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David
Demarest,
originally known
as
Davis
des Marets, settled in Bergen County New Jersey in 1677. He was
founder of the Demarest family in
America
, and was one of a band of French Huguenots who came to this country
in 1663. The earliest
settlers in the area, now known as Demarest, were the Westervelts,
whose homestead still stands as the northern wing at
277 County Road
. The year
was 1723, and other Dutch settlers from New Amsterdam soon followed,
having obtained land grants from the British owners of
New Jersey
.
On
April 8, 1903, the Borough of Demarest came into being after having
separated from the
Township
of
Harrington
. The first mayor was John H. Z. Demarest. By this time the town had
a new church congregation the Methodists, who originally met in
the old bowling alley of the resort hotel, which had burned down in
1896. There was also a new school a three classroom, granite
structure on
Piermont Road
. This building, with several additions over the years, still houses
our Middle School.
Today
we have over 1800 homes in our town and a population of
approximately 4800. Our three "houses of worship" are in
lovely buildings, and we are proud possessors of six schools two
of them high schools. Our volunteer Fire Department, which has
served us since 1894, still stands guard. The Demarest Volunteer
Ambulance Squad started in 1961. Its new building was dedicated in
1990 and is located on
Wakelee Drive
, behind the Post Office. The Demarest Public Library Association
was founded in 1964, and is located in the old
Methodist
Church
building on
Hardenburgh Avenue
. The Peace Site Gazebo, located at the Duck Pond was built in 1986.
An ecumenical group of Demarest citizens, who were interested in
human concerns and wanted to promote peace in the community and in
the world, were instrumental in making the Gazebo a reality. For
over 200 years Demarest residents have striven to preserve and
protect its beauty. It is truly a wonderful place to live.
Demarest prides itself in its volunteers who make our town a
caring and safe community. There are many volunteer opportunities
and all efforts are appreciated.
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