History of Flat Rock Brook

A Timeline History of Flat Rock Brook
by Dustin Griffin, historian and former Flat Rock Brook Trustee

1850	Most of the land in what later became the city of Englewood still held in large farms, long, narrow tracts extending from the Overpeck Creek to the Hudson River (so as to include hay meadow, farmland, and woodland), belonging for generations to old settler families (Van Nostrands, Van Brunts, Westervelts, Lydeckers, and Vanderbecks).
1859	The Northern Railroad reaches Englewood. Large-scale logging on the western slope of the Palisades to provide railroad ties.
1876	A pond (later known as Macfadden's Pond), is created by damming the Flat Rock Brook, first appears on a map. On an 1880 map it is marked as "Vanderbeck's Millpond," evidently the site of a sawmill.
1891	Palisade Railroad proposes construction of north-south light rail line through Flat Rock Brook land to Palisade Avenue and beyond, and begins buying land.
1893	William O. Allison buys large tract of land (including what is now Allison Woods Park) from Garrett Lydecker.
1900	By 1900 the Englewood Crushed Stone Co. (later the Prentice Co.), headquartered in Englewood, leases land and operates the quarry off Jones Road for production of crushed stone. Quarrying operations continue until about 1925.
1907	Proposal to enlarge Woodland Cemetery in Fort Lee by constructing a 126-acre cemetery (to be called "Woodland Park") on the border of Englewood and Fort Lee, including the eastern portion of what is now Flat Rock Brook. Local property owners object.
1924	At his death William O. Allison leaves undeveloped woodland (including what is now the "Allison Woods Park" portion of Flat Rock Brook) in the hands of a trust.
1927	Paterno Construction Co. begins buying and selling land in what is now Flat Rock Brook Nature Center in preparation for residential development. Lays out grid of streets and constructs Van Nostrand Ave. from Jones Rd. through to Summit St. Sells quarry site to City of Englewood for proposed firehouse, school, and playground. Project collapses when stock market crashes in October 1929, but property remains in the hands of dozens of individual buyers and (when buyers failed to pay property taxes) the city seizes the land.
1927	Bernarr Macfadden, eccentric millionaire tabloid publisher, buys estate on the corner of East Linden Ave. and South Woodland St., including Vanderbeck's millpond, which had by then been turned into an ornamental pond, with diving raft, waterfall, and swans. Macfaddens separated in 1932, but the family remained on the estate until 1969.
1932	City of Englewood opens police pistol range on its property at the quarry site.
1953	Allison trustees attempt to sell "Allison Woods" for residential development. Plan rejected by state courts. Court decision reaffirmed in 1956 and 1957.
1957	Trustees of Allison Trust open Allison Woods Park on Jones Rd. Boy Scouts permitted to set up semi-permanent campsite on the ridge (c. 1959-69). Local ham radio operators permitted to hold annual "exercises" on a June weekend (until 1974).
1964	New Jersey voters approve the first "Green Acres" bond issue, for public acquisition and preservation of undeveloped land.
1966	South Woodland St. resident Campbell Norsgaard, naturalist and noted nature photographer, urges that Flat Rock Brook "woods" be protected from development. "Green Lands for Englewood" association formed, to build support for plans to acquire undeveloped land in Englewood. City of Englewood applies for and receives state funds.
1968	Englewood voters approve city bond issue to acquire open land. City begins buying property at what is now the Nature Center. Land acquisition continues until 1976. In 1969 Englewood Conservation Commission is established to recommend policies and programs for public use of newly acquired land.
1973	Englewood Nature Association, independent nonprofit organization, founded. First executive director hired.
1974	Englewood Nature Association is renamed the Flat Rock Brook Nature Association. Leases newly-acquired land from the city for 25 years. Trail Guide program for school children begins.
1975	Allison Woods Park trustees again seek approval to sell land for residential development. Petition rejected by court in 1977.
1980	Interpretive building opened.
1988	Flat Rock Brook Nature Association named trustee of the 75-acre Allison Woods Park. First education director appointed.
1989	Quarry boardwalk trail constructed. First full-time ranger/land manager hired.
1992	"Backyard Habitat for Wildlife" native plant gardens constructed with funding from the Garden Club of America. Greenhouse/solarium constructed.
1993	Flat Rock Brook celebrates with 20th Anniversary party. Priscilla McKenna honored with first Campbell Norsgaard Award.
1998	Flat Rock Brook celebrates with 25th anniversary gala. Marie Karanfilian honored with second Campbell Norsgaard award.
1999	Lease on land from City of Englewood is renewed for another 25 years.
2000	Flat Rock Brook Gardeners group organized.
2001	Nature Playground constructed at Jones Road picnic area.
2003	Flat Rock Brook celebrates its 30th Anniversary. At the 30th Anniversary gala, Carolyn Stenzel was honored with the third Campbell Norsgaard Award.
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