How Did Our Streets Get Their Names?

Who, or in some cases what, are our streets named for? Streets we have known our whole lives, yet probably never wondered how they got those names. Some, albeit obvious, streets are named after historical figures, geographic features or in reference to days long gone. North Bergen's street names have not changed since June of 1940. Sure we have added a few, but these streets have remained the same for the last 80 years! To put that in perspective that means roughly three to four generations of North Bergeners could recognize most of these street names.

Throughout this post we will peel back the layers on who, how or where the street names came from. Along the way we will also explore their historical names and origins of the streets we walk and live on.

 

PEOPLE

Adams Street

Named for President James Adams, the street starts in West New York on 60th Street, makes it's way through Guttenberg and finishes in North Bergen.

Aschoff Place

Named for Charles Aschoff.  Aschoff purchased almost all of the property between 46th and 49th Street & Tonnelle to Dell Avenue from Henry Homborg, along with his business partner George Cox. When Cox passed in 1910, Aschoff took over as the sole owner of the property. Aschoff Place was named for him in the early 1920s, changed from Nolan Avenue, which was changed from Maple Street. Charles Aschoff operated a lumber yard yard and a house moving business. There was a time in the 1950s when there was a proposal to change the street name, however the twelve families which lived on the street, four being direct descendants of Charles Aschoff appealed succesfully to the town to keep the name.

Albert Place

Albert Place is named for Albert Marks. Again, Albert Marks was the land developer who reconfigured most of what we know as Hudson Heights and Upper Shadyside. He was the last person to develop the area in the terms of laying streets and lotting properties. So when you do that much work, it only seems fitting to name a street after yourself. 

Anpesil Drive

Named for Anpseil Distributors was a candy distributor originally operated by Cuban immigrant Antonio Pelaez. The company set up shop on Roustein Avenue, which was created in 1941 for the Grand City Paper Company. in North Bergen in 1974. Anpesil Drive was created by the township on October 11, 1995 in honor of the contributions the company made to the children on North Bergen. 

Baar Place

Named for Frederick Baar of Hoboken. Baar owned several hotels in New York City and Hudson County. He purchased the lots between  present day Palisade Plaza and New York Avenue in 1899 for $5000.

Bove Terrace

Named for George Bove. Bove, a carpenter who in the late 1920s began to develop the area. He was the first builder to construct the "modern" brick homes in the Tyler Park neighborhood. 

Charles Court

 Named for Charles Jackson a real estate developer from Northvale who built the homes on the street. The street was created in 1961.

Clement Place

Named for David Clement Dyer. Much like Frances Street, Clement Place is named for a Dyer, the former owners of the property. Today, Clement Place is almost no existent when compared to its original laying. In fact the only way to get to Clement Place was to drive into Cliffisde Park as it once connected to Manhattan Place. At one point was almost connected to Wall Street, but Albert Marks re-laid the street pattern and connected it to Marks Place. 

Dane Court

One of North Bergen's newest streets, Dane Court was dedicated in 2002. The street was created and named by developer Richard Steier. We are currently in the process of locating Mr. Steier to confirm the origin of the street's name. 

Dietz Place

So this one is a toss up. It could be named for either of the Dietz brothers, Charles or Conner. Charles Dietz was mayor for 13 years (1900-1913). However, his brother, Conner, operated the Dietz Hotel which was located on present day 22nd Street and Kennedy Boulevard right in front of where Dietz Place is today

Edward Street 

Named for Edward Rowland. Edward's Street and Rowland Place (present day 42nd Street). Rowland was born in the New Durham neighborhood in the 1860s. As an adult he was a prominent member of the community and like many people that have streets named for them, was a real estate developer. 

Francis Place

We believe Francis Place is named for Frances Dyer. Prior to Wall Street being renamed, it was known as Dyer Lane as the Dyer Family owned the property. Augustus Dyer operated a grocery store near present day Woodcliff & Palisade Avenues during the late 19th century. From the records we have found Frances was born around 1845 and was one of the last Dyers to live in the area. 

Gehr Place

Named for Richard and his son Harry Gehrs. Richard, a German immigrant who originally settled in Hoboken moved to North Bergen sometime around 1920. The Gehrs operated a successful masonry business located on the southwestern corner of present day Gehr Place and Bergen Turnpike. The first reference we can find to Gehr Place is in 1926. We are only left to wonder why it is not possessive or plural, Gehr's or Gehrs Place.

