This Day in History: 1922-03-23

The Board of Conservation and Development voted to approve the project whereby major parts of Hohokus Township will be flooded.  A large lake to provide water for the City of Bayonne would be created behind a high dam at Oakland.  The Lake will be 3/4 of a mile in places and will hold 11 billion gallons of water.  Among those areas in Hohokus Township to be affected will be the Havermeyer and McMillan Estates, the Darlington School and the newly improved Valley Road.  Property holders will be compensated.  [The final vote is scheduled for April 13th 4/6/1922]. [It was actually voted on on the 21st 4/27/1922]. The order will be appealed by Prosecutor J. Willard DeYoe representing Oakland and some property owners in the area over four cemeteries in Oakland (and at least the Hopper Cemetery in Mahwah JWB) where early settlers are buried will be submerged under the new lake.

A hearing on May 16th before Supreme Court Commissioner George Slingerland of Paterson.  The original petition was dated 2/21/21.  There will be another hearing on the 24th.

(Bristow)