Waldwick station

Waldwick Station
Company type	Commuter rail station
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1886
Headquarters	Waldwick, United States
Products	Passenger rail services
Owner	New Jersey Transit

Waldwick functions as a commuter rail station managed by New Jersey Transit within the borough of Waldwick, New Jersey, situated in Bergen County, New Jersey. Positioned at the intersection of West Prospect Street and Hewson Avenue, it serves both the Main Line and the Bergen County Line, with certain trains beginning or ending their routes at this location. The station comprises three tracks alongside two low-level side platforms that are linked by a pedestrian overpass located at the southern end. To the north lies Waldwick Yard, a multi-track rail yard adjacent to the historic Erie Railroad Signal Tower.

Constructed circa 1886 by the Erie Railroad, the station was established after the original Paterson and Ramapo Railroad commenced operations in 1848 without stopping here. The initial depot, made of wood, was erected on the east side of the rail lines. This original structure has been recognized on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places since 1978 and is included in the Operating Passenger Railroad Stations Thematic Resource. The Waldwick Community Alliance holds a lease for this building extending 25 years through 2034. Following significant restoration efforts to address deterioration, it currently serves as the Waldwick Museum of Local History.

Founding

When the Paterson and Ramapo Railroad launched service on October 19, 1848, there was no station at what is now Waldwick. Early stops were limited to locations such as Allendale and Hohokus, facilitating passenger and freight connections to Jersey City.

The establishment of Orvil Township, New Jersey during the late 1880s motivated the Erie Railroad to construct a station midway between Allendale and Hohokus. Local agricultural producers, notably Peter Bogert who contributed land for this purpose, advocated for improved transportation options for their goods. In 1886, community members financed the new station, ultimately naming it "Waldwick" after initially considering "Waldweck."

The depot was designed by Erie Railroad architect Augustus Mordecai, incorporating architectural influences from both the Stick style and American Queen Anne style. This one-and-a-half-story building included a waiting room measuring 24 by 17.5 feet, a ticket office sized at 10.5 by 25.2 feet, as well as baggage, storage, and coal rooms totaling 18 by 6.5 feet. Heating was supplied through cast-iron stoves, while exterior walls featured a combination of batten wood siding and stucco.

Plans for a rail yard at Waldwick were underway by 1887. Two years later, investors from New York City and Passaic County, New Jersey purchased 200 acres adjacent to the railway tracks, donating five acres to Erie Railroad for establishing the yard—relocating it from Ridgewood. This facility became the terminus for local train services, replacing Paterson’s yard and leading to improvements at Paterson station itself. The enhanced amenities at Ridgewood and Waldwick attracted real estate speculators who marketed subdivided plots as desirable country residences.

Incident of 1887

A tragic rail accident occurred near Waldwick station on July 21, 1887, when an express train from Chicago running approximately one hour behind schedule collided with laborers installing ballast on the tracks. Around 7:15 a.m., the train struck these workers, resulting in at least eleven immediate fatalities. Witnesses among passengers recounted seeing as many as fifteen bodies strewn along the rails, several severely disfigured. Those injured were transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, while deceased individuals were taken to Hohokus. Responsibility was attributed to the ballast crew’s foreman for not clearing the track in time. The train engineer reported having sounded warnings via whistle and attempted braking but was unable to prevent the collision.

1958

In August 1958, Waldwick officials approached Erie Railroad with a request to tear down the aging station depot and construct a contemporary facility on the west side of the tracks to accommodate commuter parking. While Erie Railroad declined rebuilding the depot, they expressed willingness to lease land for parking purposes.

During an October meeting involving Erie representatives and local authorities, Mayor Robert Denver suggested erecting a new station by removing the 1887 depot, freight house, and two out of four tracks. The Erie superintendent stated he would seek approval from higher management and assured that the project would receive high priority if sanctioned. Erie also contemplated building a new depot resembling the Ho-Ho-Kus station contingent upon Waldwick demolishing the current depot, along with dismantling the freight house and adjacent rail spur.

Despite Mayor Denver’s attempts to garner support for relocating or removing the original depot, local council members showed limited enthusiasm. Denver intended to renew efforts in 1959, emphasizing that either Erie or the borough must take responsibility for demolishing the deteriorating structure.

