June 25, 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.

In news articles of the 1920s, this section of open space in downtown Westwood was often referred to as Center Park. With the new station built there, in the 1930s it became Station Plaza Park. On Memorial Day in 1949, it was renamed Veterans Memorial Park.

Across the dirt road: A long-ago scene in downtown Westwood

July 11, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

WESTWOOD, N.J.—Photographed from across an (unpaved) Washington Avenue, this is the park in downtown Westwood as it looked around 1910. Of course, minus the leafy canopy, walkways, bandstand, and war […]

The brief ride of a would-be horse thief

July 4, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—In 2025 it’s common to see police reports about stolen luxury cars. Go back 115 years, however, and it was horse thievery that had Northern Valley residents worried. In […]

The Washington Villa succeeded El Chuchuracho in 1936, but this image gives a sense of the building's appearance.

‘The hottest spot in Jersey’ (for a minute)

July 3, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Maybe the 450 people who lived in the Township of Washington in 1935 just weren’t ready for a place as exotic sounding as El Chuchuracho. This self-proclaimed […]

Help build the museum at the bridge that saved a nation

July 2, 2025 Staff

Bergen County Historical Society launches July 4 campaign to honor America’s 250th with bold new history center at New Bridge Landing RIVER EDGE, N.J. — As the nation prepares to celebrate […]

This view up Park Avenue toward Kinderkamack Road dates to the 1890s. Broadway branches to the right. On the left is a hotel—one of three in Park Ridge, when summers drew city vacationers. The road had not yet been paved, but plank sidewalks are placed thanks to the efforts of the Park Ridge Improvement Association.

Patriotic picnic helped illuminate Park Ridge

June 28, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PARK RIDGE, N.J.— “Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. It is the day of the Improvement Association’s picnic. Extensive preparations have been made. There will be games, races, a ball […]

Elizabeth Campbell's strawberry baskets, part of the collection of the Pascack Historical Society. The region's farming families wove these splint baskets by hand in winter as they looked to June’s strawberry harvest.

Stories From the Strawberry Patch

June 23, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PARK RIDGE, N.J.—These charming strawberry baskets were owned by Elizabeth Campbell (1850-1931) during her childhood in Park Ridge. Years ago, Bergen County was famous for its strawberry harvests that were […]

Greatest Generation gets shopping center downtown

June 21, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

As a sidebar to Michael Olohan and John Snyder’s front page report in this issue, “Township Theatre says it’s closing,” we turned to Pascack Historical Society President Kristin Beuscher for […]

Mittag & Volger fronted Park Avenue in Park Ridge where Veterans Park is today. The massive factory stretched south along the train tracks, about where the Park Ridge Crossing condominiums stand now. In the early 20th century this firm was the world’s largest manufacturer of typewriter ribbon. Collection of the Pascack Historical Society.

Roof With a View: Park Ridge and Woodcliff in 1905

June 5, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PARK RIDGE, N.J.—The Woodcliff Reservoir was a recent addition to the landscape when our featured photograph was captured 120 years ago this week: June 10, 1905. The rooftops in the […]

Class of 1965 graduates stage a playful photograph for the 1965 yearbook.

The kids of ’65 have got ‘Miles to Go’ — and they’re on their way

June 1, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

DEMAREST, N.J.—With high school commencements right around the corner, here’s a look at a graduation photo going back 60 years, to the class of 1965. This one comes from Northern […]

Charles Latterman's livery stable in Park Ridge, where horses were rented and boarded. The building was on Broadway, facing the railroad tracks.

From horses to Harleys in Park Ridge

June 1, 2025 Kristin Beuscher

PARK RIDGE, N.J.—Talk about keeping up with the times! At the turn of the last century, most people who were traveling to the Pascack Valley from outside the region were […]

© 2025 The Press Group. All rights reserved. All content on this website—including articles, photos, headlines, layout, and design—is the intellectual and commercial property of The Press Group and is protected under U.S. copyright law. We welcome links to our content and the sharing of brief excerpts with clear credit and a link back. However, automated scraping, aggregation, or wholesale reproduction of our material—whether by bots, feeds, or human means—is strictly prohibited without our express written permission. These practices harm our business and violate copyright protections. To request permission or report an error, email PascackPress@ThePressGroup.net. The Press Group assumes no responsibility for typographical errors or for your experience with advertisers or third-party partners.