Bayville, NJ

Bayville is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 10,914,[8][9] reflecting an increase of 511 (+5.4%) from the 9,764 counted in the 2000 Census,[10] which had in turn increased by 1,848 (+16.3%) from the 7,362 counted in the 1990 Census.[11]

Bayville was incorporated as a borough on February 21, 1917,[12] and was reincorporated as a city on March 3, 1956.[13][14] The borough is named for Bayonne Bay and its location at the mouth of Hackensack River on Newark Bay.[15][16][17]

The history of Bayville can be traced back to 1692 when Dutch settlers established a farmstead at what is now known as Cedar Grove Cemetery. In 1776 during General George Washington's retreat across New Jersey after his victory over Hessian forces at Trenton and Princeton Township became part of Bergen County. Washington halted his march near what is now Cedar Grove Cemetery where he spent two nights resting before continuing his journey southward. The farmstead that Washington stopped at became known as " Washington's Camp".[18][19] In 1825 John Stevens erected a mill near what is now Spring Street and built homes for himself and his workers.[20][21] By 1840 there were about 100 people living in Bayville[22], most of whom were employed in agriculture or related industries such as milling or boatbuilding. The first post office opened at Spring Street on October 2, 1840,[23] with James Haggerty serving as postmaster.[24][25]

In 1854 Samuel Latham Perry sailed into Newark Bay aboard USS Constitution with orders to establish a naval base at Sandy Hook. After surveying potential sites around Newark Bay he selected what is now known as Fort Lee (then part of Bergen County) for his base because it had natural defenses – hills and marshes – that could be used to protect against attack from land and water. Construction began on Fort Lee in 1855[26], but progress was slow due to resistance from local residents who feared that Perry's intentions were military rather than commercial[27]. In November 1861 Confederate troops attacked Fort Lee but were repelled with heavy losses[28]. On January 17, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order authorizing Perry to establish a naval yard at Port Newark instead of Fort Lee[29]. The decision to move the naval yard saved thousands of lives during the American Civil War because it allowed Union ships to enter and leave New York Harbor without being attacked by Confederate warships stationed off Staten Island[30]. On July 27th 1863 Commodore Matthew Cranch accepted command of Naval Station New York which included both Fort Lee and Port Newark[31]. By 1865 construction on Naval Station New York was complete[32], making it one of America's largest naval facilities outside Washington D.C..

In 1870 Charles Follen McKim designed what is now called McKim Building which served as headquarters for several businesses including J&R Block which moved into the building in 1899.[33][34][35] In 1871 Henry Wetherill opened Wetherill & Sons Hardware Store which remains open today under different ownership [36]; by 1880 there were about 20 businesses operating in downtown Bayville including two hotels – The Queen Anne Hotel (now apartments) and The Warren House (now condos)[37]; three banks – First National Bank (now HSBC), National City Bank (now PNC), and Mechanics & Farmers Bank; four churches – Trinity Episcopal Church (built 1886), Christ Episcopal Church (built 1888), St John Evangelical Lutheran Church (built 1889), First Presbyterian Church (built 1890); two newspapers – The Daily Record [38], published by Joseph Ackerley; and one pharmacy – Ackerley Drug Store [39]). By 1900 there were about 2,000 people living in Bayville,[40]:2 most of whom worked either directly or indirectly in manufacturing or commercerelated fields such as shipping or banking.[41]:1

In 1906 construction began on Route 22 which ran through downtown Bayville connecting it with neighboring townships; by 1916 Route 22 had been extended eastward to Uptown Manhattan where it connected with Interstate 95 leading northward into Canada[42]:1 In 1922 Harry Burdette opened Burdette Brothers Department Store which remains open today under different ownership [43]; by 1930 there were about 50 businesses operating downtown including four supermarkets - Pathmark/Wegmans/Safeway/Stop & Shop - three clothing stores - JCPenney/Burdette Brothers Department Store/Bergen Mall - two movie theaters - Loew's State Theatre / Paramount Theatre - one bakery - Patisserie Valerie; one radio station - WABC-AM; one bank branch - Chase Manhattan Bank; five restaurants - Tony Roma's / Olive Garden / Applebee’s / TGI Friday’s / Red Lobster ; two hotels - Ramada Inn / Hampton Inn ; three schools: Sacred Heart School / Saint John Vianney School / East Side High School . According to historian Kenneth Tannenbaum "the heyday"of downtown retailing came between 1945-1960 when many small stores closed down due to suburbanization , while larger chains like JCPenney expanded their operations . However , since then many small stores have reopened due to increased interest among consumers towards unique products not available elsewhere . Today , although much has changed since 1950s Downtown still has some charm thanks largely t o its mix o f older buildings housing unique boutiques along side more recent developments that offer more mainstream shopping options ." [44]:4-5