Palisade Avenue (Hudson Palisades)
Encyclopedia
Palisade Avenue is the name given to a historic road which parallels the eastern crest of Hudson Palisades in northeastern New Jersey
. It travels between in Jersey City
and Fort Lee
, passing through Jersey City Heights, North Hudson
, and Cliffside Park
, various parts carrying Hudson
and Bergen county route designations. The avenue re-aligns itself at several places along its route as it crosses traditional municipal boundaries created in the 19th century. As a primary route running along the top of the Hudson Palisades, many segments offer scenic views of the Hudson River and the New York skyline.
, just east of the Hudson County Courthouse
, running between the historic Jersey City High School and the 1942 Hudson Gardens Housing project. It soon crosses over Bergen Arches
and Long Dock Tunnel
, (both of which served the Erie Railroad
's Pavonia Terminal
) and the Divided Highway (connecting the Pulaski Skyway
and the Holland Tunnel
). At this point, the avenue enters Jersey City Heights and passes Christ Hospital.
Upon crossing over a steep natural ravine
and a road descending to Hoboken
, Palisade Avenue intersects with Ferry Street, likely so named for the connection made poosible by the North Hudson County Railway
's Wagon Lift and Elevated (the latter used by the Public Service Railway
and dismantled in 1947) which transported passengers up and down the cliffs. Two historic office buildings, one formerly PSE&G
, and another now used North Hudson Community Action Group are at the intersection, at the end of which is Pohlmann's Hall
.
Proceeding north it runs alongside Riverview Park and the top of Holland Street (a former carriage road and one of the few cobbled streets left in Hudson County) connecting to Paterson Plank Road
. At 524 is a stone farmhouse built in 1742 by the family Van Vorst
and considered to be the second oldest standing building in Hudson County. At Congress Street the 9th Street-Congress Street Station
of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail is one block to the east connected by an elevator to platforms at the base of the cliff.
Paterson Plank Road
, which traverses Washington Park, creates the border between Jersey City and Union City
, the southern part of which was at one time called West Hoboken
. A Yardley Soap factory recalls the city's manufacturing past. Nearby Firefighters Memorial Park. was built partially as memorial to the September 11 attacks.
As the route passes the Hackensack Water Company Reservoir #2
it creates a border between Union City and Weehawken Heights
, passing Ellsworth Park and Shippen Street
, until it reaches Lincoln Tunnel Approach, a cut
built in conjunction with the tunnel
. The Main Post Office at the intersection with marginal road of 495 is a major stop for east-bound buses travelling to Manhattan
.
After crossing over the highway and Hackensack Plank Road
and entering the northern part of Union City formerly known as Union Hill
, the avenue becomes a one lane, one-way street traveling southbound. Union City Town Hall is between 37th and 38th Streets. Just south of the border with West New York
at 49th Street the avenue makes an S curve
and continues as a one-way southbound street through the municipality. This segment of the route approaches the highest point in Hudson County, New Jersey
at 260 feet.
In Guttenberg
the avenue once again realigns to the west and becomes a two-way street which continues through the Woodcliff Section
of North Bergen
, where it meets North Hudson
-James J. Braddock
Park. The avenue resumes inside the park at Boulevard East
, traveling a short distance before crossing the Hudson-Bergen county line, entering Cliffside Park
. Taking a more meandering course, the route passes the Cliffside Park Municipal Complex, Cliffside Park Public Library and Cliffside Park High School
, then intersects with Gorge Road, one of the few roads along the face of the Hudson Palisades to low lying areas along the Hudson River
waterfront, in this case in Edgewater
.
At the northern end of the borough the avenue passes the former site of Palisades Amusement Park
, demolished in the 1970s for the construction of high-rise residential complexes. Soon after crossing over the Fort Lee
line, Palisade diverges at triangle with Lemoine Avenue, and passes Fort Lee Museum and Monument Park. After crossing Main Street it becomes the Martha Washington Highway which after a few blocks ends at GWB Plaza, just west of Palisades Interstate Park and the George Washington Bridge
.
