Ridgewood Water Digs for Water Treatment, Finds 18th-Century Colonial Home Foundation in Wyckoff! See the Amazing Discovery
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The planned construction of a new PFAS treatment facility by Ridgewood Water in Wyckoff Township, NJ, has turned into a fascinating journey through time! While preparing to break ground at the Cedar Hill Avenue Well Field, a required state archaeological survey has unexpectedly uncovered a significant piece of Bergen County colonial history.
What started as a routine environmental project has led to the exciting rediscovery of the Daniel Rutan House Site (28Be233), a home linked to one of Wyckoff’s earliest settlers.
From Environmental Survey to Archaeological Dig
Ridgewood Water is moving forward with essential infrastructure upgrades, including a new facility designed to treat PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminants in the water supply. As is standard practice for such projects in New Jersey, a cultural resource review was mandated.
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Stage 1 Discovery: The initial archaeological survey quickly revealed a substantial scatter of artifacts dating from the 18th through the 19th centuries. These finds included items like pottery shards, pieces of glass, pipestems, and early building materials.
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Stage 2 Confirmation: The required follow-up investigation (Stage 2) led to a more significant discovery: the stone foundation of a house.
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Historical Identification: Detailed historical research has preliminarily identified this foundation as belonging to the home of Daniel Rutan.
Meet Daniel Rutan: A French Huguenot Pioneer
Daniel Rutan, a French Huguenot immigrant, settled in the area that would eventually become Wyckoff Township during the mid-1700s. His house stood on the Cedar Hill Avenue site for generations, serving as a silent witness to the area’s transition from colonial settlement to farming community.
The home was ultimately taken down in the early 20th century to make way for the construction of the existing well field—a common practice as utilities expanded across the region.
The Final Dig: Stage 3 Archaeological Investigation
The current and final phase, known as the Stage 3 investigation, is now underway, led by the experts at Hunter Research, Inc.
The goal of this intensive effort is to fully explore and formally document the remnants of the Daniel Rutan House before the new treatment facility is built. Archaeologists hope this final excavation will provide crucial insights into the daily lives of the site’s former occupants, spanning multiple eras:
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Early Colonial Settlers: Information about the original French Huguenot occupation in the 1700s.
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19th-Century Farmers: Details on the farming life that defined Bergen County during that era.
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Early 20th-Century Suburbanites: A final glimpse into the home just before it was replaced by the modern infrastructure of the Ridgewood Water well field.
This unexpected archaeological treasure trove provides a rare opportunity to connect vital water infrastructure development with the preservation of North Jersey’s rich, layered history.
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