"North Bergen: A Postcard History"

"A picture is worth a thousand words." A saying embedded in the American lexicon since 1911 when Arthur Brisbane coined the phrase while addressing the Syracuse Advertising Men's Club. But what about a postcard? How many words is that worth? Is it worth the amount of words you can fit on it? Or perhaps it is worth just that, a thousand words. Through this post we will examine the postcards from the turn of the 20th Century. Some of the postcards will showcase familiar sites, while some will seem foreign as a distant land as the sites on the card have been lost to history.

Titled "Hudson Boulevard Dividing W. Hoboken & North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1905-1910

Shown above is the Asmus Estate. Built by florist Ernst Asmus in the 1870s, his family would operate a floral business on site and his descendants would live in the home until the 1920s before it was torn down.  Today the home would have been between 17th and 18th Streets along Kennedy Boulevard.

Titled "Hudson Boulevard Dividing W. Hoboken N.J. and North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1905-1910

Similar to the above postcard, here we have present day Kennedy Boulevard looking south toward Jersey City. Notice the Asmus Estate in the distance on the far right. The current address from the home on the left is 2001 Kennedy Boulevard, it is still there and occupied by residents. 

Titled "Hudson Boulevard Boulevard and Plank Road with Dietz Hotel, Union Hill, West Hoboken and North Bergen N.J."

Circa 1905-1910

The Dietz Hotel would have been found at the current day intersection of 22nd Street and Kennedy Boulevard on the North Bergen side. The hotel was operated by Conrad Dietz brother of former mayor Charles Dietz. It was the only hotel in North Bergen south of Schuetzen Park. Today the hotel and family have Dietz Place named for them.

Titled: "Entrance to Columbia Park, Union Hill. N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

Columbia Park was one of two amusement parks that once called North Bergen home. In operation from 1919 until the late 1930s the park was a major draw for the town. Both wealthy and poor, locals and out of towners' alike attended the park. Interestingly enough, notice the parks "location." The postcard claims Columbia Park is located in Union Hill, but we know it was actually in North Bergen. There are two schools of thought as to why the location is mislabeled. First, Union Hill could have been more recognizable name than North Bergen. Second the artist painted the image from the Union Hill side of Hudson Boulevard. However, the question may never be answered.

Titled: "Automotive Entrance From Hudson Boulevard Columbia Park, North Bergen. N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

Again, as above the park was a major draw for the residents of North Bergen and visitors from New York City. In the 1920s North Bergen was still viewed as the "country" by residents from the crowded neighborhoods of Jersey City and New York City

Titled: "Band Stand, Free Act Stage, Big Dipper and Aero Swings in Background"

Circa 1925-1930

The Dipper was a popular style roller coaster used across the United States during the 1920s. On average a Dipper coaster would have take six weeks to complete to completely wooden coaster and cost rough $50,000. Arthur Looff the creator of the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz California was quoted as saying he wanted to create a ride that had "the thrill of a plunge down a mine shaft, a balloon ascent, a parachute jump, airplane acrobatics, a cyclone, a toboggan ride, and a ship in a storm." The Big Dipper in Columbia Park opened in 1923.

Titled: "Columbia Park, Union Hill, N.J."

Circa 1920-1925

Columbia Park was the largest amusement park on the east coast covering almost 50 acres. Here we can see the famous Big Dipper, Greyhound and The Dodg-em. From advertisements for the park we can see there were two roller coasters in the park, one having larger drops while the other was known for its speed. The Dodg-em was an early bumper cars ride.

Titled: "Dance Pavilion, Restaurant, Bowling Alleys and Gardens. Columbia Park, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

Columbia Park was dubbed "The Fairyland of New Jersey" by Otto Aeschbach, the park operator. He even claimed the dance pavilion was the largest in the state. Aside from the entertainment amenities shown in the above card the park was also home to: a pony track, skee ball...yes skee ball, shooting galleries, Japanese Tea Rooms and a penny arcade. 

Titled: "Bird's-eye View of Columbia Amusement Park, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

From this postcard we can see how vast Columbia Amusement Park really was. We can see it complete with roller coaster, Ferris Wheel, pavilion and even a castle. The castle in fact was the oldest structure in the park dating back to the 1830s. Below we get a look at the inside of the park and it's Boardwalk which weaved its way through the parks attractions. 

