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The origin and
meaning of the name "
Teaneck
" is not known. The resemblance to certain Dutch words has
encouraged speculation about a possible Dutch derivation and
meaning. Likewise, the two syllables "Tea" and
"Neck" have equally distinct English meanings. But most
experts agree
Teaneck
is probably Indian in origin, and may mean "place where there
are woods". This is as good a definition as any other.
In the early days, the name "
Teaneck
" referred to the high ridge of land that runs roughly north
and south through the town and on which today's
Queen Anne Road
runs. Early trails and camp sites established by tribes of the
Lenape Indians were laid out on either side of the ridge. At the
time European explorers arrived in
New Jersey
and
New York
, a powerful sachem or chief named Oratam was the ruler of a large
tribe of Lenapes in this area. They lived in a village that they
called Achikinhesacky, on the banks of the Tantaqua (Overpeck)
Creek, on the eastern slope of Teaneck Ridge near
Fycke Lane
.
Troubles persisted
between the Indians and the Europeans until 1655, and it wasn't
until 1704 that any reference to a permanent structure within
Teaneck
's current boundaries can be found. Later, more houses and farm
buildings were constructed along the old Indian trail that ran along
and above the west bank of the
Hackensack
River
. The neighborhood that grew here came to be known as
East Hackensack
or New Hackensack.
The rapid changes
and complicated demands of the modern era have been met by careful
consideration and adherence to the principles established by
Teaneck
's early citizens and planners. Never was this better illustrated
that in 1965 when, after a long and difficult struggle,
Teaneck
became the first town in the nation where a white majority voted for
school integration.
There have been
other challenges as well: interstate highways; high-rise hotel and
office complexes; the demands of increased vehicular traffic; and
the needs expressed by a citizenry of diverse ethnic and religious
background. They are also among the fibers that make up the ornate
and fine fabric that is
Teaneck
.
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