Nature Done Wright

The marshy area of Allendale in Bergen County, N.J. northeast of the Franklin Turnpike-Cottage Place intersection. The place had been an ancient Indian gathering place known as Wolf Swamp and Fell’s Meadows, and in the mid 19th century, peat was mined here. The area later became The Allendale Produce Gardens (Appert’s Farm), known locally as the celery farm. So called because onions were among the first principal crops grown here. Also Onion Town.

• 3 June 1887, "Onion Town"—Bergen County Democrat, "…the tract of land called by Newporters "Onion Town," is a good shaped piece of land. Beginning at a point where the Saddle River road and the road from Suffern to Paterson cross each other near the Allendale station, and running along the middle of the wagon road as far as John Van Horn's; then along the line of the Old Peat Meadow, and to the middle of Saddle River road; and from there in a southeasterly direction to the place of commencement. For a new place it is booming, and now contains two churches, the Archer Methodist, and the Episcopal Chapel; the Archer lyceum, Rowland's store, two new dwellings, and last but not least, the commodious residence and chicken factory occupied by Mr. Sterling."