A fascinating documentation of Fair Lawn and its complex and interesting
history, featuring vintage and rare images.
Although its land had been settled by Dutch, English, and French
homesteaders as early as the seventeenth century, the borough of Fair
Lawn was not established until 1924. It had been part of Saddle River
Township and, before that, of New Barbadoes. As late as 1876, it was an
agricultural community, home to several vegetable and fruit farms and
dairies. The need to house workers in the mills of nearby Paterson led
to the rapid suburban development of the town. Noted for its residents'
civic volunteerism and for its history, Fair Lawn is home to eight sites
listed on the National Register of Historic Places-sites such as the
Cadmus House and the Dutch House-all of which are included in Fair Lawn.
This book contains images of the nationally famous Radburn planned
community and the construction of Memorial Park and Pool, completed
entirely by volunteer efforts, beautifully combining the borough's
agrarian past with the community spirit of the twentieth century. This
richly detailed book is a testament to the devotion of Fair Lawn's
residents to their hometown.