Bergen Neck

Bergen Neck is an antiquated name for the penisula between the Upper New York Bay and the Newark Bay in Hudson County, New Jersey municpalities of Bayonne and Jersey City. This long narrow strip of land begins on the Kill van Kull at its southernmost tip, Bergen Point, close to the Bayonne Bridge (which connects to Staten Island) It was likely first called so by the first Dutch and English speaking settlers to the region between the bays and northward along the Hudson River and Hackensack River. [http://www.nj.gov/state/darm/links/pdf/pasevensettledtowns.pdf] Though now part of Hudson County, the area was part of Bergen County from its creation in 1683 until Hudson County was created in 1840, and was part of Bergen Township, which lasted until 1862.

It was first named Oyster Island by the Dutch, who at first thoght it was one, and for a brief period after the British takeover of New Netherland in 1674 was called Old Hackensack Neck. Bergen Neck is no longer commonly used, replaced by the terms such as Bayonne Peninsula, Hudson Peninsula, southern Hudson County. It gave its name to a fort during the American Revolution. [ [http://www.bayonnenj.org/historical/timeline.htm Timeline for the Founding and History of the City of Bayonne] , Bayonne Historical Society. Accessed August 4, 2008.] It still lends its name to First Reformed Dutch Church of Bergen Neck in Bayonne.

The waterfront of Bergen Neck varies greatly. During the 20th century the east side of the penisula was home to heavy industry, rail and shipping facilities, and military installations, notably Standard Oil, Central Railroad of New Jersey, and the Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne. Some areas, particularly Constable Hook, still function in that capacity. Other brownfields have been redeveloped for residential, commercial, and recreational use, such as Liberty State Park. The west, or Newark Bay side, in Bayonne has traditionally been more residential. In Jersey City, it has tended to be more mixed-use, combining residences, retail, municipal services, manufacturing, and recreation, such as Lincoln Park.Projects to provide public access to the water's edge are in progress with the creation of Hudson River Waterfront Walkway and the Hackensack RiverWalk

ee also

New Barbadoes Neck