History of Bergen County, New Jersey, USA

Bergen, a county in the N. E. part of New Jersey, bordering on New York, has an area of about 350 square miles. It is bounded on the E. by Hudson river, and is intersected by Ramapo, Hackensack, and Saddle rivers, which afford valuable water-power. The famous palisades of the Hudson are situated on the E. border of this county. The surface is generally uneven, and in the W. part mountainous. The soil is fertile, particularly along the valleys of the streams. Indian corn, potatoes, hay, and butter are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 150,709 bushels of com ; 57,686 of oats; 166,868 of potatoes: 16,582- tons of hay, and 328,759 pounds of butter. It contained 4 cotton and 1 woollen mill, 1 calico print works, 15 flour, 3 paper, and 15 saw mills. There were 21 churches, and 2725 pupils attending public schools. Magnetic iron ore and limestone are found. The railroad connecting Jersey City with Binghampton, in New York, traverses the western part of this county. Organized in 1710, ...