. Baker, George
Eekerson, David D., Jr.
Eckerson, Edward T.
Eekerson, Jacob B.
# Schilte, Marinus Smith, Daniel W. Stalter, Samuel
Bartow, James
Flood, James Gurnee, David
Blauvelt, Abraham D.
Herring, Abraham P.
Blauvelt, Abraham J.
ITerring, Daniel
Blauvelt, John J.
Herring, John P.
Ulmer, Frederick
Blauvelt, Lucas C.
Hill, Thomas E.
Van Buskirk, Benj.
Blauvelt, William
Hopper, Abraham A.
Van Buskirk, Chas. E.
Bogert, Abraham B.
JJersey, John J.
Van Derlinder, Jacob
Bogert, Cornelius J.
Jones, Joseph E.
** Van Dien, Jolin
Bogert, James M.
Kent. Cornelius J.
Van Orden, William
Bradley, Joseph A.
Kingsland, Theodore
Van Riper, Fred. A.
Cole, Isaac
Kitchel, Isaac M. Lockwood, David
* Van Saun, Isaac
('ollingnon, Angus. M.
Cook, Francis
** Monroe, David
Cosker, Felix A. M.
** Monroe, Stephen
*
Crouter, Cornelins P. Crouter, James Demarest, Cornelius E.
Mowerson, John Jacob
Williams, John Wood, Abraham
Wortendyke, Abraham
The foregoing is not a complete list of all enlistments from this vicinity. Others, whose records are not available at this time, were associated with regiments other than the 22nd New Jersey. One of our oldest citizens, Benjamin Eglin, served first in Company A, Twenty- sceond Regiment, and later in the Third New Jersey Cavalry.
The Twenty-second Infantry Regiment was organized under the pro- visions of an Act of Congress, approved July 22, 1861, and mustered into the United States service for nine months, September 22, 1862. The regiment was made up chiefly from the bone and sinew of Bergen County's agricultural population, the total number of officers and men being nine hundred and thirty-nine. It left the State for Washington, D. C., on September 29, 1862. Upon arrival at its destination it was ordered into camp, ealled Camp Fornett, ten miles west of George- town, D. C., just south of what is now Cabin John's Bridge, having been assigned to a provisional brigade, Casey's Division, defenees of Washington. It remained in this position until about the first of December, when it proceeded to Aquia Creek, Virginia, and was assigned to Provost Duty, guarding the railroad, transferring wounded prisoners, etc.
In January, 1863, the regiment was assigned to the First Army Corps and joined the Army of the Potomae. It continued its organization and remained in active service until the expiration of its term, when it was ordered to return to New Jersey for its discharge and was mustered out of service at Trenton, June 25, 1863.
The regiment was first attached to Casey's Division, defences of
15
# Banner, James Banta, Aaron V. Banta, Abraham P.
Eekerson, John C.
Everson, Benjamin
Storms, Abraham C.
Blauvelt, Abraham
Straut, Richard
Terhune, Albert JJ., Jr.
Townsend, John
* Wanamaker, JJohn H. Waring, Peter P. Westervelt, Henry P.
* Nangle, John D. Ottignon. John C.
Riker, Abraham A. Rumsey, Owen I.
Demarest, Peter J.
RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Washington, then to Patrick's Brigade, Provost Guard, Army of the Potomac, and then to the Third Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps.
The only important engagement it took part in was the movement on Chaneellorsville, Virginia, May 2 and 3, 1863.
THE BIRTH OF RIDGEWOOD
The factors responsible for the establishment of the community of Ridgewood were the early Dutch, who settled in Paramus and its vieinity and engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the manufacturing interests that located in the hamlet of Godwinville (now Midland Park). Through the joint efforts of these people, a station, situated between the two settlements and serving both, was established on the railroad, which followed a route suggested by General George Clinton during the Revo- lutionary War as a natural thoroughfare.
This railroad station became the center of activities for the territory it served. Business enterprises located near it, and people who moved here from New York City built homes within easy walking distance of it.
The influence of the ideas of the new residential element, in con- junction with the precedents set by the practical and thrifty carlier settlers, laid the foundations for a new and a better community. Many improvements were made. New houses were erected and were provided with greater conveniences than the older buildings; roads were bettered ; and with the passing of the year 1865 the general spirit of advance- ment of a fair-sized progressive village was plainly evident.