Givernaud Terrace

Named for Givernaud Family, in particular, Mrs. Barbara Givernaud. Mrs. Givernaud married Etienne Givernaud who was once the owner of a large silk mill in North Bergen. Their home, which was turned into the St. Joseph Orphanage, once stood just east of present day Charles Court. The street was named in honor of the Givernauds sometime around 1940. The terrace was originally known at Columbia Terrace which connected to the old Grand Avenue which ran behind Columbia Park.

Fulton Avenue

Did you think the father of the steamboat would only have a school named after him? Think again, Fulton Avenue also was named for one of America's greatest inventors. Rumor has it John Stevens actually tested a Fulton steam engine in present day Hudson County Park. 

Hamilton Avenue

Hamilton Avenue just squeaks into town from Fairview. There are no North Bergen addresses on the street named for Alexander Hamilton. 

Heindel Avenue

Named for Sixtus Heindal. Heindal and his family lived and owned much of the property between Hamilton Avenue and Palisade Plaza going back to the 1850s. Heindal was a baker by trade, but in the later years of his life hosted Heindel's Pine Forest which was an attraction near Little Coney Island. 

Homberg Place

Named for German immigrant Henry Homberg. Homburg arrived in North Bergen in 1878 from Germany and originally operated as a milk dealer receiving shipments of fresh milk daily from the nearby New Durham Station. He lived on present day Aschoff Place, which originally was Maple Avenue. He lived there with his wife Anna and son Harry. Homburg Place replaced the already named Elm Street sometime in the late 1920s.  

Jackson Street

Named for President Andrew Jackson, the street starts in West New York on 54th Street, makes it's way through Guttenberg and finishes in North Bergen.

Jane Street

Named for Annie Jane. A young girl abandoned by her parents in the 1880 at the age of 8. She was born near present day Jane Street, lived most of her childhood in the almshouse in Secaucus. She lived a brief life as a servant for Teresa Emmert of New York City. She passed away in 1893 during a tuberculosis outbreak. First reference to the street is 1921, prior to that it was simply called New Street.

Kamp Place

Named for Mary Kamp. Mary Kamp was born in France around 1850 and immigrated to the United States in 1868. According to Census record, Kamp made her money as a broker on the New York Cotton Exchange. Kamp owned all the property lots on present day New York Avenue, Kamp Place and Palisade Avenue. She slowly sold them off around 1910. The street has had her name since 1905. 

Kelly Lane

This street dates back at least until 1873. That said it isn't till the turn of the 20th century it gets the name Kelly Lane. The lane was a short cut that once connected present day Kennedy Boulevard with Cottage Avenue. It wasn't until the late 1920s that 72nd Street was widen and extended, replacing the lane. Originally, Kelly's Lane the roadway was named for local resident John Kelly. Kelly, an Irish immigrant who came to North Bergen around 1853, worked in dock construction. The Kelly's lived at 5252 Hudson Boulevard, today roughly 7014 Kennedy Boulevard. Over time Kelly purchased much of the property around Kelly Lane today and began to build homes along present day 72nd Street with the intention to build down to Cottage Avenue. 

Kennedy Boulevard

Name for President John F. Kennedy. It became so by an act of the Boulevard Commission on December 2, 1963. President Chester Wojtycha called it, "The most fitting tribute we can pay the memory of this dynamic young man who gave his life for his country."

Kiesel Place/Terrace

The street was named for Johann Kiesel. Born in Germany, 1874, and arrived to North Bergen by 1890. Kiesel was known to be the primary builder of these homes, on present day 73rd Street, most of which are still standing, as well as homes that once lined Cottage Avenue. Kiesel and his sons would build these homes and sell them to the first people to live on 73rd Street when the roadway was created. Kiesel purchased the lots during the early 1900s on average of about $1100 per lot. Kiesel would build the home and then sell them on average for around $7200 each. The builder would establish homes throughout the town up until his death

Lincoln Terrace

Named for President Abraham Lincoln, but was most likely dubbed in honor of our 16th President due to its proximity the approach to the Lincoln Tunnel 

Madison Street

Named for President James Madison, the street starts in West New York on 54th Street, makes it's way through Guttenberg and finishes in North Bergen. 

