“Place of snakes”. Did you know that Secaucus’s name comes from Algonquian words? The words translate to “black snake”. Or perhaps more accurately “place of snakes”. It is not exactly a welcoming name for a town.
Secaucus began as part of Bergen Township. Bergen was the oldest municipality in New Jersey. It was first chartered in 1660.
Let me tell you a little about the history of Secaucus. Settlement began around 1733. The Smith family were some of the first settlers. Their burial ground is part of Secaucus lore. In 1875, Jack Jackson died on the Smith family farm. He was considered the last slave in New Jersey. He refused freedom and stayed on the farm until his death. Jackson was buried in the Smith family burial ground.
Secaucus was formed as a borough in 1900. It was created from part of North Bergen. In 1917, Secaucus became a town.
Secaucus was once an agricultural community. It specialized in flowers. Later, it became known for pig farms. This was in the first half of the 20th century. In the early 1900s, there were about 55 pig farms. During World War II, there were nearly 250,000 pigs. The pigs outnumbered humans 16 to 1. These farms supplied meat to Newark and New York. The farmers became wealthy and many were local politicians.
Henry B. Krajewski was a notable pork peddler. He ran for New Jersey senator. He also ran for governor three times and U.S. President twice. Secaucus had a reputation for being odorous. This was because of the pig farms, rendering plants and junk yards. In 1947, an ordinance prohibited new farms. In the 1950s, the pig farms began to disappear. The New Jersey Turnpike needed land and tourists would not appreciate the smell. The last farms closed by court order in the late 1950s.
In 1963, debris from Pennsylvania Station was dumped in Secaucus. Later, Secaucus became a commuter town. In 1969, 90% of voters wanted to join Bergen County. Bergen County was more similar in character and had lower taxes. However, only the state can change county lines. Secaucus remains the most suburban town in Hudson County. The Secaucus Public Library belongs to the Bergen County Cooperative Library System.
Two NJ Transit trains collided in Secaucus in 1996. A train on the Bergen Line ran a signal. It sideswiped a train on the Main Line. Three people died. It was NJ Transit’s deadliest accident.
Today, Secaucus is known as a commuter sanctuary. It is home to corporations and a shopping destination. It is also a transportation hub and a family community.
Secaucus is an island in the New Jersey Meadowlands. The Hackensack River runs along the west side. Penhorn Creek and Cromakill Creek are the eastern borders. Secaucus has the most open green space in Hudson County at 27.4%.
Secaucus is divided into four parts by Route 3 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Route 3 runs east and west. The New Jersey Turnpike runs north and south.
Secaucus has several large retail areas. Secaucus Plaza is the downtown area. The Outlets offer discounted name-brand merchandise. Harmon Cove Outlet Center is the largest outlet mall.
Secaucus Junction is a major transit hub. It connects NJ Transit’s commuter rail networks. The Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction rail station is very busy.
So, as you explore Secaucus, remember its journey. From snake-filled meadows to pig farms. From odorous dumping grounds to a modern hub. Secaucus has transformed many times. It continues to evolve.