It was at this point in the history of the community that its name was changed from Godwinville to Ridgewood. This was done in 1866, following several years of agitation on the part of the citizens. While the action at that time may have been considered as one of change of name only, it really had a greater significance in that it marked the birth of Ridgewood, a truly residential community with a character and an individuality of its own.
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Courtesy E. L. Zabriskie
;
Courtesy C. H. L. Mitchell
Aljian Studio
The Development of West Ridgewood Avenue, Looking from Waller Building to Station Upper-1876 Center-1896 Lower-1916
CHAPTER II GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND NATURAL FEATURES
NAME
T' THE name now applied to the Village and Township-Ridgewood- was adopted during the year 1866 at the suggestion of Mrs. Cor- nelia Dayton, wife of William Dayton, because of its appropriateness- the Ridge of Woods on the Heights. Previous to this the settlement had been known as Godwinville, and had then included a portion of the traet called the Paramus Plains, Glen Roek, formerly known as Small Lots, and Midland Park, formerly ealled Lydecker's Mills.
LOCATION
Ridgewood is located on the Main Line of the Erie Railroad, five miles beyond Paterson and twenty-one miles from New York City.
Situated in the western part of Bergen County, it is bounded on the north by Ho-Ho-Kus Township, on the south by the Borough of Glen Rock and by Saddle River Township, on the east by the Saddle River, and on the west by the Borough of Midland Park, by Franklin Township, and by Passaic County.
APPEARANCE
The Village lies in the foothills of the Watchung and the Ramapo Mountains, at an elevation at some points of three hundred feet. This environment is responsible for its remarkable diversity of scenery and the great natural beauty of its rolling surface and wooded heights, while the lack of factories and a universal plan of building homes on grounds of ample dimensions further enhances its attractiveness.
The land dips and eurves-here only a gentle eminence, there a commanding, tree-erowned height overlooking almost the entire county, from whenee on elear days are visible the spires of half a dozen eities, and at night the myriad lights of New York.
Less than half a mile east of the railroad station the land for quite a distance is apparently almost level. Elsewhere there are shady dells and sheltered nooks.
The clear-watered brook Ho-Ho-Kus meanders through the Village not far from its eenter, and, further on along its eastern boundary, there flows the larger stream which gives to this part of the country the name of Saddle River Valley. Each of these streams adds to the dominant and distinctive characteristic of Ridgewood-varied pietur- esqueness.
The Village is built up on both sides of the tracks of the main line of the Erie Railroad. The principal business section, however. is on the east side within two blocks of the railroad station. and the majority of the churches and of the schools are also on that side. This inequality in the distribution of activities is due to an carlier and greater development of real estate on the one side of the Village. Dur-
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PAST AND PRESENT
ing the past two years, however, the growth has been quite equally divided between the east and west sides.
SOIL
The soil of Ridgewood and of its vicinity is in general porous, and has always been known as exceedingly fertile and susceptible of a high degree of cultivation. In some localities elay of a heavy nature pre- dominates, while in others sand abounds. Very little gravel is found.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
One of the greatest factors contributing to Ridgewood's develop- ment is the salubrity of its elimate. The breezes which sweep over the Paramus Highlands and across the Paramus Plains, as two sections of the community were called of old, have long been known to be dry and braeing and free from the harshness and humidity of salt air common to localities near the sea-coast. Also during the summer months the breezes from the Passaie Valley, on the south and southwest of the Village, are particularly cool and refreshing.
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
The roads passing through Ridgewood, before its existence as a community, formed a part of the main arteries of travel in this section of the country.
As they hold the same relative positions at the present time, it is felt that a better understanding of their situation and development will be obtained if they are considered and described not purely from a local standpoint but rather in connection with the routes of which they were or are a part, with mention of such subsequent changes as resulted when these highways passed through the confines of the locality.
Hoboken-Goshen Stage Route
Starting at Arcola, running parallel with the eastern boundary line of Ridgewood Township, eurving to the west as it enters the north- eastern portion of Ridgewood, and ending at the Paramus Church, the Paramus Road formed a part of the old stage route between Hoboken and Goshen.
Upon leaving the Paramus Church, the driver had the choice either of continuing along the West Saddle River Road and then turning west, going over the old road along the race-track to Ho-Ho-Kus, or of passing through Harrison Avenue, formerly ealled Libby Lane, to Maple Avenue and thenee to Ho-Ho-Kus.