Marks Place 

The Marks Family had owned most of the area near present day corner of Woodcliff  and Palisades Avenue to the Bergen County boarder. It was settled by Peter Marks in 1852, who originally farmed that area of Hudson Heights. In fact, the Marks Place we know today is not the original Marks Place. Originally Marks Place ran parallel with Palisade Avenue. It wasn't until Albert Marks, Peter's son, redeveloped the area the in the 1920s that we had the creation of the "new" Marks Place and Hillcrest Road

Mazzoni Place

Named for Raphael Mazzoni. An Italian immigrant Mazzoni made his way to North Bergen around 1900. Mazzoni was the owner and operator of Raphael Mazzoni Construction Company which specialized in roadwork. First reference known to the street was made in 1952

Newkirk Avenue

Named for the Newkirk Family. Mattheus and Gerrit Newkirk were one of the first Dutch settlers to arrive in New Netherlands in the 1630s. They and their children: John, Henry, Garret and George would go on to own land throughout Hudson County. They owned land in northern end of town between Kennedy and Tonnelle. 

Nolan Avenue

Named for former mayor James Nolan. Nolan served as Police Commissioner, 1903- 1909, then as Tax Assessor, 1910-1916,  before becoming mayor in 1917.  Nolan oversaw the construction of Town Hall and federal status given to the New Durham Post Office. He also was the first mayor in town to adopted daylight savings. Nolan had a successful career in real estate and insurance post mayor-ship. Many long time residents may remember James Nolan Insurance on Bergen Turnpike. 

Polk Street 

Named for President James Polk, the street starts in West New York on 52nd Street, makes it's way through Guttenberg and finishes in North Bergen.

Smith Avenue

Named for Abel I. Smith, a prominent lawyer. He lived in the New Durham Section of town and was educated in the North Bergen Public School System. The Smith Family were members of Grove Reformed Church.

Tonnelle Avenue

Named for the John Tonnelle Jr. . Tonnelle, originally spelled Tonnelé, settled in Hudson City, present day Jersey City in 1835. He was a prominent and wealthy land owner and politician. John Tonnelé served three terms on the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders (1844 -1847) before moving on to serve in the State Senate (1848-1849). He passed away in 1852. There is some debate about which Tonnelé the street and is named for. Most believe it was after John Tonnelé Jr., however there are some who believe it was named for his son, a Civil War Officer from the 2nd New Jersey Militia, John Laurent Tonnelé. Then there is the debate over the spelling, one "l" or two "ll." What I can tell you is the roadway wasn't named for a Tonnelé until 1883. I can also tell you the Tonnelle Avenue we know today wasn't even the first Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen, in fact the first Tonnelle Avenue is now Liberty Avenue near Six Corners.  

PLACES

Bergen Turnpike

One of the oldest roads in the county, maybe even the state, Bergen Turnpike has a long and rich history. Originally known as Hackensack Plank Road, the roadway was at first a wood planked road connecting Hackenack famers to the Weehawken waterfront. The names Hackensack Plank Road and Bergen Turnpike were for a time interchangeable depending on which direction you were heading. Today the original roadway is all but gone replaced by Tonnelle and Broad Avenue, except for here in North Bergen. The roadway has was witness to a lot of activity during the War of Independence. Troops both American and British used the roadway as they crisscrossed the state. The Three Pigeons Inn was located near the present day intersection of Grand Avenue. The Inn hosted the links of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, General Anthony Wayne, and "Light Horse" Harry Lee to name a few.

Bergenline Avenue

Bergenline Avenue is a 4.4 mile avenue that has always been a major thoroughfare. For the last 150 years it has served as an economic hub for the townships it intersects. But the name, Bergenline, what does it mean. It refers to the fact it will take you to the county line, the Bergen (County) line. Originally called Bergen Line Road, it became known as an avenue in the 1890s. 

Bergenwood Avenue

Added with the creation of Bergenwood Park, Bergenwood Road is another historical remained left from early development days in town. Bergenwood Avenue is broken up through most of uptown North Bergen and was originally dubbed Ridgley and Brown Streets.

