February 12, 2026

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 magnificent Riley estate, Brookside Pines, stood across from the church site and hosted lawn parties that raised money for the building fund. In 1955, the parish built a school behind the Victorian house. After serving as a preschool and convent, the home was demolished, in 2002.

Klansmen couldn’t stop Hillsdale’s Catholics from building their church

December 4, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

HILLSDALE—Amid frightening pushback from the Ku Klux Klan, Catholic residents of Hillsdale stood their ground in support of building a church in their town. Through their dedication, St. John the […]

Park Ridge officials are amused and mortified in equal measure as their mayor, Donald F. Gelnaw, sports a Glen Rock football sweatshirt at the Dec. 10, 1980 meeting of the governing body. A good sport, Gelnaw was fulfilling the terms of a wager with that borough’s mayor after the state championship tipped Glen Rock’s way, 22-21. Photo: Thomas Moorhead

Two mayors, one wager, and an embarrassing sweatshirt

November 30, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PARK RIDGE—In this week’s featured photograph, Mayor Donald F. Gelnaw, right, having lost a bet, is forced to wear a Glen Rock High School Panthers sweatshirt at a borough council […]

The story of ‘Turkey John’ Blauvelt

November 21, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

As Park Ridge prepares for Thanksgiving, it seems fitting to revisit the life of a man whose nickname still echoes faintly through local history: “Turkey John” Blauvelt, more properly John […]

These Westwood residents got more excitement than they bargained for when their carriage was accosted by highwaymen this week back in 1895: Charles C. Clark, Effie Clark, Francis Vela, and Mary Louise Vela.

130 years ago this week: Highwaymen in a buggy

November 16, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

WESTWOOD—This week we go back 130 years for a story about a group of Westwood couples who went out for a night of fun and found unwanted excitement at the […]

The Union Chapel of Etna, the first church built in Emerson, in the early 1900s. The first service was held 125 years ago this week.

Emerson church predates borough

November 7, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

EMERSON—The first church in Emerson held its inaugural service 125 years ago this week. At the time, the village, which was part of the Township of Washington, had about 450 […]

Tenafly was the small town with a big mayor

November 2, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

“The city of Tenafly, N.J., has elected a reform mayor,” reported The New York Times in 1895. “It is not a large city. The total poll was 276, which is […]

A view into Depot Square on Hawthorne Avenue, “downtown Park Ridge,” in the 1890s.From the collection of the Pascack Historical Society, these tickets date to the 1895 Park Ridge election.

When farmers, commuters clashed over roads

November 2, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PARK RIDGE—As Election Day approaches, here is a look at the political scene in one Pascack Valley town 130 years ago. Park Ridge had broken off from Washington Township and […]

The Pascack Historical Society is delighted to host a special presentation by Chief Barbara Bluejay Michalski of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in the museum’s lecture hall, 19 Ridge Ave.

PHS hosts session on Lenape culture, storytelling

October 31, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PARK RIDGE—The Pascack Historical Society is delighted to host a special presentation by Chief Barbara Bluejay Michalski of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. […]

Westwood’s newly built Woolworth’s store in the 1930s. The boys at left sport a style of the era — knickers and patterned knee socks.Most readers will remember Woolworth’s looking something like this. The store was on Westwood Avenue until the late 1970s.

‘Up and coming’ Westwood lands a Woolworth’s

October 27, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

WESTWOOD—Who here remembers shopping at Woolworth’s at the corner of Westwood and Center avenues? The store was there for 40 years, from the 1930s until the 1970s. The Westwood Woolworth’s […]

Perishes in newly named borough

October 20, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

WOODCLIFF LAKE—Fewer than 500 people called the newly minted Borough of Woodcliff Lake home when this photo was snapped, around 1910. The view down Prospect Avenue toward the reservoir. At […]

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