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Old Tappan, NJ Area Guide
Old Tappan is a Borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, Old Tappan had a population of 5,482. Old Tappan was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 18, 1894, from portions of Harrington Township, at the height of the Boroughitis phenomenon sweeping through Bergen County, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. Boroughitis was a political phenomenon that spread throughout the U.S. state of New Jersey in the late 19th century, which led groups of residents to unite to form boroughs from within and among the many townships that were the prevalent form of local government at the time. The basis of the phenomenon were major changes to the borough form of local government in the state that allowed boroughs to easily obtain independence without approval from the New Jersey Legislature, allowed new boroughs to avoid school tax burdens and provided boroughs formed from more than one township to be entitled to a seat on the county's Board of Chosen Freeholders. On April 23, 1896, additional territory was added to Old Tappan from Harrington Township. For more information on Old Tappan, please visit their official website at:http://www.oldtappan.net
History
The first settlers in the area that would become Old Tappan came from the Hudson River, across the salt meadow and through the narrow valley of the Tappan Creek. The land was purchased on March 17, 1682 from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. In 1687 the legal title to the land known as the Tappan patent, was granted by Governor Thomas Dongan of New York to thirteen Dutchmen and three free African Americas, all prosperous farmers from Bouwerie. As these farmers’ farms became crowded by the late 17th Century, they came together to purchase new unsettled lands in the wilderness. The Tappan patent is believed to be the only land grant of its kind in the country to include both blacks and whites on an equal basis.
 The Old Tappan of 1682 was much larger than the Old Tappan’s size today. For 86 years Old Tappan was part of Orangetown, Orange County, New York. Tappan was the county seat and the first public structures built there were a church, jail, inn, and courthouse. Inhabitants of Old Tappan served in the Orange County militia, paid taxes to the Colony of New York, served as assessors, fence viewers, and road masters of Orangetown.
During the Colonial years New York and New Jersey disputed over their boundary which divided governments and land rights. Finally, in 1769, commissioners appointed by the King of England settled the discord by deciding on the present state line. Change in jurisdiction occurred in 1733 and the line was marked with milestones in 1774 at points indicating the distance from the Hudson River. The settlement of the New York-New Jersey boundary severed Old Tappan from its original connection with Orange County and the Colony of New York and it became part of the Province of New Jersey. Though title to their land was based on a New York land grant, provisions of the boundary settlement confirmed rights of ownership to Old Tappan landowners who found themselves on the New Jersey side of the line, as well as to those whose properties were now partly in both states. Soon after the settlement, the people of Old Tappan joined others in a petition for the formation of a new township which took in a large portion of northern Bergen County. It was known as Harrington Township and Old Tappan was to be part of it for 119 years. Discover this and more about Old Tappan’s rich history by clicking here: http://www.oldtappan.net/historytest.cfm
Attractions
Home to numerous attractions for people of all ages and interests, Old Tappan has something for you. The Old Tappan Golf Course is a favorite pastime with a 9-hole regulation golf course, which rewards good shots and provides a fun golf outing for everyone. At The Tranquility Day Spa, visitors and residents can receive a variety of treatments to help any client. The Botanica Day Spa is dedicated to the finest in wellness of skin, body, and nails in a state-of-the-art facility. Discover these and more wonderful attractions by visiting: http://attractions.uptake.com/spas/new_jersey/old_tappan/793481370.html.
Parks & Recreation
 Old Tappan is home to a fine parks and recreation service, offering all the amenities any visitor or resident could wish for. One of the town’s largest parks, Stone Point Park, consists of a playground, four ball fields, basketball courts, a paved running/walking track, bocce, horseshoes, a covered pavilion, and a field house with kitchen and bathroom facilities. It is used for all recreational sports activities, summer sports camp, and Town Day. Also in Old Tappan is Oakes Park. This park is located on Central Avenue and features a paved walking path and a gazebo in dedication to all the victims of terrorism. The Chestnut Field consists of two ball fields and a clubhouse and is used for several recreational sports events and serves as the location for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Discover more about Old Tappan’s rich parks and recreational system, by visiting: http://oldtappan.net/parks_and_fields.cfm.
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