REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY

Washington Spring Historic Site
Van Saun County Park
Located near Sections D and E of the Park
Map / Directions to the Washington Spring Site
Map / Directions to all Paramus Revolutionary War Sites

On the side of the driving path through the park is a sign that reads:
"Howland Avenue divided the farms of miller Cornelius Van Saun to the south and Christian Dederer to the north. Hendrick Banta lived west of Mill Creek. The Continental Army moved into Bergen County in August 1780 to forage for food and to await the French army and fleet for a campaign to drive the British from New York City. From September 4th to the 20th, 1780, about 14,000 American troops encamped on Kinderkamack ridge and environs. Hendrick Banta sold them cider from his mill. His ten-year-old son Cornelius saw Washington three times on his horse. His presence here gave rise to the name of Washington Spring." [1]

Walking past this sign, you will walk down a path through a pillared opening (Pictured above left). At the end of the path is another sign reading:
"Washington Spring 1780. The Continental Army is reported to have utilized the old spring at the base of these slopes during the September encampment west of the Hackensack River. Reports indicate that General Washington visited here and drank from the Spring." [2]

Past this sign is a very attractive section of the park, making up all of the Washington Spring Historic Site.

Old Spring Valley Burial Ground (Spring Valley Cemetery)
Cemetery Entrance is on Viola Way
Blue Historic Marker is around the corner on Spring Valley Way
Map / Directions to the Old Spring Valley Burial Ground
Map / Directions to all Paramus Revolutionary War Sites

This interesting cemetery, tucked away in the middle of a residential area, contains the graves of at least two local Revolutionary War farmer-militamen: Jacobus Brouwer and Henry Banta.   [3]

Red Mill Site
Red Mill Rd., South of Route 4
Map / Directions to the Red Mill Site
Map / Directions to all Paramus Revolutionary War Sites

The sign reads:
"Site of grist mill built 1745; scene of many raids and encounters during the Revolution. Aaron Burr was entertained here Christmas Eve commemorating his victory over British Raiders in 1776. Washington and his men often passed here; Lafayette stopped here on his return visit to America in 1825." [4]

Follow the path next to the sign into a small park. Easton Tower, a mill constructed in 1899, is here. While the mill is from a later era and has no Revolutionary War significance, it is a very interesting and attractive site. It is well worth visiting.

Terhune-Gardner House
218 Paramus Rd.
Map / Directions to the Terhune Gardner House
Map / Directions to all Paramus Revolutionary War Sites

This house is a private residence.
Please respect the privacy and property of the owners.

This was the homestead of David Terhune, a weaver and patriot official. It was raided four times by British Troops during the Revolutionary War. [5]

George Washington Statue
In the George Washington Memorial Park
Paramus Rd. and Century Rd.
Map / Directions to the Old Spring Valley Burial Ground
Map / Directions to all Paramus Revolutionary War Sites

Inside the cemetery is a very impressive statue of George Washington.

The statue is titled George Washington Kneeling in Prayer, and was sculpted by Donald DeLue.  [6]