Jason Aldean pays tribute to Troy Gentry at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ

PNC Bank Arts Center holds many events. I wonder what percentage of the residents of the State of New Jersey have been to this venue for one event or another. Between concerts and graduations, this venue is a touchpoint for New Jerseyans.

663 Main Avenue, Downtown, Passaic, NJ

633 Main Avenue from intersection of Gregory and Passaic Avenue

 As of September 2017, 633 Main Avenue, built in the Art-Deco style in 1931, is the tallest building in Passaic, NJ.

Cenotaph, Armory Park, Passaic, NJ

The Cenotaph in Armory Park, Passaic, NJ

Armory Park

Pershing and Marshall in Passaic, NJ on May 30th, 1924

The Cenotaph is a location which is draped in history. Placed in Armory Park, the Cenotaph was originally dedicated on May 30th, 1924, then 'Decoration Day' now 'Memorial Day' by General Pershing, then 'General of the Army' -- with him on that day was none other than George Marshall, then a lieutenant and Pershing's aide. Marshall of course would later lead the US military in the Second World War and would become Secretary of State under Truman. The civilian in the historical photo is Robert Benson, then on the Board of Education in Passaic.

The Cenotaph was originally a memorial to those who sacrificed all in the Great War, WW1, but is now a memorial for all conflicts.

May 30, 1924 at 10:30AM, a time when we can place two significant historical figures can be placed at a specific day and a specific time.

Armory Park is also very close to the spot where American troops, in retreat, crossed the Passaic. After crossing the Aquackanonk Bridge on November 21st, 1776, Washington ordered that the bridge be dismantled to delay the British.

Oldham Pond, North Haledon, NJ

Oldham Pond in North Haledon

Fishing is permitted on Oldham Pond

Oldham Pond is formed by a dam on the Molly Ann Brook

The pond empties back into the continuation of the brook

Geese patrol the waters of the pond

 Oldham Pond, North Haledon, NJ. Oldham Pond is a scientific field testing site for William Paterson University

Goffle Brook Park, Hawthorne, NJ

Arnold's Pond is formed by the Goffle Brook Dam

Goffle Brook exits the dam and makes its way to the Passaic River

Ducks enjoy Goffle Brook Park

Duck taking a nap

Ryerson Monument marking the spot of the burned down Ryerson House

American Revolutionary War site where Lafayette was encamped with the light infanty

 Goffle Brook Park, Goffle Brook Road in Hawthorne, NJ.

Hofstra Park, Prospect Park, NJ

Prospect Park water tower

The land reclamation facility adjacent to Hofstra Park

 Hofstra Park, Prospect Park, NJ

Reflections of the Passaic River from the Hillery Street Bridge between Woodland Park and Totowa, NJ

Passaic River from Hillery Street Bridge looking generally downriver

Passaic River from Hillery Street Bridge looking generally downriver

Hillery Street Bridge looking into Totowa from Woodland Park, NJ

Reflections of the Passaic River from the Hillery Street Bridge between Totowa and Woodland Park, NJ.
The Hillery Street Bridge was built in 2008 using the sidewalk railing, masonry cap stones and portions of the trusses from the original bridge which crossed the Passaic River from 1898. The Pratt Pony Trusses on the original were unique for a Passaic County bridge.

Union Boulevard and Totowa Road in Totowa, NJ

Union Boulevard and Totowa Road

Clock at intersection of Union Boulevard and Totowa Road

Union Boulevard meets Totowa Road in Totowa, NJ. It was here that the Continental Army was encamped in the Fall of 1780. Washibgton came to this spot to inspect the troops from Preakness.

Hamilton/Burr Dueling Grounds, Weehawken, NJ

Alexander Hamilton memorial bust in Weehawken, NJ

Alexander Hamilton memorial looking generally south down the Hudson River

Alexander Hamilton 'boulder' upon which he rested his head after being mortally wounded by Aaron Burr

Alexander Hamilton memorial bust looking generally northeast

Weehawken dueling grounds in NJ made famous by the Hamilton/Burr duel, but there were other dignatories who dueled here including Dewitt Clinton, a former governor of New York, and Oliver Perry. The reason the duels happened in Weehawken is because it wasn’t in New York. Dueling wasn’t legal in New York and the participants were seeking to avoid criminal charges in NY. What’s interesting is that dueling wasn’t legal in New Jersey either, but apparently the State of New Jersey took a laissez-faire approach to dueling. Can you imagine NJ being such a lawless place that people, seeking to evade the laws of NY, would row across the Hudson River thinking they could participate in a duel in NJ with impunity?

In the pictures above the picture of the boulder with pennies on it is apparently the boulder thought to be the boulder where Alexander Hamilton rested his head after being mortally wounded. Hamilton did not die in NJ, but rather died a relatively painful and protracted death in NYC.

Madison Clock, Downtown Madison, NJ

Downtown Madison at the intersection of Main and Waverly is a Madison's clock where a bust of President James Madison is located peering down Central Avenue.