Durham Avenue

The name recalls one of the earliest neighborhoods in North Bergen, New Durham. The street was created in the early 20th Century and acts as a tribute to the township's history. Originally the street had many different names depending on what part of town you where in: 2nd Street, Delaware Avenue, John Street, Lovett Place, Kiesel Street, New Durham Avenue and Poplar Street. 

Fairview Avenue

Another street named out of simplicity. Fairview Avenue is named as it is the road that takes you to and from Fairview. It is also known locally as Dan Kelly's Hill, referring to the old Dan Kelly Hotel operated by, well, Dan Kelly. Kelly also operated a team of horse that would ferry goods up the hill.

Granton Avenue

Granton Avenue is named as it was the roadway which took you to Granton Station. The word Granton dates back to the 1840s and was one of the identified early neighborhoods of North Bergen. The word granton is derived from the French graunt, meaning great. It was also commonly used as a nickname for a large of tall person. It is because of this we believe the name refered to the blue stone cliffs that were once quarried away along Tonnelle Avenue during the 19th century. 

New Castle Road

Named by the developer Grand Construction Corporation in the mid 1990s. The roadway was created to support the developments that were constructed. It is in reference to the stone worked embankment it sits atop (visible from Secaucus Road), which gives it the appearance of a castle.

Paterson Plank Road

Much like Bergen Turnpike, Paterson Plank Road was at one point a plank road connecting Paterson with Jersey City and beyond. The plank road dates back to the mid 18th century. Named for Paterson, as it was the main way Paterson silk mills sent their goods to markets in New York City and Europe.

Union Turnpike

Originally named Paterson Turnpike as it once lead to Paterson, the roadway was remained in the 1920s with the creation of Route 3. It was dubbed Union Turnpike as it took you to the Township of Union, present day Union City.

Woodcliff Avenue

Named for the Woodcliff Land Improvement Company, which laid the the roadway around the turn of the 20th century. Originally known as Bull's Ferry Road, the roadway extended from present day Tonnelle Avenue and all of Boulevard East. When the WLIC took over the area they changed the name to Woodcliff Avenue. Today we are only left with a section of the roadway from Bergenline Avenue to Boulevard East, the last remaining remnant of the Woodcliff Land Improvement Company. 

LANDMARKS

Bull's Ferry Road

Named for the Bull Family that once operated a ferry during New Jersey's colonial era. the Name Bull's Ferry Road at one point was the name of Woodcliff, Fairview and Park Avenue as they all led to Bull's Ferry which was located at the base of the road. 

Churchill Road 

For most, this seems like an easy one to find out, it is obviously named for Winston Churchill...Well, no. Churchill Road was at one point known as Church Hill Road, before that as Church Road. Why? Sacred Heart Church was originally located on the road and was the only house of worship in the Shadyside neighborhood. 

Cottage Avenue

Cottage Avenue refers to the original cottages that were first built along the avenue. The street runs throughout North Bergen and was known by different names in different places until 1940: Elizabeth, Main and Maple Streets, as well as Hilltop Avenue.  

Hudson Avenue

Hudson Avenue is named for the Hudson River, which was named for explorer Henry Hudson. So I guess that means the avenue is also named for the explorer. 

Old River Road

At one point it was just River Road, but with the creation of "new" River Road, we can just slap Old on the original signs. 

Palisade Plaza/Avenue

A reference to the most iconic geographical feature in the county, the Palisades. Both Palisades Avenue and Plaza are the original names of these streets. 

Park Avenue

Renamed in 1940 Park Avenue's name originates from the fact it leads directly to North Hudson County Park. It was a different points in history known as Woodcliff Avenue and Bull's Ferry Road. Both referring to the geographic end of the road. 

Railroad Avenue 

Named simply for its proximity to the railroad.

Riverside Place

Very self explanatory naming, Riverside Place was next to River Road, which hugs the Hudson River. 

Short Place

We can find no evidence that Short Place is named for a person, so we are left to imagine it is named for it's size and the fact it has only one addressed home on it.

GEOGRAPHY

Dell Avenue 

The dell in Dell Avenue is a marker of the areas geographical history. The name recalls when the area was deemed "a small valley, usually among trees." This makes total sense as if you stand on Dell Avenue and look toward the east, you'd see the rise of the Palisades. If you look westward, you'd see out to the meadows but the also the rise of the Watchung Mountain ridge. It is for his reason we feel very confident that in the naming of Dell Avenue was to serve as a reminder of the areas physical history. 

