Wyckoff, New Jersey

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Map highlighting Wyckoff's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
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. It is a primarily white, upper-middle class bedroom community outside New York City.

From the mid-18th century, what is now Wyckoff was a community within Franklin Township, which consisted of most of northern Bergen County west of the Saddle River. Starting in the 1840s, several new municipalities were created from portions of Franklin Township, so that today what is now Wyckoff borders eight different communities. Wyckoff was formed as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 2, 1926, replacing Franklin Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. Portions of Wyckoff were ceded to Midland Park based on the results of a referendum held on June 9, 1931.[1]

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 from the Lenape word "wickoff", meaning high ground, or that it is from "wickok" meaning water.[2] 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. None of these origins is supported with solid historical evidence. The town has 13 churches, one synagogue, five public schools, three volunteer fire stations, and one volunteer ambulance corps.

Contents

[edit] History

The first human 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" or "happy hunting ground", is an area of Wyckoff that, according to tradition, was the burial place of many Native Americans, including Chief Oratam of the Ackingshacys, and many stores and buildings there are named after the area's name, including Sicomac Elementary School.[3] 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 two farms left. Russell Orchards is closing. Rail service by the New Jersey Midland Railway began in 1870. That service was purchased by the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway, which abruptly ended passenger service in 1966.

In 1994, the Vander Platt funeral home prepared the body of Richard Nixon for burial.

[edit] 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
  • 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)

[edit] Geography

Wyckoff is located at 40°59′55″N, 74°10′2″W (40.998583, -74.167104)GR1.

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.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1930 3,001
–
1940 3,847 28.2%
1950 5,590 45.3%
1960 11,205 100.4%
1970 16,039 43.1%
1980 15,500 -3.4%
1990 15,372 -0.8%
2000 16,508 7.4%
Est. 2005 17,206 [4] 4.2%
Population 1930 - 1990[5]

As of the censusGR2 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.

[edit] Government

[edit] 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.[6]

The members of the Wyckoff Township Committee are Mayor David N. Connolly, Richard C. Alnor (2009), Joseph B. Fiorenzo (2009), Harold Galenkamp and Henry J. McNamara.[7]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled two seats for three-year terms on the Township Committee. As of Election Day, the township committee was comprised entirely of Republicans, in a community in which registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by an almost 3-1 margin. Republican incumbents Joseph B. Fiorenzo (3,907 votes) and Richard Alnor (3,656) won re-election, defeating Democratic challenger Brian J. Hubert (3,125). A ballot initiative establishing a Municipal Open Space Fund that would add a ½-cent tax for each $100 in assessed value passed by a 3,027-2,726 margin.[8][9][10] While Hubert fell short of winning a seat by over 500 votes, his performance was significant in a community in which Republicans significantly outnumber Democrats.[11]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Wyckoff is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District and is in the Fifth Congressional District.[12]

New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, covering the northern portions of Bergen County, Passaic County and Sussex County and all of Warren County, is represented by Scott Garrett (R, Wantage Township). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 40th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Henry McNamara (R, Wyckoff) and in the Assembly by Kevin J. O'Toole (R, Wayne) and David C. Russo (R, Midland Park). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Bergen County's County Executive is Dennis McNerney (D). The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. Bergen County's Freeholders are Chairman Tomas J. Padilla (D, Park Ridge), Vice-Chairman Elizabeth Calabrese (D, Wallington), David L. Ganz (D, Fair Lawn), James M. Carroll (D, Demarest), Bernadette P. McPherson (D, Rutherford), Julie O'Brien (D) and Connie Wagner (D).

Other countywide elected officials are Sheriff Leo McGuire (D), Surrogate Court Judge Mike Dressler (D, Cresskill) County Clerk Kathleen Donovan (R).

[edit] Politics

As of April 1, 2006, 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.[13].

In the November 2006 general election, Wyckoff residents passed a Municipal Open Space Tax that will allow greater access to grants and Green Acres funds to acquire available property for public use. Wyckoff joins over 200 New Jersey municipalities in the establishment of a Municipal Open Space Fund.

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%.[14]

[edit] Education

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

For the 1998-99 school year, Eisenhower Middle School, the only middle school in the township, was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.[15]. 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.[16]

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.

