[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE BOROUGH OF BLOOMINGDALE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2018

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Borough of 
Bloomingdale, County of Passaic, New Jersey, on the occasion of its 
100th Anniversary.
  As early as 1700, the Dutch began settling --what is now known today 
as Bloomingdale, named after the town of Bloomingdale in Holland. In 
1734, mineral resources were discovered in Bloomingdale by Cornelius 
Board. Board was shown the iron deposits by local natives near the 
Ringwood River by the Sterling Forest. After locating the ore, Board 
built the first ever small iron furnace in the region. German miners 
were brought over to work the mine. The mine would change hand two 
times, first to John and Uzal Ogden and Newark associates, and then to 
the American Iron Company. This company was London-based, bringing in 
immigrants from England.
  Bloomingdale is most known for is the important role it played in the 
Revolutionary War. One can find a plaque on the Federal Hill Historic 
Site that commemorates the Pompton Mutiny on Federal Hill in what is 
today Bloomingdale. On January 20, 1781, 200-300 Continental soldiers 
mutinied. Their plan was to march to Trenton to make their demands, 
which included complaints about food, clothing, and pay. General George 
Washington decided to make an example of these mutinous soldiers, and 
they were met by General Howe's army on their way to Trenton. Although 
they were dealt with harshly, Washington did concede to their demands, 
admitting that there was a truth behind them.
  The aforementioned mining activities in Bloomingdale increased in 
1807 when Martin J. Ryerson purchased the mining area from American 
Iron Company and greatly developed the area by building more furnaces 
and rolling mills. When he died in 1839, his grandson who shared his 
name, Martin J. Ryerson, continued the work. He further established the 
family name in the town by opening a company general store where the 
Bloomingdale Laundromat is today. A large portion of the store's 
produce came from the animals of the Ryerson farm, especially pigs. As 
a result, many ``old timers'' refer to this area of the town as 
``Porktown''.
  In April 1871, Ryerson continued to expand Bloomingdale's reputation 
by introducing the New Jersey Midland Railway to the town. The citizens 
happily celebrated the first train that came into the town. 
Bloomingdale did not become its own borough until February 23, 1918, 
when Pompton Township split up to create the three towns of 
Bloomingdale, Ringwood, and Wanaque.
  After World War II, Bloomingdale constructed a housing duplex on 
borough-owned property to be sold to veterans. In order to honor the 
men from this region who went to war, a World War II Memorial was 
constructed by the Borough and the American Legion.
  Bloomingdale today is a small town with about 8,000 residents, most 
of whom are of modest means who own their own homes and are employed by 
small local businesses. Bloomingdale is proud about its ``American 
Small Town'' history, as stated by Mayor Jonathon Dunleavy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in 
congratulating the Borough of Bloomingdale on the occasion of its 
Centennial Anniversary.

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