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Located
just 17 miles west of
New York
is the town of
Ho-Ho-Kus
, where a large portion of the people who have settled in the town
make the daily trek to the city via train, bus, or passenger car.
With just over 4000 people living within its approximately one
square mile radius, Ho-Ho-Kus has a history that can be traced back
to 1698 when European settlers deeded land in what is now Ho-Ho-Kus.
The
name Ho-Ho-Kus is a fairly big mystery as well. Town residents take
pride in the unusual name and are adamant that commonly used ways of
writing the name of the town not be used, including HoHoKus or
Hohokus. The Lenni Lenape were the original inhabitants of the area
and some believe that a particular native term, Hochaos, is one of
the closest words associated with the current spelling. The meaning
of Hochaos is not certain as some think that it could be a native
term for “running water” or to a Dutch term for high oaks, or it
may simply be referring to another native term “hoccus” meaning
gray fox. Indeed, there are at least six different explanations for
the origins of "Ho-Ho-Kus", but none are definitive.
Much
of the current town saw its growth in the 20th century via the
establishment of a railroad station. A walking tour of the business
district reveals to visitors charming shops, restaurants, the train
station, and a beautiful library. There are no lodging
establishments within the town, but several can be found in
neighboring
Paramus
.
The
town has just one public school covering grades K-8, with high
school students sent to Northern Highlands Regional in Allendale for
their schooling. Three churches are located within the town and
Ho-Ho-Kus is free of all industry.
A
national historic landmark, The Hermitage, is located within the
borough and it is well noted for having been visited by General
George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The manse is a
wonderful example of domestic Gothic Revival architecture.
Most
of the residential area is located to the north, west, and south of
the business district and the homes are recognized for their
architectural beauty as well as being pristinely maintained. Indeed,
per capita income for town residents reflects the overall wealth of
Bergen
County
and the residences keenly reflect this fact.
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