[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HAWTHORNE, NEW JERSEY

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                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Borough of 
Hawthorne on its 100th anniversary as an independent borough in the 
State of New Jersey. The people of Hawthorne this year are celebrating 
the many virtues of their wonderful community. Hawthorne 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.
  On this occasion of its Centennial Celebration, I want to 
specifically acknowledge the outstanding leadership of Hawthorne's 
elected officials. Hawthorne has always enjoyed a history of good, 
sound local government--a tradition carried on today by Mayor Fred 
Criscitelli, Council President Joseph Metzler, Council Vice President 
John Lane and Council Members Marge Shortway, Lois Cuccinello, Richard 
Goldberg, Patrick Botbyl and Eugene Morabito. Indeed, the U.S. Congress 
should pay special respect to this community for having the wisdom and 
farsightedness to have elected Mayor Louis Bay 2nd in 1947. Mayor Bay, 
who retired in 1987 after 40 years of continuous service, set a record 
for consecutive terms as Mayor.
  Today's leaders of Hawthorne draw upon nearly three centuries of 
heritage. Hawthorne was officially incorporated as a borough in 1898 
but the area was first settled around the beginning of the 18th 
Century. Among the earliest settlers of Hawthorne were the Ryerson 
brothers, who purchased 600 acres of land in 1707. Their property 
extended from the Passaic River to what is now Diamond Bridge Avenue 
and from the crest of Goffle Hill to Lincoln Avenue. One of the 
Ryerson's homes, built in 1740 and destroyed by fire in 1950, served as 
General Lafayette's headquarters during the Revolutionary War. A 
monument erected by the Passaic County Park Commission marks the spot 
at 367 Goffle Road. Another Ryerson home survives as a restaurant.
  Saw mills were the earliest industrial operation in Hawthorne, as 
trees cut to clear land for farming were turned into lumber for 
construction. Grist mills followed to process the grain raised by the 
farmers.
  Located in Passaic County, Hawthorne originally was part of 
Manchester Township, which also included communities now known as 
Totowa, Haledon, North Haledon, Prospect Park and part of Paterson. 
Hawthorne was established as an independent borough on March 24, 1898. 
The other communities eventually declared their independence as well as 
Manchester Township ceased to exist.
  There are two theories on the origin of the borough's name. One is 
that it was named for the profuse growth of the thorny Hawthorne bushes 
early farmers had to clear from their land before cattle could safely 
graze. The other is that it was named for the author Nathaniel 
Hawthorne. The true answer is lost to history. Nonetheless, the name is 
honored and revered and deserves the good reputation it has enjoyed for 
a century. It is one of the finest communities in our state.
  Hawthorne's first Mayor, Dr. Sylvester Utter, was elected April 12, 
1898. Adam Vreeland was chosen as assessor and William H. Post as tax 
collector. The councilmen were Albert Rhodes, Frank Post, Daniel Van 
Blarcom, Martin Marsh, John V.B. Terhune and Arthur F.J. Wheatley.
  At the turn of the century, farms were already disappearing to make 
room for housing development and Hawthorne's population stood at 2,500. 
By 1908, large tracts of land were being developed for homes. The 
Arnold Brothers Co. developed land from Elberon to Tuxedo Avenues. The 
Rea Land Co. developed the northern end of town and Hawthorne Parks 
Estates developed the eastern section. By 1910, the population totaled 
3,500.
  One of the new government's first steps was to secure $19,000 in 
loans to renovate school buildings, including the Lafayette School, the 
Washington School and a one-room schoolhouse on Goffle Road. The 
Franklin School was built in 1910. The Lafayette School eventually 
became the borough municipal building but was destroyed by fire in 
1979. A new municipal building was constructed on the same site.
  The post-World War I boom of the 1920s brought more new homes, a 
variety of industrial and commercial enterprises and two new schools. 
Goffle Brook Park was established in 1927 by the Passaic County Park 
Commission, quickly becoming the setting for band concerts and baseball 
games. The park remains a setting for community events to this day. The 
First National Bank of Hawthorne, the Hawthorne Public Library and the 
Masonic Temple were all opened in 1928. The same year, the Hawthorne 
Chamber of Commerce was established and local chapters of the American 
Legion, Rotary Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars were opened.
  The 1930s saw construction of Hawthorne High School, the beginning of 
the Hawthorne Women's Club and the Hawthorne Child Welfare League. The 
population in 1930 soared to 12,000--a 13 percent increase from 1920 
reported to be the second-highest increase in the United States. 
Hawthorne today has a population of more than 17,000 and plays an 
essential role in the active economy of the reigon.
  My colleagues, I am sure you would agree with my conviction and 
assertion that Hawthorne is 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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