Ridgefield Then & Now

cÜxáxÇàá RIDGEFIELD: THEN & NOW Jacobus Pond... Then

R.M.H.S….Now

Ridgefield: Then and Now is a collection of Ridgefield’s fine history and its present day outlooks. The Library Council has been working hard on this project by collecting data, taking pictures, and interviewing for the “then” sections. From Ridgefield’s ridges to its schools, you can say that it has a lot of history. The pictures above are of Jacobus Pond and Ridgefield Memorial High School. Many years ago where the high school was, there were many trees and the pond. The area was in a flood zone and thus formed this large pond. As developers would take over the land, the land would change into the school and the pond would vanish.

Acknowledgements Residents of the Ridgefield Community: Jack Lustman Frank Quintano Anthony Pope Rose Brockman Ann Pecorino Caryln Heath Emma Fernandez Florence Nolan Members of the Environmental Commission: Karen Riede Bruce Riede

Members of Library Council: John Cahill Yaritza Waddell Julia Endow Alison Kim Karen Kim Nato Ivanashivili Ruby Song Christina Choi Leonel Aguilar Ashley Vermeal

Ridgefield’s Then and Now

Culture Culture has been in Ridgefield for many years, starting with its painting from the many different artists, to the various clubs and society members. 

Art Ray Although it seems highly unlikely today, Ridgefield was actually known as an artist colony during the late 1890s and early 1900s. Back then, Ridgefield did not have all the houses and buildings like it does today. In fact, the whole area was only covered in trees and plains. Furthermore, people would actually take the ferry across the Hudson River and then walk all the way from Edgewater to arrive here. Some evidence of this period is Studio Road, where painters would go and build small temporary Ray houses with spare wood, to live in while they painted landscapes Ray and anything else they could see.

Some well-respected painters and writers that lived here were Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, William Sartain, Bernard Karfiol, Robert Martin, Manual Komroff, Alfred Kreymborg, Floyd Dell, and Frederick Rockwell. William Carlos Williams also visited the colony and Emma Goldman lived here for a short period of time. Man Ray had published one issue of a magazine called The Ridgefield Gazook which amazingly was considered the first “Dada” publication printed in the U.S. 

Clubs

About 70 years ago, the Exchange Club in Ridgefield played a crucial part in its culture. Much like a service club, it was also a social club to a certain extent. Having its own executives and business men, the membership was definitely exclusive. This club donated school supplies that were not being given by the Board of Education. With more people coming to Ridgefield, those who were Germans created “The Germania.” This one was originally meant to be a social organization, but this club played a significant role when the elections came around. Over time, this exclusive group slowly became less inclusive as more people came into Ridgefield. The “West Side Club” was also similar to “The Germania.” Political clubs such as the “Republican Club” were dominant. The “Wilkie Club” and the “Young Democratic Club” weren’t as dominant, but they did manage to somehow “keep their head above water.” There were also clubs such as the P.T.A. and the “Women’s Sewing Club.” Lastly, the American Legion was crucial. They held an annual parade that was important to the whole community. 

Delinquency It is said that in 1941 the borough of Ridgefield was fortunately free from crime, especially when compared to neighboring towns such as Essex or the Hudson counties. Ridgefield was believed to be more residential, with people taking “pride in their community’s activities including the whole work in cooperation with the police department.” There were no murders whatsoever. However, a few robberies, assaults, and rape cases had been recorded. If the law-breakers were caught, they were most likely from out of town. Robbers were rarely, if ever, from Ridgefield. In 1939, there was a rape case in which a married man had raped a girl. It is said that the girl had fought back and recommended to him that he read a Bible which she was carrying in her purse. There was also an incident where the well-known paintings of Mr. Neandross were stolen. Other than that, there were usual cases involving motor vehicles. The people involved in these incidents were from out-of-state or out-of-town. There weren’t murders like there are today; however, gangs and shooters were common.

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Music

People listened to the radio for everything from the ‘30s on. The radio had news, stories, and music. The news consisted of breaking news, weather, and events. People listened to the radio to hear mystery, adventure, and soap operas. The music had live singing and dancing. The music people listened to was jazz, swing, classical, blues, pop and rock. There were many singers of the time, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Glenn Miller, Perry Como, Artie Shaw, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, and The Beatles.

Behavior of Local Teens The following content is according to several elderly residents of Ridgefield. (See the acknowledgments page) Teens were more polite back then. They weren’t allowed to curse or swear. Students were loyal to teachers, and stood up when spoken to. Teens were more respectful, and it was common to hear kids respond to adults as “Yes, Sir ,or Ma’am.” Throughout time, no one called adults by their first names, but called them "Uncle" or "Aunt." Parents were very strict with their children. In those days, parents needed their kids to help out, so it was common for kids to go to school for a just awhile, and then came back home to help out. Teens got their driver’s permit at 17 instead of 16, like today.

