Saddle River Township, Bergen County, New Jersey (Historical)
Encyclopedia
Saddle River Township was a township
that existed in pre-American Revolutionary War
times, that included all portions of Bergen County
, New Jersey
west of the Saddle River. After many departures, secessions and deannexations over the centuries, Saddle River Township exists today as Saddle Brook
, which adopted its present name by a referendum passed on November 8, 1955.
The township was created in March of 1716, making it one of the oldest townships in Bergen County. Saddle River Township was created from all of the territory in Bergen County west of the Saddle River, within the area that had been known as New Barbadoes Township, which itself had been set off from Essex County
and added to Bergen County in 1710.
Saddle River Township derived its name from its resemblance to a saddle before its boundaries were changed. It was bounded on the north by Ridgewood, south by Lodi
, east by the Saddle River (named from the Township) and west by the Passaic River
. In 1724, the Township formally seceded from New Barbadoes.
Saddle River Township was split up in 1772 by royal decree with the northernmost half becoming Franklin Township. The new Township
was named after Governor of New Jersey William Franklin
, son of Benjamin Franklin
.
Pompton Township
was established in 1797 from parts of both Franklin and Saddle River Townships west of the Ramapo River
, leaving sections of both townships disconnected to the west of Pompton Township. West Milford Township was formed from the discontinuous, western sections of both Franklin and Saddle River townships in 1834.
In the initial wave of "Boroughitis
," Glen Rock
on September 14, 1894 (also included portions of Ridgewood Township) and Lodi
on December 22, 1894 (also included portions of Lodi Township) were created. Wallington
was formed on January 2, 1895 (including portions of Lodi Township) and Garfield
on April 19, 1917 (including portions of Wallington). East Paterson
was formed via referendum on April 18, 1916 (named changed to Elmwood Park effective January 1, 1973) and Fair Lawn
was the last to leave, on April 5, 1924.
The remaining portion of Saddle River Township was changed to Saddle Brook
, which adopted its current name by a referendum passed on November 8, 1955.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
that existed in pre-American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
times, that included all portions of Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
west of the Saddle River. After many departures, secessions and deannexations over the centuries, Saddle River Township exists today as Saddle Brook
Saddle Brook, New Jersey
Saddle Brook is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,659....
, which adopted its present name by a referendum passed on November 8, 1955.
The township was created in March of 1716, making it one of the oldest townships in Bergen County. Saddle River Township was created from all of the territory in Bergen County west of the Saddle River, within the area that had been known as New Barbadoes Township, which itself had been set off from Essex County
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
and added to Bergen County in 1710.
Saddle River Township derived its name from its resemblance to a saddle before its boundaries were changed. It was bounded on the north by Ridgewood, south by Lodi
Lodi, New Jersey
Lodi is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 24,136. The borough of Lodi is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law.Lodi owes its name to the Italian city of Lodi...
, east by the Saddle River (named from the Township) and west by the Passaic River
Passaic River
The Passaic River is a mature surface river, approximately 80 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey,...
. In 1724, the Township formally seceded from New Barbadoes.
Saddle River Township was split up in 1772 by royal decree with the northernmost half becoming Franklin Township. The new Township
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
was named after Governor of New Jersey William Franklin
William Franklin
William Franklin was an American soldier and colonial administrator. He served as the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey. Franklin was a steadfast Loyalist throughout the American War of Independence, despite his father Benjamin Franklin's role as one of the most prominent Patriots during the...
, son of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
.
Pompton Township
Pompton Township, New Jersey
Pompton Township is a defunct township in Passaic County, New Jersey.-History:It was originally formed on April 10, 1797, from portions of Saddle River Township and Franklin Township in Bergen County, and incorporated on February 21, 1798....
was established in 1797 from parts of both Franklin and Saddle River Townships west of the Ramapo River
Ramapo River
The Ramapo River is a tributary of the Pompton River, approximately 30 mi long, in southern New York and northern New Jersey in the United States.-Course:...
, leaving sections of both townships disconnected to the west of Pompton Township. West Milford Township was formed from the discontinuous, western sections of both Franklin and Saddle River townships in 1834.
In the initial wave of "Boroughitis
Boroughitis
Boroughitis was a political phenomenon that spread throughout the U.S. state of New Jersey in the late 19th century, which led groups of residents to unite to form boroughs from within and among the many townships that were the prevalent form of local government at the time. This phenomenon was...
," Glen Rock
Glen Rock, New Jersey
Glen Rock is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 11,601.-History:...
on September 14, 1894 (also included portions of Ridgewood Township) and Lodi
Lodi, New Jersey
Lodi is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 24,136. The borough of Lodi is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law.Lodi owes its name to the Italian city of Lodi...
on December 22, 1894 (also included portions of Lodi Township) were created. Wallington
Wallington, New Jersey
Wallington is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 11,335.Wallington was created as a borough on January 2, 1895 , at the height of the "Boroughitis" fever then sweeping through Bergen County...
was formed on January 2, 1895 (including portions of Lodi Township) and Garfield
Garfield, New Jersey
Garfield is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,487.When the area that is now Garfield was first developed in 1873, it was known as East Passaic. In 1881, the community's name was changed to Garfield in honor of...
on April 19, 1917 (including portions of Wallington). East Paterson
Elmwood Park, New Jersey
Elmwood Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 19,403....
was formed via referendum on April 18, 1916 (named changed to Elmwood Park effective January 1, 1973) and Fair Lawn
Fair Lawn, New Jersey
Fair Lawn is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and a suburban municipality in the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 32,457. Fair Lawn was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March...
was the last to leave, on April 5, 1924.
The remaining portion of Saddle River Township was changed to Saddle Brook
Saddle Brook, New Jersey
Saddle Brook is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,659....
, which adopted its current name by a referendum passed on November 8, 1955.
Sources
- "History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
- "Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.