MAIN STREET, HACKENSACK
I had been wanting to do this walk for a while after I found myself driving over the Court Street Bridge and noticing the massive ship docked on the side of the Hackensack River. I went home and did some research and figured I'd park next to the Oscar E Oslen Park (on the Bogota side of the bridge) and walk the area from the bridge down Main Street and back to the park via the Midtown Bridge.
Located just 12 miles from Manhattan, Hackensack is considered a inner suburb of the city. In 1700, the village of Hackensack consisted of the area around Main Street from the Courthouse to around Anderson Street. It is an area known for its diversity.
Court Street Bridge is also known as the "Harold J. Dillard Memorial Bridge". It opened in 1908 and underwent major rehabilitation in 2010-2012. It is a center-bearing vehicular move-able swing span Warren through truss bridge with two steel deck girder approach spans supported on a concrete substructure. In 1998 it was listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
As I made my way over the bridge, the ship was finally in sight. The USS LING 297 is a BALAO class fleet submarine, 312 feet long, weighing approximately 2500 tons. Permanently berthed in Hackensack, New Jersey, she is open to the public for tours through theNew Jersey Naval Museum.
The website states:
The museum contains a large collection of unique items ranging from a SEAL delivery vehicle to an authentic Mark V Diving Suit plus many photos and other interesting memorabilia.
The museum contains a large collection of unique items ranging from a SEAL delivery vehicle to an authentic Mark V Diving Suit plus many photos and other interesting memorabilia.
One can watch the documentary "Hitler's Lost Sub" to get more history on this subject.
From there I make my way over to the "Green" which is right around the block.
The "Green" is the oldest public square in New Jersey. Many historic structures and monuments dot the space.
In the historic Green on the north side is the Bank House. It was built in 1831 on a lot previously owned by Judge Peter Zabriske. It began as the Weehawk Banking Company.
Throughout history, with it being situated so close to the courthouse, the building was often owned or rented and used by those in the legal profession. Later on it would be known as the Van Valen Building. A Bergen County Historical Society marker was placed in front of the Bank House n 1981.
The original Federal style building was enlarged by additions to the side and rear in 1909.
The original Federal style building was enlarged by additions to the side and rear in 1909.
Above:
The Hackensack War memorial built in 1924 stands in the center of the Green. The base contains war scenes; CivilWar, Spanish American War, World War 1, and the Battle of Monmouth. The sculptor was Charles Henry NieAlthoughhaus.
The Hackensack War memorial built in 1924 stands in the center of the Green. The base contains war scenes; CivilWar, Spanish American War, World War 1, and the Battle of Monmouth. The sculptor was Charles Henry NieAlthoughhaus.
Above:
Although it is said General Enoch Poor died of Typhoid Fever, there are rumors stating it was a duel which ended his days. He is buried right across the street from the statue in the First Reformed Church Cemetery.
Although it is said General Enoch Poor died of Typhoid Fever, there are rumors stating it was a duel which ended his days. He is buried right across the street from the statue in the First Reformed Church Cemetery.
The "old church on the green" is the oldest church in Bergen County. Notable burials include Enoch Poor, Richard Varick, Adam Boyd, and George Cassedy.
The congregation was founded by Dutch settlers in 1686.
Below:
Bergen County CourtHouse
Bergen County CourtHouse
The current courthouse is actually the 6th Bergen courthouse. The style of the courthouse is American renaissance and was buiilt by James Riely Gordon. Construction began in 1910 and was completed in 1912. The beauty of the structure has been grasped the attention of many movies and shows. The previous and fifth courthouse was in the same lot and was used for over 90 years.
In 1975, Richard Ryan, the late Frank V. D. Lloyd, whose father, Francis Van Duyne Lloyd, a former Bergen County Judge and Deputy Attorney General and the late Victor C. Harwood founded Harwood Lloyd law firm. The practice today consists of 35 attorneys.
Above:
Tracks that lead to the New York Susquehanna and Western drawbridge which crosses the Hackensack River between Bogota, NJ and Hackensack, NJ.
Tracks that lead to the New York Susquehanna and Western drawbridge which crosses the Hackensack River between Bogota, NJ and Hackensack, NJ.
