Westwood, New Jersey – Crucial Brief
Westwood NJ was formally united as a borough on May 8, 1894, from portions of Washington Township, early during the Boroughitis phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County. Isaac D. Bogert served as the first mayor of the Borough. In April 1909, the place of Westwood was enlarged through the annexation of the ‘Old Hook’ section of the borough of Emerson, and on September 24, 1957, portions of the borough were exchanged with Emerson.
The earliest history of Westwood begins with the Lenni-Lenape Indians. The Lenni-Lenape inhabited this part of the district and shared it with the migrant trappers until the permanent inhabitants started to enter in mid-1700s. In the beginning 19th century, the place that would later become Westwood NJ Borough was within the larger political borders of Harrington Township, which had been settled by royal charter in 1775. In 1840, the western half of Harrington Township became Washington Township. The Hackensack River was the dividing line. Washington Township was an agrarian region with isolated farmsteads. Early families, containing the Hoppers and Ackermann are buried at the Old Hook Cemetery. An 18th century mill was situated at the dammed chain near the crossing of todays Mill Street and First Avenue. This mill was on an valuable east west course and was the first on the Musquapsink. After working for close to two centuries, it was almost completely disturbed by an arsonists fire and had to be dismantled in 1910.
A brief description of Washington Township written in 1844 narrated it as a township “with six stores, four schools for 135 students , six grist mills, and 14 saw mills.”
The first billow of concentrated growth took place as the conclusion of the coming of the Hackensack and New York Railroad in 1870, which followed the route of today’s Pancake Valley Line. On March 5, 1870, help began between Westwood and New York City (via Jersey City and a ferry ride). Several small hotels were built near the depot and in 1872, several houses in the latest European influenced styles began to be built along Centre Avenue. Old maps show that increase occurred simultaneously on the land both to the east and west of the tracks. The commercial buildings contained lumber and coal sheds, markets , and a bakery. There was a chapel on the corner of Third and Park Avenues. The triangular park that has played an important role as a area of community gatherings is also shown on the 1876 map.
By the 1880s, Westwood had four factories , several distilleries, a new school, a laundry and grocery store , and a new Reformed Church. In 1890, following a gathering of interested residents, those favoring the incorporation of Westwood as an independent town conducted a request drive. By 1894, Washington Township lost one of its villages as Westwood established itself as an independent borough . Isaac D. Bogert, from a long established Bogert family, was voted mayor.
For more information about Westwood visit: Westwood NJ Town Council.
