Take our Surveys Gateway to the Northeast Reserve Now! Fort Lee area hotels Crisis Management Fort Lee Real Estate Classic Realty Group   Add your business Incorporated Past Government Introduction Fort Lee's first year having a recognized government was an interesting one. This section briefly covers some of the events that concerned the residents during that year. {body}In 1904 the Fort Lee's first Mayor was elected, Mayor John C. Abbott Sr. The council members were: Peter Cella Wm. Wood John Reardon Charles Goebel John Mallon Ferdinand Knorzer John Abbott Fort Lee's first Mayor, served as tax assessor from 1886 to 1887 in Ridgefield. He was also a freeholder from 1888 to 1890 and again from 1895 to 1896. On May 17, 1904, an election took place to elect the Mayor and Council for the Borough of Fort Lee. Prior to 1904 Fort Lee was part of Ridgefield. Actually Fort Lee separated from Ridgefield and gained their independence on May 16, 1894. Fort Lee was first officially incorporated as a borough in Bergen County on March 29, 1904. The first meeting of the Mayor and Council was held at the Schlosser Hotel on May 23, 1904. The first established ordinance occurred on June 1, 1904. Ordinance 1- An ordinance licensing Auctioneers, Hawkers, Peddlers, Junk Dealers, Itinerant Vendors of Merchandise, Shows and Circuses. One major concern of the town fathers was the condition of the roads in town. It was reported that a horse was injured and equipment damaged when an obstruction on Linwood Avenue caused the horse to fall. Other problems related to areas of ponding water, which restricted the use of roads. It was proposed that these areas be drained and filled. A road committee was formed to improve upon these conditions. On July 26, 1904 a sidewalk committee was formed and the police department was established. A fire hydrant on Fletcher Avenue was also proposed on this day. During the August 17th meeting the Mayor and Council had an investigation conducted by the police into a gypsy settlement on Hoyt Street. The March 30, 1905 meeting reported that a man injured in the Coytesville section of town was transported to Englewood Hospital by Officer Carney who had borrowed a wagon. Th May 11, 1905 a meeting heard complaints from residents of Coytesville. They complained that ball playing on Sundays was disrupting the neighborhood. The complaint also stated that the participants were drinking beer. The Mayor concluded that the ball playing be conducted in a more quite fashion. Also at this meeting Special Officer Riley was honored and given expense money for his participation in the arrest of an actor who allegedly committed a murder in Fort Lee. This is just a brief look into the first year of Fort Lee's government. For more information utilize the reference indicated below. We would like to thank historian, Sylvia E. Abbott who provided this information and the Fort Lee Public Library. For more information see the 50th Anniversary of Fort Lee 1904 to 1954 at the Fort Lee Public Library. For current members on the Mayor and Council see the Government section under the community section. Pre-Revolution Incorporated Palisades Amusement Park Bridge Hollywood The Bourdettes Fort Lee Museum Fire Department Police Schools More History Contact Us Disclaimer ©2000-2008 FortLee.com L.L.C.