May 29, 2025

Back in Time

Kristin Beuscher, columnist and president of the Pascack Historical Society, takes readers on a journey back in time through the Pascack Valley and Northern Valley’s rich history. Her “Back In Time” column offers a glimpse into the bygone days of these communities, shedding light on the lives of the people and the places that have shaped the area. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for local heritage, Kristin brings to life stories of the past, helping residents connect with their roots and gain a greater appreciation for the unique history of their towns.

The Westwood G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic), organized on Dec. 10, 1885, became Westwood’s third major fraternal institution following the introduction of rail service through present-day Westwood on March 5, 1870.

Post No. 101: When Civil War veterans marched here at home

May 19, 2025 Pascack Press

By Joseph Oettinger Jr.SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS WESTWOOD, N.J.—After the organizations of the Westwood Cornet Band (December 1873) and the Westwood Odd Fellows (circa March 1882), the Westwood G.A.R. (Grand […]

Photographed 120 years ago this week—on May 20, 1905—two boys stand outside Montvale's School No. 1 at Summit Avenue and Spring Valley Road. When the school opened in 1899, only 400 people lived in Montvale.

Montvale’s tale of two schoolhouses

May 18, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

MONTVALE, N.J.—At the turn of the 20th century, Montvale ended up with two identical schoolhouses less than 2 miles apart. Here is how it happened. Montvale had become a separate […]

The Hillsdale Manor railroad station in 1910, on the east side of the tracks, south of Parkview Drive. The station was in use for 50 years before it was torn down in the 1940s.

Hillsdale’s Gilded Age suburb

May 9, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

HILLSDALE, N.J.—Hillsdale’s railroad station at Broadway and Hillsdale Avenue is a focal point of the community, an important piece of local history, and a landmark that even appears on the […]

Gently rolling River Vale as seen from Abram C. Holdrum’s farm in 1899. He owned more than 160 acres west of the Hackensack River.

Roaming the Open Landscape of Old River Vale

May 1, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

RIVER VALE, N.J.—The warmest week so far this year. Pasture is growing rapidly, potatoes about all planted, oats coming up. Warm rain is needed. The wheat and rye are looking […]

Farmland was giving way to front yards in the Pascack Valley at the turn of the 20th century. Park Ridge was described as a commuter’s paradise when this view was captured around 1905 from the top of the Mittag & Volger typewriter ribbon factory. These houses still stand on South Maple Avenue, although then it was called Elizabeth Street.

‘Swampless!’ Selling suburbia in the early 20th century

April 26, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PASCACK VALLEY AREA, Bergen County, N.J.—By the dawn of the 1900s, the Pascack Valley was well on its way toward shedding its rural roots and becoming a suburb as we […]

Easter nostalgia: Shiny shoes and Sunday best!

April 19, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

WESTWOOD, N.J.—Do you remember when Easter meant a spiffy new outfit? A boy would get a suit with either a necktie or a bowtie, and these sets would include shorts […]

The original Hillsdale Methodist Church as shown on a postcard mailed in 1910.

Methodist church was first in Hillsdale

April 11, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

HILLSDALE, N.J.—Hillsdale United Methodist Church, at Magnolia and Hillsdale avenues, has been at its present location for the past 70 years, opening in April 1955. However, the Methodist denomination has […]

Aftermath! Dale Visage searched, like a man possessed, for the children he still believed trapped in the burning wreck of their house, 264 David Hooper Place in Westwood.The blast blew the wall out and threw the 30-year-old father into the yard, knocking him unconscious.

The house explosion that rocked Westwood

April 4, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

WESTWOOD, N.J.—Some readers might remember when this event took place. Maybe you heard or felt the blast. The date was April 4, 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Dale Visage were living […]

A scene from the building of the Woodcliff Reservoir, circa 1904.

Reservoir Ruse: April Fool’s prank duped hundreds

March 31, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J.—”You are cordially invited to take part in the dedication exercises of the new reservoir of the Hackensack Water Company, which takes place Saturday, April 1.” So […]

Enjoying an afternoon in Leach's Glen in the early 1900s. This spot would come to be called Atkins Glen after the man who bought it in 1921.

The Glen: Enchanting since the 19th Century

March 7, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

WOODCLIFF LAKE—We imagine it was right around this time of year that the above photograph was captured in the Glen in Woodcliff Lake in the early 1900s. The Glen has […]

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