Westwood, New Jersey – Crucial Outlines

October 17, 2009

By system

Westwood NJ was officially united as a borough on May 8, 1894, from parts of Washington Township, early during the Boroughitis phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County. Isaac D. Bogert served as the first mayor of the Borough. In April 1909, the place of Westwood was enlarged through the annexation of the ‘Old Hook’ section of the borough of Emerson, and on September 24, 1957, parts of the borough were exchanged with Emerson.

The earliest history of Westwood begins with the Lenni-Lenape Indians. The Lenni-Lenape inhabited this section of the district and shared it with the migrant trappers until the permanent settlers began to enter in mid-1700s. In the beginning 19th century, the area that would further become Westwood NJ Borough was within the larger political borders of Harrington Township, which had been settled by royal charter in 1775. In 1840, the western half of Harrington Township became Washington Township. The Hackensack River was the separating line. Washington Township was an land district with isolated farmsteads. Early families, including the Hoppers and Ackermann are buried at the Old Hook Cemetery. An 18th century mill was placed at the dammed stream near the intersection of today?s Mill Street and First Avenue. This mill was on an important east west pathway and was the first on the Musquapsink. After working for close to two centuries, it was almost completely ruined by an arsonist?s fire and had to be dismantled in 1910.

A short description of Washington Township written in 1844 described it as a township “with six stores, four schools for 135 pupils , six grist mills, and 14 saw mills.”

The first wave of concentrated development begin as the result of the coming of the Hackensack and New York Railroad in 1870, which followed the route of today’s Pancake Valley Line. On March 5, 1870, service began between Westwood and New York City (via Jersey City and a ferry ride). Several little hotels were built near the store and in 1872, several houses in the latest European affected styles began to be built along Centre Avenue. Old maps show that increase occurred simultaneously on the area both to the east and west of the tracks. The commercial buildings contained lumber and coal sheds, stores, and a bakery. There was a chapel on the corner of Third and Park Avenues. The triangular park that has played an important role as a place of community gatherings is also shown on the 1876 map.

By the 1880s, Westwood had four factories , several distilleries, a new school, a laundry and grocery market , and a new Reformed Church. In 1890, following a gathering of interested residents, those favoring the incorporation of Westwood as an independent borough conducted a petition drive. By 1894, Washington Township lost one of its countries as Westwood established itself as an independent borough . Isaac D. Bogert, from a long established Bogert family, was voted mayor.

For more information about Westwood visit: Westwood NJ Election.

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