This Day in History: 1938-04-22
A two-hundred year old house, the Old Derbyshire Homestead on East Crescent Avenue, burned to the ground. The fire was reported just before mid-night. Only the West Mahwah Fire Company responded to the alarm which was relayed by telephone. Furniture, window shades and other things stored in the house were completely destroyed as were two very old maple trees in front of the house. Charles Derbyshire had owned the building for over fifty years. Damage was estimated at about $1,500. It was not insured. Mahwah Fire Chief Charles Morris investigated the fire, but had no explanation for why it broke out. (Bristow)