the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the aerial photo is of Route 17 in the 1950’s (?) of the traffic circles on Route 17 one on Racetrack road on what is now the overpass that bridges from East Saddle River Road to Paramus Road . The traffic circles on 17 were notoriously dangerous and during the 60’s and 70’s several people were run over crossing Route 17 in the area. The larger circle near Glen Ave had a house in the middle ,but was removed when the ,overpass was built in 1963(?). During a huge flood in 1972 the river changed its course and was later widened to cut down on the flooding and Ridgewood Water built the large water tank.
Growing up in the early 60s the area was more rural . Paramus still had many farms . The East side of Route 17 was considered Ho-Ho-Kus by the Bergen Record and in later years we had a councilmember that did not know it was Ridgewood . There are three ponds in the photo, that sadly no longer exist all including Saddle River were a mecca for great fishing. You can see Guy W. Calissi house he had a little peer for his boat and swimming, (16 years as Bergen County, prosecutor and was appointed in 1970 to serve as a judge on New Jersey Superior Court,) . Saddle River also accommodated a swimming hole and it was much deeper in those days. You can also see the roof of Old Paramus Church and the Zabriskie Schedler Property.
It was a great time to be alive for a kid, lots of outdoor play time, biking, skateboards, fishing , yo-yo’s , rivers, streams and ponds, sand lot baseball and summer evenings loaded with fireflies .
Interesting. It would have been nice with some numbers corresponding to the items you mentioned. All I can figure out is the three ponds. More historical items would be nice to see in the blog. Thanks.
For proper orientation, look for the 135 degree hairpin turn near Route 17 that links, or forms the intersection between, East Glen Avenue and Franklin Turnpike.
Is there somewhere to view this map in person? The library perhaps?