Demarest in Bergen County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Demarest Railroad Station

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 1, 2008

1. Demarest Railroad Station

Inscription. Built 1872 at “Demarests Station” on the Northern Railroad of New Jersey. Designed by noted architect J. Cleveland Cady, it was considered the “handsomest on the line.” The depot was built of Palisades stone quarried on the Demarest farm. The station was named for State Senator Ralph S. Demarest, a director of the railroad, and his family, who owned the land. The Borough took the name when incorporated in 1903.

Sponsored by Demarest Historical Association 1980.

Erected 1980 by Bergen County Historical Society. (Marker Number 67.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey, Bergen County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 40° 57.403′ N, 73° 57.795′ W. Marker is in Demarest, New Jersey, in Bergen County. Marker is on Park Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Demarest NJ 07627, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Douwe Talema (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sautes Tave’s Begraven Ground (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Closter Horseman (approx. ¾ mile

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away); Walter Parcells Homestead (approx. 0.8 miles away); Harold Hess Lustron House (approx. one mile away); Closter Public School (approx. one mile away); Benjamin P. Westervelt Homesite (approx. one mile away); Schraalenburgh Road (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Demarest.

Additional commentary.
1. Passenger Service Through Demarest
The occasional freight is all that rumbles on the track past the Demarest railroad station today, but for more than 100 years until the early 1960s, numerous passenger trains stopped here on their way to and from Jersey City. By the 1940s the Erie Railroad ran the line, and they were all commuter trains ferrying folks to their jobs in New York City. At the bustling Jersey City terminal, a ferry completed the commute across the Hudson River to a dock at Chambers Street.

The Northern Railroad of New Jersey ran between Nyack in New York and Jersey City, a distance of 28 miles. The typical commuter train took 55 minutes from beginning to end, with another 15 minutes for the connecting ferryboat. From Demarest

Park Street Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 1, 2008

2. Park Street Marker

it was just 22 minutes to the Jersey City Terminal. How long is your commute today?

— Submitted May 25, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Demarest Railroad Station and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 1, 2008

3. Demarest Railroad Station and Marker

The Demarest Railroad Station is on the List of Registered Historic Places in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 1, 2008

4. Demarest Railroad Station

Today, the Railroad Station serves as the Demarest Senior Citizens Recreation Center.

Photographed By Mehmet Celaj, May 27, 2021

5. Demarest Railroad Station

Photographed By Mehmet Celaj, May 27, 2021

6. Demarest Railroad Station

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, May 1, 2008

7. Demarest Railroad Station

This station was considered the "handsomest on the line" of New Jersey's Northern Railroad.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,957 times since then and 78 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week June 1, 2008. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2021, by Mehmet Celaj of Dumont, New Jersey. 7. submitted on May 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.