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Colorful history of the township
(by Kimberly Redmond - October 01, 2008)
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Photos courtesy of Joyce & John Bacigalupi
Leopald Herrman, a prominent River Vale resident, helped organize the township’s fire department in 1923. Herrman also served as the first fire chief. Additionally, he built a house adjacent to a grove that served as a popular eatery. Residents might recognize the former Herrman’s Grove site as the present-day
River
Vale
Town Hall .
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At the turn of the century, River Vale was quite a different place than it is today.
If you can imagine, the quiet little township played host to a traveling circus and an animal preserve. And, rather than holding council meetings, the town hall building and adjacent grove was a popular eatery, where many flocked to hold picnics.
The first draft of “A History of River Vale”, which recounts the colorful history of the township, has recently been completed. Councilman Dwight de Stefan, principal author, says the book follows the beginnings of River Vale from the late 1890s.
The book, co-authored by Helen Whalen and Bob Secor, traces the development of several aspects of the town’s history including businesses, government, the fire department, the police department and the ambulance corps. Whalen said the book discusses township residents who are veterans. “A History of River Vale” also touches upon the region’s railroad, which played an integral role in developing the emerging, northern
Bergen
County area.
Additionally, the book discusses the interesting and somewhat eccentric residents and politicians that once called the township home. Some notable residents include Colonel Havers, a historian-author-lecturer-showman, who would arrange traveling carnivals on his large property located on Rivervale and Poplar roads. “At the turn-of-the century, traveling carnivals were the primary source of entertainment for people,’ said de Stefan. Often, Havers held horse and riding exhibits on his property, too. Another interesting mayor was Julius Kessler, “the Hungarian Whiskey King,” who built his wealth as a partner in the distillery company, Kessler & Brady. de Stefan describes Havers and Kessler as a part of “a long line of eccentric, colorful mayors of the town.”
“A History of River Vale” took nearly three years to complete. The project initially began as a way to commemorate the township’s centennial in 2006. de Stefan said, “The mayor at the time thought it’d be a good idea to have an official book for the township.”
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Colonel Havers, a River Vale resident, often invited traveling performers and lecturers to his large property located on Rivervale Road. These events attracted large crowds, as “they were the primary source of entertainment for people,” said Dwight de Stefan, co-author of “A History of River Vale.” Havers was a historian-lecturer-author and a showman. He also served as mayor of the township in 1912. In the above picture, Havers is shown dressed as a Rough Rider at a horse and riding exhibit. de Stefan describes Havers as one in “a long, line of eccentric, colorful mayors of the town.”
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For their research, the trio of authors utilized various sources, including newspapers from the era, diaries, various documents and interviews. Upon its publication, the book will be donated to the township. Although no formal publication date has been set, Whalen said she “hopes the book will be ready by Christmas.”
For their research, the trio of authors utilized various sources, including newspapers from the era, diaries, various documents and interviews. Upon its publication, the book will be donated to the township. Although no formal publication date has been set, Whalen said she “hopes the book will be ready by Christmas.”
For their research, the trio of authors utilized various sources, including newspapers from the era, diaries, various documents and interviews. Upon its publication, the book will be donated to the township. Although no formal publication date has been set, Whalen said she “hopes the book will be ready by Christmas.”
According to River Vale Administrator Robert Gallione, the township will be applying for a grant through the county during the next round of grant programs next year. The grant will be allocated towards the printing and publishing of additional copies.
The book is a project of the River Vale Historic Preservation Committee, which is responsible for promoting educational, civic and cultural enrichment programs designed to encourage the historic development of the township and its residents.
This is the second book de Stefan has worked on pertaining to
Pascack
Valley history. For his first book “Emerson: From Basilicata to Etna,” de Stefan, an Emerson native, spent several years researching and interviewing families that descended from the first Italian settlers in the borough. History is a subject de Stefan is passionate about. According to de Stefan, educating others about their heritage is important because “those who forget are doomed to repeat.”
Kimberly Redmond's e-mail address is redmondk@northjersey.com.
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