Hillside Place

Hillside Place refers to the extreme hill that it occupies. 

Hillcrest Road

Hillcrest Road was created by developer Albert Marks in the 1920s. The street was most likely named for its location above Shadyside.

Lakeview Place

Found where the Hackensack River is fed by Wolf Creek near, the street is named for the view or the "lake" where Wolf Creek widens into the Hackensack River. 

Meadowview Avenue

Meadowview Avenue finds its name simply related to the fact it once gave a commanding view to the Meadowlands. Agian, broken up through town Meadowview Avenue was originally: Liberty, Linn or Birch Street.

Penhorn Avenue

Named for Penhorn Creek which was originally named for William Pinhorne. Pinehorne was very active in colonial New Jersey, being named to the East New Jersey Provincial Council. He lived in the area from 1676 till his death in 1720. 

Riverside Place

Very self explanatory naming, Riverside Place was next to River Road, which hugs the Hudson River. 

Valley Road

Have you ever been on Valley Road? It's like driving into the abyss. Its hard to even being to understand how people decided to build homes at the bottom of Valley Road. But the name was created based on the geographical feature of heading "down the valley" of the Palisades. 

RENAMES

Liberty Avenue

Originally called Germania Avenue, the road was created in the Tyler Park neighborhood and expanded through and to New Durham. When World War I began, anti-German sentiment swept the nation. The name was changed sometime around 1917 to Liberty Avenue. 

UNKNOWN

Broadway

Much like Columbia Avenue, Broadway's origin is a mystery. It can refer to the literal width of the road. It can be, like Wall Street, a tribute to the throughway across the Hudson. Or perhaps as the area was developing the name Broadway was adopted to not only boost property values, but attract buyers to the rapidly growing and exclusive Woodcliff Neighborhood

Columbia Avenue

There are a myriad of reasons for the naming of Columbia Avenue. There are people, places, animals, ships where the name could be derived from. One of especial interest is a yacht called the Columbia. In 1871, around the time Columbia Avenue was laid, the Columbia defend the America's Cup against the English challenger Livonia. Perhaps Tyler and Gobisch named the street after the yacht as they created Tyler Park.  

Easy Street

Easy Street is a quiet dead end tucked in the Bergenwood Section of town. Chances are the street was dubbed so by the developer, perhaps due to it's easy access to and from Tonnelle Avenue. Or it could have earned the name in reference to Charlie Chaplin's film, Easy Street (1917). Our earliest reference to Easy Street in 1934. 

Grand Avenue

Originally known as Nelson Avenue, and interchangeable for much of its early history, Grand Avenue's naming is a bit of a mystery. Grand, is not named for a person or place. One theory is Grand is in reference to the homes that line the street, specifically in the Tyler Park Section of town.  Another theory is that Grand Avenue was originally intended to be a main thoroughfare connecting the northern and southern end of town, something similar to Tonnelle Avenue today. 

Lesser Place

Lesser Place was created sometime around the turn of the 20th Century by the Eldorado Terrace Reality Company. The Eldorado Terrace Reality Company tried to develop the area where Buoncammino Park is today, the historical Orchard Grove or Neck Section of North Bergen. We are still in the process of tracking down what or who Lesser could be in reference to.

Lucky Lane

Lucky Lane was dedicated on August 30, 1999. The name was given by the developer who built the homes on the new street. Perhaps they were hoping the name would bring them some luck and the new constructions would sell quickly.  Maybe it was wishful thinking for the upcoming new year as the Y2K panic was growing ever more present and home sales seemed to stagnate. 

Wall Street

There is no evidence supporting either of these claims, but these are the best reasons why we have a Wall Street in town. First, like New York's Wall Street, it refers to a literal wall. What or where the wall was is up for debate. One can imagine the Palisades being a topographical wall, maybe it refers to the steepness of the hill, as it appears as a wall when standing at it's base, or perhaps it refers to a property line that not longer exists. Second, it can just be taken from New York's Wall Street. The street was originally known as Dyer's Lane. The earliest reference to Wall Street is in 1909.