[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 16 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOROUGH OF RIVERDALE, MORRIS COUNTY, NEW 
                                 JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 1998

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 75th 
Anniversary of the Borough of Riverdale, Morris County, New jersey. 
Although not an independent municipality until 1923, Riverdale has a 
long a rich history that extends well before the Revolutionary War.
  Riverdale was first settled by Dutch and English pioneers in 1695 and 
was part of a larger area historically known as Pompton, after the 
local Indian village and tribe that bore the same name. The borough 
itself went through several name changes since its first settlement--
called at First New Greenwich, then Townsha--and remained a subsection 
of Pequannock Township until its official incorporation 75 years ago.
  While the area was originally farm country, by the early 1800's 
Riverdale was a place of great activity. Along with the introduction of 
its first school house in 1812, there existed a thriving business in 
wooden staves, hoops and hoop poles. In the late 19th century, with the 
coming of the railroad and the establishment of several larger 
businesses--including DuPont, a rock quarry and two rubber factories--
the population of Riverdale increased rapidly. Many more houses were 
erected in the area, and a newer, and larger, schoolhouse was built by 
1904.
  Interestingly, the issue of school size, and the desire to avoid 
being taxed for the construction of a large schoolhouse in the 
Pequannock section of town, was actually one of the decisive factors 
that spurred Riverdale residents to form an independent borough. After 
many long meetings by the New jersey state legislature, Riverdale 
residents were finally granted the right in 1923 to officially separate 
from Pequannock, and incorporate as an independent municipality.
  For the past 75 years, Riverdale Borough has prospered as a community 
and continues to thrive today. While still covering the same 1.8 square 
mile area that it has for several centuries--ranking it as the second 
smallest municipality in Morris County--Riverdale has nonetheless 
emerged as one of its fastest growing communities. By all accounts, the 
Borough of Riverdale will continue to prosper in the future, and I ask 
you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues to congratulate all residents of 
Riverdale on this special anniversary year.

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