Change in Society The elderly members of Ridgefield told us some of the differences between the 1940s and 2009. 

Religion & Race

Ridgefield has had several nationalities: from early Dutch and English to the Irish, German, Italian, and Korean. There were few Koreans until about 75 years ago. The ethnic majority was English Neighborhood Reformed white, and a few Hispanics. The religious groups were Catholic, Jewish, Christian, and several others. Saint Matthew’s, a Roman Catholic church, was where many people went to school and attended church. The church was located on Grand then, and had one

Shaler AveThe Co-Op sign is still there, behind the Associated sign.

nun teaching two classes. Across from Saints Matthew’s was the English Neighborhood Reformed Church and its cemetery. 

Buildings & Roads There were no apartments or double houses back then. The roads were more colonial style, and dirty; also horses were common on the streets. There wasn’t much on Shaler Boulevard, except for a few stores. There were only four to five estate houses. The land near Wolf Creek, and where the high school is now, would flood. The Five Firemen Field would be flooded also, and would freeze in the winter. This area was popular for ice skating. The Five Firemen field is named that in memory of five Ridgefield firemen who lost their lives putting out a dangerous fire.

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Activity

There were no buses running through Ridgefield, and no crossing guards. For the people with cars, the gas was 17 cents per gallon. There were no televisions, tapes, DVDs, computers, and cell phones. To have fun, people went to drive-inmovies. Also, people didn’t take as many security measures, such as locking their doors.

School The elderly members of Ridgefield told us other differences between the 1940s and 2009. Students only needed a basic education back then. Many women also didn’t go to college. The local people helped to make the school function; for example, the bell had to be hand-rung to work, and mothers would take turns cooking lunch at school. The girls had to wear dresses below the knees, and the guys had to wear collar shirts. There were no pajama pants allowed, or other inappropriate clothing. The grades varied from having 40 to 50 kids in each one. The boys and girls had separate gym classes. The kids didn’t live far away from the school, so they all walked and were never late. The kids had the basic classes, with electives like type-writing, home economics, and wood carving for boys, and sewing for girls. They played sports like basketball, baseball, football, stickball, handball, tennis, and did activities like the Senior-Plays. Today we have art classes, computer classes, film, and chorus.

Environment 

History of the Environment

The Lenni Lenape were the original people to inhabit Ridgefield and its many water resources. In 1603, there were early English immigrants coming to the Ridgefield area. An English explorer, Robert Earle, came to Ridgefield in 1650. In 1662, two Dutchmen, Lubbert Lubbertsen and William Van Westervel moved their families to the banks of Overpeck Creek. In 1659, most of the settlers arrived by land. Some, however, traveled down Overpeck Creek which was navigable as far north as Englewood. Later on the Overpeck Creek was used to ship goods north, and for sailing excursions. The banks of Overpeck Creek were dotted with many cottages. People on trains enjoyed the views of the creek and the hilly terrain. The settlers got water from Overpeck Creek, Wolf Creek, and the dozens of small streams flowing through the area. Many of the “streams” can still be seen such as Wolf Creek. Unfortunately, pollution has made the water from the ancient sources undrinkable. Through modern technology however, it is hoped the rivers and streams may one day be freed of toxic wastes and once again be fit for human consumption. Ridgefield has several geological distinctions. There is an eastern Palisade Ridge. In the west is a slope, a broad, level meadow of Overpeck Creek. In the south, the Overpeck and Hackensack streams are still present. Later, the Overpeck became a border line of the town. Ridgefield was the center point of the English neighborhood which stretched 10 miles from the Hackensack River to the Hudson River. From this long ridge of land, this town took its name of “Ridgefield”. Ridgefield is divided up into three sections, Ridgefield Proper, Morsemere Park, and Ridgefield Heights. Ridgefield Proper is located near the junction of Edgewater, Broad, and Grand Avenue Morsemere Park is the northern part of the borough and is north of Slocum Avenue Ridgefield Heights is found on the second hill at the eastern end of the borough. There is also a fourth section (the valley). This strip of land is nested at the bottom of both hills running north and south. Alexander Shaler has two parks named after him and is the reason for the many trees in Ridgefield. Shaler wanted the future generation of the town to be amazed at the beautiful trees. To understand our environment around us, the Library Council interviewed, Bruce and Karen Reide, two members of the Environmental Commission. 

The Environment

They volunteer to preserve the open space in our community. Karen and Bruce feel that people need to speak out for the environment. They didn’t choose their career, but love the environment and wanted to share it with others. To express educational purposes and passion for nature is a goal of theirs, and instituting changes because of the Environmental Commission. Together they have 34 years of preservation. Karen has house plants, which her mom started with an Aloe plant. The plant is a descendent for five generations. They have a garden which has daffodils, tulips, and trees which Bruce is trying to form a border with the flowers. Bruce and Karen Reide 

Bird House in Nature Center.

