The Oakland Military Academy The following is the obituary of the wife of John Sarcka who was the headmaster of the Oakland Riding Academy in Oakland, NJ. The Oakland Military Academy was the successor to the Calderwood Hotel in Oakland which in turn was the successor to the Bush residence, a 2 story 18th Century residence on Ramapo Valley Road. All the above is now a parking lot and a strip mall located on the east side of Ramapo Valley Road between the railroad tracks and Oak Street. MARIE SARCKANew Windsor, N.Y. Marie Sarcka of New Windsor, a retired school administrator for Oakland Academy in New Windsor and longtime resident…
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Pleasureland Past and Present
Pleasureland Past, Present,… As the Borough of Oakland considers the future of the Pleasureland property, The Journal offers a multimedia presentation covering Pleasureland’s past and present …including photos, music, and videos…for those interested in reading about the infamous event, you can click here. ….Otherwise, enjoy the better memories…. click to enlarge “Our annual family ‘picnic’ was held at Pleasureland, or Suntan Lake! Our parents would take us to all these cool places, like Wild West City, or Fairy Tale Forest, or The Land of Make Believe! (I’m tearing up, here!) We had no cable television, so Saturday morning TV consisted of Wonderama! (If you got up REAL early, you had…
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The Pulis House and Pond
The Pulis House and Pond Sometime In the early to mid 50s, my wife Elaine’s father John Oldenburg rented a house on Ramapo Valley Road and opened Bergen – Passaic Engineering and Surveying. Soon after, he accepted a position as Borough of Oakland Engineer and became close friends with Milt and Aggie Pulis. Before moving to Oakland in 1957, Elaine recalls frequent trips to the Pulis home with her brother John and mother Betty, who would later become the Valley School Nurse. Massive Concrete Piling One of Elaine’s special recollections is of the top of a massive concrete piling that came up from the basement and ended flush with Pulis’s…
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Installment #8 – The Unauthorized Biography of the Founder of Oakland
Founder of Oakland David C. Bush It may be that many in Oakland have heard of David C. Bush and it’s probably that most might even be aware of Bush Plaza adjacent to the railroad tracks in town. But it’s a good wager to suggest that most do not know of his contributions to community and, equally, that this community would likely not exist were it not for him. He was, in my opinion, the true father of Oakland. When you think of the name of David C. Bush, think of the railroad, think of post master, think of our own Bergen County Freeholder, think of naming our town ‘Oakland’…
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Installment #6 – The Ponds Church
Ponds Church The Ponds Church – Serving God and Oakland for Over 300 Years The Ponds Church in Oakland…..This writer struggles to present its importance and contribution to this community since it was established in 1710. And even now when I have much information at my fingertips about it, I still marvel at its contribution to Oakland and say a silent prayer in thanksgiving for its presence here as Oakland would simply not be what it is without it. If one were to think about it for a moment, the Ponds Church was 66 years old when the Declaration of Independence was read from its pulpit and 153 years old…
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Installment #5 – The Bergen County Courthouse Comes to Oakland
Oakland History Reconsidered Recap of Oakland History Presentation Oakland Sheriff Hangs Prisoner Without a Trial We Oaklanders take great pride in the historical fact that in 1780 the Bergen County Courthouse was moved to Oakland. Of course, we think, where else would it be moved to other than here, this fine valley, with its law-abiding citizenry. Oakland was, we think, the first, the best and the natural choice. However, the facts tell a different story. This article is about the how’s and why’s of the arrival of the Bergen County Courthouse in Oakland in 1780 during the American Revolution. It is also about the hanging of a prisoner of the…
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Installment #4 – The Real Skinny About George Washington and the Van Allen House
Oakland History Reconsidered Recap of Oakland History Presentation Washington and the Van Allen House This installment will focus on just one of several events that occurred in Oakland during the Revolutionary War: Washington and the Van Allen House. More to the point, did he really stay there? Is this urban legend, wishful thinking or a documented fact? Commonly accepted Oakland history tells us that George Washington slept at the Van Allen House on July 14, 1777. Indeed, one is tempted to develop an imaginary scene wherein RVR is lined with flag waving Oakland residents cheering with the passing of each troop with George Washington on a white stallion in the…
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Installment #2- Slavery in Oakland
Slavery In Oakland In this era of hyper politically correct sensitivity, did you know that your property was once owned by a slave owner and that your same property was once farmed by slave labor? your property was once owned by a slave owner Yup, it’s true. And did you know that the very founding and settling of what is now Oakland was accomplished by virtue of slave ownership? Yup, it’s also true. In fact there are a few slave graveyards still in Oakland. So, let’s start from the beginning and explore the facts. Prior to 1664 the Dutch laid claim to all of New Jersey and New York…
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Installment #3 The Names of the First Oakland Settlers
Oakland History Reconsidered The Names of the First Oakland Settlers Recap of Oakland History Presentation Installment #3 The Names of the First Oakland Settlers and When They Really Came Here!! In the previous installment we are told of land patents and the requirement that the wilderness area of the patent had to be populated within 6 years of its granting. It was also noted that the use of slave ownership was a tool to encourage the settlement of the wilderness via free land for every slave owned and, by extension, slavery was the probable basis for the settlement of this valley, a portion of which was destined to become Oakland.…
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Installment #1 – Mother Nature, Men Without Good Maps
Oakland History Reconsidered Recap of Oakland History Presentation Installment #1 Mother Nature, Men Without Good Maps, the Brits, the Dutch and Indians Ramapo Mountains The history of Oakland really begins with Mother Nature. A few billion years ago when the earth was forming, the forces of nature created the Ramapo Mountains which originally were as tall as the Alps. However, since their original formation there have been 5 Ice Ages. The ice, about 5 miles thick, literally wore them down to their current size and height in the course of advancing and receding. The same Ice Ages also created the Palisades along the Hudson River and the wide valley between…