The stage route was marked by brown stones set a mile apart, each one giving the number of miles from Hoboken. One of these stones formerly indicating the regular route now stands in front of the resi- denee of George Berdan on Harrison Avenue; while two are still stand- ing on Paramus Road, one on the east side of the road near the barn on the farm of Aletta Van Dien, occupied by Mr. Paxton, and the other on the same side of the road in front of the Pell farm, now owned by Mr. Charles S. Chapman.
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Pompton-Hoboken Highway
Starting at Pompton and entering Ridgewood on the west side, this highway made a detour to the north and then to the east across the township until it interseeted the Paramus Road, down which the route to Hoboken was continued. This road was associated with historie events in the days of the Revolution.
This thoroughfare is also referred to as the road from Newtown (Wortendyke) to Paramus, the road from Godwinville to Paramus, and the road from Lydecker's Mills to Paramus, and was commonly called Godwinville Road. At the present time, within the limits of Ridge- wood, it is known as Godwin Avenue and West and East Ridgewood Avenues.
Hoppertown-Paterson Turnpike
In the early days the traveler was forced to take a roundabout way to reach Paterson, using what was known as the Hoppertown- Paterson Turnpike.
Leaving Hoppertown (now Ho-Ho-Kus), the route followed the high- way now known as Maple Avenue as far as the present Ridgewood Avenue. Continuing along West Ridgewood and Godwin Avenues to the beginning of Lincoln Avenue (then called Cherry Lane, from the fact that both sides of the road was lined with wild cherry trees), it followed this road in a southerly course through the southwestern portion of the Village to its intersection with the old Wagaraw Road at the Passaic River, where Moffat's Bridge is now located. It then turned westward to Morrow's Mills (now Hawthorne Mills) at the head of the Goffle Road and thenee through North Main Street into Paterson.
During the forties, efforts were made to shorten the distance nearly one-half by straightening the road from Hoppertown and by carrying it across Ridgewood Avenne, where the Rouelere House now stands, to follow the present general course of Maple Avenue into Paterson.
The petitioners for this improvement were successful, however, in establishing only the present lines of the road as far as the Harris- town Road below Ferndale. The route then followed the road to Lin- coln Avenue just south of the Diamond Bridge. continuing as before by way of Morrow's Mills into Paterson. In the summertime and at low water, it was possible for a traveler to shorten his route somewhat by fording the Passaic River at the foot of Lincoln Avenue, a little east of Moffat's Bridge.
The present route was finally established after repeated efforts made during the fifties, and the Wagaraw Bridge was constructed over the Passaic River at Alyea's Mill, connecting the road with River Street in Paterson.
The latest improvement to this thoroughfare, consisting of an amasite pavement from curb to curb, twenty-five feet wide, from the southern boundary line of the Village at Glen Rock to Meadow Brook Avenue. and twenty-eight feet wide from that point north to the Ho-Ho-Kus line, was completed during 1915 as the result of continued efforts on the part of former Freeholder Isaac E. Hutton, former Com-
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PAST AND PRESENT
missioner Frederick Pfeiffer, County Engineer Ralph D. Earle, Jr., and the present Commissioner, Dr. JJ. B. Hopper. The efforts of these officials were ably seconded by the property owners along its route, who with few exceptions agreed to pay the extra cost of widening the road from twenty-five to twenty-eight feet where necessary and to place eurbs where the properties were without them.
Goffle Road
The Goffle Road, separating the southwestern part of Ridgewood from Franklin Township, takes its name from the Dutch "de Gaffel," which in that language meant "The Fork" and refers to the fork where the ancient Indian trails separated about two miles northeast of Paterson, one continuing along the present Goffle Road and the other following the route of the old Wagaraw Road.
Originally this road followed a course starting at the termination of North Main Street, Paterson, and continuing along the northern bank of the Passaic River until its intersection with the old Wagaraw Road. Here it turned, following a course through the northern por- tion of Manchester Township, Passaic County, until it reached the place called Van Winkle. There it intersected a road leading to Pomp- ton. At the present time it continues from that point, following a course parallel to the Goffle Brook until it reaches its termination at Godwin Avenue in Midland Park, just outside the boundary of Ridge- wood.
Godwinville-Hackensack Road
Starting on the south side of Godwin Avenue, this highway in Ridgewood is now known as Ackerman Avenue. Following along the west side of the Saddle River, in the earlier days, it gave the residents on that side of the river a direct route to Hackensack.
Later a bridge was constructed over the Saddle River at Arcola (formerly Red Mills), thereby enabling the traveler, by crossing the river at that point, to continue to Hackensack along the route of the old Hoboken-Goshen Stage Line.
