Park Ridge in Bergen County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Dutch of Bergen County
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010
1. The Dutch of Bergen County Marker
“No people are more respected for honesty and uprightness of character than the Americans of Dutch extraction; but they are not reckoned so enterprising as the other classes of the inhabitants. There are individuals in the country even now, who can hardly speak a word of English; and Mr. Taylor, and all the clergymen of the Dutch congregations in this neighborhood, preach, at certain times, in the Dutch language.”
Although the Dutch came to New Jersey seeking trade opportunities, agriculture quickly became more important than trade once permanent towns were mapped out in the areas west of the Hudson River. The village of Bergen was settled in 1660.
this page online
Starting first in the lowlands along the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers and then moving up onto the Piedmont Plain and the Highlands, settlers hurried to clear forests to farm the rich soil.
The descendants of the first Dutch in New Jersey came to be respected as among the best farmers in the colonies. Emigration from Holland nearly ceased following the English conquest of the area in 1664, but the strong Dutch presence and agricultural prosperity already established continued under English rule. The Dutch found that they could grow virtually all of the same field crops, vegetables, fruits and livestock they remembered in the Netherlands. Many varieties of food plants came directly from their homeland.
Local conditions also encouraged the development of new varieties such as the Double Paradise apple of Bergen County and special varieties of cider apples grown in Essex and Bergen counties.
- Even today the influence of the Dutch settlers is all around us in familiar names
Topics.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010
2. Markers at the Wortendyke Barn
Several markers are found near the Dutch barn. The Dutch of Bergen County marker is seen here on the right.
Location. 41° 1.718′ N, 74° 2.725′ W. Marker is in Park Ridge, New Jersey, in Bergen County. It is on Pascack Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Park Ridge NJ 07656, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey, in Greater Newark, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Between Two Brooks The Wortendyke Barn (here, next to this marker); The Wortendykes (here, next to this marker); Wortendyke Dutch Barn (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010
3. The Wortendyke Dutch Barn
This Dutch style barn found near the marker pre-dates the American Revolution.
More about this marker. A map of New Jersey and surrounding states appears on the left side of the marker. A Dutch family sitting around a table is on the markers upper right.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010
4. Dutch Barn on Pascack Road
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2010
5. The Wortendyke Farmhouse
This house, located across the street from the marker, was built in 1770, the same year as the barn.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,902 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 19, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