Gateway Region
The Gateway Region is located in the northeastern part of State of New Jersey in the United States of America. The area encompasses Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Union and Middlesex counties...
. It travels between in Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
and Fort Lee
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Fort Lee is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 35,345. Located atop the Hudson Palisades, the borough is the western terminus of the George Washington Bridge...
, passing through Jersey City Heights, North Hudson
North Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson is the collective name of the municipalities of Weehawken , Union City , West New York , Guttenberg and North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey...
, and Cliffside Park
Cliffside Park, New Jersey
Cliffside Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 23,594....
, various parts carrying Hudson
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
and Bergen county route designations. The avenue re-aligns itself at several places along its route as it crosses traditional municipal boundaries created in the 19th century. As a primary route running along the top of the Hudson Palisades, many segments offer scenic views of the Hudson River and the New York skyline.
Route description
The southern end of Palisade Avenue begins at Newark AvenueNewark Plank Road
The Newark Plank Road was a major 19th century artery between New Jersey's Hudson Waterfront and the burgeoning city of Newark, further inland across the New Jersey Meadows. As its name suggests, a plank road was constructed of wooden planks laid side-to-side on a roadbed. A charter to construct...
, just east of the Hudson County Courthouse
Hudson County Courthouse
The Hudson County Courthouse or Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Courthouse is located in Jersey City, New Jersey. The six-story structure was originally built between 1906 and 1910 at a cost of $3,328,016.56...
, running between the historic Jersey City High School and the 1942 Hudson Gardens Housing project. It soon crosses over Bergen Arches
Bergen Arches
Bergen Arches is an abandoned railroad right of way through Bergen Hill in Jersey City, New Jersey.-History:...
and Long Dock Tunnel
Long Dock Tunnel
The Long Dock Tunnel is a tunnel in New Jersey that runs diagonally through Bergen Hill, a section of the New Jersey Palisades in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States...
, (both of which served the Erie Railroad
Erie Railroad
The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, originally connecting New York City with Lake Erie...
's Pavonia Terminal
Pavonia Terminal
Pavonia Terminal was the Erie Railroad terminal on the Hudson River situated on the landfilled Harsimus Cove in Jersey City, New Jersey.-History:The Erie began developing the waterfront site in 1856.The intermodal complex was built between 1886 and 1889...
) and the Divided Highway (connecting the Pulaski Skyway
Pulaski Skyway
The General Pulaski Skyway is a four-lane freeway composed of connected bridges in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey, carrying the designation of U.S. Route 1/9 for most of its length. The landmark structure has a total length of with the longest bridge spanning...
and the Holland Tunnel
Holland Tunnel
The Holland Tunnel is a highway tunnel under the Hudson River connecting the island of Manhattan in New York City with Jersey City, New Jersey at Interstate 78 on the mainland. Unusual for an American public works project, it is not named for a government official, politician, or local hero or...
). At this point, the avenue enters Jersey City Heights and passes Christ Hospital.
Upon crossing over a steep natural ravine
Ravine
A ravine is a landform narrower than a canyon and is often the product of streamcutting erosion. Ravines are typically classified as larger in scale than gullies, although smaller than valleys. A ravine is generally a fluvial slope landform of relatively steep sides, on the order of twenty to...
and a road descending to Hoboken
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
, Palisade Avenue intersects with Ferry Street, likely so named for the connection made poosible by the North Hudson County Railway
North Hudson County Railway
The North Hudson Railway Company built and operated a streetcar system in Hudson County and southeast Bergen County, New Jersey before and after the turn of twentieth century. It was founded by John Bonn, and eventually taken over by the Public Service Railway...