1970s Proposal

In 1973, a joint proposal from Waldwick borough and the New Jersey Department of Transportation aimed to replace the Erie depot with a new brick station on the inbound side, complemented by a 150-space parking lot on Hewson Avenue. The planned depot was to include a 30 by 20-foot waiting area, ticket office, restroom facilities, a picture window, and aluminum doors. A new platform measuring 400 by 10 feet would substitute the existing one prone to flooding, while the parking area would feature concrete curbs and protective guide rails for vehicles.

The Department requested that Hewson Avenue be converted into a one-way street to enhance traffic circulation, a change approved by the borough. Council member Robert Ryan indicated that the project had an estimated budget of $500,000 (1973 dollars), pending receipt of a letter of intent before bidding could commence. Ticket agent Eugene DelGuidice emphasized improved convenience for commuters, while Councilman Ted Bell highlighted plans to pave the gravel lot to reduce overflow parking on side streets. The borough intended to manage the lot with a nominal fee and aimed for completion by fall 1974.

However, opposition arose quickly as residents advocated for designating the depot as a historic landmark. Legal complications delayed progress into late 1975 due to difficulties acquiring land tied up in Erie Lackawanna Railroad leases. Consequently, plans were scaled down to a smaller depot without provisions for a ticket agent. By October 1975, priorities shifted toward replacing the parking lot within 30 to 45 days and demolishing the depot in favor of constructing a heated shelter within six to nine months. Waldwick allocated $33,000 for new parking meters and lighting improvements. Mayor Ralph Cook expressed disinterest in preserving the structure unless an outside group undertook relocating it.

Delays persisted through 1976; by January 1977, the Department imposed a deadline for either moving or demolishing the depot. Terry Karschner, historian with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, sought interested parties willing to relocate the building. The local Jaycees supported moving it; however, community opinion was divided between modernization advocates and historic preservationists. DelGuidice remarked that the depot remained well-maintained with many original features intact.

The Department required relocation proposals by January 31 and had secured a handshake agreement with Conrail. Mayor John Cassetta noted that borough maintenance agreements would be necessary for managing the new parking lot; nevertheless, construction was postponed pending final agreements and bid submissions. Local organizations lacked funds to move the station, while Borough Council showed little interest in preservation despite community concerns.

On February 1, 1977, Waldwick received correspondence from the Department mandating removal due to upcoming ground elevation and drainage improvement projects. Real estate agent James Cleary offered to relocate the depot at his own expense to his property on Franklin Turnpike (CR 507), intending to incorporate it into his office building. Councilman Frank McKenna estimated relocation expenses between $50,000 and $100,000, citing challenges such as overhead wires and tree limbs. Mayor Cassetta highlighted a $75,000 grant designated for drainage upgrades necessary to support increased traffic demands.

Preservation

On February 16, a unanimous decision was reached by 30 local residents to safeguard the station depot by establishing a nonprofit organization led by Kay Williams of Waldwick Place. They obtained an extension until March 15 from the Department of Transportation but encountered difficulties in planning due to lack of funding. Williams suggested fundraising efforts aimed at transforming the depot into a museum, taking inspiration from Mahwah, New Jersey. The majority of participants rejected Cleary's proposal to move the station to Franklin Turnpike.

Jeanne Robinson and John Gallacher, both members of the group, identified four potential relocation spots within the existing station premises and questioned the need for the planned 175 parking spaces.

During a work session on March 1, Williams announced that $1,000 had been raised and called on the Borough Council to back the preservation initiative. She reassured that the group would not obstruct construction of new parking facilities and that the Waldwick Historical Society intended to maintain the depot without relying on public funding. The Department of Transportation committed to arranging a meeting with Conrail and Borough Council prior to March 15 to discuss details and possibly extend the deadline.

On March 10, Conrail showed willingness to lease the depot to the Historical Society at a market-based rate, raising affordability concerns. Gallacher and Borough Council member Cassetta expressed reservations, while Conrail representative Davis Deane highlighted their federal mandate to operate profitably. After negotiations, Deane agreed to seek higher authorization for a lease offer and to consider timelines for construction.

Conrail’s lease proposal submitted on March 21 included a one-year term at $600 per year, excluding tax payments ($482) and liability insurance expenses. The agreement forbade historic designation to prevent restrictions on demolition.

