Paramus, New Jersey (NJ) 07652 Town Information

Paramus is often referred to as “the Crossroads of Bergen
County ” because it is crisscrossed by Route 4, Route 17, and the Garden State Parkway. However, its history is more in-depth than this, and below is a small blurb on the creation of Paramus as a town.

At the turn of the century , there was no town or borough specifically called “Paramus”. There was only Midland Township, which had been formed in 1871, but which had rapidly dwindled in size and population as sections of it broke away to establish their own towns. At this point, only Paramus and Rochelle Park remained.

By the 1920′s, Rochelle Park was becoming a settled suburb, bordering, as it did, the more metropolitan Hackensack. Paramus, however, was still a rural area with some 1600 residents, in 1922.

Schools were the issue that broke up Midland Township and caused Paramus to separate from Rochelle Park. Residents in Rochelle Park wanted to consolidate the schools into one big school in Rochelle Park. That would have meant a lengthy commute for Paramus students.

Residents of Rochelle Park, on the other hand, gave another reason for the separation. They blamed a proposal to install lights on the streets of Rochelle Park, toward which the Paramus farmers did not wish to pay taxes, for the disagreement.

This blurb was brought to you by the “… 7th grade enrichment students at East Brook, who put together a web site on the history of Paramus. Fritz Behnke was instrumental in providing us with much of the source material. Years ago most of his collection was photographed and converted to digital format by a group of high school students. We took those photos and sorted, categorized, identified and labeled them, and then used many of them in creating the web site.”

POINTS OF INTEREST

The Fritz Behnke Museum is looking for volunteers. If interested in helping, please call 201-265- 2100 Ext. 716. The museum will be a place for all to view and to learn the rich history of the community of Paramus. Volunteers are needed to set up displays, to staff the museum and to assist in correspondence.

The Bergen Museum of Art & Science, 327 E. Ridgewood Avenue, is a non-profit, privately supported institution. It has continually changing exhibitions of paintings, graphics, sculpture and photography, featuring prominent New Jersey artists and occasionally highlighting the work of artists of international reputation.

Lectures, seminars, demonstrations, workshops, music and special programs are a regular part of the museum calendar.

The science related exhibits include the Hackensack and Dwarskill Mastodons. The permanent collection holds a large selection of fossils, minerals and rock specimens artifacts from northern New Jersey Indians, bird specimens from Bergen County, and a collection of tools from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. There is a Nature Room with live fish, frogs, turtles, snakes and plants. Features monthly, concerts by prominent performers.

The Museum is open to the public on Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Groups may schedule visits Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Telephone 265-1248.

The New Jersey Children’s Museum is located at 599 Industrial Avenue. The New Jersey Children’s Museum is an interactive play and learning center where children and adults can learn about the world and have a great time together.

The Museum is designed for children from 1 to 8, but children of all ages will enjoy their visit. All exhibits are child friendly. Touching everything is very much encouraged. And we’re huge! Fifteen thousand square feet of carpeted exhibit space is brightly decorated and divided into thirty different rooms, each with its own unique and exciting theme.

The emphasis is on fun and learning. Every room has something for your child to play with, hold, and turn on and off. Every exhibit is fascinating, educational, interactive, and fun for adults too! The Museum is open 7 days a week, including Sunday. Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 1 through October 1, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., winter months 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – 262-5151.

The Bergen Community College, offers two-year associate degrees and one-year certificates in more than 70 career and transfer programs. Students may choose from day and evening courses in business, social sciences, communication arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, allied health and physical education. A variety of non-credit programs are also offered through the division of continuing education. For more information, call (201) 447-7100.

For additional history and facts on Paramus, the following books are available at the Paramus Public Library: Paramus a Chronicle of Two Centuries, Frederick W. Bogert, 50th Anniversary Commemorative Journal 1922-1972 and Paramus, New Jersey, and Applied Natural Resource Inventory. Fritz Behnke’s book, “Paramus, The Way We Were” is also available and can be purchased at the Chamber office or by contacting Fritz Behnke at 201-261-7095.

Find Properties and Homes for Sale in Bergen County NJ: River Edge, Oradell, Paramus, Emerson Fairlawn. Search the complete NJ MLS for free. Contact Carmelo Oliveri, Coldwell Banker Realtor at (201) 618-2854. Visit our web site at http://www.ournjhouse.com