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Wyckoff, New Jersey

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Map highlighting Wyckoff's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.

Wyckoff is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 16,508.

The most commonly given origin for the name Wyckoff, which was the origin accepted by the town committee when the town was established, is that Wyckoff is Indian for "high ground". A less widely held theory is that the town was named for Brooklyn judge Pieter Claesen Wyckoff (1625-1694). The surname comes from the Dutch words "Wyk," meaning parish and "Hof," meaning court. Neither of these origins are supported with solid historical evidence. The town has 13 churches, one synagogue, five public schools, three volunteer fire stations, and one volunteer ambulance corps.

History

The first inhabitants of the area were Lenni Lenape Native Americans who lived north of the Raritan River and spoke a Munsee dialect of Algonquian. Sicomac, said to mean "resting place for the departed", is an area of Wyckoff that according to tradition was the burial place of many Native Americans, including Chief Oratam of the Ackingshacys. Most Native Americans had left by the 19th century, although a small group lived near Clinton Avenue until 1939.

What is today Wyckoff was part of Saddle River Township, which included all of Bergen County west of the Saddle River. Saddle River Township was split up in 1771 with the area containing Wyckoff becoming Franklin Township. By 1755, about 100 families lived in the Franklin Township area, of which, no more than 20 were in what is now Wyckoff. Franklin Township (1771) consisted of what is today Ho-Ho-Kus (seceded 1849), Ridgewood (seceded 1876), Midland Park (seceded 1894), Oakland (seceded 1902), Franklin Lakes (seceded 1922), and Wyckoff. The size of Franklin Township decreased as areas seceded and were incorporated into their own towns. After Franklin Lakes was established in 1922, Franklin Township consisted of only the area known locally as Wyckoff. On November 2, 1926, residents voted (243 positive votes out of 337) to change the name from Franklin Township to the Township of Wyckoff. In 1931, part of Wyckoff was transferred to Midland Park.

The first recorded permanent settlers were John and William Van Voor Haze (Voorhees), who purchased 550 acres (2.2 km²) of land in the area in 1720. Other early settlers (mostly Dutch) included the Van Horns, Terhunes, Ackermans, Quackenbushes, Pulises, and Vanderhoffs. In 1940 the population was just under 4,000 consisting of roughly 100 families with 30% of the land was devoted to farming. By 1969 the number of farms had dropped to 13 covering 3 acres (12,000 m²), 6% of the town. Today only three farms remain: Abma's Farm, Russel Orchards, and Goffle Road Poultry Farm, which is Bergen County's only remaining live market. As of September 2006, there will only be one farm left. Russell Orchards and Goffle Road Poultry farm are closing. Train service by the New Jersey Midland Railroad began in 1870. Train service ended abruptly in 1966.

Timeline

  • 1905 - telephone service is installed in 10 houses
  • 1909 - electricity is made available by Rockland Electric
  • 1922 - a volunteer police department is created
  • 1929 - a Ku Klux Klan meeting at a field at Forest Rd. and Wyckoff Ave. attracts one thousand people
  • 1936 - Township Committee purchases street signs
  • 1940 - a 4-legged chicken is hatched at Spring Lake Farm
  • 1940 - a project to number houses is initiated
  • 1944 - the Wyckoff YMCA is established
  • 1950 - a UFO sighting reported by several residents
  • 1952 - pig farms are outlawed following complaints from residents about the stench
  • 1953 - the first traffic light is installed at the intersection of Wyckoff and Franklin Ave.
  • 1954 - Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff (FLOW district) approve a regional high school (1,060 to 51)
  • 1957 - Ramapo High School (in Franklin Lakes) opens
  • 1960 - a second regional high school to be built in Oakland is approved (Indian Hills High School)
  • 1990- Dan Wild is born elsewhere, but his birth is of tremendous significance to the history of the town, as he Captured Osama Bin Laden, fed him to wolves, then subsequently saved the world by reversing the flow of gravity to force a thermo-nuclear Missle to collide with the Sun.
  • 1992 - a 1912 U.S. Navy 30-caliber machine gun found in Zabriskie Pond
  • 1994 - the Vander Platt funeral home prepares the body of Richard Nixon for burial


Geography

Wyckoff is located at 40°59′55″N 74°10′2″W / 40.99861°N 74.16722°W / 40.99861; -74.16722Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (40.998583, -74.167104)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 17.0 km² (6.6 mi²). 17.0 km² (6.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.30%) is water.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census
year		 Population
1920 1,071
1930 3,001
1940 3,847
1950 5,590
1960 11,205
1970 16,039
1980 15,500
1990 15,372
2000 16,508

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 16,508 people, 5,541 households, and 4,632 families residing in the township. The population density was 973.1/km² (2,521.6/mi²). There were 5,638 housing units at an average density of 332.3/km² (861.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 94.54% White, 0.47% African American, 0.15% Native American, 3.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.

There were 5,541 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the township the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $103,614, and the median income for a family was $117,864. Males had a median income of $87,850 versus $51,929 for females. The per capita income for the township was $49,375. About 1.1% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Wyckoff is governed by a Township Committee, which consists of five members elected at large for staggered three-year terms, so that no more than two committee members are elected each year. On January 1, the Township Committee conducts an annual reorganization meeting to organize the government for the new year. The Committee selects a chairperson from among its members who serves as Mayor, and another member to serve as Deputy Mayor. The Mayor chairs meetings of the Township Committee, signs documents on behalf of the Township and performs wedding ceremonies. The Township Committee, as a whole, exercises legislative and executive powers[1].

