REMEMBERING... "Upper Saddle River's Anona Park"

therecordarchivesCirca 1930: Bathers enjoying the sun, sand and some ice cream cones at Upper Saddle River’s Anona Park.🍦For a good part of the 20th century, residents and tourists who frequented Bergen County's sand-bottom pools enjoyed swimming, having a boxed lunch picnic, staying after dark to enjoy a family movie and listening to music and dancing on wooden-plank floors placed beneath a string of lights that swung in the summer breeze. 🎶 Some of the pools are gone, but several community-based sand-bottom pools still dot Bergen’s landscape. 🏖️👙

Kay Yeomans, historian for Upper Saddle River, has fond memories of Anona Lake, built by her husband's grandfather in 1929. anona was sold to a developer in 1968 and is now a part of a homeowner's association that has added tennis courts.

"REMEMBERING...ROSIE'S DINER"

     This picture of Rosie's Diner in Little Ferry was taken in the 1973. It originally opened in the 1940s as the Silver Dollar Diner and became the Farmland Diner in 1961. It was renamed Rosie's after Bounty paper towel commercials were filmed there in the 1970s. The diner has been relocated to Cedar Springs, Mich.

REMEMBERING..."FORT LEE'S SHOWCASE NIGHTCLUB"

     Frank Sinatra, “Old Blue-Eyes,” freshly shorn, stands next to Rocky Vitteta, the house barber. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis are on stage. So is Milton Berle. Dozens of others smile — from the walls and display cases, beside souvenir brochures and matchbooks. Beaming out from among lines of chorus girls and musicians are faces as recognizable as Pearl Bailey’s and Lena Horne’s. Or the Andrews Sisters’. Other faces, though perhaps instantly recognizable in their own day, serve today — for most of us, at least — as reminders of the fleeting nature of fame. 

     The tale of the Riviera began in 1931, the same year the George Washington Bridge first forged its link between the bright lights of Manhattan and the tree-shaded suburbs of Bergen County. In that year the renowned nightclub entrepreneur Ben Marden bought a cliff-top hotel in Fort Lee called the Villa Richard. Marden refurbished the Richard as a world-class club.

     Painted yellow, the art-deco building was shaped like the rounded transom of a great yacht berthed high above the Hudson (the windows were even shaped like portholes). At night a huge red neon sign could be read from miles away: Ben Marden’s Riviera. On warm evenings, the roof could be retracted to allow for dancing by starlight. The stage revolved so that one act could replace another without pause in the entertainment. And then there was the talk of hidden gambling rooms…

     As construction began on the Palisades Interstate Parkway, it became clear that the Riviera’s days were numbered. Miller fought against the closing, but it was a fight he was destined to lose. The building was eventually torn down, and only a few nondescript traces remain in the woods atop the cliffs. Many of the contents of the club were auctioned off, and some of these have found their way back to the exhibit that the Fort Lee Historical Society gathered together to display at the Fort Lee Museum.

"Woolworth's, Shelved 20 Years Ago, Sparked a Revolution ..."

[from The Record, July 17, 2017]

      "Twenty years ago, today, F. W. Woolworth Co. officially went out of business. Opened in 1878 in Utica, N.Y., Woolworth's was a game-changer.
     It was "...an inexpensive department store that had everything." Woolworth's monopolized what was the referred to as five and dimes. Hackensack, Bergenfield, Closter, Pompton Lakes, Rutherford, Paterson, Teaneck and Ridgewood were among many towns in N.J. that hosted these sprawling inexpensive shopping meccas that catered to the thrifty, respectable lower middle class in the days before credit cards.
      "Unlike today's cheaply-outfitted dollar stores, Woolworth stores were clean, well-lighted places, where you could get a ham sandwich for 15 cents at the lunch counter, or buy a tiny turtle with a plastic palm tree in the pet department." (Jim Beckerman)
      Today, Woolworth's marketing model can be seen in the (very) few remaining K-Mart stores and, more prevalent, at Target's. 
      Consider this - "100 years ago, customers could indulge themselves to the extent of a nickel (75 cents in today's money) or dime, without feeling too guilty."  
      

