New Jersey Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Population: 30,548

Located in Bergen County

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

A wonderfully desirable family community with many diverse recreational opportunities available, including parks, tennis courts, hockey courts, a town library and municipal town pool! Public schools include 6 grammar schools, 2 middle schools and 1 high school, with just under 1,500 students. Also available is kindergarten extended care. Fair Lawn also possesses its own extensive shopping facilities! Minibus services available. For more information, please contact the Town Hall at (201) 796-1700, mailing address: 8-01 Fair Lawn Avenue.

Fair Lawn was one of the first modern planned communities in the United States. A drive through town reveals classic red brick "cape cod" styled buildings and a unique variety of shopping centers, small shops and restaurants. The population of Fair Lawn is 31,184. It is located 22 miles from New York City.

Probably the oldest structure standing in Fair Lawn is the Garreston-Brocker home, now known as the Garreston Forge and Farm Restoration, on River Road, south of Morlot Avenue. The west wing, the kitchen, was the original building built some time between 1708-1730. The main wing was built before 1800 but the gambrel roof, dormer and porch were added in 1903.

Another structure, almost as old, was built by Jacob Vanderbeck. It is located off Fair Lawn Avenue (formerly Dunkerhook Road) east of Saddle River Road. The west wing, the original structure, had five rooms and the unfinished second floor was used for the children and slaves' quarters. General Lafayette is said to have visited the local militia headquarters here during the Revolution. The east wing of the house was built in the 20th century.

Nearby, on Dunkerhook Road ("Donckerhoek" or "dark corner" in Dutch) is the Naugle House, built in the 18th century by Jacob Vanderbeck's son-in-law, a paymaster to General Lafayette's troops. Lafayette stayed in this house for several days in 1824 when he returned to this country after the Revolutionary War.

The Thomas Cadmus House was moved to its site north of the Radburn railroad station from nearby Fair Lawn Avenue to save it from demolition. It is now the official Fair Lawn Museum. It has a typical dressed stone front and roughly coursed sides, wide board floors and have hewn beams. it is thought to have been built before 1815.

The "Old Red Mill," is located along the Saddle River south of what is now Route 4, is another well-known landmark of the area. The original mill, believed to have been located on the Fair Lawn side of the river, was a central meeting place for the neighboring farmers. It gave the name "Red Mill" to the area. the mill, a large red wooden building, was built in 1745 and stood two and one-half stories high. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the mill was converted to manufacture woolen blankets and yarn from flax grown in Fair Lawn. During the Civil War, the mill produced blankets for the Union Army. The mill was visited by at least two famous persons: Aaron Burr was honored at a Christmas party there during the Revolution and President William McKinley visited Easton's renowned lake and fountains.

Another old structure is on Fair Lawn Avenue, east of Plaza Road. It is known as the "Dutch House" and has been a restaurant or tavern since 1929. The sandstone construction is typical of the early Flemish Colonial style. No early ownership has been established but it is believed to be the Bogert House built between 1740 and 1760. The land stretched to the Glen Rock area and was farmed until the Radburn developers bought it in the late 1920's.

Fair Lawn's school system was rated one of the "Top 100 Best Value School Districts" in the nation by "Money" magazine. 84% of Fair Lawn's High School students pursue post secondary education.

The Fair Lawn Recreation and Parks Department has received numerous awards. There are cultural, leisure and sports activities for all residents, from youths to senior citizens. Many of the activities occur at Memorial Park, the home of the Memorial Pool.

One of the most scenic spots in town is the picturesque path which runs along the Saddle River. Bicyclists and joggers can often be found on this bicycle path which winds its way over a bridge and two duck ponds into the neighboring towns of Glen Rock, Paramus and Ridgewood.

New Jersey's Transit's Main/Bergen County Line runs from Port Jervis to Hoboken. The Main Line operates via Paterson. The Bergen County Line operates via Fair Lawn. The two lines meet at Ridgewood. Service is provided seven days per week.

Fair Lawn is one of the major stations on the Main/Bergen County Line. Imagine living a stone's throw from one of the world's great cities yet only an hour's drive from mountains, forests and beautiful beaches. That's what Fair Lawn has to offer. It is ideally situated to offer the best of all worlds. Enjoy the unsurpassed cultural and employment opportunities of nearby New York City and the breathtaking natural wonders and recreational opportunities of the great outdoors.