[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HILLSDALE, NEW JERSEY

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                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Borough of 
Hillsdale on its 100th anniversary as an independent municipality in 
the State of New Jersey. The people of Hillsdale this year are 
celebrating the many virtues of their wonderful community. Hillsdale is 
a good place to call home. It has the outstanding schools, safe 
streets, family oriented neighborhoods, civic volunteerism and 
community values that make it an outstanding place to live and raise a 
family.
  Hillsdale became a township in 1898 when it broke away from the 
Township of Washington. Hillsdale got its name from the railroad 
station and its first schoolhouse.
  Predominantly a farming community prior to the advancement of the 
railroad into the area in 1870, the town flourished with the new 
transportation system making it only about an hour's journey from New 
York City. Hillsdale quickly became a ``railroad town'' as the New 
Jersey and New York Railroad Company selected it as the site of 
roundhouse, turntable, car shops, water tower and coaling station. 
Locomotives were stored overnight at Hillsdale, making it the natural 
home of railroad workers. At one point, the majority of the town's 
population worked directly or indirectly for the railroad.
  The Hillsdale Railroad Station became a focal point of the community. 
In addition to providing transportation services, its second floor 
offered meeting space for the Fire Association, Improvement 
Association, religious services of the Episcopal Church and various 
political groups. By 1883, there were 20 daily round trips to New York. 
The railroad, now a part of New Jersey Transit, continues to serve 
commuters headed to and from Manhattan.
  In 1923, the Township of Hillsdale became the Borough of Hillsdale 
and presently maintains this form of government.
  As the population began to increase, so also did the resort nature of 
this town in the ``country.'' The population continued to expand and 
with it, so did the charm of the community. Several housing 
developments were started during the first few decades of the century, 
with need falling off during the Depression. Construction was 
revitalized in the 1940s and 1950s, adding many homes to meet the ever-
increasing desire to reside in the town. Today, Hillsdale's population 
is at 9,750 with five farms, and 97 commercial establishments lying 
within the three square miles.
  In celebration of the town's 100th birthday, many events have taken 
place following the theme of ``Looking Forward, Stepping Back,'' in 
which each month represents a decade from the 1890's (January) through 
to the year 2000 (December). In January, the ``Klondike Gold Rush of 
1899s in Beechwood Park''--in which children searched for ``golden 
nuggets'' and traded them for candy--was the premiere event of the 
year. Also that month, the Centennial Committee sponsored the 
``Hillsdale Exposition of 1890s,'' for which school classes and 
organizations created displays representing events of the 1890s. Other 
events, including a town-wide birthday bash, pet parade, antique show, 
monthly movie nights, golf outing, Earth Day cleanup and more have all 
added to the celebration. Still to come, the Centennial Committee has 
planned a Centennial Ball, town-wide picnic with fireworks and a week-
long ``Harvesting of the Quilts'' display. A journal commemorating the 
town's last century is also being published. A Centennial Garden has 
been planted in the center of town. With the Centennial Committee's 
help, Hillsdale adopted a borough flag designed by one of its 
residents.
  Hillsdale looks toward the future with anticipation of all that is 
yet to come. A time capsule will be buried at the end of this year to 
ensure that future residents of Hillsdale will be able to see Hillsdale 
as it is today and as it has been since its foundation.
  Hillsdale of one of the finest communities in the State of New 
Jersey. This community is symbolic of traditional American values. The 
residents work hard, are dedicated to their families, support their 
schools and volunteer to help their neighbors. I ask all my colleagues 
to join me in wishing all its residents continued success as their 
borough enters its second century.

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