Titled: "Boardwalk near Frolic, Noah's Ark and Old Mill, Columbia Park, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

Titled: "Ye Castle" Columbia Amusement Park North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

The Castle at Columbia Park was just that, a castle. According to an 1840 survey the property that would become both Columbia and Schuetzen Park was once owned by a William Cantelo. Cantelo is rumored t have come to America after his family disapproved of the woman he married. Cantelo had built his castle in the style of his native England. The castle served as a resturant and dance hall during the parks operation.

Titled: "Noah's Ark, Columbia Amusement Park North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

The Noah's Ark attraction was one of Columbia Park's most famous attraction. Along with the Bartel's Zoo (which at the time was the only zoo in New Jersey) at the park, Noah's Ark had on display both domesticated and wild animals in pairs of course.

Titled: "General View of Swimming Pool, Columbia Park, Union City, N.J."

Circa 1926-1936

Again we can see that Union City is listed as the location for Columbia Park. This gives us at least a date for the card as Union City was not officially a town unto Union Hill and West Hoboken merged in 1925. The pool generally opened in late May and would remain open until late September. The pavilion shown in the background were separated by gender and had nearly 6000 lockers on site. 

Titled: "Silver Falls, Columbia Park *redacted* North Bergen N.J."

Circa 1921-1931

Whats a pool without a waterfall? The pool in Columbia Park had a 6000 person capacity. It was completed in and opened for the 1921 season. The pool itself also held 1.5 million gallons of water and was 250 feet long and 165 feet wide with a maximum depth of 12 feet. It was supplied with fresh water and continuous circulated by a massive filter system. 

Titled: "Boulevard showing Schuetzen Park, Union Hill, N.J."

Circa 1900

Schuetzen Park came into existence when in 1872, the United Schützen Association opened a park on the site of the "Old Mansion" of the Wright family "Ye Castle" during the Columbia Park days. The park featured a dancing pavilion, music stand and shooting gallery in addition to the landscape elements and green houses "just as Mr. Wright left them."

Titled: "Birds eye view of Fritz Reuter Home- Secaucus in the distance."

Circa 1910-1920

Fritz Reuter was a German author from the Stavenhagen. So how did a building in North Bergen come to bare his name? The German immigrants that settled the area spoke a dialect of German known as Plattdeutsch, or Low German. Reuter was known for writing in that dialect. Couple that with Reuter's death in 1874 and the purchasing of the property by the  Plattduetsche Volksfest Vereen organization of New York and New Jersey, it only makes sense that in 1894 that the building bare his name.

Titled: "Schuetzen Park, The Lake and Festival Hall, Union Hill, N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

A 1911 ad claimed Schuetzen Park to be the "largest park of its kind in New Jersey." The on site attractions were: rifle ranges(600 x 200), 10 modern bowling alleys, and three dancing pavilions, which could accommodate nearly 50,000 people. The park also contained a variety of attractions, such as vaudeville performances, parades, fireworks and sporting tournaments.

Titled: "Entrance to Schuetzen Park, Union Hill, N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

As stated above, Shuetzen Park was home to numerous sporting events. The postcard featured has a post for an upcoming football game. It was against two local clubs, Academy Athletic Club and Jefferson Athletic Club. A final score is not known at this time.

Titled: "Lake in Schuetzen Park, Union Hill, NJ."

Circa 1900-1910

The lake at Schuetzen Park was just that a lake. Eventually the lake was filled in during the Columbia Park era which made way for the massive pool at the park. 

Titled: "Entrance to Becker's Castle, Union Hill, N.J."

Circa 1900-1906

Becker's Castle, yes another castle in North Bergen and this one is still around...kind of. The estate belong to one Louis Becker. Becker was real estate speculator who owned a vast stretch of land that now makes up parts of North Bergen and Union City.

Titled: "Entrance to Becker's Castle, Union Hill, N.J."

Circa 1900-1907

The wall in both this postcard and the above can still be found on Kennedy Boulevard however that have been covered with stucco for the last few decades. Notice the spiral in the back right. The Becker Castle is rumored to have been imported brick by brick from England while the walls outside the estate were made from Palisade's blue stone.

Titled: "Becker's Castle, Union Hill, N.J."

circa 1905-1910

Again we continue to see the castle as being listed in Union Hill. We are lead to believe the theory behind this is all the images were captured from the Union Hill (Union City) side of Kennedy Boulevard.  At the time this card was sent the property already was sold to the New York & New Jersey Crematory and was being used for cremations.

