Teaneck, New Jersey

Teaneck is a township located in Bergen County, New Jersey, and is a suburb of New York City. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 39,260.

History

Early history

The origin and meaning of the name "Teaneck" is not known. The resemblance to certain Dutch words has encouraged speculation about a possible Dutch derivation and meaning. Likewise, the two syllables "Tea" and "Neck" have equally distinct English meanings. But most experts agree Teaneck is probably Indian in origin, and may mean "place where there are woods". This is as good a definition as any other.

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In the early days, the name "Teaneck" referred to the high ridge of land that runs roughly north and south through the town and on which today's Queen Anne Road runs. Early trails and camp sites established by tribes of the Lenni Lenape Indians were laid out on either side of the ridge. At the time European explorers arrived in New Jersey and New York, a powerful sachem or chief named Oratam was the ruler of a large tribe of Lenapes in this area. They lived in a village that they called Achikinhesacky, on the banks of the Tantaqua (Overpeck) Creek, on the eastern slope of Teaneck Ridge near Fycke Lane.

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Troubles persisted between the Indians and the Europeans until 1655, and it wasn't until 1704 that any reference to a permanent structure within Teaneck's current boundaries can be found. Later, more houses and farm buildings were constructed along the old Indian trail that ran along and above the west bank of the Hackensack River. The neighborhood that grew here came to be known as East Hackensack or New Hackensack.

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A separate group of Dutch farm houses was constructed along the eastern slope of the Teaneck ridge. There were only a few European families in this neighborhood. Today, Teaneck is fortunate to have several of these early stone houses still standing. Officially designated as historic houses and lovingly maintained by their private owners, they are reminders of our 17th and 18th century Dutch farm heritage.

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The Revolutionary War period

Life was peaceful for the families who lived and farmed in Teaneck for nearly three generations. Then, during a cold and dreary November 1776, Teaneck was witness to General George Washington's famous withdrawal of Colonial forces from nearby Fort Lee on the Hudson River. Early on the morning of November 20th, Washington rode by horseback from his headquarters in Hackensack through Teaneck and across the Overpeck Creek to Fort Lee. There he watched as 6,000 British troops made their way by boats up the Hudson River. He furiously arranged for his owns troops to abandon their vulnerable position on the Palisades. Abandoning camp kettles, tents and most of their provisions, they hastily made their way across the Overpeck Creek and through Teaneck to New Bridge Landing (today's Brett Park in Teaneck). They crossed the bridge, marching barefoot, two abreast, their garments so worn that they were exposed to the cold rain that fell in the late afternoon and evening.

Related Topics:
General George Washington's - Fort Lee - Hudson River - Palisades

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Bergen County was the site of many such harrowing events, and Teaneck was right in the thick of it. Throughout the war, both British and American forces occupied several local homesteads at various times, and Teaneck citizens played key roles on both sides of the conflict.

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After the war, Teaneck returned to being a quiet farm community. Fruits and vegetables grown locally were taken by wagon to busy markets in nearby Paterson and New York City. New growth and development were aroused at mid-century by the establishment of railroads throughout the regions. Wealthy New Yorkers and others purchased large tracts of land on which they built spacious mansions and manor houses. They maintained New York City as their principal places of employment and traveled daily to work by train, thus becoming Teaneck's first suburban commuters.

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The Phelps Estate

The largest estate built in Teaneck belonged to William Walter Phelps, the son of a wealthy railroad magnate and New York City merchant. In 1865, Phelps arrived in Teaneck and enlarged an old farmhouse into a spectacular Victorian mansion on the site of the present Municipal Government Complex. Phelps' "Englewood Farm" eventually encompassed nearly 2,000 acres (8 km²) of landscaped property within the central part of Teaneck. Hence, subsequent development and house construction refocused along the perimeters of the Township, the central part being a lovely park-like tract crisscrossed by picturesque roads and trails.

Related Topics:
William Walter Phelps - New York City

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Township formed

The Township of Teaneck was established on February 19, 1895 and was comprised of parts of Englewood, Hackensack, Ridgefield Park, Bergen Fields (now Bergenfield) and Bogota. William W. Bennett, overseer of the Phelps Estate, chaired the three man Township Committee (later replaced by the current seven member Town Council). The town's population was 811. During these early days of the 20th century, the town's affairs focused on construction of streets and street lamps (originally gaslights), trolley lines (along DeGraw Avenue), telephones and speeding traffic. Social activities centered on church events and harness racing at the popular racetrack on Cedar Lane, near River Road. Several small inns offered fine dining and dancing to overnight guests.

Related Topics:
February 19 - 1895

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Growth in early 20th century

Residential development began in earnest after the opening of the Phelps Estate in 1927. The completion of the George Washington Bridge in 1931 and its connection to Teaneck via Route 4 brought hundreds of curious and eager new home buyers. The population nearly quadrupled between 1920 and 1930, growing from 4,192 to 16,513.

Related Topics:
1927 - George Washington Bridge - 1931 - Route 4

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Such rapid growth was not without its pains. Financial turmoil and inefficiencies in the town government resulted in the adoption of a new Council-Manager form of government in a referendum on September 16, 1930. A full-time Town Manager, Paul A. Volcker, Sr. (father of former Federal Reserve Chairman, Paul A. Volcker, Jr.), was appointed to handle Teaneck's day-to-day business affairs. Volcker's 20-year term, from 1930 to 1950, provided Teaneck with economic stability, zoning and long-term development plans, a paid fire department and civil service for Township employees. It also established a model for future administrations.

Related Topics:
September 16 - 1930 - Federal Reserve - Paul A. Volcker, Jr.

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Development after World War II

Teaneck's reputation was enhanced when it was selected in 1949 from over 10,000 communities as America's model community. A film made, and photographs taken, in Teaneck was shown in Occupied Japan as a part of the United States Army's education program to show democracy in action. (See Teaneck Virtual Village: Teaneck as a Model Town).

Related Topics:
1949 - Occupied Japan - United States Army

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After World War II, there was a second major spurt of building and population growth. The rapid changes and complicated demands of the modern era were met by careful consideration and adherence to the principles established by Teaneck's early citizens and planners. Never was this better illustrated that in 1965 when, after a long and difficult struggle, Teaneck became the first town in the nation where a white majority voted voluntarily for school integration. The sequence of events was the subject of a book entitled "Triumph in a White Suburb" written by Township resident Reginald G. Damerell (1968. New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc.).

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The African-American population in the Northeast corner of Teaneck grew substantially starting in the 1960's, accompanied by white flight triggered by blockbusting efforts of area real estate agents. As this de facto racial segregation increased, so did tensions between residents of the Northeast and Teaneck Police. On the evening of April 10, 1990, the Teaneck Police Department responded to a call from a resident complaining about a teenager with a gun. After an initial confrontation near the Bryant School and a subsequent chase, Phillip Pannell, an African-American teenager, was shot and killed by Gary Spath, a white Teaneck police officer. Spath said he thought Pannell had a gun and was turning to shoot him. Some witnesses said Pannell was unarmed. Protest marches, some violent, ensued, with most African-Americans believing that Pannell had been killed in cold blood, and White residents insisting that Spath had been justified in his actions. Spath was ultimately acquitted on charges of reckless manslaughter in the shooting.

Related Topics:
White flight - Blockbusting - Racial segregation - April 10 - 1990 - Manslaughter

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