"BEFORE K-MART, THERE WAS KRESGE'S..."

On March 20, 1897, Kresge began working for James G. McCrory (founder of J.G. McCrory's) at a five and ten cent store in Memphis, Tennessee. He continued there for two years. In 1899, he founded his company, with Charles J. Wilson, with an $8,000 investment in two five-and-ten-cent stores; one was in downtown Detroit, Michigan (for which he traded ownership in McCrory's).

In 1912, he incorporated the S.S. Kresge Company with 85 stores. The company was first listed on the New York Stock Exchange on May 23, 1918. During World War I, Kresge experimented with raising the limit on prices in his stores to $1.

By 1924, Kresge was worth approximately $375,000,000 ($5,000,000,000 in 2009 dollars^[2]) and owned real estate of the approximate value of $100,000,000.

...and, then, Kresge's became K-Mart.

The first Kmart opened in 1962 in Garden City, Michigan. Kresge died in 1966. In 1977, the S. S. Kresge Corporation changed its name to the Kmart Corporation. In 2005 Sears Holdings Corporation became the parent of Kmart and Sears, after Kmart bought Sears, and formed the new parent.

...and, now, under the "leadership" of a hedge-fund manager, without retail experience, both Sears and K-Mart (...barely running on fumes, now...) are on life support. Too bad... My memories of both chains, with the flagship Sears Roebuck store on Main St. in Hackensack, and the giant K-Mart on Rte. 17 in Paramus, will never fade, even if the stores themselves, do.

"ICE CREAM MEMORIES"

     Summers, growing up on Elm St., and our kick-ball "field" on Hasbrouck Blvd., would become magical when we'd hear the jingling of those bells, signaling the arrival of our favorite Ice Cream Man, arriving in his roofless, white truck, Good Humor, emblazoned on its side. In his starched white uniform and billed cap, with his money-changer hanging on his belt, he'd take our orders, and, seemingly without looking, swing open the square insulated doors, reach in, and pull out our favorite treat. for .25$ cents or less, we'd savor every bite of a chocolate covered vanilla cone or strawberry sundae.
     I can still hear those bells, jangling on a hot July day...

      
     ...then, there was the legendary T&W, in Ridgewood, NJ, right across from the Duck Pond, the dessert destination, after a quick burger at The Fireplace, or a family's stop-over on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

...but, thankfully, we still have our favorite soft ice cream haven, still going strong, Dairy Queen, the after-sports-victory destination, still thriving in Wyckoff and Montvale.

"LAST NIGHT I TOOK A WALK IN THE PARK...DOWN AT A PLACE CALLED PALISADES PARK..."

Palisades Amusement Park was a 30-acre amusement park located in Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. It was located atop the New Jersey Palisades lying partly in Cliffside Park and partly in Fort Lee. 

Closed: September 12, 1971

Opened: 1898

Operating season: Weekend before Easter to Sunday after Labor Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnLCvpgPD_s

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5IkHvTzTeg 

"A 1926 GEM... THE ARCOLA AMUSEMENT PARK"

      On the Paramus/Rochelle Park border, built along the Hudson Valley Trolley Line in 1926, the prototype, all-inclusive amusement park, The Arcola Amusement Park entertained throngs of visitors until 1929, at which time, sadly, the Park burned down. 
     Who would have thought?

"BEFORE THERE WAS GREAT ADVENTURE, THERE WAS ..."

     "Freedomland opened on June 19, 1960, in the Baychester section of the Bronx, New York. Designed by Marco Engineering of Los Angeles for International Recreation Corporation, it was the third and largest innovative theme park built across America to mimic Disneyland. Constructed in the shape of the United States and presenting 200 years of American history, Freedomland was intended to be both exciting and educational. Historically themed attractions and costumed cast members were located throughout the seven sections. In addition, Freedomland offered national and local stars, big bands, and daily entertainment events. Professional character actors also worked throughout the park." 

