Lodi Township was a
township
A township is a kind of human settlement or administrative subdivision, with its meaning varying in different countries.
Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, that tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, Ca ...
that existed in
Bergen County
Bergen County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of New Jersey.[New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...]
, United States, from 1826 to 1935.
History
Lodi Township was formed by an act of the
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the ...
, on March 1, 1826, from the southern portion of
New Barbadoes Township.
[Snyder, John P]
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 80. Accessed October 7, 2015.
On February 22, 1840,
Hudson County
Hudson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It lies west of the lower Hudson River, which was named for Henry Hudson, the sea captain who explored the area in 1609. Part of New Jersey's Gateway Region in ...
was created from territories that had been
Bergen Township (1693) and from the southern portion of Lodi Township. The portion of Lodi Township taken at this time formed the new
Harrison Township in Hudson County. The border between the newly created Harrison Township in Hudson County and the portion of Lodi Township remaining in Bergen County was the New Barbadoes Turnpike, which is now called
Paterson Plank Road
Paterson Plank Road is a road that runs through Passaic, Bergen and Hudson Counties in northeastern New Jersey. The route, originally laid in the colonial era, connects the city of Paterson and the Hudson River waterfront. It has largely been su ...
.
In 1852, some of the residents of the northern portion of
Harrison Township requested to be returned to Bergen County. This area—which had been part of Lodi Township—was returned to Bergen County as
Union Township.
On February 21, 1893,
Bergen Township was created from the southern section of Lodi Township.
[
In 1894, with "]Boroughitis
Boroughitis (also borough fever or borough mania) was the creation in the 1890s, usually by referendum, of large numbers of small boroughs in the U.S. state of New Jersey, particularly in Bergen County. Attempts by the New Jersey Legislature t ...
" at its peak, the subdivision of Lodi Township kicked off with the creation of three boroughs: Hasbrouck Heights (July 31, 1894), Little Ferry (September 18, 1894) and Lodi (December 21, 1894). Moonachie was created on April 11, 1910, followed by Teterboro on March 26, 1917.[ During this period, several exchanges of territory were made with neighboring municipalities.
]
Lodi Township sewer scandal
Finally, on November 15, 1935, Lodi Township was dissolved and the remaining scattered fragments of the township became South Hackensack.[ The immediate cause of this was the "Lodi Township sewer scandal" of 1930, allegedly a corrupt municipal contract to build a sewer where there were, as yet, no streets. State Senator Ralph W. Chandless was expelled from the New Jersey State Senate as a result of his role in this scandal. The campaign to expose the scandal and those involved in it, including Chandless, was led by The ''Bergen Evening Record'' of Hackensack, later ''The Bergen Record'' and now '' The Record'' of Hackensack.
Arguably the sewer, built mainly along what is now Green Street, was a sensible idea intended to attract commercial and industrial development. Due to the ]Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
development did not take place until after World War II.
The sewer line in question still exists in South Hackensack. Manhole covers along Green Street with the legend "Lodi Towns 1929" may still be seen.
Notable residents
Notable residents of Lodi Township include:
* John Huyler
John Huyler (April 9, 1808 – January 9, 1870) was an American Democratic Party politician who represented in the United States House of Representatives for one term from 1857 to 1859.
Early life and career
Born in New York City on April 9, 180 ...
(1808–1870), represented in the United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the Lower house, lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the United States Senate, Senate being ...
from 1857 to 1859.John Huyler
''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
The ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress'' (Bioguide) is a biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress and its predecessor, the Continental Congress. Also included are Delegates from ...
''. Accessed September 2, 2007.
References
{{Reflist
Sources
* ''Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)'' prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.
* Clayton, W. Woodford; and Nelson, William
''History of Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men''.
Philadelphia: Everts and Peck, 1882.
* Harvey, Cornelius Burnham (ed.)
''Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey''
New York: New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Co., 1900.
* Van Valen, James M
''History of Bergen County, New Jersey''
New York: New Jersey Publishing and Engraving Co., 1900.
* Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858–1942
''History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630–1923''
Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1923.
Former townships in Bergen County, New Jersey
Geography of Bergen County, New Jersey
South Hackensack, New Jersey
1826 establishments in New Jersey