Franklin Turnpike
Established during the sixties and starting near the Paramus Church, this road continues towards Ho-Ho-Kus until it meets and joins the old road running along the race-track into Ho-Ho-Kus. After passing through that village it follows nearly the course of the Erie Railroad through Allendale, cast of Ramsey and Mahwah, to Suffern.
Small Lots Road
Prospect Street, south of Maple Avenue, was formerly known as the highway leading to Small Lots (Glen Roek).
Rock Road
Forming a part of its southern boundary near the grounds of the Ridgewood Country Club, this road is one of the oldest in the vicinity of the Village of Ridgewood.
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Starting at the Goffle Road and extending through the Borough of Glen Rock, it passes the great roek of stone located in that municipality, from which it derives its name, and joins the old Godwinville-Hacken- sack Road (Ackerman Avenue). It was first used as a connecting link by the Indians in their trails leading from the Ponds (Pompton) and the Ramapos to Arcola and Hackensack.
PLANT LIFE
The variety of wild flowers and plant life which abound in Ridge- wood and its vicinity is remarkable. Yet, strange to say, few are sufficiently interested to look up the names of the wild flowers and to note their wonderful adaptability to their surroundings. To them the gate of nature's garden is closed. They miss the fascination of color and grace of form, the sehemes of this plant for cross fertiliza- tion purposes or the indolenee of that and its consequent downward trend in the scale of plant life.
Who would think of looking for wild flowers in the middle of February ? Yet within two miles of the station may be found the spathe of the Skunk Cabbage exquisitely blotched with shades of erim- son and purple on a cream ground, possibly pushing its way up through the snow. Within quite recent years on the embankment near the sta- tion the delicate, modest Hepatica might be found in early spring, in shades running from deep blue to almost white; and the Wild Gera- nium, Claytonia or Spring Beauty, Adder's Tongue, and the quaint little Dutehman's Breeches abound in our woods and by the wayside. Those who know where to look may yet find the wax-like flower of the Trailing Arbutus with its exotic perfume, or may explore the rocky and wooded haunts where the rather rare orchid known as Lady's Slipper luxuriates, raising its head of exquisite form and shaded coloring to the wonder- ing eyes of the finder.
There are localities, too, within easy walking distance, where the burnished gold of the Marsh Marigold in its favorite swamp makes such places in the early May morning look auriferous, as if the sun were drawing the precious metal already refined from the recesses of the earth. A little later in the month the eye is delighted with a profusion of Wild Azalea in shades of vivid pink, and near it is found the Mountain Laurel, its eup-like blossoms more delicately tinted than Dresden China, the stamen caught back until by a quick release the pollen is seattered for fertilization.
In the low-lying sedgy ground of many a meadow, the flowering grasses make a carpet, with golden buttercups and the gracefully-sway- ing Purple Iris marking a pattern. One need not wait long in such a place to see the flash of the red-winged blackbird or to hear his familiar eall. Later will be found on similar ground Blue Lobelia, Tall Meadow Rue, Grass of Parnassus, the carnivorous Pitcher Plant, and Indian Paint Brush, the vermillion paint still on it.
The thrill in finding the Yellow Orchid or its sister, the Purple Orchid, is quite worth the patient hunt for them. That orange mass of tangle in the bush is Angel's Hair or Dodder, a parasite deprived by nature of its leaves as punishment for its degenerate mode of life.
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PAST AND PRESENT
Among other parasites frequenting this section may be mentioned Broom-rape, the charming Pink Gerardia, which has not gone far on the downward path, and Indian Pipe or Ghost-flower, a hardened sinner, colorless yet beautiful in its degradation.
The exquisite Jewel-weed, its orange flowers suspended horizontally, haunts a running brook, and in the nearby marsh may be found the beautiful spikes of Pickerel-weed. The very showy orange Butterfly- weed and its more common cousin, purple Milkweed, are by no means strangers, the pods of the latter with their silky seed-tufts making a charming house decoration in the Fall. As summer wanes, come the purple Iron-weed, the magenta Joe-Pye weed towering six to eight feet high, the Goldenrods in endless variety, and, one of the last yet one of the most beautiful, the Fringed Gentian, with its flowers-
"Blue-blue-as if that sky let fall A flower from its cerulean wall."
