Olivia Fisher 
Bergen County is full of quiet suburbs and bustling highways, but it also hides some truly strange and fascinating stories and spots. From ghostly legends and haunted cemeteries to forgotten languages and bizarre historical collections, New Jersey’s most populous county has more than its share of oddities. Whether you’re into Revolutionary War ghosts or Napoleon’s preserved body parts, there’s something weird to read about. Read on for a guide to Bergen County oddities and weird local lore.
Collection of John K. Lattimer
John K. Lattimer lived in Englewood in a 30-room house that included an extensive collection of military paraphernalia, including medieval armor, Revolutionary War rifles, a pile of cannonballs, World War II machine guns, German Lugers, and drawings by Adolf Hitler. The weirdest piece in his collection might just be the medically preserved section of penile tissue, which John said belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Read More: All About the Teterboro Airport + Its History in Bergen County
Devil’s Tower
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Legends and rumors have surrounded the Devil’s Tower, a stone structure in Alpine. Some claim that after circling the tower a specific number of times, a ghost will appear. The space is officially known as Rio Vista and was built in 1910 by millionaire sugar importer Manuel Rionda on a 300-acre estate. The tower was built as a tribute to his wife, Harriet Clarke. Local lore claims that Harriet leapt to her death after discovering her husband with another woman and that her spirit haunts the area to this day. However, this is just a legend since Harriet actually passed away in 1922.
Easton Tower
Constructed around 1900, Paramus’ Easton Tower was made of wood and stone. Rumors suggest that those who use the nearby trails of Saddle River County Park can hear strange noises from inside the tower, and at least one witness claims to have seen an apparition at the window. Originally, the tower served a practical purpose and housed a water pump for the estate of businessman Edward D. Easton.
Edgewater-Fairview Tunnel
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The Edgewater-Fairview Tunnel runs directly under the Fairview Cemetery in Fairview. It was used by the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad Company to get coal from Pennsylvania to the Hudson River waterfront coal docks. The entire passageway stretches from its western entrance beneath the Fairview Cemetery in Fairview to its eastern opening at the foot of the Palisades in Edgewater. Some locals refer to it as Devil’s Hole.
Jersey Dutch
Jersey Dutch, also known as Bergen Dutch, is an extinct language that existed from the late 17th to the early 20th century. It was spoken by the descendants of New Netherlanders who settled in Bergen, New Netherland, as well as the enslaved African-Americans, free people of color, and some Lenape who lived in the region. One of the last speakers of the language was Matthew Hicks of Mahwah, a church sexton. He passed away in 1925.
Missile at Campgaw Mountain
In 1955, the U.S. Army created a Nike Missile here as part of a strategic operation to defend the New York metropolitan area from bombs. In 1971, the site was closed down.
Outwater Family Cemetery
The Outwater Family Cemetery is located in an industrial area of the Meadowlands. A wooden flight of steps alongside a bakery outlet at this site leads to the burial ground. The first of the 26 interments within the family cemetery was in 1752, and the last in 1892. This area is also the final resting place of 18 Hessian soldiers who died fighting for the British during the American Revolution.
Paramus Golf Course
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The land the Paramus Golf Course is on was once owned by the Zabriskie family. Several members of the family were buried here, and in 1922, were reinterred at the Valleau Cemetery belonging to the Old Paramus Church in Ridgewood. Although no remains are located beneath the golf course, the remnants of two mausoleum structures are still present and apparent near Holes 12 and 13.
Roberge Elementary School
Local legend in River Vale believes that one of the community’s elementary schools is haunted by a friendly janitor who died of a heart attack. Apparently, he is heard sweeping hallway and bathroom floors, and when he is present, one will hear laughter out of nowhere.
Sautjes Tave’s Begraven Ground Cemetery
Sautjes Tave’s Begraven Ground Cemetery is nestled in the middle of a suburban neighborhood in Demarest. It is surrounded by a quiet road and suburban homes. This early Dutch family burial ground was originally on the edge of a family estate. A notable burial is Douwe Talema, a 89-year-old man who was brutally murdered by British Loyalists during the American Revolution. He was bayoneted and died two days later.
Spook Crossing
According to Sigmund H. Uminski, there is a haunted spot called River Edge visited by Revolutionary War soldiers. On Howland Avenue, there is a small brook just west of Cleveland Place. Known as “Spook Crossing,” it was said to be haunted by the ghosts of Revolutionary War soldiers who died from poisoned cider. Sigmund claimed that some in town seldom passed after the sun went down.
See More: A Guide to the Oldest Structures at the Jersey Shore
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