's Wagon Lift and Elevated (the latter used by the Public Service Railway
Public Service Railway
The Public Service Railway, owned by the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey, operated most of the streetcar lines in New Jersey by the early 20th century. Public Service lines stretched from northeast New Jersey to Trenton, and then south to Camden and its suburbs...
and dismantled in 1947) which transported passengers up and down the cliffs. Two historic office buildings, one formerly PSE&G
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
Public Service Enterprise Group , commonly known as PSEG, and originally known as the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey and then as the Public Service Electric and Gas Company, is a regulated, publicly owned gas and electric utility company in the state of New Jersey, United States. It is...
, and another now used North Hudson Community Action Group are at the intersection, at the end of which is Pohlmann's Hall
Pohlmann's Hall
Pohlmann's Hall, is located in Jersey City, New Jersey. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 5, 1985.-History:...
.
Proceeding north it runs alongside Riverview Park and the top of Holland Street (a former carriage road and one of the few cobbled streets left in Hudson County) connecting to Paterson Plank Road
Paterson Plank Road
Paterson Plank Road is a road that runs through Passaic, Bergen and Hudson Counties in northeastern New Jersey originally lain in the colonial era. The route, connecting the city Paterson and the Hudson River waterfront, still exists...
. At 524 is a stone farmhouse built in 1742 by the family Van Vorst
Van Vorst Park
Van Vorst Park is neighborhood in Historic Downtown in Jersey City, centered around a park sharing the same name. The neighborhood is located west of Paulus Hook and Marin Boulevard, north of Grand Street, east of the Turnpike Extension, and south of The Village and Christopher Columbus Drive...
and considered to be the second oldest standing building in Hudson County. At Congress Street the 9th Street-Congress Street Station
9th Street-Congress Street (HBLR station)
9th Street-Congress Street is a station on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail operated by New Jersey Transit which opened on September 7, 2004...
of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail is one block to the east connected by an elevator to platforms at the base of the cliff.
Paterson Plank Road
Paterson Plank Road
Paterson Plank Road is a road that runs through Passaic, Bergen and Hudson Counties in northeastern New Jersey originally lain in the colonial era. The route, connecting the city Paterson and the Hudson River waterfront, still exists...
, which traverses Washington Park, creates the border between Jersey City and Union City
Union City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the city had a total population of 66,455. All of the city is on land, an area of...
, the southern part of which was at one time called West Hoboken
West Hoboken, New Jersey
West Hoboken was a municipality that existed in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, from 1861 to 1925.West Hoboken was originally incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1861, from portions of North Bergen Township. The township was reincorporated on...
. A Yardley Soap factory recalls the city's manufacturing past. Nearby Firefighters Memorial Park. was built partially as memorial to the September 11 attacks.
As the route passes the Hackensack Water Company Reservoir #2
Hackensack Water Company Complex
The Hackensack Water Company developed water supply and storage in northeastern New Jersey during the latter part of 19th and the 20th century, intially to provide service to the towns of North Hudson, and the cities of Hoboken and Hackensack...
it creates a border between Union City and Weehawken Heights
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
, passing Ellsworth Park and Shippen Street
Shippen Street (Weehawken)
Shippen Street is an east-west street in Weehawken, New Jersey. The eastern terminal, a cobblestone double hairpin turn is listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places...
, until it reaches Lincoln Tunnel Approach, a cut
Cut (earthmoving)
In civil engineering, a cut or cutting is where soil or rock material from a hill or mountain is cut out to make way for a canal, road or railway line....
built in conjunction with the tunnel
Lincoln Tunnel
The Lincoln Tunnel is a long tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting Weehawken, New Jersey and the borough of Manhattan in New York City.-History:...
. The Main Post Office at the intersection with marginal road of 495 is a major stop for east-bound buses travelling to Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
After crossing over the highway and Hackensack Plank Road
Hackensack Plank Road
The Hackensack Plank Road was a major artery which connected the cities of Hoboken and Hackensack, New Jersey Like its cousin routes, the Newark Plank Road and Paterson Plank Road, it travelled over Bergen Hill and across the Hackensack Meadows from the Hudson River waterfront to the city for...
and entering the northern part of Union City formerly known as Union Hill
Union Hill, New Jersey
Union Hill is a section of Denville Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. The Union Hill section comprises the southernmost part of Denville and is mostly south of Route 10. Although one of the oldest settled parts of Denville, it is characterized by having the most recent housing...