Titled: "New York & New Jersey Crematory, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1907-1917

(This is actually the backside of the castle notice the stain glass windows)

Before it was the crematory it was Becker's Castle but how does one afford to build a castle? Becker would subdivide his properties and auction them to the highest bidder, sight unseen. In one such instance, Becker raffled off properties in a track of land that would be located today between Kennedy Boulevard and Park Avenue, locked by the cross streets of 47th and 39th streets. The sell off went as planed and the buyers ventured from New York City to their new properties in New Jersey. To there surprise the land was undeveloped and in some cases marsh like or dense wooded areas. Unfortunately for them, Becker did not have a return policy and would charge $2.50 a month, plus interest, until the purchase price was paid. 

Titled: "N.Y & N.J. Crematory Union Hill, N.J."

Circa 1907-1917

(Again, this is of the backside of the castle)

In 1907, the building remodeled and divided the rooms with new walls to house thousands of niches for urns and added a two-story wing to the south side. Today the crematory is still in operation and caters to all religious denominations. Louis Becker and his family are still there too. They are buried behind the building in Weehawken Cemetery. 

Titled: "Town Hall, North Bergen, N.J

Circa 1905-1910

The most iconic building in North Bergen in my opinion. It is architecturally unique among the buildings of North Bergen being a Palazzo style design. Constructed between 1905 and 1908 under then commissioner and future mayor James Nolan. And did you know, a way to help pay off the construction cost of Town Hall, the top floor was rented out as apartments from completion until the 1970s.

Titled: "Boulevard and Fulton Street with Town Hall, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1910

this is one of the more colorful postcards in the collection. The card depicts an almost unimaginable sight, parking in front of Town Hall and a traffic-less Kennedy Boulevard. Hudson Boulevard was officially opened in 1895 and connected the county from Bayonne to North Bergen on one continuous road.

Titled: "Town Hall, North Bergen N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

We can tell the age of the card by three indicators. First and most obvious the vehicle. It seems to be a mid to late 1920s model. Second, we know it is post 1920 as the WWI Memorial can be seen the the right of Town Hall. Lastly we know it is prior to the 1930s as the building is missing the two iconic cannons outside the main entrance. The building to the left was an older administration building that was taken down towards the end of the 1950s.

Titled: "Grove Church, New Durham, N.J."

Circa 1900-1920

the cornerstone for the original Grove Reformed Church was laid on March 30, 1847, four years after the Township of North Bergen was established. The land for the church was purchased from the Zabriskie Family. Reverend William Mabon was the first to serve the congregation until he departed to serve as a professor at Rutgers College.

Titled: "Grove Reformed Church North Bergen N.J. (Union Hill)"

Circa 1910-1920

The original Grove Reformed Church stood proudly at the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and 46th Street for nearly 126 years. In 1883 they celebrated Martin Luther's 400 birthday Most residents would remember it being painted bright white until it was destroyed by a fire in 1973. The church was rebuilt by 1976 and has remained a cornerstone of the community.

No Title Available

Circa 1907

Flower Hill Cemetery's Queen Anne style cottage has sat on Kennedy Boulevard for the last 130 plus years. The name Flower Hill comes from a former incorporated town. The cemetery is made up of 12 acres and was established not only as a cemetery but as a botanical garden cemetery with year round fauna both native and foreign. Today the cemetery is home to the mass grave for the 1900 Hoboken Pier Fire, Civil War Veteran Decatur Doresy and New Jersey's only pyramid grave belong to Charles F. Harm. 

Titled: "Old People's Home, Boulevard, North Bergen N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

The Old People's Home of North Bergen serviced the community for nearly 75 years. The institution was the final home for many residents of North Bergen and Northern Hudson County. Situated today at roughly 74th Street and Kennedy Boulevard the site is now occupied by the North Bergen Board of Education.

Titled: "Hasse's Point North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

When your family arrives in North Bergen in 1860 you get a part of town named after you. That is exactly why and how Hasse's Point gets its namesake. The Hasse family was headed by a German immigrant by the name of Carstel Hasse. According to the 1870 Census Hasse's property was worth $20,000, $375,000 today!

Titled: "The Waldorf, North Bergen N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

The Waldorf had everything a guest could want, whether they stayed for the day or as an overnight patron. The inn had the saloon with the finest spirits of the day as well as a variety of lagers from local breweries. There was also a bowling alley built behind the structure itself which hosted tournaments for a variety of local societies. The Waldorf would also add another separate pavilion paid for and operated by William Peter Brewery of Union Hill for outdoor entertainment in the spring and summer seasons. 

