Paramus in Bergen County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rutan-Terhune-Bidwell House
Built by Jacobus Rutan, a farmer, on 32 acres of land about 1794-95. In 1800 his widow and son sold the house to Cornelius H. Zabriskie, a blacksmith and farmer. In 1856 he deeded the house to his grandson, Cornelius Zabriskie Terhune, also a farmer. The property was sold in 1869 to Rebecca S. Bidwell, wife of John A. Bidwell who farmed the land. They remodeled the house, including a new roof in the French mansard style, popular at the time.
In State and National Registers of Historic Places
Erected 1996 by Bergen County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey, Bergen County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
Location. 40° 57.477′ N, 74° 5.605′ W. Marker is in Paramus, New Jersey, in Bergen County. It is on Paramus Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paramus NJ 07652, 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 and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: One-Room Schoolhouse (approx. Ό mile away); Stephen T. Zabriskie House (approx. half a mile away); Van Dien House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Jacob J. Zabriskie House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Dunkerhook Road (approx. 0.7 miles away); Naugle House (approx. 0.9 miles away); Hopper Homestead (approx. one mile away); George Washington Kneeling in Prayer (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paramus.
Regarding Rutan-Terhune-Bidwell House. This house is private property. Please do not block the driveway, disturb the occupants, or trespass onto the property.
Also see . . . Bergen County Historical Society. Society website entry (Submitted on June 15, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 13, 2008
3. Rutan-Terhune-Bidwell House
The mansard roof can be seen in this photo. Made popular by French architect Franηois Mansart, it has the roof-line below the level of the top floor. This was a way to reduce taxes, when houses were taxed on the number of stories they had.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,160 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.