FOR MORE INFORMATION... check out this website:

http://backinthebronx.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/archive/bronxezine/newest/

"REMEMBERING PINE LAKE - A DESTINATION FOR LOCALS"

     "Pine Lake in the Township of Washington was once a popular destination for locals and summertime travelers seeking a place to cool off. The Pine Lake Inn, at the corner of Pascack and Ridgewood Roads, is now the site of Bacari Grill. The lake itself was filled in and is now the site of a townhouse complex. This photo was taken at the lake in the summer of 1935. The lake was closed to the public in the early 80s."
     [I remember our almost daily visits to Pine Lake to swim as part of the Bergen Catholic "Day Camp" in the late '50's.]

     "Pine Lake Inn, the building on the northwest corner of Ridgewood and Pascack Roads in the Township of Washington, originally was part of the 100 acre Zabriskie-Van Emburgh farm. At the turn of the century, when owned by the Walgaste family, the farm had orchards, a hay barn, stable, cattle sheds, chicken coops, and corn crib, and a number of tenant homes."

...now, visualize the Bacari Inn, overlaid on this original structure. Stop in(N) some time feel the history surround you as you sip one of the ... Inn's famous Bloody Marys!

"A HORRIFIC CRASH ENDED HO-HO-KUS SPEEDWAY 78 YEARS AGO!"

     "In the final race on Fourth of July 1938, drivers Henry Guerand and Vince Brehm locked wheels at 60 mph, sending Brehm’s vehicle through a guardrail.

     "The crash killed a 10-year-old Ridgewood boy and a 30-year-old man from Hawthorne, whose leg was amputated with a pocket knife on the scene. Seventeen others were injured.

The accident left such an indelible mark that the speedway closed immediately and forever. After World War II, the 23-acre property was sold to make way for houses.

     "Few reminders of the once-famous speedway remain: Race Track Road (with those giant green exit signs off Route 17), the enlarged old photos in the Krauszer’s Food Store in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus and a race-day poster at the nearby Ho-Ho-Kus Inn." 

     "The Ho-Ho-Kus Racetrack was developed in the late 1860’s to early 1870’s and remained opened for business until 1938.  The track grounds were used for a variety of events beyond Horse and Automobile races such as polo events, parades, firemen field days, carnivals and fairs.  Just like the borough, the racetrack had a multitude of names such as the Ho-Ho-Kus Driving Park, Ridgewood Race Track, Ho-Ho-Kus Speedway, the Driving Park, Bergen County Fair Grounds, Ho-Ho-Kus Park Incorporated and Ho-Ho-Kus Race Track." 

     Here's a map of the original track. 

     So, if you should hear the roar of race cars, heading up 17 North, where Racetrack Road is now bisected by the highway (...at one point, traffic lights allowed cars to cross Rte. 17!), you might hear ghosts of yesterday's races, unless, of course the air is shattered by a massive 18-wheeler.

"ONE OF BERGEN COUNTY'S FIRST LIGHT-RAIL SYSTEMS - 1909 - 1929"

     Ever walk the "right-of-way," from let's say, Glen Rock, through Ridgewood, and into Ho-Ho-Kus? Then you've walked the "line" of, perhaps, Bergen County's most famous light rail system, known as The Trolley or The Suffern Trolley.

     "The public referred to it as “The Trolley” or the Suffern Trolley. It ran in and out of Ho-Ho-Kus from late 1909 to 1929. It was a single track system with by-pass tracks to allow for two way traffic. When fully operational, the route started in East Paterson (Elmwood Park) with stops in Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus, Waldwick, Allendale, Ramsey, Mahwah and Suffern, New York. (16 miles)."

     "At the end of 1928, Public Service Rapid Transit received permission from the State to terminate operation at the end of the year. George Jackson, Superintendent, shut down the power plants on New Year’s Eve 1928; and the era ended."