Titled: "Wetherbee Park, North Bergen N.J."

Circa 1905-1915

Wetherbee Park's location was is simple. It would have bound, by the current streets, to the north by 76th Street (Hamilton Avenue), the south by 74th Street (Wetherbee Place), the west by Hudson Boulevard (Kennedy Boulevard) and the east by Bergenline Avenue. The name itself is derived from Wetherbee Place, which was taken from the former owners of the entire property, the Wetherby Family who originally purchased the property in 1858

Titled: "31st St, Woodcliffe, N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

Woodcliff, Woodcliffe or Woodcliff-on-Hudson has perhaps some of the most impressive homes in North Bergen. An area of town that was home to some of North Bergen's wealthiest families during the beginning half of the 20th Century. The next series of postcards are all from the Woodcliff Section of town.

Titled: "31st Street & Broadway, Woodcliff-on-Hudson, N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

Today this building, as most of the buildings featured in the Woodcliff postcards are still standing. 31st Street would become 75th Street on June 1st 1940. Today every structure featured in this card are all still standing on 75th Street. The "Victorian" building on the corner is still there as well. It is missing some of the original features and is now home to a Brazilian restaurant.

Titled: "Woodcliff Station Woodcillf on Hudson N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

The Woodcliff Station serviced trolleys from the North Hudson Railway Company. The company was established in the 1860s but the trolley line reach North Bergen until a decade later. The Woodcliff Station was a transfer station between Hudson and Bergen County. The Woodcliff Station was built around the turn of the 20th Century and has been since moved to a location on 74th Street of of Boulevard East.

No Title

Circa 1910-1920

The above intersection has change about since the early 1900s. Yet here you have 75th Street looking toward Bergenline. The original building on the right was built by George Haplin for his family. Eventually Haplin would extend his apartment complex to cover almost all of Broadway between 75th and 76th Street.

Titled: "Haplin Block, Busy Corner of Woodcliff on Hudson, N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

When examine Woodcliff on Hudson one may question why does it not say North Bergen? Well at the time of most of these postcards were produced the Woodcliff Section of town was in a bitter dispute with the Township of North Bergen. The dispute was taken to Trenton where the fate of North Bergen rested in the hands of the New Jersey House Boroughs Committee. The capital was pack with North Bergenities to hear the verdict if North Bergen would remain a town.

Titled: "The Haplin Block 31st St and Broadway Woodcliff on the Hudson, N.J."

Circa 1905-1915

The Haplin Block was completed around 1912. Notice even after the case of Woodcliff's attempted succession the area was still referred to as such. The Haplin Bock was sold and in the late 1920s and the Woodcliff Trust Company established itself on the corner of 75th Street and Broadway. Today only the center section of the Haplin Block is left.

No Title

Circa 1925-1935

The Haplin Block was replaced by this familiar site above. Originally built by the Woodcliff Trust Company in 1921. The building has served as a bank since its creation and today is home to Wells Fargo. Notice, as today, the last remaining section of the Haplin Block to the right of the bank.

Titled "30th Street West from Broadway, Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1915-1925

Today these two original homes can still be found on 74th Street between Broadway and Hudson Avenue. Originally they were built as model homes for perspective North Bergen residents to view. Three of the biggest builders not only designed most of the homes in the Woodcliff section of town, but they also lived there as well. Oscar Broberg lived at 400 30th Street, Andrew Hokanson lived at 1024 Park Avenue and Oscar Hogrelius' lived at 241 29th Street, their homes as well as their designs can still be found through North Bergen 

Titled: "32nd St. West From B'Way, Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1905-1915

The next two postcards show two sides of the intersection of 76th Street and Broadway. The above showing 76th Street looking east, while below we see the view to the east. Today two of these homes can be found: In the above the home on the can be found on the southwest corner of the intersection. While in the below the home with the spiral can be found on the northeast corner of the intersection. 

Titled: "32nd St. Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1911

Titled: "33rd St. East From B'Way, Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1905-1915

Today the home on the left can still be found at the intersection of 77th Street and Broadway looking east towards New York City. It even still has the Spanish style roof. 

Titled: "34th St. East From B'Way, Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1905-1910

The Victorian style home on the right of the photo was built in 1893. Gracing the corner of 78th Street and Broadway from the last 126 years, the home has remained an iconic location in that part of North Bergen. 

