For this year's Quasquicentennial Celebration, The Rock Recorder Blog will post a chronological (as much as possible) history of Glen Rock, NJ. My main source for framing this series is an unpublished manuscript in the Glen Rock Historical & Preservation Society's archive, which was written by George Hubschmitt. This is Part #12 of the series. With the Glen Rock Volunteer Fire Department organized, the borough was even more attractive to new residents. The Smith-Singer Com

For this year's Quasquicentennial Celebration, The Rock Recorder Blog will post a chronological (as much as possible) history of Glen Rock, NJ. My main source for framing this series is an unpublished manuscript in the Glen Rock Historical & Preservation Society's archive, which was written by George Hubschmitt. This is Part #11 of the series. The newly formed Glen Rock Fire Department in front of the first fire house, 1911 Before there was a Glen Rock Fire Department, if b

For this year's Quasquicentennial Celebration, The Rock Recorder Blog will post a chronological (as much as possible) history of Glen Rock, NJ. My main source for framing this series is an unpublished manuscript in the Glen Rock Historical & Preservation Society's archive, which was written by George Hubschmitt. This is Part #9 of the series. In the short years from 1894 to 1900, a change had come into the religious life of the community. Some of the people in the area wan

Glen Rock Historical & Preservation Society (GRHPS) Board Members Anne Ciliberti and Barbara Schineller recently did an analysis of the 1900 Federal Census and the 1915 New Jersey State Census for our recent History Day focusing on immigration and the railroad's role in bringing people to Bergen County. This got me to thinking about how life in Glen Rock was radically changing during the early 20th century. In 1900, Glen Rock was a fledgeling community, having incorporated a

It is easy to look at Bergen County today and see a thoroughly modern, bustling area but it wasn't too long ago, historically speaking, that this corner of New Jersey was in truth a sleepy backwater. The early Dutch settlers of the area migrated from New Amsterdam in the 1700s; these new residents were primarily farmers, drawn by the lush, rich soil found hereabouts. The population was sparse and spread-out, and government was provided by a township system rather than by to

It always amazes me how clear a vision Glen Rock's early leaders had for the development and modernization of the original farming community they inhabited. Right from the start, Glen Rock was to be a residential community, with limited business and virtually no manufacturing. The healthful air ("no malaria!" screamed the promotions) and artesian well water that drew new residents to the area were to be protected. Following incorporation as an independent borough in 1894,