Sonya Hansen A family friend from Oakland has recently passed away. Shortly before her death, Sonya shared a short story she had written years before. As a gesture to her family, I offered to have this published in print or on a known site. It is a very clever and possibly unique story line. Since this site is just being launched, it is only fitting that Sonya is the featured writer. To underscore her importance to Oakland, see the photo of her with Kevin Heffernan touring the Hansen House. Sonya wrote several more stories, but this is my favorite. More information about Sonya and her family can be found in…
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What Happened to Oakland’s Downtown
Downtown Oakland What Happened to Oakland’s Downtown 9 Oct, 2014 in Features / OaklandNJ What Happened to Oakland’s Downtown? By Kevin Heffernan Downtown Oakland…..Well folks, I’m sad to say that this term is a bit of an oxymoron. No, I’m not poking fun at it and I’m not attempting to abuse the priceless memories of those who grew up here. So why is it an oxymoron and what happened to whatever we refer to as downtown Oakland? In 1872 the wilderness of a farming Oakland had a railroad, a railroad station and large house serving as a ticket agency and as the post office. Then realizing that local citizens needed stuff that the railroad…
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Welcome to Oakland Time Travels
Welcome to Oakland Time Travels 8 Mar, 2014 in Features / Oakland Time Travels / OaklandNJ Greetings to fellow lovers of Oakland! My name is Kevin Heffernan and I have had the opportunity and pleasure of living in Oakland for the last 35 years. And, I am both delighted and extraordinarily honored to join the wonderful team at The Oakland Journal. My wife and I came here from Fairlawn simply because we knew that Oakland was kinda out there and somewhat rural. And it was, still is and proud of it. My contribution here is to write about aspects of the history of Oakland. What!!!…By a NEWBIE? Yup, and I say that with all due humility.…
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The Roots and Origin of the Hansen House
July 3, 2018 The Roots and Origin of the Hansen House Oakland, New Jersey 1938 – 1973 The Portobello Banquet Facility as a Time Capsule Summary and Conclusion The core of the Hansen House is believed to originally be a farmhouse built at or before 1861 and greatly expanded by Mrs. Florence Vernam in the early 1890s. The Case for Its Origins as a Simple Farmhouse 1. The original foundation is crude stone rubble typically deployed by farmers building their own farmhouses. 2. There is evidence of late 19th Century masonry in the basement of Portobello’s Banquet facility indicating a significant expansion of the building during that period. 3. A…
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Oakland History: An Op Ed View
presenting the history of Oakland I’ve been engaged for a few years now on Facebook presenting the history of Oakland to all who desired to fondly recall their roots. And I have done this as a relative stranger among the multitude who grew up here in Oakland and indeed lived, breathed and who were so enriched by the simple, wonderful joys of our Mayberry. Along the way since my wife and I moved here in 1979, I have been blessed with many friends, many of whom grew up here and shared what it was like then. I am insanely jealous. one of ten children in 1951 I grew up in…
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Bob Spear on his Ancestral Bush Residence
Bob Spear on his Ancestral Home-The Bush Residence 7/10/2013 “My great grandfather’s home circa 1870 on Valley Road- later the home of David C. Bush & Anna F. Spear and much later the Oakland Jewish Center. Henry I. Speer’s farm was next door opposite Ponds Church burying ground. The kitchen area on the right, huge barn in rear where my brother played as a child,” Bob, Thanks for adding additional info on this building. Please post your your comment as I think that it would be good for everyone to know and appreciate both your and Oakland’s heritage. At the bottom of the pic is a hand written notation, “The…
