Westwood, New Jersey - History

History

The earliest history of Westwood begins with the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans who inhabited this part of the state and shared it with the transient hunters and trappers until the permanent settlers began to enter in mid-18th century. In the early 19th century, the area that would later become Westwood was within the larger political boundaries of Harrington Township, which had been established by royal charter in 1775. In 1840, the western half of Harrington Township became Washington Township, with the Hackensack River as the dividing line. Washington Township was an agrarian region with isolated farmsteads. Early families, including the Hoppers and Ackermans, are buried at the Old Hook Cemetery. An 18th century mill was situated 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 Musquapsink Brook. After operating for close to two centuries, it was almost completely ruined by an arsonist’s fire and had to be dismantled in 1910.

A brief description of Washington Township written in 1844 described it as a township "with six stores, four schools for 135 students, six grist mills, and 14 saw mills."

The first wave of concentrated development took place as the result of the coming of the Hackensack and New York Railroad in 1870, which followed the route of today's Pascack Valley Line. On March 5, 1870, service began between Westwood and New York City (via Jersey City and a ferry ride). Several small hotels were built near the depot, and in 1872 several houses in the latest European-influenced styles began to be built along Centre Avenue. Old maps show that growth occurred simultaneously on the land both to the east and west of the tracks. The commercial buildings included 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 store, and a new Reformed Church. In 1890, following a meeting 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 villages as Westwood established itself as an independent borough. Isaac D. Bogert, from a long established Bogert family, was elected mayor.

One aspect of any town's development is the availability of water. By 1899, a water plant built by Cornelius S. DeBraun provided service to an expanding number of houses that were constructed along newly laid streets. By the time of the 1905 New Jersey Census, there were 234 dwellings housing a population of 1,044.

Lincoln High School was constructed around the turn of the 20th century, which also saw the introduction of electricity, telephones, and automobiles to the town. Underwood & Underwood Stereoscope Company opened a plant during the first decades of the 20th century, and many congregations established their first chapels, which were replaced in later years as the congregations grew in numbers and wealth. Following a typical pattern of development throughout the 20th century, the results are a mature railroad suburb almost covered with housing units, commercial, municipal, and ecclesiastical buildings. Nevertheless, the town still retains the open space of the triangular park at its heart.