Tenafly

In 1776, Tenafly was a quiet village, surrounded by forests, with only four homes, a militia headquarters, and a schoolhouse. Today, the borough of Tenafly spans 5.2 square miles and is home to 14,882 people. Tenafly is primarily a residential community with 4,944 housing units. The borough’s layout is shaped by the natural landscape of hills, valleys, and trees, which contribute to Tenafly’s unique charm. Tenafly’s history is rich and fascinating. Originally part of Palisades Township, Tenafly became an independent borough in 1894. The borough’s roots go back to land grants given to David desMarets (Demarest) in 1677, Jacobus Van Cortlandt in 1688, and Roelof Westervelt in 1695. During the Revolutionary War, both British and American troops passed through Tenafly. A militia headquarters was located on Tenafly Road. After the war, Sir James Jay, brother of John Jay, settled in Tenafly. Farming remained the primary economic activity until the mid-19th century. The arrival of the railroad in 1859 transformed Tenafly. Dutch farms became desirable properties. In the mid-1860s, New York architect Daniel Topping Atwood arrived in Tenafly. He purchased land from Peter Huyler and designed and built homes near the Northern Railroad. Atwood is renowned for designing Tenafly’s iconic Railroad Station between 1872 and 1874. He built at least seven homes in the Highwood Park District, including his own striking gothic home on Serpentine Road. The Everett-Dunn House, in Swiss Chalet style, is attributed to Richard Morris Hunt, another prominent architect associated with Tenafly. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a leader in the women’s rights movement, also lived in Tenafly from 1868 to 1887. The early 20th century saw the construction of Tenafly’s schools, built with high-quality materials and classic designs. Over time, Tenafly continued to develop. The Tenafly Library Society was founded in 1895, water mains were installed in 1899, and the Volunteer Fire Association was established in 1891. During World War I, a part of downtown Tenafly became Camp Merritt. In World War II, Tenafly lost residents, including bandleader Glenn Miller, whose plane disappeared over the English Channel. Miller had lived in Tenafly since 1938. Generous contributions from families like the Huylers, MacKays, Rockefellers, and Johnsons, along with the Green Acres Program, have helped preserve Tenafly’s parks and open spaces. Tenafly has been governed by a Mayor and Council since its incorporation, with the Mayor serving as the chief executive and the six Council members handling legislative duties. The Municipal Center on Riveredge Road houses Tenafly’s government. The Tenafly Public Schools system, overseen by the Board of Education, educates students from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. The district includes Tenafly High School, Tenafly Middle School, and four elementary schools. These elements, combined with strong community services and a variety of houses of worship, contribute to Tenafly’s appeal as a place to live.