Being an Environmentalist

“Being an Environmentalist is to share the great outdoors with others.” said Karen Measuring their success and seeing wild life as close to a natural state as possible is on their mind. They try to do good for the environment by telling others and being at environmental events. Going to the Nature Center is like an extension of their backyard. From an earlier age, they loved animals and cared for them. They weren’t as involved for nature earlier, but soon got involved as they are now. After they got married they got really active in environment.

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Monk parakeets

Monk parakeets and other birds

Bruce and Karen love the fact that we have monk parakeets in Ridgefield. In their backyard, they have about 25 of them. The birds are not supposed to be here, but they add to Ridgefield’s environment. The parakeets can be a bit of pest, but they have learned to live here. Karen and Bruce agree that a hawk is their favorite bird, for it has great vision, and has incredible senses for beyond what humans can see.

Ridgefield’s Scenery 

Monk parakeets’ home under Hendrick’s Causeway.

Nature Center

The Nature Center, is a 5.4 acre mixed deciduous wood wetland in the middle of a suburb neighborhood. Inside this Nature Center is Trinity Spring, the natural source for Great Bear Spring bottled water. In 1920 Great Bear Company started using the spring and used it for the next 35 years. In 1975 Great Bear closed and the Borough purchased the land. A few years later the nature trail was opened to the public. The area was closed in the mid 1850s then opened, then closed from 1997-2006. In 2006 it was reopened and was dedicated as the Ridgefield Nature Center. The Nature Center has varies landscapes with hills, spring-fed pool, and many vines and trees. During certain seasons you can see the many birds stopping at the Nature Center, in order to get energy for their migration. Even on an average Saturday from 8am-noon when the Nature Center is open, you can see various animals that may even surprise you. Animals and plants found in the Nature Center vary. The animals that have been seen are gray squirrel, muskrat, opossums, raccoon, skunk, red fox, and woodchuck. Some many birds are seen like the American goldfinch, gray catbird, hawks, white-breasted nuthatch, downy, hairy & red-bellied woodpeckers, and various warblers. There are so many trees, but to name a few, there are American chestnut, pine, holly, Norway spruce, cherry, and sweet gum. 

Wolf Creek The creek that runs through, is Wolf Creek. Is it possible that there were wolves near Ridgefield when they named the creek? Yes, and no. there was a wolves’ den in the tri-state area years ago but not any more. Maps have always identified the creek as Wolf Creek. The Creek starts at the top of the Palisades in the Englewood area

and runs down and through several towns until it reaches and ends in Ridgefield. The creek is from a spring and thus makes it freshwater. The Wolf Creek leads into Overpeck Creek and frogs and small fish have been spotted in the creek area.

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Overpeck Creek

Overpeck Creek isn’t much of a creek but more of a small river that follows from Ridgefield and up to Englewood. The Creek takes up .2 square miles of Ridgefield and is 8 miles of fresh water. Many years ago, boats, canoes, and commerce boats were allowed in the water and along with piers. The water, however, became too polluted from boats and factories in the area. Soon boats weren’t allowed and underwater gates were placed under what is now the turnpike to slow currents and pollution. There have been several types of ecological animals like cod, perch, blue crab, and various small fish. There are many types of birds like double-crested cormorants, snowy egrets, gulls, and various ducks. 

Skeetkill Marsh

Skeetkill Marsh is a wetland and is managed by the Meadowlands Commission. This marsh is 16 acres with tidal channels, open water, and low marsh habitat and upland islands. The upland islands are really what makes the marsh perfect for birds to live on. The islands have vegetation like water, pepper, insects, yellow iris, and soft bulrush. The marsh is an undeveloped sanctuary for birds, and provides a great view for bird watchers. Animals located near Skeetkill Marsh are ovenbirds, great egrets, kingfishes, fish crow, winter wren, Canadian geese, mallards, and several warblers nesting in trees. There are small fish, turtles, and small bugs in this wetland.

Ridgefield’s True Then and Now

RIDGEFIELD: THEN & NOW Broad Avenue Then

Broad Avenue Now

Where Broad Avenue and Edgewater Avenue meet there is Chase Bank. Back then it housed a luncheonette and other banks. The building on the right is the A.W. Meyer Hardware Store, which is in the same location. Broad Avenue and Grand Avenue are where the center of Ridgefield was because of the stores and the train station. The center of town now would have to be Shaler Avenue, because it’s in the middle of town and has various stores and two main schools. The train station was the Erie Station, which soon was discontinued and became a luncheonette, until that recently closed. There are still trains running through Ridgefield and hopefully the light rail will open soon. Our history of Ridgefield has changed, and will always change, because it’s a growing community.