In 1992 the Borough of Ridgefield marked its 100th anniversary of incorporation.
Among the various activities to mark the year-long celebration was a contest
to determine a Centennial Logo and Slogan. The Centennial Logo, created by Matthew Genaro, then a senior at Ridgefield
Memorial High School, depicted a tree in full bloom symbolizing growth and
the continuance of life. The Centennial Slogan, created by Christa Finneran,
also a student at Ridgefield Memorial High School, was
Stand Proud With Ridgefield. It reflected the pride felt by residents
of our past history and the pride taken in what can be accomplished today
and tomorrow.
Early History
The history of Ridgefield dates back before explorers from Europe discovered
the area. The first residents were members of the Eastern Algonquian Confederacy.
The Lenni Lenape, or the Original People, were part of that Confederacy and
called this area home for generations.
Ridgefield Township, from which the Borough of Ridgefield originated, was
created from the southern portion of the old Hackensack Township about
270 years after the first white settlers arrived.
English immigrants reportedly settled in what is now the Borough of Ridgefield
as early as 1603. Within several years, East Bergen became known as the
English Neighborhood, with Ridgefield as its center.
The earliest
known English settler was Robert Earle, who in 1650 purchased
land between the Hackensack and Hudson Rivers. Other early settlers included
Lubbert Lubbertson, William Van Westervelt, and Epke Jacob Banta.
Colonial & Revolutionary Period
By 1675, families with Dutch names such as Zimmerman, Banta, Blauvelt,
Westervelt, and Paulison had settled in the area. During the Revolutionary
War, both British and Washington’s troops passed through the English
Neighborhood.
By 1800, the population was 221. Forty years later, twelve families lived
in Ridgefield, primarily farmers and merchants.
Growth & Development
Suburban development began in 1859 with the arrival of the Northern Railroad
of New Jersey. In 1871, Ridgefield Township was formed from Hackensack Township.
In 1876, the village contained 40 buildings including churches, a school,
a railroad depot, and a post office. According to the 1875 census, Ridgefield
Township had a population of 3,516.
On May 25, 1892, a special election resulted in the incorporation of the
Borough of Ridgefield. Judge Van Valen issued the certificate of incorporation,
officially creating the Borough.
The first Mayor and Council met on July 12, 1892. Early ordinances addressed
street lighting, sidewalks, and roadway construction.
20th Century Ridgefield
By the early 1900s, Ridgefield had churches, schools, water and sewer systems,
street lighting, and a population of 584. Development continued steadily,
fueled by real estate investment and transportation access.
Ridgefield is divided into four sections: Ridgefield Proper, Morsemere Park,
Ridgefield Heights, and The Valley, each shaped by the Borough’s geography.
Samuel F. B. Morse owned large tracts of land in Ridgefield. The subdivision
of the Morse Estate proved pivotal in shaping residential development.
Ridgefield’s Movie Industry – Grantwood Studio
Ridgefield was home to the Grantwood Movie Studio, owned by E.K. Lincoln.
Many silent films were produced here before filmmakers moved west to
Hollywood. After World War I, the studio later produced foreign-language
films before closing during the Great Depression.
The studio was located at Ray Avenue and Bergen Boulevard. It was destroyed
by fire in the 1960s.
Hendricks Causeway
Hendricks Causeway is named after Samuel E. “Uncle Sam” Hendricks, a longtime
Ridgefield resident. A Civil War veteran, bank president, and civic leader,
he served on many boards and helped erect the borough’s doughboy statue.
The Leaf Hog
Ridgefield was also the birthplace of the Leaf Hog. Designed in 1945 by
Superintendent of Public Works James N. Marshall, the machine revolutionized
leaf collection nationwide and influenced modern street-cleaning equipment.
