by Jay Levin (Author)
Settled by the Dutch, Bergenfield--originally named Schraalenburgh, then Bergen Fields--grew from a bucolic hub of chair manufacturing in the 19th century to a bustling New York City suburb. Like much of northern New Jersey, Bergenfield saw its population swell in the 1920s with the building of the George Washington Bridge to Manhattan and again after World War II. Bergenfield natives are deeply proud of their hometown's landmarks and traditions, especially the c. 1799 South Presbyterian Church, the pond where Tunis R. Cooper established his chair factory, parades and youth athletic programs, and a high school marching band without peer. Drawing on archival photographs and other materials from the Bergenfield Museum, Bergenfield Public Library, and residents past and present, Bergenfield tells the story of this diverse community of 28,000 in the heart of Bergen County.