What Happened to Oakland’s Downtown? 13 9 Oct, 2014 in Features / OaklandNJ What Happened to Oakland’s Downtown? By Kevin Heffernan Downtown Oakland…..Well folks, I’m sad to say that this term is a bit of an oxymoron. No, I’m not poking fun at it and I’m not attempting to abuse the priceless memories of those who grew up here. So why is it an oxymoron and what happened to whatever we refer to as downtown Oakland? In 1872 the wilderness of a farming Oakland had a railroad, a railroad station and large house serving as a ticket agency and as the post office. Then realizing that local citizens needed stuff that the railroad could deliver…
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Welcome to Oakland Time Travels
Welcome to Oakland Time Travels 1 8 Mar, 2014 in Features / Oakland Time Travels / OaklandNJ Greetings to fellow lovers of Oakland! My name is Kevin Heffernan and I have had the opportunity and pleasure of living in Oakland for the last 35 years. And, I am both delighted and extraordinarily honored to join the wonderful team at The Oakland Journal. My wife and I came here from Fairlawn simply because we knew that Oakland was kinda out there and somewhat rural. And it was, still is and proud of it. My contribution here is to write about aspects of the history of Oakland. What!!!…By a NEWBIE? Yup, and I say that with all due humility.…
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The Early Years of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department
13 Apr, 2016 in Features THE EARLY YEARS OF THE OAKLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT By Kevin Heffernan Responding to the Ashes History records that in November, 1903 a major fire was discovered at the large barn of the Calder estate then located where the Coppertree Mall is currently situated and the need for a fire department in Oakland became apparent. Six years later on June 10, 1909 a informal meeting was held at Ivy Hall to create a volunteer fire department in Oakland. Ludo Wilkins, the owner of the Wilkins Brush Factory in Oakland, was appointed as the first fire chief. And he served six terms as chief until 1916. 1908 Oakland…
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West Oakland Memories
West Oakland Memories Published: December 31, 2008 WEST OAKLAND MEMORIES By Bob Blumenthal It was a magical time, and I was lucky to be a part of it. For fifteen summers I experienced a “high” that no drug can induce. Who knew that the summer of 1948 would change my entire life? I was an eight-year old city boy who was accustomed to the fumes of buses and the clanking of garbage cans. Then, one day, my parents decided to spend the summer in a place called the West Oakland Bungalow Colony. As I sat in the back seat of a ‘48 Dodge, I took in the sights. After crossing…
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Installment #9 – The NJ Disease That Created Oakland
Boroughitis On April 8, 1902 Oakland seceded from Franklin Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. Hurrah! And in the words of Martin King, Jr., we finally were “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we are free at last!” While I will soon write far more about the details of this wondrous event, it’s important to do some stage setting with regard to the state and county geo-political environments in 1902. In other words, what was going on around us to enable the huge step of secession that has benefited both you and me mightily since. How did the forefathers of this town pull it…
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Installment #8 – The Unauthorized Biography of the Founder of Oakland
David C. Bush It may be that many in Oakland have heard of David C. Bush and it’s probably that most might even be aware of Bush Plaza adjacent to the railroad tracks in town. But it’s a good wager to suggest that most do not know of his contributions to community and, equally, that this community would likely not exist were it not for him. He was, in my opinion, the true father of Oakland. When you think of the name of David C. Bush, think of the railroad, think of post master, think of our own Bergen County Freeholder, think of naming our town ‘Oakland’ and above all,…
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Installment #7 – The Rise of Townships in Bergen County and the Creation of Oakland
How the Brits Helped Us Depart The rise of townships in Bergen County…..Hmmmmm….Some might suggest that this is an article to assist borderline insomniacs while others might postulate that it is for the anal retentive interested only in the arcane minutia of little known events and connections of many, many years ago. Well, this mighty pen (keyboard) will quickly dispatch those dragons……Hopefully if you remain awake to the end. Hang in and don’t despair as there are some pictures. I’ll try to answer your first question: What is a township and where did they come from? The answer is that a township is an administrative unit of a larger geopolitical…
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Installment #6 – The Ponds Church
The Ponds Church – Serving God and Oakland for Over 300 Years The Ponds Church in Oakland…..This writer struggles to present its importance and contribution to this community since it was established in 1710. And even now when I have much information at my fingertips about it, I still marvel at its contribution to Oakland and say a silent prayer in thanksgiving for its presence here as Oakland would simply not be what it is without it. If one were to think about it for a moment, the Ponds Church was 66 years old when the Declaration of Independence was read from its pulpit and 153 years old when the…
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Installment #5 – The Bergen County Courthouse Comes to Oakland
Oakland History Reconsidered Recap of Oakland History Presentation Oakland Sheriff Hangs Prisoner Without a Trial We Oaklanders take great pride in the historical fact that in 1780 the Bergen County Courthouse was moved to Oakland. Of course, we think, where else would it be moved to other than here, this fine valley, with its law-abiding citizenry. Oakland was, we think, the first, the best and the natural choice. However, the facts tell a different story. This article is about the how’s and why’s of the arrival of the Bergen County Courthouse in Oakland in 1780 during the American Revolution. It is also about the hanging of a prisoner of the…
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Installment #4 – The Real Skinny About George Washington and the Van Allen House
Oakland History Reconsidered Recap of Oakland History Presentation This installment will focus on just one of several events that occurred in Oakland during the Revolutionary War: Washington and the Van Allen House. More to the point, did he really stay there? Is this urban legend, wishful thinking or a documented fact? Commonly accepted Oakland history tells us that George Washington slept at the Van Allen House on July 14, 1777. Indeed one is tempted to develop an imaginary scene wherein RVR is lined with flag waving Oakland residents cheering with the passing of each troop with George Washington on a white stallion in the lead smiling and waving at…