It is not possible in a book of this nature to describe even super- ficially the beauty of form and color, the modest grace or brazen effrontery and, above all, the ingenuity displayed in self-perpetuation of our neighbors, the wild flowers. It is hoped that the appended list will perhaps give the incentive to anyone enthusiastic enough to take a tramp at the right seasons and in the right direction to cultivate the friendship of these charming fellow-residents.
Ferns of many beautiful varieties are to be found in great abun- dance in the woods or damp places, while for those interested in Fungi, Ridgewood provides a fruitful field for research.
There is another phase of plant life to which Ridgewood is admir- ably adapted both by the nature of its soil and by its location; namely, horticulture. The wave of enthusiasm for garden work which has in recent years spread over the country has left its deep impression here. The climatic conditions, save in an exceptional year, are favorable for even semi-hardy plants. From early spring when Pansies, Tulips, Hyacinths and Narcissuses brighten our gardens with splashes of color, until the autumn frosts cut down the Dahlias, Cosmos, and Chrysan- themums, we have a long succession of æsthetic beauty most pleasing to the eye. Of utilitarian value are the early lettuce, peas and beans ; indeed many of our gardens yield enough vegetables for the household during the whole summer, to say nothing of gifts to neighbors or stores laid by for the winter. There is no corn so sweet as that which you have planted and hoed yourself. The Garden Club is demonstrating this fact to a remarkable degree, both in theory and in practice. Men need only to be told that the early morning when the air is fresh and sweet and full of the songs of birds is the time to rest one's nerves and exercise one's muscles in the garden, when many of them try it out and become converted. The semi-annual exhibitions given by the Club increasingly demonstrate the degree of success which an amateur may attain, even though he spends his days in the city.
Our soil is well suited for both Roses and Dahlias and produces some wonderful flowers in these two varieties. More beautiful flowers are seldom seen than the Roses and Dahlias at the spring and fall
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
exhibitions of the Ridgewood Garden Club. These exhibitions provide the requisite incentive for producing the best that can be grown and afford opportunity for the interchange by members of ideas and infor- mation of much value, as evidenced by the improvement in numerous gardens in the village. The Garden Club does not forget the siek. Regularly during the season a committee appointed for the purpose colleets and distributes to the nearby hospitals such flowers as are obtainable. It has further adopted the plan of offering a prize for children at its Flower Show for the best bouquet of wild flowers, and has thereby created considerable interest among the young people.
To enumerate the flowers, shrubs and vegetables which can be grown here would mean almost a recapitulation of any complete catalog. It will be of interest to many, however, to know what wild flowers may be found in the vicinity. The following list, not fully complete, is accordingly given :
Agrimony (Agrimonia hirsuta )
Alum Root ( Heuchera Americana )
American Brooklime ( Veronica Ameri- cana )
American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegi- oides )
Anemone, Rue (Syndesmon thalietroides ) Anemone, Wood ( Anemone quinquefolia ) Arbutus, Trailing ( Epigaa Repens ) Arrow-arum, Green ( Peltandra Vir-
ginica )
Arrow-head (Sagittaria latifolia)
Arrow Wood ( Viburnum pubescens )
Azalea, Pink ( Azalea nudiflora)
Azalea, White Swamp ( Azalea viscosa ) Aster, Blue ( Aster cordifolius)
Aster, Pointed-leaved ( Aster acuminatus) Aster, Purple (Aster patens )
Aster, Stiff-leaved (Tonactis Vinarii- folius )
Aster, White Heath ( Aster ericoides )
Aster, Wood ( Aster divaricatus)
Baneberry, White ( Aetæa Alba ) Barberry ( Berberis vulgaris )
Basil (Calamintha (linopodium ) Beard-tongue, Foxglove ( Pentstemon digitalis )
Beechdrops, False ( Hypopitis Hypopitis) Bellwort ( Uvularia Perfoliata)
Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
Blackberry, High ( Rubus villosus)
Blackberry, Running Swamp ( Rubus hispidus )
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa )
Black-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia hirta )
Black Haw ( Viburnum prunifolium ) Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) Blueberry (Vaccinium Pennsylvanieum) Blueberry, Swamp (Vaccinium corym- bosum ) Bluets ( Houstonia ecrulea)
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinehium angusti- folium )
Blue Linaria (Linaria Canadensis) Blueweed ( Echium vulgare) Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis) Broom-rape ( Thalesia uniflora)
Buekbean (Menyanthes trifoliata )
Buckwheat. Climbing False { Polygonum scandens )
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