Above; Bakman Building
The Hotel Susquehanna was located on Main Street across from the Susquehanna Railroad Depot in the prominent Bakman Building which was built in 1890. Following several name and ownership changes, the Hotel Susquehanna opened about 1908, and by 1918, it was under the proprietorship of Frank Habrich. The Hotel Susquehanna continued operations through 1919, closing in 1920. It is said that several US Presidents as well as local celebrities such as Horace Greeley and Mark Twain dined at the restaurant.
The People's Trust Co. Bank Building stands out on Main Street as one of the city's tallest and most architecturally significant.
The Art-Deco 11-story building on downtown Main Street was built in 1927 and was the city's first "skyscraper". When it was erected it was the tallest in Bergen County and the People’s Trust Co. Bank was its main tenant.
Above.
Having a library in town goes back to when Hackensack was called New Barbadoes. On July 2, 1833, the Hackensack Library Association was formed. This soon failed and was tried again on January 3, 1859. The Washington Institute started the public library and reading room in 1871.
Senator William Johnson purchased the property, hired NYC, architects. Rossiter & Wright, and 5,000 dollars worth of new books for the establishment . The building was constructed in 1901 in a Renaissance Revival style.
In 1916, Johnson gave an additional $30,000 for the rear addition.
Johnson Public Library was one of the first public libraries to have a separate room for children.
Having a library in town goes back to when Hackensack was called New Barbadoes. On July 2, 1833, the Hackensack Library Association was formed. This soon failed and was tried again on January 3, 1859. The Washington Institute started the public library and reading room in 1871.
Senator William Johnson purchased the property, hired NYC, architects. Rossiter & Wright, and 5,000 dollars worth of new books for the establishment . The building was constructed in 1901 in a Renaissance Revival style.
In 1916, Johnson gave an additional $30,000 for the rear addition.
Johnson Public Library was one of the first public libraries to have a separate room for children.
Located in the heart of Hackensack at the corner of Anderson St. and Union St, Anderson Park is a small and picturesque park surrounded by churches.
Below: The Second Reformed Church was constructed on June 21, 1908.
It is constructed of fieldstone taken from the stone walls of nearby farms. The education and administration wing built in 1964-65 is also constructed of fieldstone. The Tiffany stained glass windows in the sanctuary have been much admired by all who have seen them. The large angel window, The Angels of Praise, was exhibited at the 1893 International Exhibition in Chicago. In 1978 a new 38 rank Austin pipe organ was installed and dedicated, supporting the tradition of fine music that our church has enjoyed over the years.
It is constructed of fieldstone taken from the stone walls of nearby farms. The education and administration wing built in 1964-65 is also constructed of fieldstone. The Tiffany stained glass windows in the sanctuary have been much admired by all who have seen them. The large angel window, The Angels of Praise, was exhibited at the 1893 International Exhibition in Chicago. In 1978 a new 38 rank Austin pipe organ was installed and dedicated, supporting the tradition of fine music that our church has enjoyed over the years.
Below: First Baptist Church
Around the block is the Sears Roebuck and Company building.
This Sears & Roebuck department store was built in the early 1930s.
Above; These are residential apartment building which were constructed in 1920.
in 1839 the Capt. John J. Ward House, who was involved in the transportation of goods along the Hackensack River, shown above, now Geri's was constructed in a federal vernacular style. The Capt. John J. Ward House is one of the oldest buildings extant in Hackensack today. It is the only example there of a vernacular brick, two story, 3-bay wide house with federal period detailing.
Established in 1896, the YMCA did not receive a permanent home until the Anderson family property became the first home around 1915. In 1926 a capital campaign resulted in the building still in use today at 360 Main Street in Hackensack.
The 128-year-old Oritani Field Club in Hackensack, is one of Bergen County's oldest sports clubs. The Oritani club was founded in 1887 by two local groups, the Pastime Lawn Tennis Club and the Hackensack Lawn Tennis Club. It was named for Oratam, the local Indian chief of the 17th century, and was originally located where the Hackensack YMCA now stands, on 10 acres that stretched from Main Street to the Hackensack River.
The club houses a 90-year-old swimming pool, a row of clay tennis courts and a building with a full bar, a long-closed bowling alley and a fading ballroom that once played host to black-tie dinner parties. It was sold 4 years ago to a re developer under the conditions it could operate until the end of 2015.
Finally I come to the Midtown Bridge which leads me back to Bogota. Its also called the Salem Street Bridge and William C. Ryan Memorial Bridge.
My walk ends in Oscar E. Oslen Park.
Laura Gonzalez
July 19 2015
July 19 2015