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The origin and meaning of the name "Teaneck" is not known. The resemblance to certain Dutch words has encouraged speculation about a possible Dutch derivation and meaning. Likewise, the two syllables "Tea" and "Neck" have equally distinct English meanings. But most experts agree Teaneck is probably Indian in origin, and may mean "place where there are woods". This is as good a definition as any other.
In the early days, the name "Teaneck" referred to the high ridge of land that runs roughly north and south through the town and on which today's Queen Anne Road runs. Early trails and camp sites established by tribes of the Lenape Indians were laid out on either side of the ridge. At the time European explorers arrived in New Jersey and New York, a powerful sachem or chief named Oratam was the ruler of a large tribe of Lenapes in this area. They lived in a village that they called Achikinhesacky, on the banks of the Tantaqua (Overpeck) Creek, on the eastern slope of Teaneck Ridge near Fycke Lane.
Troubles persisted between the Indians and the Europeans until 1655, and it wasn't until 1704 that any reference to a permanent structure within Teaneck's current boundaries can be found. Later, more houses and farm buildings were constructed along the old Indian trail that ran along and above the west bank of the Hackensack River. The neighborhood that grew here came to be known as East Hackensack or New Hackensack.
The Township of Teaneck was established on February 19, 1895 and was comprised of parts of Englewood, Hackensack, Ridgefield Park, Bergen Fields and Bogota. William W. Bennett, overseer of the W.W. Phelps Estate, chaired the three man Township Committee (later replaced by a seven member Town Council). The town's population was 811. During these early days of the 20th century, the town's affairs focused on construction of streets and street lamps (originally gaslights), trolley lines (along DeGraw Avenue), telephones and speeding traffic. Social activities centered on church events and harness racing at the popular racetrack on Cedar Lane, near River Road. Several small inns offered fine dining and dancing to overnight guests.
Seven public schools comprise the Teaneck Public Schools: Bryant (pre-k and kindergarten), Hawthorne, Lowell and Whittier (grades 1-4), Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson (grades 5-8) and Teaneck High School (grades 9-12).
Teaneck also has several Independant private schools; Al-Ghazaly High School, Community School, Inc. Lower School, Community School, Inc. High School, Grace Lutheran School, Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School (for Girls), Schecter Regional High School, Sinai School for Boys, Sinai Special Needs Institute, Torah Academy of Bergen County, and the Yeshiva Gedolah of Teaneck.
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