High above the Hudson River John F Kennedy Boulevard stretches. It offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. This iconic thoroughfare wasn’t always known by this name. Before the 1960s it was called Hudson Boulevard. Imagine a time when cars were a novelty. Hudson Boulevard was completed in 1913. It was considered perfect for motoring.
John F Kennedy Boulevard is more than just a road. It’s a historical journey through time. It tells the story of North Hudson County. The Boulevard was originally conceived as early as the 1870s. Parts of it opened in 1896. It connects various towns in a circuitous route. This route runs from the southernmost point of Hudson County. It extends to the northern border with Bergen County then loops back south to Hoboken.
Drive along John F Kennedy Boulevard. You will see the Art Deco toll plaza of the Lincoln Tunnel. It passes twice under the tunnel’s helix. As you continue north the road ascends steeply. It reaches the Boulevard Curve. There it curves east then north again. This section runs along the edge of the Hudson Palisades.
Near the curve lies the Hamilton Memorial. This memorial was relocated from the site of the Burr-Hamilton duel. It’s named for James Gore King. King’s 19th-century estate Highwood once stood here. Further along is Hamilton Plaza. There for a short time in the 1890s stood El Dorado. This was a pleasure garden featuring theatrical performances casinos and exotic gardens.
John F Kennedy Boulevard’s history is rich with unique places. There’s Liberty Place. It crosses over a former streetcar cut through. This cut through led to a massive elevator and ferries at Weehawken Terminal. Pershing Road is another noteworthy street. It connects the waterfront to the Boulevard and the cliffs. It was once part of the Lincoln Highway. On the southwest corner of 49th Street you find the gabled house. This house is featured in Edward Hopper’s painting East Wind Over Weehawken.
This famous painting is considered one of Hopper’s masterpieces. As you approach West New York you’ll see Old Glory Park. Much of the boulevard is lined with parks and scenic overlooks. You can find a statue of Thomas M Donnelly in Old Glory Park. Donnelly was instrumental in preserving the Palisades. He and the NJ Federation of Women’s Clubs worked hard to stop early 20th-century quarry operations. North of this area near one of the Boulevard’s sharpest curves is a residential neighborhood. Here the road reaches almost 260 feet high. It’s near the highest point in Hudson County.
Continuing north you pass through Guttenberg. There the Galaxy Towers dominate the landscape. These are three Brutalist octagonal buildings. They rise from the foot of the Palisades and tower over them. Ferry Road runs under them. Finally John F Kennedy Boulevard enters North Bergen. There it ends at North Hudson Park. This is where it intersects with Palisades Avenue. Palisades Avenue continues north along the cliffs ending at Bergenline Avenue. Along John F Kennedy Boulevard you will find numerous bridges. Many of these bridges are almost 100 years old.
John F Kennedy Boulevard is a testament to the history of North Hudson County. It’s a scenic drive offering stunning views and unique stories. The boulevard continues to evolve. It remains a vital part of the community’s identity. It holds a significant place in the region’s past present and future.