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Hackensack
is a city in
Bergen County
,
New Jersey
,
United States
and the county seat of
Bergen
County
. Although informally
called
Hackensack
, it was officially named
New
Barbadoes
Township
until 1921. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population
was 42,677. It is
located approximately 7 miles (11 km) west of
Manhattan
and 12 miles (19 km) south of
Rockland County
,
New York
. From a number of locations one can see the
New York City
skyline.
The
Metropolitan campus of
Fairleigh
Dickinson
University
straddles the
Hackensack
River
in both
Hackensack
and
Teaneck
.
Hackensack
is also the home of the
New Jersey
Naval
Museum
and the World War II submarine USS
Ling.
Prior to being
settled by the Dutch in 1693,
Hackensack
was home to the thriving Lenni Lenape Indian community that lived
and prospered along the banks of the
Hackensack
River
.
Bergen
County
was inhabited by the Achkinheshcky tribe, from which “
Hackensack
” was eventually derived.
Hackensack
means “mouth of a river.” The “Hackensacks” formed villages,
each one practicing and serving as its own government. Interestingly
enough, these villages practiced a democracy, where all members of
the tribe were involved in the decision-making.
Once the Dutch
arrived in
Bergen
County
, they began to build the area into a permanent settlement they
named
Bergen
. Through their dealings with the Chief of Hackensack, Oratam, the
Dutch were able to live harmoniously with the Indians. By the
mid-1600’s, the British began to arrive in the
Hackensack
area. From then until the Revolutionary War’s end in 1783,
Hackensack
was an area of unrest.
Upon the War’s
end,
Hackensack
residents began organizing themselves into a functioning government.
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