presenting the history of Oakland I’ve been engaged for a few years now on Facebook presenting the history of Oakland to all who desired to fondly recall their roots. And I have done this as a relative stranger among the multitude who grew up here in Oakland and indeed lived, breathed and who were so enriched by the simple, wonderful joys of our Mayberry. Along the way since my wife and I moved here in 1979, I have been blessed with many friends, many of whom grew up here and shared what it was like then. I am insanely jealous. one of ten children in 1951 I grew up in…
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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 #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 #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…
