We go all the way back to June of 1875 for this auction advertisement that appeared in the real estate section of the New York Sun. Just imagine what an event this must have been for the little village of Cresskill—still a part of Palisades Township—and its population of under 300 people.
The Northern Railroad had come through in 1859, opening up the formerly isolated Northern Valley to the outside world. Properties in our pristine little valley, with its fresh air, farms and forested acres, were advertised to New Yorkers who could now live in the “countryside” and commute with ease to their jobs in the big city. Farms and large estates were subdivided, new houses were built, and the suburbs were born.
The New York Daily Tribune reported April 12, 1869, “The village of Cresskill was commenced about six years ago…It contains one store, one school, a church, two parks, a fine slate roof depot, a blacksmith shop, a wheelwright shop, and one debating club. Several streets and avenues have been laid out and further improvements are contemplated…Lots situated within three minutes’ walk of the depot can be purchased for $600 to $800. Building plots of 3 to 5 acres are each worth $8,000 to $10,000.
The property advertised for this June 9, 1875 auction was the mansion and grounds of Mrs. L. Ballard, who had about 1,000 feet of frontage on Madison Avenue at the Cresskill/Dumont border. Note that the ad also mentions “20 elegant building plots,” in keeping with the trend to subdivide.
The event was more than just an auction. It featured music by the Seventh Regiment Band, a light meal (collation), and entertainment by William B. Harrison, who was described in news pieces from the time as a humorous vocalist and improv comedian.
Of course, this was many years before our current borough lines were set. When this land was incorporated as a borough in 1891, it was taken as part of the Borough of Schraalenburgh—later to become Dumont.