Hillsdale (Images of America)

Hillsdale, a town in New Jersey, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. The town's name was adopted in 1856, inspired by the Hillsdale School, built on Pascack Road, and the now historic Hillsdale Railroad Station, which formally opened for business on March 4, 1870.

As soon as the train started running, houses began to be constructed along Broadway and Summit Avenue, overlooking the tracks. The influx of people led to the opening of a general store and a hotel, putting Hillsdale firmly on the map. The arrival of the railroad, as well as the opening of the George Washington Bridge in the early 1930s, brought waves of migration from the crowded cities of New York, Patterson, and Jersey City. People were drawn to Hillsdale's land, clean air, and water, as well as its reasonable proximity to job markets.

The migration continued at a leisurely pace until it was halted by World War II. However, after the war's end, the migration picked up again, developing into an engulfing wave that has almost completely saturated Hillsdale's available space. Today, Hillsdale has transformed from a sleepy farming community into a thriving and desirable New York suburb.

The town's development was initially spurred by the construction of the Hillsdale School and the Hillsdale Railroad Station. The railroad's arrival led to the building of houses along the tracks, and the opening of a general store and a hotel to accommodate the influx of people. The town's proximity to major cities, as well as its natural amenities, continued to attract new residents, particularly after the construction of the George Washington Bridge in the early 1930s.

While the migration was temporarily halted by World War II, it resumed with renewed vigor in the post-war era. This influx of new residents has transformed Hillsdale into a vibrant and desirable suburb, a far cry from its humble beginnings as a sleepy farming community. The town's evolution from a rural outpost to a thriving urban center is a testament to the power of infrastructure, economic development, and population migration to shape the character of a community over time.

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