OLD TAPPAN, N.J.—The Borough of Old Tappan’s incorporation became official this week 125 years ago, on Oct. 18, 1894. It joined 26 Bergen County municipalities that formed in the same year, and there’s a good explanation for it.
In 1894, a piece of legislation called the Township School Act was passed. In an effort to equalize education opportunities, it consolidated independent village school districts into larger township districts.
Back then, Old Tappan, Demarest, Closter, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale and Norwood were all part of a larger territory, Harrington Township. There were several little schoolhouses scattered across the township, each controlled locally by the residents who lived around it.
As a side effect of the School Act, the consolidated township school district took on the property—and the debts—of the individual districts that were now under its purview. Being saddled with debts from neighboring communities wasn’t something taxpayers were prepared to accept.
Yet, this new law had a loophole: “Each city, borough and incorporated town shall be a school district.” A community could shed responsibility for the regional school debt, as well as gain more local control over tax dollars, if it broke away to form an independent municipality. As a result, communities scrambled to incorporate in a phenomenon that historians refer to as “Boroughitis.”
An Oct. 6, 1894 article from the Passaic Daily News reads, “[The people of Old Tappan] are clamoring for a borough because the people of River Vale were talking up the same question and intended to take the Old Tappan schoolhouse within their limits.”
It was a vote of just 28-2 that allowed the Borough of Old Tappan to be born. Back in 1894, the community had around 200 residents. And, of course, only men could vote in those days before the 19th Amendment. The men selected as their mayor John H. DeWolf (1853–1927), who held the position for the next 33 years until his death.
For the first two years the mayor and council met in the schoolhouse (which stood on Old Tappan Road near Leonard Drive), and then Lachmund’s Hotel starting in 1896. Lachmund’s was on the bend at Old Tappan Road before it meets Rivervale Road, near the Hackensack River. A social affair, most council meetings ended in an all-night game of pinochle.
A borough history published in 1994, when the borough celebrated its centennial, relates that “among the council’s first purchases were a dozen chairs for $10 and a half-dozen tin spittoons at 10 cents each.” Indeed, politics was a man’s game in those days!
Old Tappan to celebrate 125th anniversary this weekend
Old Tappan’s 125th anniversary celebration will be held Oct. 19 to recognize the date of the borough’s incorporation on Oct. 18, 1894.
The day kicks off with Old Tappan Emergency Services Superhero 5K and Free and Fun Kid’s Dash at 9 a.m. (sign-in at 8:30). Register for the run at https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/OldTappan/Superhero5kOldTappan.
Later, residents will gather at Stone Point Park from noon to 4 p.m. for a day of nostalgia and fun. The event will include the opening of the borough’s time capsule, rides, games, demonstrations, music, performers, and delicious food trucks. The Hoboken Nine will play a vintage “old rules” baseball game against Old Tappan coaches.
At 2 p.m. there will be a Corn Hole Tournament for adults, while for the kids there will be traditional field games like sack races, three-legged race, tug-o-war, and egg and spoon races throughout the day.
A Historic Hay Ride around the park will highlight significant events that have occurred in Old Tappan since 1894. Local Girl Scouts and Old Tappan Library will be holding a Tea Party for seniors under the Pavilion.
The day will culminate in a fireworks display at 6 p.m. at the Old Tappan Golf Course.