Broad Street 100 Years Ago

Thanks to our friends at the Ridgewood Patch! This is what Broad Street looked like roughly a century ago. Photo Credit Courtesy of the Bolger Heritage Center at the Ridgewood Public Library.





Ridgewood Patch Editor, James Kleimann:

"It's still known as the transit hub of Ridgewood, just as it was a century ago. But things have changed on Broad Street since the early 1900s, notably the name.

Back in 1906, the street that now houses Smith Brothers, Mediteraneo, Bagelicious and the train station was called "Rock Avenue" and even then featured some of the same landmarks that gives the thoroughfare its unique look.

According to a Ridgewood Herald article from June 28, 1906, property owners lobbied the village trustees to have the street changed to "Broad Street" though the reasons why were not disclosed in archives.

"Mr. Brackett opposed changing the names of streets but his was the only negative vote on a motion to instruct the counsel to prepare an ordinance complying with the request of the petitioners," the article stated."