Proposed Underpass
A 1903 plan featured a passage under the train tracks connecting the south end of the park to Valley Road, near the Northview Avenue intersection. This would have shortened the walk to the business district and the trolley for residents south of the park. (Credit: Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site)
Ice Skating
In the park’s first years, the township flooded the southeast oval for ice skating. (This 1903 plan shows a larger area than was ultimately realized. (Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site)
This article in The Montclair Times on Dec. 10, 1904, describes Charles W. Anderson’s efforts to prepare low-lying area for skating.
Flag
With thousands of immigrants settling in New Jersey, the Essex County Park Commission required a flag in every park to instill patriotism. As the county reported in 1912: “The poles were located as near the playground areas as possible in order that they might be a source of patriotic inspiration to the young people, who can look up at them while at their sports.” In Anderson Park, the flagpole was originally at the north end of the park, as seen in this 1928 postcard. (Brooklyn Postcard Company)
Houses
Three houses once stood in this area facing the street before the land became Anderson Park. During park construction, two were moved south and are now Nos. 293 and 295 North Mountain Avenue. The fate of the third is unknown. These photos show two of the houses, from the rear in 1902 and as they appear now a half-block down the street. (1902 Credit: Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site)
Lacrosse Plaque
Installed in 2008, this plaque honors the Montclair High School lacrosse coaches Gil Gibbs and Homer Robinson. Considered pioneers of scholastic lacrosse in New Jersey, they created the first high school lacrosse dynasty in the state, capturing seven varsity state championships and eight junior varsity state championships from 1969 to 1978. This photo shows a game in 1980. (Credit: Anthony Arons)
John Charles Olmsted Plaque
John Charles Olmsted (seen here in 1907) was the primary landscape architect for Anderson Park, making his first visit to the proposed site in 1902. The park opened in 1905 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. (Credit: J.E. Purdy, via Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site)
Interactive Map2020-05-16T21:45:57-04:00