The members of the Wyckoff Township Committee are Mayor Joseph B. Fiorenzo, Harold Galenkamp, Richard Alnor, David N. Connolly and Henry J. McNamara[2].

Federal, state and county representation

Wyckoff is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District and is in the Fifth Congressional District.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).[3][4] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[5] and George Helmy (Mountain Lakes, term ends 2024).[6][7]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 40th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kristin Corrado (R, Totowa) and in the General Assembly by Al Barlas (R, Cedar Grove) and Christopher DePhillips (R, Wyckoff).[8] Template:NJ Governor

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024, the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[9]

Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[10] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[11] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[12] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[13] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[14] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2024)[15] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2024).[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[24][25] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2024)[26][27] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).[28][29][19][30]

Politics

Out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 17,206, there were 11,098 registered voters (64.5% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,192 (10.7% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 3,515 (31.7% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 6,389 (57.6% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were two voters registered to other parties[31].

On the national level, Wyckoff leans strongly toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 63% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 36%[32].

Education

The Wyckoff School District serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.

For the 1998-99 school year, Eisenhower Middle School was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve[33]. In the 2003-04 school year, Eisenhower Middle School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon Award from the United States Department of Education, the highest honor that an American school can achieve.[34]

There are 5 public schools in Wyckoff: Coolidge, Eisenhower, Lincoln, Sicomac, and Washington. Calvin Coolidge School, located at 420 Grandview Avenue, is an elementary school which opened in 1932 as a 6-room K-6 school and has been expanded several times over the years. Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School, located at 344 Calvin Ct., was approved in 1960 and dedicated 1963. Since 1996 Eisenhower has served grades 6, 7, and 8. Abraham Lincoln School, located at 325 Mason Ave., was dedicated in 1953 on land purchased in 1950. Sicomac School, located at 356 Sicomac Ave., was completed in 1967. George Washington School, located at 270 Woodland Ave., was constructed as an 11-room brick building on the site where the previous school had burned down.

High school students attend Ramapo High School, a regional high school in Franklin Lakes which serves most of Wyckoff and part of Franklin Lakes. The other part of Franklin Lakes, all of Oakland, and a small portion of Wyckoff students attend Indian Hills High School located in Oakland. Both high schools are part of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District

The first school in the town was a 1-room school built on Wyckoff Ave. in 1869 and used until 1906; demolished in 1906. Prior to 1929, high school students attended Central High School in Paterson, before the Board of Education voted to send students to Ramsey High School in Ramsey instead.

Noted residents

Sources

  • On High Ground by The Friends of the Wyckoff Library ISBN 1578641217
  • Images of America: Wyckoff by David R. Brown and the Wyckoff Historical Society

References

  1. ^ Township Committee description, accessed July 13, 2006
  2. ^ 2006 Township Committee members, accessed July 13, 2006
  3. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
  4. ^ Biography, Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Josh now lives in Wyckoff, New Jersey with Marla, his wife who was a federal prosecutor, and their two young children, Ellie and Ben."
  5. ^ U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
  6. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/nyregion/george-helmy-bob-menendez-murphy.html
  7. ^ Tully, Tracey (August 23, 2024). "Menendez's Senate Replacement Has Been a Democrat for Just 5 Months". The New York Times. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Legislative Roster for District 40, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 20, 2024.
  9. ^ County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Vice Chairman Commissioner Chairman Thomas J. Sullivan, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine M. Ortiz, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  12. ^ Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan M. Voss, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  13. ^ Commissioner Mary J. Amoroso, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  14. ^ Cattafi, Kristie. "Democrats pick Bergenfield councilman to fill vacancy on Bergen County commissioners board", The Record, March 13, 2023. Accessed March 16, 2023. "A Democratic councilman from Bergenfield will be sworn in as a Bergen County commissioner Wednesday night, filling a vacancy on the governing body for almost 1 million residents. Rafael Marte will serve until Dec. 31, taking on the unexpired term left by former Commissioner Ramon Hache, a Democrat who resigned last week to lead the Ridgewood YMCA as its chief executive officer."
  15. ^ Commissioner Steven A. Tanelli, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  16. ^ Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  17. ^ Board of County Commissioners, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  18. ^ 2022 County Data Sheet, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  19. ^ a b 2022 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, March 2022. Accessed January 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
  21. ^ Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  22. ^ Precinct Summary Results Report - Combined 2020 Bergen County General Election - November 3, 2020 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, December 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
  23. ^ Bergen County November 5, 2019 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 10, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
  24. ^ About the Clerk, Bergen County Clerk. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  25. ^ Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Sheriff's Office. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  27. ^ Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  28. ^ Michael R. Dressler, Bergen County Surrogate's Court. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  30. ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  31. ^ "County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," dated April 1, 2006
  32. ^ 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004
  33. ^ New Jersey Department of Education Star School Award recipient detail 1998-99 school year, Eisenhower Middle School, accessed July 13, 2006
  34. ^ 2003 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program Chosen Schools, accessed June 6, 2006

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