"Ellsworth Library"
“This is my world, my angel-guarded shrine,
Which I have made to suit my heart’s great need.”
-An American poetess referring to her library
North Bergen Library- Uptown Branch
Courtesy of the North Bergen Library
Courtesy of the North Bergen Library
On February 25th 1936 the Township of North Bergen’s Public Library opened its doors for the first time.
The library was meant to serve the growing intellectual needs of North Bergen. Its original home was a
rented storefront on 77th Street, between Bergenline and Palisades Avenue. However, was North Bergen
truly library-less until 1936? I have thrown myself into the depths of town history to discover whether this was
true or not.
The library was meant to serve the growing intellectual needs of North Bergen. Its original home was a
rented storefront on 77th Street, between Bergenline and Palisades Avenue. However, was North Bergen
truly library-less until 1936? I have thrown myself into the depths of town history to discover whether this was
true or not.
Our town's history shows that there have been private libraries. In the later portion of the 1800s, North
Bergen was home to several prominent libraries. There were libraries owned by Charles Downer &
James S. Parsons, 600 volumes each; chemist Issachar Cozzens, 700 publications; Reverend
Dr. William Van Vranken Mabon of Grove Reformed Church, 900 books; town commissioner
A.H. Ryder 1100 titles; and cotton trader William P. Wright 1700 volumes. There were also two
other private libraries belonging to Charles Siedh and artist Xavier Stoppel containing German
and “ancient” language books. Again, these are private libraries and were not available to the general
population of the town.
Jersey Journal December 2, 1927
Courtesy of the Jersey Journal Archives
The private libraries of North Bergen slowly began to disappear as residents moved on from the town.
It would not be until 1927 that North Bergen would establish its first library. The library was the
brainchild of Frank Austin, vice president of the First National Bank of North Bergen. He established a
500 book library located at 908 Tonnele Avenue, located in the area of Six Corners today, roughly 4316
Liberty Avenue. The library was dubbed the Ellsworth Public Library, named for Elmer Ephraim
Ellsworth, a Union officer who was the first well known death during the Civil War. The stock for the
library came from the state library in Trenton, as well as through private donors. The library was run
and managed by Mrs. Adele Mallory and Mrs. Cristine Nolan, the wife of former Mayor and President
of the First National Bank of North Bergen, James Nolan.
It would not be until 1927 that North Bergen would establish its first library. The library was the
brainchild of Frank Austin, vice president of the First National Bank of North Bergen. He established a
500 book library located at 908 Tonnele Avenue, located in the area of Six Corners today, roughly 4316
Liberty Avenue. The library was dubbed the Ellsworth Public Library, named for Elmer Ephraim
Ellsworth, a Union officer who was the first well known death during the Civil War. The stock for the
library came from the state library in Trenton, as well as through private donors. The library was run
and managed by Mrs. Adele Mallory and Mrs. Cristine Nolan, the wife of former Mayor and President
of the First National Bank of North Bergen, James Nolan.
Jersey Journal August 7, 1929
Courtesy of the Jersey Journal Archives
The Ellsworth Library was a short-lived experiment. By 1929, the library ran out of funding and lacked
book stock. There was a campaign to raise $2500 to purchase new books and to keep the library
running through the following year. The money was attempted to be raised by September 3rd, the start
of the 1929 school year. Fortunately, the fundraising campaign was somewhat successful and the library
remained in operation. The library reopened in November, with 7 to 9 in the evening being dedicated
strictly to adult use of the facility. However, by the autumn season of 1931 the Ellsworth Library’s doors
were closing again, for good.
book stock. There was a campaign to raise $2500 to purchase new books and to keep the library
running through the following year. The money was attempted to be raised by September 3rd, the start
of the 1929 school year. Fortunately, the fundraising campaign was somewhat successful and the library
remained in operation. The library reopened in November, with 7 to 9 in the evening being dedicated
strictly to adult use of the facility. However, by the autumn season of 1931 the Ellsworth Library’s doors
were closing again, for good.
A meeting was held by the Second Ward Civic Club in September of 1931 with the goal finding a new
home for their meetings. The meeting was presided by President John Bayer and over fifty
members attended. At the meeting there was an agreeing amongst the members to use the Ellsworth
Library as its new headquarters. Over a brief period, the club purchased the library and established their
headquarters there.
North Bergen Community Center & Library
Courtesy of Hudpost
Norman Cousins, a Union City native and world peace activist once said, "A library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life." I can still vividly remember my mother taking me to the Lincoln Library which was once located on 67th Street to get my first library card. The townships libraries have greatly advanced since the days of the Ellsworth Library and continue to do so today. The main branch located uptown, the newer downtown branch and future addition, the downtown library expansion all carry the legacy of that small 500 book collection started by those looking to better North Bergen.
home for their meetings. The meeting was presided by President John Bayer and over fifty
members attended. At the meeting there was an agreeing amongst the members to use the Ellsworth
Library as its new headquarters. Over a brief period, the club purchased the library and established their
headquarters there.
Courtesy of Hudpost
Norman Cousins, a Union City native and world peace activist once said, "A library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life." I can still vividly remember my mother taking me to the Lincoln Library which was once located on 67th Street to get my first library card. The townships libraries have greatly advanced since the days of the Ellsworth Library and continue to do so today. The main branch located uptown, the newer downtown branch and future addition, the downtown library expansion all carry the legacy of that small 500 book collection started by those looking to better North Bergen.
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