, the avenue becomes a one lane, one-way street traveling southbound. Union City Town Hall is between 37th and 38th Streets. Just south of the border with West New York
West New York, New Jersey
West New York is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, situated upon the New Jersey Palisades. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 49,708.-Geography:...
at 49th Street the avenue makes an S curve
Reverse curve
In civil engineering, a reverse curve is a section of the horizontal alignment of a highway or railroad route in which a curve to the left or right is followed immediately by a curve in the opposite direction....
and continues as a one-way southbound street through the municipality. This segment of the route approaches the highest point in Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
at 260 feet.
In Guttenberg
Guttenberg, New Jersey
Guttenberg , is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 11,176. Only four blocks wide, Guttenberg is one of the smallest municipalities in New Jersey and the most densely populated incorporated place in the...
the avenue once again realigns to the west and becomes a two-way street which continues through the Woodcliff Section
Woodcliff, North Bergen
Woodcliff is a neighborhood in northeastern North Bergen, New Jersey. The center of area is a large Hudson County park known as North Hudson Park, which refers to the collective name of the municipalities in northern part of the county, and is officially named for James J...
of North Bergen
North Bergen, New Jersey
North Bergen is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township had a total population of 60,773. Originally founded in 1843, the town was much diminished in territory by a series of secessions. Situated on the Hudson Palisades, it is one...
, where it meets North Hudson
North Hudson, New Jersey
North Hudson is the collective name of the municipalities of Weehawken , Union City , West New York , Guttenberg and North Bergen in Hudson County, New Jersey...
-James J. Braddock
James J. Braddock
James Walter "The Cinderella Man" Braddock was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937....
Park. The avenue resumes inside the park at Boulevard East
Boulevard East
Boulevard East is a two-way, mostly two lane, scenic thoroughfare in the North Hudson, New Jersey municipalities of Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen. Apart from small sections at either end, the road runs along the crest of the Hudson Palisades, affording it views of the Hudson...
, traveling a short distance before crossing the Hudson-Bergen county line, entering Cliffside Park
Cliffside Park, New Jersey
Cliffside Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 23,594....
. Taking a more meandering course, the route passes the Cliffside Park Municipal Complex, Cliffside Park Public Library and Cliffside Park High School
Cliffside Park High School
Cliffside Park High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Cliffside Park, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cliffside Park School District....
, then intersects with Gorge Road, one of the few roads along the face of the Hudson Palisades to low lying areas along the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
waterfront, in this case in Edgewater
Edgewater, New Jersey
Edgewater is a borough located along the Hudson River in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the borough had a population of 11,513...
.
At the northern end of the borough the avenue passes the former site of Palisades Amusement Park
Palisades Amusement Park
Palisades Amusement Park was an amusement park located in Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. It was situated atop the New Jersey Palisades lying partly in Cliffside Park and partly in Fort Lee. The park operated from 1898 until 1971, remaining one of the most...
, demolished in the 1970s for the construction of high-rise residential complexes. Soon after crossing over the Fort Lee
Fort Lee, New Jersey
Fort Lee is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 35,345. Located atop the Hudson Palisades, the borough is the western terminus of the George Washington Bridge...
line, Palisade diverges at triangle with Lemoine Avenue, and passes Fort Lee Museum and Monument Park. After crossing Main Street it becomes the Martha Washington Highway which after a few blocks ends at GWB Plaza, just west of Palisades Interstate Park and the George Washington Bridge
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City to Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1/9 cross the river via the bridge. U.S...
.
See also
- Summit Avenue (Hudson Palisades)
- Central Avenue (Hudson Palisades)