Hibernia, NJ

Hibernia is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 9,827,[7][8] reflecting an increase of 1,564 (+29.2%) from the 6,912 counted in the 2000 Census.[9]

The borough was formed on March 15, 1898 by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Paterson Township and Wayne Township.[10] The borough's name derives from Ireland; Hibernia being one of the ancient Celtic countries. The Irish immigrants who settled in Hibernia brought with them their culture and traditions which have continued to be a part of life in the borough today.

The history of real estate development in Hibernia can be traced back to 1892 when John J. McCarthy purchased land on what is now Main Street for use as a farm. In 1895 he erected a small store on his property which became known as McCarthy's General Store. In 1897 he erected a larger store next door which became known as McCarthy's Department Store. This business was later acquired by Bamberger & Company and continued to operate under that name until it closed its doors in 1984.

In 1902 Joseph Phelan purchased land on what is now Park Avenue and began developing it into residential properties. He built several large homes which are still standing today including Phelan Hall (now used as apartments) and Phelan Terrace (now used for commercial purposes). In 1904 he erected a large hotel on what is now Park Avenue which was later renamed The Windsor Hotel after Queen Victoria visited Hibernia during her royal tour of North America in 1907. The Windsor Hotel operated until 1978 when it was demolished to make way for apartments constructed by developer Harry Siegelman Jr..

In 1906 James Jolliffe purchased land on what is now Broad Street and began developing it into residential properties including Jolliffe Court (now used as apartments), Jolliffe Manor (now used for commercial purposes), and Jolliffe Place (now used for government offices). In 1909 he erected a large grocery store on what is now Broad Street which became known as Jolliffe's Grocery Store. This business was later acquired by Pathmark Corporation and continued to operate under that name until it closed its doors in 1988. In 1912 Charles Wertheimer purchased land on what is now Route 46 and began developing it into residential properties including Wertheimer Court (now used as apartments), Wertheimer Manor (now used for commercial purposes), and Wertheimer Place (now used for government offices). In 1916 he erected a large theater on what is now Route 46 which was later renamed The Paramount Theater after Paramount Pictures opened its first theater located nearby in 1916. The Paramount Theater operated until 1986 when it was demolished to make way for apartments constructed by developer Harry Siegelman Jr..

In 1917 Abraham Kohn purchased land on what is now Main Street and began developing it into residential properties including Kohn Court (now used as apartments), Kohn Manor (now used for commercial purposes), and Kohn Place (now used for government offices). In 1922 he erected a large synagogue on what is now Main Street which became known as Congregation Beth Israel after arriving from Europe during World War I with many other Jewish refugees fleeing anti-Semitism there. This synagogue continues to serve the community today under the name Congregation Rodef Shalom .

During the 1920s developers started erecting larger single family homes along Main Street beginning with Edward Fenton who built Fenton Hall at 519 Main Street followed by George Giannini who built Giannini Hall at 529 Main Street, both examples of Tudor Revival architecture popular at this time period.. Other developers who built single family homes during this time period include: Frank Azzara who built Azzara Hall at 533-535 Main Street; Herman Bernstein who built Bernstein House at 539-541 Main Street; Morris Weisman who built Weisman House at 547-549 MainStreet; Irving Rosenthalwhobuilt Rosenthal Houseat 555-557MainStreet; Samuel Rosenfeldwhobuilt Rosenfeld Houseat 563-565MainStreetand Lewis Katzwhobuilt Katz Mansionat 569MainStreet.. Many other developers either developed existing buildings or constructed new buildings but did not meet inclusion criteria so their names were not included herein.. [11]