Hawthorne, NJ
The Passaic County borough of Hawthorne was incorporated from parts of the now-defunct Manchester Township in 1898 by the New Jersey Legislature. One of eight boroughs created from the townships' remains, Hawthorne has several smaller, often unincorporated communities inside its' borders, including Goffle, Van Winkle, and North Hawthorne. History isn't clear exactly how the municipality got its name, although it's believed that it was either named for author Nathaniel Hawthorne or from the Hawthorn bush, a plant species that had been cleared when farmers were preparing the land for use as pastures.
Once inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans, Dutch immigrants settled the area in the 1700s and became the region's pioneer farmers. The municipality became officially incorporated in 1898, and locals elected Dr. Sylvester Utter as the first mayor. A new house-building program started a decade later, which saw the town develop into a suburban community. Many new residents were drawn to the newly-formed borough by the 1916 souvenir journal. The journal boasted to readers about the modern amenities the city had to offer residents, such as electric streetlights, a municipal water system, five churches, uniform concrete sidewalks, and more. The local government was a commissioner-led system as of 1911 but switched to a mayor and council system in the 1980s, and the town has only had 16 mayors in its' entire history.
Hawthorne is located close to the Hudson River, which allows for many different forms of recreation. Resilience Paddle Sports offers daily paddleboard and kayak lessons, as well as rentals for those comfortable enough to go out on the water by themselves. Youth programs prepare young paddlers with the knowledge, technique, and confidence required to go out on the water. The company even offers specialty onboard fitness and yoga training, perfect for anyone looking to try something new.
The Other Tales Escape Room is another local attraction that is a fan favorite. Touted as the "Best Story-Driven Escape Room in New Jersey," this unique take on the Escape Room challenges that have become popular over the past few years has clues and puzzles in every nook and cranny. Reveal the hidden story by focusing and working with your team to find the way out within the hour time limit, or yell for help and have one of the attendants give you the easy way out so you can try again another day. If you've got nostalgia for the days of spending dollar after dollar in quarters trying to get your name on the High Score list, Billy's Midway is the place for you. With cabinet videogames spanning from the 1950s through the 2000s, see how you stack up against today's players.
If you're ever around the Hawthorne area and you hear the wind whistle, the trees rustling, and feel the hairs on your neck and arms stand on end, there's a chance that you're having an otherworldly encounter. There have been plenty of random sightings of ghosts, spirits, and the like, and some people have even posted pictures of what they believe to be evidence of their claims caught on camera along with their stories. Just because some people don't believe in ghosts, if you experience one floating through you for yourself, would it matter what others think?
Hawthorne, New Jersey, is a wonderful town with picturesque homes and plenty for residents to do. One thing it does have in common with other cities, unfortunately, is nuisance pests. If bugs or wildlife are invading your property in Passaic, Essex, or an area nearby, consider New Day Pest Control. Contact us today so we can get started and tomorrow can be a New Day without pests.