By April 1977, steps were underway to nominate Waldwick station for inclusion on both the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. The New Jersey State Historical Sites Division informed Conrail of a May 6 deadline to contest this nomination. Both the Historical Society and Borough Council formally opposed Conrail’s lease provision allowing termination with just 30 days’ notice. Williams also disclosed an old deed indicating that if railroad use of the depot ceased, ownership would revert to the Victor family or their heirs.

Governor Brendan Byrne signed legislation on June 30 allocating $475,000 for repairs to platforms, construction of shelters, and expansion of parking at Waldwick station. The Department of Transportation negotiated with Conrail to relocate parking areas north of the station while leasing all property except the depot itself to ensure its preservation. By late July, Conrail agreed to develop a new parking lot surrounding the depot. Following their July 27 meeting, the Historical Society expected official historic designation soon.

In September 1977, Waldwick depot was officially listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. By March 1978, it had also been added to the National Register. Williams announced that construction on the postponed parking lot was scheduled to commence April 24 with completion targeted for May 20.

In April 1986, NJ Transit ceased using the Waldwick station depot when ten engineers assigned to Waldwick Yard were relocated to Hoboken Terminal.

Restoration and community revitalization

By 2005, the station had fallen into a state of neglect. The Waldwick Community Alliance proposed participating in NJ Transit's Community Revitalization Plan to preserve and upgrade area properties; however, NJ Transit declined the offer.

On August 13, 2008, NJ Transit granted a lease of the 1887 station building to the Waldwick Community Alliance for a nominal fee of $1 annually, extending through 2033. The leased premises encompassed , with all restoration expenses to be borne entirely by the Alliance. As part of the agreement, NJ Transit consented to relocate six parking spots and modify access to the lot.

Although restoration was slated to commence in Spring 2010, it was postponed due to necessary approvals from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the State Historic Preservation Office. Compliance with utility upgrade requirements alone threatened to push costs beyond $30,000, while initial approval fees had already reached $17,000. Planned renovations included replacing the roof and sill plates and elevating the structure above ground level.

Following fundraising efforts and grant acquisitions, work on the roof and sill plates began in October 2011, utilizing contemporary materials closely matching those from 1887. Roof repairs were finalized by October 2013; however, contractor-related complications delayed subsequent phases. By late 2013, estimates for window restoration, door replacement, painting, utility upgrades, drainage improvements, fencing installation, stair construction, and ADA-compliant ramp additions exceeded initial budgets. Consequently, the Alliance contemplated scaling back certain elements to control expenses.

The community marked the completion of restoration on May 22, 2016, with a ribbon-cutting event. Doug Cowie, Vice President of the Alliance, paid tribute to Kay Williams' early preservation efforts in the late 1970s that prevented demolition of the depot.

In June 2015, Waldwick approved a housing development at Waldwick Station on the former DeMartini Coal and Lumber Company site adjacent to West Prospect Street tracks. The project was projected to generate $479,000 annually in tax revenue and featured of retail space catering to both residents and commuters. It included 111 apartments consisting of studios as well as one- and two-bedroom units, with 10% designated as affordable housing. A parking garage occupied the lower level.

Construction began in July 2016 with demolition of the lumber yard structures. Russo Development and Terminal Construction managed the project aiming for leasing availability by fall 2017; progress was expedited by a mild winter season. The development officially opened on November 22, 2017.

Station layout and services

Waldwick station comprises three tracks served by two low-level side platforms. West Prospect Street crosses the tracks and connects the platforms via a steel-frame pedestrian bridge. Neither the station nor bridge is accessible to individuals with disabilities. The historic depot is situated on the east side of this bridge, while a passenger shelter is located on the west side.

There are three parking facilities associated with the station: a primary lot at West Prospect Street and Hewson Avenue offering 153 regular spaces plus two handicap spots. This lot is owned by NJ Transit but managed by Waldwick borough; permits are required on weekdays while parking is free during nights and weekends. Additional parking includes 28 daily spaces on Hewson Avenue and another 14 spaces located at Maple Avenue and Wagner Street—both free on weekends but requiring payment during weekdays.

Similar to nearby Ho-Ho-Kus, Allendale, and Ramsey, Waldwick lacks connecting bus routes. It lies within NJ Transit's fare zone 10 alongside Ho-Ho-Kus.

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