"North Bergen Trivia"

The town of North Bergen is finally getting its own museum! Over the course of the next several month myself, a dedicated group of North Bergen High School students, local history buffs and residents both current and former will be working together to preserve as much of North Bergen's history as we can. The goal of the museum will be to document the growth of our town, from Maisland to present day and preserve our collective history from the Lenape to the people who know call North Bergen home. A month or so ago a North Bergen Trivia night was held at the library to drum up support and interest for the museum. Below you with find trivia questions on a variety of all things North Bergen. The answers are provided at the very end of this post so be sure to double check you answers. Lets see how much you really know about North Bergen...

North Bergen Police Department 1908

James P. Nolan seated in center

Courtesy of Lenny DiBrango

1. The territory that became the state of New Jersey was originally inhabited by what Native American group?
2. The band of Lenni Lenape tribe that once called North Bergen their territory were the?
3. The Dutch Governor who purchased the area that became North Bergen and Hudson County was?
4. North Bergen and Hudson County were purchased from the Hackensack for, 80 fathoms of wampum, 20 fathoms of cloth, 12 brass kettles, 6 guns, 1 double brass kettle, and half a barrel strong beer.  Today that would be worth roughly how much?
5. The first settlements in North Bergen appeared on what road?
6. Andre Michuex established this arbory in North Bergen in 1785?
7. The Frenchman’s Garden is now occupied by which cemeteries?
8. The Frenchman;s Garden produced what two plants, one of which is still scattered through North Bergen?
9. This 1780 Revolutionary War Battle took place in North Bergen?
10. The attack on the Blockhouse at Bull’s Ferry was led by this very “mad” general?
11. William Danielson’s farm once help this famous fresh water source where he charged patrons 25 cents a barrel?
12. Hexamer’s Battery used this newly renovated park as a parade and training group before joining the Union forces in 1861?
13. 20 men from North Bergen served in the Union Army during the Civil War, only one would fall during battle, who was he?
14. The Garden State Crematory was once a home belonging to this real estate developer and florist?
15. This school was named for the American educational reformer dedicated to promoting public education.
16. How many of our schools are named for Presidents? 3
17. The 3 Presidents that our schools are named for have what in common?
18. Which school is named after our 25th President, he was assassinated in 1896?
19. Named for the American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing a commercially successful steamboat, this school can be found at 7407 Hudson Ave.
20. The only street in North Bergen with no addresses is?
21. On what date was North Bergen created as a town?
22. There are two cemeteries in town named after other towns, what are they?
23. This Kennedy Blvd eatery has been serving fine food in downtown North Bergen since 1939.
24. This North Bergen cemetery is home to the grave of C.F. Harm, the only pyramid grave in New Jersey.
25. The split on Kennedy Blvd on 89th street was traditionally known as what?
26. North Bergen High School opened in what year?
27. The NB Bruins first football game was against what legendary Englewood Catholic school?
28. Rumor has it Woodcliff Lake is in the shape of what?
29. The neighborhood north of Hudson County Park until the Fairview border is known as?
30. This street’s name says it all, it’s the “short”est street in town?
31. The old Woodcliff Trolley Station was moved to what street after the trolley was removed?
32. Like New York City, North Bergen also has this street, however, not as detrimental to the stock market.
33. The town’s name, Bergen, is of Dutch origin...what does "bergen" mean?
34. This former Bruin was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1988?
35. This cyclist who competed in two events at the 1912 Summer Olympics was the first North Bergenite to compete in the Olympics?
36. Born in North Bergen, but grew up in Englewood, he went on to play center for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1953 to 1955?
37. This neighborhood of town tried to break away from North Bergen in 1908 and establish itself as its own borough?
38. He was the first know mayor of North Bergen, serving terms in 1871 and during 1874-81 & 1884-87.
39. Legend has it there is a treasure buried in the Homestead section of town, whose treasure has yet to be found?
40. The main library was relocated to 8411 Bergenline Avenue in what year?
41. The oldest house of worship in town can be found on 47th and Tonnelle Avenue, what is its name?
42. Jim Braddock defeated this Nebraska native for the heavyweight championship of the world in March of 1935.
43. According to Jim Braddock’s son, what did the champ do after he won the heavyweight title?
44. This school was once located in current day Hudson County Park, it was torn down in the 1950s?
45. North Bergen once was home to this movie making studio from 1898 to 1953, it was an “ideal” location.
46. True or False, prior to 1960 Town Hall’s top floor was used an apartment?
47. When did North Bergen officially change their streets names?
48. The hills from 64th St to 58th street were once locally known as what hill?
49. 64th Street Field was dedicated to this North Bergen coaching great in the 1980s.
50. This North Bergen based light bulb manufacturer produced the Mi-T Watt Saver in April 1986 at it’s Kennedy Blvd factory.

Courtesy National Archives

1. The Lenni Lenape
2. The Hackensack or  Ack-kinkas-hacky
3. Peter Stuyvesant
4. $14,000
5. Bergen Turnpike/Hackensack Plank Road
6. The Frenchman’s Garden
7. Machpelah & Hoboken Cemetery
8. Catalpa bignonioides (Bean tree) and Castanea pumila (Chinquapin)
9. The Battle of Bull’s Ferry
10. Anthony Wayne
11. Big Indian Spring
12. Hudson County Park
13. Garret Earle (at the Battle of Salem Height)
14. Louis Becker
15. Horace Mann
16. 3
17. They were assassinated
18. William McKinley
19. Robert Fulton
20. Edward Street
21. February 10th 1843
22. Weehawken and Hoboken Cemeteries
23. The Coach House
24. Flower Hill Cemetery
25. Hasse’s Point
26. 1961
27. St. Cecilia High School
28. New Jersey
29. Hudson Heights
30. Short Place
31. 74th St., between Park and Blvd East
32. Wall Street
33. Mountain
34. Mark D’Onofrio
35. Jessie Pike
36. Lou Tepe
37. Woodcliff
38. Charles H. Pinnell
39. Hendrick Dempster
40. 1985
41. New Durham Baptist Church
42. Max Baer
43. Went home and shoveled the snow
44. Grant School
45. Ideal Studios
46. True
47. June 1, 1940.
48. Nanny Goat Hill
49. Stan Newman
50. Duro-Test