Titled: "Public School No. 2. Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1915-1925

North Bergen has two schools claiming to be the first school in town. Granton School which was originally located in the New Durham Section and Grant School which was located on the north side of Hudson County Park. That said PS 2 has always been the same. Located on Hudson Avenue this school was replaced in the late 1920s by the "new" Robert Fulton School. The schools construction nearly bankrupted the town costing $671,950, today would run about $9.8 million dollars.

Titled: "31st Street & Hudson Avenue, Woodcilff-on-Hudson, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

The above and below postcard show the northeast corner of the intersection at 75th Street and Hudson Avenue. Most residents are familiar with the current building there that was home to Temple Beth-El for nearly 50 years. The Reformed Church was created in 1911, however the structure was previously occupied by a Baptist congregation. It was taken down in 1959.

Titled: "Community Reformed Church and Bird's-Eye view, Woodcliff, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1920-1930

Titled: "Woodcliff Engine Co. Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1915-1925

Was originally established as a volunteer firehouse to serve the growing Woodcliff area.The structure can still be found on Hudson Avenue and remains an active firehouse with the North Hudson Regional Fire Department.

Titled: "View of Cliff from Boulevard, Woodcliff-on-Hudson, N.J."

Circa 1905-1915

Above and below shows the 74th Street curve on Boulevard East. Notice how the above portrays the natural beauty of the Palisades while the below portrays the development of the area. The roadway shown in the below is the original Ferry Road in Guttenberg.

Titled: "Cliff & Hudson River From Boulevard, Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

Titled: "Palisades, 300 ft high, Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

What most people do not realize is that Boulevard East is a series of bridges built along the Palisades. These bridges can been seen from North Bergen down to Weehawken. These bridges are a piece of civil engineering that is often overlooked. On a side note, the Palisades highest point in Hudson County is in North Bergen reaching nearly 300 feet high. Also the the two bridges in the above are 76th and 78th Street. These bridges were dolefully dubbed "Suicide Bridge."

Titled: "A View of the Palisades, Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

Titled: "Boulevard, Woodcliffe, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

The above features an unknown location on Boulevard East. The interesting thing out the postcard is the wood cuts outs spelling Woodcliff in the background. It seems as this is a form of advertisement for the neighborhood.

Titled: "View From Palisades, Woodcliff, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1915-1925

Today we look at River Road and the view of Manhattan much differently then they did 100 years ago. The North Bergen waterfront was home to heavy and shipping industry. It is a much different world for North Bergenities today along the Hudson.

Titled: "The Old Mansion, over a hundred years old, Woodcliff, N.J"

Circa 1900-1905

Titled: "Ruins of the Old Mansion Woodcliff, N.J."

Circa 1908

Titled: "McCollum Homestead, New Durham, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

New Durham is the first settled part of North Bergen. Situated around Six Corners and the surrounding area, New Durham was first settled around 1720 as a link between Hackensack and Bergen Square in Jersey City. The McCollum Homestead was an establish hotel and stop for travelers for nearly 50 years. Owned and operated by Cornelius McCullom, he lived their with his family. It as reported that McCullom entertained railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, Congressman Daniel Webster and railroad developer Jay Gould at his residence.

Titled: "First Baptist Church, new Durham, N.J"

Circa 1900-1910

Another iconic North Bergen landmark can still be found on the corner of 47th Street and Tonnelle Avenue. Today called the New Durham Baptist Church has held services on that corner since 1837. The Structure itself however dates back to 1856.

No Title

Circa 1937

Today New Durham Baptist is celebrating its 182nd Anniversary. North Bergen is only celebrating its 177th year of being a town. The fact that there is still an institution in town that predates the township is a pretty impressive feat.

Titled: "F.R. Austin Lumber Mill, New Durham, N.J."

Circa 1905-1915

F.R. Austin's Lumber Mill, which he operated with his brother Martin, was located today at the corner of 40th Street and Grand Avenue. The mill and building were taken down by the late 1940s after the brother retired to Florida. 

Titled: "Post Office, New Durham, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

The first Post Office established in North Bergen was in 1845 and operated by Henry Ackerson. It was moved to a new building in 1863. Here we can see a photo from the early 1900s showing the Post Office. It was located near present day 51st Street and at first operated by Abraham Kittle. He was succeed by his wife Caroline, she is credited with creating and instituting the return receipt used by the Postal Service today.

