Bergen County was formed in 1683 and was one of the four original New Jersey counties. It is one of the five wealthiest counties in the country and consistently rates among the ten healthiest places to live in the United States. The county has the lowest tax rate and the greatest percentage of jobs and businesses in New Jersey. It is also located within just a few miles of Manhattan.
The Village of Ridgewood was originally called Godwinville to honor Revolutionary War hero Abraham Godwin. Albert Zabriskie was the first European landowner in the area. He obtained 2000 acres from the local Indians in 1662. In 1687, Lord Carteret granted 500 acres to Samuel Kingland. Dutch settlers arrived in 1700. Full-scale land development began in 1800. Rail service from New York City started in 1848. Almost immediately, Godwinville became a popular summer resort recommended by New York doctors for its healthful climate. In a successful campaign by Cordelia Dayton, Godwinville was renamed Ridgewood in 1866. It was incorporated as the Village of Ridgewood in 1894. The Village of Ridgewood has a rich architectural history with variety of architectural styles represented in public buildings and in private homes. The Play House, built in 1913 in the Mediterranean style, was originally used for theatrical presentations. Today it represents Ridgewood's support of the arts. The Wilsey Building was built in 1914 in the Tudor style. It is named for one of Ridgewood's major builders -- Walter W. Wilsey. The Italian Renaissance style is represented in the George L. Pease Memorial Library, built in 1923. The 1930 First National Bank and Trust Company building was built in the Classical style. Homes built at the turn of the 20th century still stand proud in Ridgewood. Restored Victorians grace the residential streets along with newer homes in a variety of styles. The Ridgewood Parks Department maintains a wide range of facilities for the enjoyment of locals. Veteran's Park encompasses twelve acres of ball courts and fields, grass, and play areas. Graydon Pool offers swimming in summer and ice-skating in winter. The pool complex also features a shaded sand bottom pool area. There are many tennis courts around the village and several top-rated golf courses are nearby. Other local parks include Maple Park, King's Pond Park, Twinney Pond Park and Pleasant Park. The Village of Ridgewood hosts several community events each year. The annual Taste of Ridgewood is a charity event sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce. Many local restaurants offer samples of their food, and visitors can enjoy live entertainment. The Farmer's Market takes place from June through October and offers a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce. The Spring Car Show features vintage vehicles and live DJs. Additional events include Easter in Ridgewood, a Summer Sidewalk Sale and Santa in the Park. Elementary, middle and high school students in the village are served by Ridgewood Public Schools. The district offers a wide variety of curricula and programs to serve the needs of its diverse student body. In addition to traditional schools, a preschool and a community school are available. Educational programs offered by the community school include international travel, computer literacy, finance, health and more. For post-secondary education, Bergen Community College, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Williams Edward College and several other colleges and universities are nearby. Residents of Ridgewood Village benefit tremendously from their proximity to Manhattan. Just 12 miles away, this suburban village enjoys easy access to the world-class excitement and amenities of New York's economic hub. Manhattan is home to internationally renowned cultural attractions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the New York City Opera Company, the New York City Ballet, the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York and the New York Public Library - all of which are within a stone's throw of Ridgewood residents. Also located in nearby Manhattan are Central Park and Times Square. The city is a major financial center, home to the New York and American stock exchanges in addition to some of the world's largest banks. Additionally, a number of outstanding colleges and universities can be found in Manhattan. Columbia University, New York University, the Julliard School, the New School for Social Research and Rockefeller University are all within commuting distance of the Village of Ridgewood. |