In 2005, a major multi-school expansion project was on the ballots on Election Day, and was passed. Each tax-payer would need to pay an extra $14 each month for almost 2 years to pay off the enormous project that would add 2-12 rooms into each school, to help with over-crowding in Wyckoff. The construction began in Eisenhower Middle School, the most crowded, in Spring of 2006. Extra precautions had and have to be taken, because the construction is going on while students are in school. During the summer of 2006, in-the-building renovations started, while it was safer to bring larger object in through the halls. One science classroom and a social studies classroom next to it had the wall between the two moved, and the social studies classroom became 1/3 its previous size, and is now the copy center, and will become a hallway to connect the original building and the new expansion. The science classroom became the new guidance office. The older, and smaller guidance office became a special-education classroom. Eisenhower's construction should be completed by early September of 2007. The elementary schools' construction will definitely be completed by September of 2008, but will probably be finished by early 2008.

Any high school students from Wyckoff may attend Ramapo High School, a regional high school in Franklin Lakes or Indian Hills High School located in Oakland. Any high school student from Franklin Lakes may also attend either Ramapo High School or Indian Hills High School. In a recently held election residents of Oakland were given the same choice. Both high schools are part of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District

The first school in the town was a one-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.

[edit] Noted residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 89.
  2. ^ A Brief History of Wyckoff, accessed November 24, 2006
  3. ^ If You're Thinking of Living In/Wyckoff; Country Ambiance in Ramapo Foothills. The New York Times, March 19, 1995
  4. ^ Census data for Wyckoff, United States Census Bureau, accessed March 1, 2007
  5. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, accessed March 1, 2007
  6. ^ Township Committee description, accessed July 13, 2006
  7. ^ 2007 Township Committee members, accessed February 1, 2007
  8. ^ Wyckoff Election Guide, The Record (Bergen County), November 1, 2006
  9. ^ Election 2006: Municipal Results, The Record (Bergen County), November 8, 2006
  10. ^ Bergen County 2006 General Election Results, accessed February 1, 2007
  11. ^ Democrat optimistic despite getting beat, The Record (Bergen County), November 12, 2006
  12. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 66, accessed August 30, 2006
  13. ^ "County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," dated April 1, 2006
  14. ^ 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004
  15. ^ New Jersey Department of Education Star School Award recipient detail 1998-99 school year, Eisenhower Middle School, accessed July 13, 2006
  16. ^ 2003 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program Chosen Schools, accessed June 6, 2006
  17. ^ Rock & a good place The Record (Bergen County), December 24, 2006
  18. ^ Biography for Kristen Caldwell, accessed November 12, 2006
  19. ^ a b "Emperors and Idiots" excerpt, accessed March 25, 2007. "By 1983, Dent had been traded away to the Texas Rangers, though he still owned a house in Wyckoff, New Jersey, which he rented out during the season. That year, the lease belonged to the man who’d recently been hired as the Yankees’ third-base coach, a baseball lifer named Don Zimmer, the same man who’d been the Red Sox manager on October 2, 1978, and whose professional fate was irreversibly sealed with that one swing of Dent’s bat."
  20. ^ Mr. and Mrs. Happy, The Record (Bergen County), November 26, 2006
  21. ^ Gertrude Ederle, first woman to swim English Channel; at 98, The Boston Globe, December 1, 2003. "She had spent the last several years living at the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, N.J., about 25 miles northwest of New York City."
  22. ^ Second Cup Café: The Jonas Brothers, CBS News, September 2, 2006. "The brothers from Wyckoff, N.J., visit the Second Cup Café to play songs from their album. "
  23. ^ Wyckoff native Constantine Maroulis moves beyond 'Idol' fame, The Record (Bergen County), February 13, 2007
  24. ^ Greg Schiano: Rutgers University Scarlet Knights Head Coach, accessed December 3, 2006
  25. ^ HE'S NICKELODEON'S KIND OF KID -- BUT WYCKOFF TEEN TAKES HIS STARDOM IN STRIDE , The Record (Bergen County), April 4, 1998

[edit] Sources

[edit] External links

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