In 1905, Cedar Grove (also called Cedargrove) was known for its cotton and brush factories.
Population: 400
Population as of the 2000 Census: 12,300
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Cedar Grove gets its name from the fact that the valley and hillsides were once covered in cedar trees (according to the booklet "Early Cedar Grove" which was published by the Cedar Grove Historical Society in 1976).
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The first crossword puzzle was invented by Cedar Grove resident Arthur Wynne. It appeared in the New York World on December 21, 1913, but it was called a "word-cross". (Source: Answers.com; also noted in Philip Jaeger's book Cedar Grove: Images of America.)
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A pioneer in the development of television, Allen B. Du Mont started his company in the garage of his home in Cedar Grove (according to an interview with Frank Polkinghorn on May 14, 1973 for Rutgers and the IEEE History Center).
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Many people think of Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook when they hear the name Cedar Grove. According to the New York Times, the first nationwide radio broadcast of dance music originated from the Meadowbrook . Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Harry James, Sammy Kaye, Artie Shaw, and Woody Herman were some of the big names who appeared there. The club also was responsible for the first national telecast of dance music.
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The Cedar Grove Rotary Club is sponsoring the burial of the time capsule which they also did 50 years ago. Why was this service organization called Rotary? Because the meeting locations "rotated" among the members' places of business. (Noted by Philip Jaeger)
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One of Cedar Grove's oldest streets was named for the first principal of Pompton Avenue School, William Bortic. He was a teacher, an architect, and a veteran of the Civil War. (Noted by Philip Jaeger)
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A street in town was named in 1938 for the family of Cedar Grove's first mayor, Lewis Bowden. What was its original name? Love Lane. (Noted by Philip Jaeger)
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In 1916, Arthur M. Cowie was Cedar Grove's postmaster. A sign in the post office read "A.M. Cowie, P.M." Customers nicknamed him "All Day Cowie". (Noted by Philip Jaeger)
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The Cedar Grove Post Office has been located in several places in town. In addition to the present building, three buildings still exist: on Little Falls Road across and north of the tennis courts, on the southern corner of Pompton and Grove, and on Bowden Road across from Rugby Road. Other locations (the buildings no longer exist) include the spot where La-Z-Boy Furniture is today and the corner of Pompton Avenue and Vreeland Lane (now the location of the Bank of America). (Noted by Philip Jaeger)
