The sun., 1909-05-09
OUT TOWARD THE RAMAPOS
RUNS THE LINE or THE 81 s.
OTEHANN4 R4ILRO iD,
Bringing a Chain OF Picturesque High
Land suburbs, string OF Country
Villages and 4 stretch OF Farming
Region Within the Committing Zone.

About thirty-fve miles no the north
west of New York city is a beautiful
region of mountain peaks and wide sunny
valleys. intersected by swiftly flowing
rivers and strewn with deep placid lakes.
II is a stretch OF genuine country. inhabi-
tied by people who make their living
from the soil and BY a few New York
business men whose term Of residence is
limited to the summer months The New
York, Susquehanna and Western Rail,
road, now under the control Of the Erie.
runs through the heart of this territory,
connecting it with New York on the one
side and with several fashionable summer
resorts on the other.
Other parts of suburban New Jersey just
as far removed from New York and no
more favored in natural beauty or health
fulness have been transformed into
fashionable resorts or populous commut-
ing towns. but the Ramapo Mountain
region has thus far preserved its original
seclusion, mainly for the reason that it
lies outside the hour limit OF travel.
North Paterson, its southern outpost.
is little over sixty minutes ride from
Jersey City; Butler. the terminus OF the
suburban service maintained by the Sus-
quehanna, is an hour and twenty min
utes distant by express and two hours
distant by local.
The New York, Susquehanna and Vest
ern Railroad in the forty miles between
this city and Butler uaverses great
variety Of country. From Jersey City the
railroad strikes northward dcross the
Hackensack meadows, passes through
Hackensack, an important business CEN
Ter, and Paterson, one Of the largest indus
trial cities in the State, enters a stretch Of
open rollong country given over to small
farms and climbs steadily up grade
through wooded foothills into the Ram
apo Mountains.
For the first part of its length the rail-
way follows the east bank Of the Hacken-
sack River, running close to the base Of
the western slope Of the Palisades. The
first stop Of importance is made at Little
Ferry, modern, finished settlement with
wide streets and well built, attractive
looking houses. Little Ferry is really a
southerly extension Of Rjdgefield Park
the two settlements uniting to form con-
unuous community that occupies q narrow
triangular strip Of land between the Hack :
ensack River and Overpeck Creek. Both
bodies Of water are slug uggish tidal strea ms
lined with piers and lighthouses.
The original settlement Of Little Ferry
was established aim ost a hundre6 years
ago. II consisted then OF two or three
small houses scattered along the riverfront
and took its name from the diminutive
ferry that provided access to the western
shore. The modern residential district OF
Little Ferry and that Of Ridgefeid Park lie
along the crest Of the ridge some distance
from the waterfront, commanding a view
~ the western slope Of the Palisades and
the distant Orange Mountains. Their
rise to importance as committing towns is
matter OF recent date due largely to the
activities Of suburban development CON-
pan'cs and speculative builders.
bogota, on the continuation Of the ridge
about two miles TO tho northward Of
Ridgeheld Park. Is almost entirely a
shaded streets, the roomy houses and the
general appearance are strongly reninis-
e'nt OF the Dutch colony days.
- rSt across the river lies the town OF
HalHensack, one OF the strongholds OF the
eal y Dutch settlers. The Hackensaok
the new. Rows Of shops and markets
ana tall Office buildings have sprung
W n the heart OF the old residence dis
mot gradually displacing the quaint
.1En stoop dwellings OF years ago. The
t1sto Of the modern business section
r,4trasts strangely with the air OF seclu-
ION Of the village green and the quaint
-'te graveyard that flanks the ancient
Dutch church. To the north and south.
alnng the New Jersey and New York
Nlroad. the business district Is quite
er' nsive, but as one travels on the Sus-
H."hanna the town rapidly thins out and
tA1 open country appears.
!. re railroad runs for 1 considerable
ols'ance through a picturesque. upland
ieb!-4 OF woods and open fields. then