Ridgewood Bergen County’s Dark Legacy You Never Knew

Sat, 02 May 2026 22:09:04 +0000

Ridgewood, Bergen County’s Dark Legacy You Never Knew Nestled in the heart of Bergen County, Ridgewood is often celebrated for its charming brownstones, vibrant community life, and scenic parks. Yet, beneath its picturesque exterior lies a shadowed history—less bekannt but deeply woven into the town’s fabric. This article uncovers Ridgewood’s dark legacy: a lesser-known story that shaped its identity in ways residents rarely discuss. ### The Forgotten Stories of Ridgewood Few know that Ridgewood was home to one of New Jersey’s covert industrial zones during the early 20th century. Beneath its quiet neighborhoods stood manufacturing plants that once produced steel components and machinery parts—industries vital to America’s industrial boom. But beyond the economic contributions came hardship. Workers, many immigrants and laborers from marginalized communities, endured unsafe conditions, minimal wages, and limited legal protections.