1886: The Morris Canal reduces the number of canal boats on waterway. Service ends in 1900. 1888: Thomas A. R. Goodlatte establishes an oil cloth factory on Central Ave. (Clifton Blvd.) & Highland Ave. By 1899, 1,800 yards of oil cloth are produced daily. In 1902, Goodlatte merges with Standard Oil Cloth, which takes over daily operations of the growing business. 1889: Acquackanonk Township School #5 is built on Gould St. 1889: The Botany Worsted Mills are established in Passaic. It originated in Leipzig, Germany and employed many immigrant workers. The Botany Mills became operational on Jan. 1, 1890. 1890: Acquackanonk Township School #6 opens in Athenia. 1890: The first trolleys operate through Clifton, starting with the Red Line, which ran along Main Ave. between Paterson and Newark. 1890: E. Keller’s Grocery Store opens. It is the first food store established on Main Ave. in what was Clifton Center. Jan. 9, 1891: The Clifton Race Track is closed by Court Order for permitting illegal gambling. Track president George Engemann is found guilty of running a gambling establishment, is fined and sentenced to a year in prison. Despite currying favors with politicians, the track’s ownership came under attack from an unlikely trio: a local newspaper, the efforts of local Protestant and Catholic churches 36 April 2015 • Clifton Merchant
Aug. 15, 1895: St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic is established. an New York City ‘pool halls’ where gamblers went to place bets, not play billiards. ca. 1891: Thomas Van Houten’s baseball field on Main Ave. and West Third St. is closed to permit the construction of Fairyland Amusement Park and Theater. Oct. 19, 1891: A Christian Endeavor Society is organized at the Clifton Union Sunday School Chapel on Clifton Ave.
1894: Acquackanonk Township Committee expands to 5 members. 1895: New Jersey Flour Mills opens at Chester St. & Getty Ave. Today, it remains as the only miller of western wheat in NJ. 1895: William B. Lyall establishes a mill community in Allwood for Brighton Cotton Mills workers with a school and fire company. Jan. 8, 1895: A meeting is held to consider forming the Delawanna Union Protestant Church.
June 1893: The Union Presbyterian Sunday School becomes Albion Place Presbyterian Township School 5 on Gould St.
1896: Waldrich Bleachery opens near Yantacaw Pond, Delawanna.
Oct. 28, 1893: Manhattan Rubber Company is incorporated. It began the manufacture of rubber products on Jan. 1, 1894. Manhattan Rubber Company closes locally in 1942.
Nov. 18, 1896: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is organized in the same upstairs hall over the store on Getty Ave., which Clifton Reformed Church and School 3 were started.
1894: White Line Trolleys begins to operate from Paterson to the Hudson River via Crooks, Lakeview and Central Ave’s.
1896: Pitkin and Holdsworth Worsted Mill is established on Weasel Brook near Main and Highland Ave’s.