Titled: "35th St. Parkway, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1918-1920

Featured above is present day 79th Street looking east from Bergenline Avenue. Notice during the time of the parks opening in 1918 79th Street was dubbed Parkway. We can also see that the apartment house and homes seen are all still present today.

Titled: "Entrance to North County Park, Woodcliff, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1918-1920

Above we can see the park entrance from Boulevard East. The park was designed by Charles Lowrie. Lowrie was hired by the Hudson County Parks Commission and given direction to design several parks across the county. Each one of these parks are all still with us today, most famously Lincoln Park and Pershing Field in Jersey City, Bayonne Park in Bayonne, Columbus Park in Hoboken as well as West Hudson County Park in Kearny & Harrison. 

Titled: "Fountain, North Hudson County Park, Woodcliff, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1918-1920

Yet another image synonymous with North Bergen, the Rest House. The site has not changed much over the year and is perhaps the second most photographed location in the park, second to the lake. 

Titled: "Rest House, North Hudson County Park, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1918-1920

Titled: A Pretty Spot, North Hudson County Park, Woodcliff, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1918-1920

At the announcement of the park Charles Lowrie fielded questions about the parks design. The features Lowrie highlighted were the parks 63 acres of woods and planted grounds, two and a half miles of gravel walking paths, as well as paths that will "wind in and out of the knolls and down the vales." He went on to reveal how the swamp would be converted into a freshwater feed lake (now Woodcliff Lake) and provide for adequate boating. The lake would also have a complimenting bandstand, which "will appeal strongly to park patrons." Lowrie envisioned a bandstand also on the island of the lake to "enable boats to cluster around it and still not prevent persons on the shore from hearing the music clearly."

Titled: "(The Tickler) Little Coney Island (Dolle's Corousel)"

Circa 1900-1910

Little Coney Island was one of the towns largest draws during the early 20th century. It is estimated that the park would have up to 5000 visitors every weekend. Complete with everything an amusement park would need including: Frederick Dolle's Carousel, a Ferris Wheel, "The Tickler," a pool, restaurant, shooting galleries, Abe Doumar's Ice Cream, a photographer, casino, beer stands, an open platform for performances, aero swings and numerous rotating games. 

No Title

Circa 1905-1915

Pictured above is three of the parks biggest draws. Abe Doumar's Ice Cream, the Ferris Wheel and Dolle's Carousel. Doumar is credited with creating the waffle cone. He created it in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair when seeing an ice cream vendor run out of paper dishes. Nearby another vendor was selling waffles. Abe married the two ideas and sold folded waffles topped with ice cream for the remainder of the fair. He then took his innovation back to North Bergen were he created a custom waffle making iron that is still used today at the Doumar Barbecue  in Norfolk, Virginia.  

Titled: "Junction of Castellano's Little Coney Island and Nungesser's North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1905-1915

Nungesser's is best remembered today as the intersection of Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard. Landmarks like White Castle and the old Nungesser's Bowling Alley along with where you can catch the 88 or the 89 come to mine. But at the turn of the century Nungesser's was one of the grandest hotels in the county. That said one of the more interesting facts about the hotel is that it was in both North Bergen and Fairview. Why? Because North Bergen banned alcohol sales on Sundays during the turn of the century. Mr. Nungesser being the savy businessman he was extended the hotel into the neighboring town, painted a line across the establishment and continued to sell alcohol on Sundays. 

Titled: "Nungesser's Hotel, North Bergen, N.J."

Circa 1900-1910

Titled: "William Bluethgen, Jr's Floral Establishment Bulls Ferry Road, near Bergenline Ave., Hudson Heights N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

Hudson Heights in the section of North Bergen found north of Hudson County Park, which also encompasses parts of the racetrack section of town. Florist like Bluethgen were common throughout the township, more so downtown. The florist of North Bergen as well as northern Hudsun County supplied countless flower shops in New York City with their flowers. Ask any resident in town who has ever planted a garden, there is something in the soil that will always produce a high yield.

Titled: "Heindel's Pine Lawn"

Circa 1900-1910

The homestead of the German immigrants, the Heindel family would have been found along Woodcliff Aveune today. The family was headed by Frederick Heindel, the family were reputable dressmakers.

Titled: "River View Hotel Hudson Heights, N.J."

Circa 1910-1920

Titled: "Post Office and Drug Store- Hudson Heights, NJ"

Circa 1900-1910