45°
To celebrate its rich, 150th anniversary, Weehawken is having a parade this Sunday. Streets could be tough to navigate as the floats, clowns and bands pass through “the place of gulls” beginning at 1 p.m. at Gregory and Highpoint avenues and ending at West 18 Street and Hackensack Plank Road.
Weehawken’s written history began in 1609 when Henry Hudson, on his third voyage to the New World, sailed down what was later named The North River and weighed anchor in Weehawken Cove.
During the American Revolution, the area was used as a lookout for British troops who took up positions on the other side of the river. It’s also where visionary banker and New York playboy Alexander Hamilton fought his fatal duel with Aaron Burr.
The wealthy took to the area, building their homes atop the Palisades, where they could enjoy the cool air. They included James G. King, who in the mid 100s built his Highwood estate on what is now King’s Bluff (below) and entertained celebrities of the time, including Daniel Webster.
Weehawken was a happening place, with large estates, casinos, hotels, and theaters as tourism. The state Legislature in Trenton combined a chunk of Hoboken with a slice of North Bergen to create the township on March 15, 1859.
In time, though, industry in Union City and West New York created a demand for places to live. The character of the area changed.
Weehawken is still a gem, though, with a panoramic view from the Verrazano to the George. It also has Hamilton Park, loved by tourists, wedding parties, fashion photographers and others; the highly recognizable red Weehawken water tower, built in 1883 and inspired by Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy — and, of course, the Art Deco-styled entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel.
Joining them is the ultra modern NY Waterway Ferry Terminal, where for many years the United Fruit Company imported more bananas into the U.S. than any facility of its kind.
Sunday’s parade will feature two reviewing stands — one at the Soldiers and Sailers Monument on Blvd East and the second on St. Lawrence Way and Hackensack Plank Road. Best to plan your traveling accordingly.
Sunday’s parade route:
West on Highpoint Avenue to Hudson Avenue;
South (right) onto Hudson Avenue, then east (right) on Maple Street;
North (left) onto Ridgeley Place and then straight down Pleasant Avenue;
Continuing on Park Avenue to 49th Street;
East (right) onto 49th Street, then south (right) onto Blvd East;
Continuing south on Blvd East and then west (right) onto Highwood Terrace;
South (left) onto Park Avenue, past Town Hall;
West (right) on 19th Street;
North (right) on Hackensack Plank Rd to 18th Street.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Hackensack and receive free news updates.
