Keywords ADA Accessible Home COVID-19 About the Borough Departments Boards & Committees Online Services I Want To... You are here Home ›› About the Borough Old Oakland This is the earliest known picture of the 1829 Ponds Church dating from the 1870s. It's dating emanates from the presence of 2 front doors (one for men and the other for women) and the presence of rectangular windows on the side. A singular front door and gothic style windows were installed by Mr. Demarest in 1878 and remained until the church was razed in the 1930s. As a perspective, the front of the Ponds Church would be facing the current Burger King. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The photos and captions above are excerpts from the book "Images of America: Oakland" written by Kevin Heffernan and John Madden. “History gives us a perspective….it imposes a sense of guardianship, of trust, a reason for proper care of the resources which served our forefathers and must also serve our heirs.” -Arthur Vervaet, Mayor, Oakland, NJ 1952 Thus from the author’s comments is the context of the recently released pictorial history of Oakland by John Madden and Kevin Heffernan through Arcadia Press. It celebrates the history of our community from roughly 1860 to 1964. The work is 128 pages containing over 200 photos and text weaving a multi-faceted portrait of a people who lived here and who founded a community. Its story is a fabric of ordinary people who sought their independence to form their own destiny and whose residential descendents celebrate their accomplishments. In a sense it is a miniature of the American experience: men and women wanting betterment and to be free of remote government willing to risk their destiny and that of those who follow. In a recent interview on WGHT 1500 Radio, the authors were asked why they wrote this book. Their answer was stark. “Because no one was doing it and because it needed to be done.…to honor those who came before us, to help the residents of Oakland better appreciate our small community and to assist future generations know and appreciate Oakland’s roots.” Madden and Heffernan have developed 9 chapters in pictures and text serving as a canvas to create their portrait of this historical walk into Oakland’s past. Chapter 1 - Vistas, Views and Maps Chapter 2 - A Valley of Homes Chapter 3 - The Page Estate and the Van Allen House Chapter 4 - Business and Industry Chapter 5 - A Stroll Down Main Street Chapter 6 - The Ponds Church Chapter 7 - Oakland On The Move Chapter 8 - Oakland As A Tourist Town Chapter 9 - Serving Oakland with Pride and Distinction Each chapter recalls important people, places and buildings of Oakland’s heritage and recounts sadly that many no longer exist. While serving as a lament to what has been destroyed by '‘development'’ the authors equally hope that it inspires a renewal of the appreciation of Oakland’s heritage and a public demand to preserve the remaining historic buildings. Madden and Heffernan pointed out that the book is an excellent fundraiser for every school and civic organization. Organizations and school groups can generate $8.00 per book profit when ordered directly from Arcadia Press at 1 (888) 313-6225. The book is available at the Oakland Public Library as well as many retailers in Oakland including: Cafè L'Amore Deli Sensations Elm Street Grill Hansels Krausers Oakland Pharmacy Pete and John's Paint Store Oakland Shop Rite Valley Pub These retailers, catching the community spirit, will be donating their profits to the Oakland Library Building Fund. Employment and Bids FAQs Great Oak History & Old Oakland Mapping O & R Community Updates Ordinances Outside Organization Links Project Updates Schools Contact Info Phone: 201-337-8111 Address: Borough of Oakland One Municipal Plaza Oakland, NJ 07436 United States See map: Google Maps Borough of Oakland, New Jersey One Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436 | 201-337-8111 Social Media Policy | Government Websites by CivicPlus ® Login