Remains of the trolley system are still evident in Ho-Ho-Kus today:

1. The Public Service right of way in town was the route of the trolley systems tracks.
2. A set of trolley tracks are still in the sidewalk on East Franklin Turnpike.
3. The trolley bridge over the Zabriskie Brook is still in place and functions.   It is located behind 16 Lakewood Avenue
4. The accountant/bookkeepers house still exists at 125 Elmwood Ave.
5. Superintendent Jacksons house (cira 1830) is still used as a residence at 110 Sheridan Avenue
6. Remnants of the Sheridan Ave. Trolley Station have survived and are maintained
7. The land that the Trolley Company purchased for future expansion is still an anomaly on the Municipal land use and Tax maps.                                                          

"GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - TICE AND VAN RIPER FARMS"

     "Decades ago, when the Tice and Van Riper farms still sat opposite one another on Chestnut Ridge Road, autumn weekends in Woodcliff Lake would be bustling with activity."

     "Hundreds of visitors from New Jersey and New York would flood the borough, looking for pumpkins, hayrides, freshly baked donuts and squeezed cider, causing traffic jams along the two lane street leading to the farms for miles."

"BEFORE HOME DEPOT ... THERE WAS RICKEL HOME CENTER"

17 North, just past the East Ridgewood Avenue overpass, pass Panera's, in the mall where Equinox [Fitness] now resides, Rickel Home Center, later followed by Channel's, on 17 South, now home of Barnes and Noble, Rickel was the king of home supply centers. That is, until the upstart Home Depot set up shop just north of Midland Avenue. After merging eventually with its competition across the highway, Channel's, Rickel reigned supreme, offering much of the same as Home Depot does some twenty years later. Eventually, heavy debt structure and overexpansion, much like Sears did by acquiring K-Mart, Rickel finally folded its tents in 1997. But, what a store it was! Home Depot, carrying more inventory and building cavernous stores, didn't offer any MORE in service and quality products. I still miss its convenient location and offerings to this day. My oldest Black and Decker power tools hail from Rickel Home Center and perform flawlessly, from 1975!

"THE PARAMUS DRIVE-IN @ THE ENTRANCE OF THE GSP, ROUTE 4 EAST"

...now, it's just a parking lot.

"THE GARDEN STATE PLAZA, circa 1960's"

... in the beginning when things were simpler.

"The Chimes Restaurant"

     Travel west on East Ridgewood Avenue after crossing the juncture of Route 17, past the medical facility on the right, and, as the Paramus Women's Club comes into view, make a right turn onto Chimes Road, and as one crosses the stone "bridge," stare straight ahead and cross West Glen Avenue. You are approximately on the footprint of one Bergen County's premiere classy restaurant, The Chimes. I ate there once with my grandparents in the late 50's (maybe it was the early 60's?), and I distinctly remember the elegant, cloth-covered chairs. Perhaps you have a memory as well. Please share.
    "The Chimes in Paramus: Ray Wells remembers The Chimes very well – he and his wife, Betty, raised their six children in a house across the street. The Chimes was an upscale restaurant with a huge property that hosted many wedding receptions. “A number of their best dishes were prepared right at your table,” Wells recalls. “They had a duck specialty that was very good – flambéed with cherries.” Wells’ son, Thomas, remembers going to eat at The Chimes with his family “and ordering my favorite meal in any restaurant – a roast turkey dinner.”
     
        " When I was 11 years old, I had a newspaper route and delivered The Record to the bar at The Chimes,” Tom Wells says. “In those days, a big tip was 50 cents, and I was allowed to come into the bar and sometimes they’d give me a Coke.” He especially remembers the restaurant’s owner, Pete Peterson, “who, for a kid, was an interesting guy because he had a patch over his eye.” Ray Wells recalls the bitterly cold night when the popular restaurant was leveled in a fire that destroyed the old wood mansion that housed the restaurant, which was originally owned by the Geering family. After the fire, The Chimes reopened as a smaller restaurant on the site of what is now McDonald’s on Route 17 North."