Historical Markers and War Memorials in River Vale, New Jersey
Hackensack is the county seat for Bergen County
River Vale is in Bergen County
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On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
Late one night in 1778, the woods you are standing in suddenly echoed with the sounds of battle. A surprise attack by British soldiers nearly destroyed an American regiment, Baylor’s 3rd Continental Light Dragoons. Today, this park tells the story . . . — — Map (db m8455) HM
On Red Oak Drive, on the right when traveling east.
The evening of September 27, 1778, found Baylor’s Dragoons settling for the night near this site. The neighborhood’s name, Overkill, came from the small bridge “Over de kill”, a kill being a creek or river to the Jersey Dutch settlers. It . . . — — Map (db m8454) HM
On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
“This millstone is the only visible marker of the Baylor Massacre in existence today. On September 28, 1778, a detail of Baylor’s Continental Dragoons camping at Haring’s Tannery in River Vale was betrayed into the hands of the British by a Tory . . . — — Map (db m7876) HM
On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
In memory of American soldiers killed during the Revolutionary War in the “Baylor Massacre” on September 28, 1778. Lt. Col. George Baylor’s 3rd Regiment of Continental Dragoons took quarters for the night on several nearby farms. Tories betrayed . . . — — Map (db m7874) HM
On Rivervale Road at James Lane, on the left when traveling north on Rivervale Road.
Built about 1828 by David C. Blauvelt on land he purchased in 1801. The 37 acre farm was situated in the locality once known as Overkill Neighborhood. David was a blacksmith and after his death, son John D. Blauvelt bought the homestead in 1842. He . . . — — Map (db m7943) HM
On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
Six soldiers of those killed in the Baylor Massacre were buried here in three abandoned tan vats. The vats were part of a small tan yard which existed here before the Revolution.
The gravesite was discovered in 1967 and the soldiers were . . . — — Map (db m7875) HM
In Honor Of
USS Enterprise (CV-6)
1938-1947
20 Battle Stars World War II
Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation
Most battle stars awarded to any World War II ship. Only fast carrier to be awarded both the Presidential Unit . . . — — Map (db m113981) WM
On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
The American army may have had trouble supplying its soldiers and keeping them fit for fighting, but in one way the Americans were superior: their propaganda writers were experts at whipping up anti-British feelings. An incident like the Baylor . . . — — Map (db m8474) HM
Here as they slept at dawn on Sept. 28, 1778 Col. Geo. Baylor and 116 Virginia Dragoons were attacked by the British under General "No Flint" Grey. Major Clough, Surgeon George Evans, with fifty other Colonial troopers were killed. — — Map (db m55831) HM
On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
In September 1778, British commanders sent huge foraging parties up both sides of the Hudson River, stripping the local farms of their autumn harvest and livestock. Washington’s forces in the area were seriously outnumbered, but he sent small . . . — — Map (db m8456) HM
On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
The Aftermath Imagine the scene in the early morning daylight of the morning of September 28, 1778 at Overkill:
. American soldiers were dead, wounded and missing. Some escaped, others were British captives. . Major Charles Clough lay dying. . . . — — Map (db m8472) HM
On Red Oak Drive at Rivervale Road, on the right when traveling east on Red Oak Drive.
Washington’s army marched mostly on its feet. But the General also formed four “regiments of horse,” the Continental Light Dragoons. Although costly to maintain, the Light Dragoons performed a valuable service. They provided a way for . . . — — Map (db m8471) HM
USS Enterprise (CV-6)
Stern Plate
Mr. Henry Hoffman, the engineer responsible for the dismantling of the Enterprise between 1958 and 1960, had the foresight to recognize the historical significance of the Aircraft Carrier’s stern plate. In 1959 . . . — — Map (db m113980) WM
On Rivervale Road at Prospect Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Rivervale Road.
Built about 1784 by William Holdrum, Jr., a farmer who inherited a 116 acre tract from his father, William Holdrum, Sr., the present structure was built as an addition to the 1765 house of Johannes Mabie, Holdrum enlarged the dwelling to the west . . . — — Map (db m7945) HM