Skunk Hollow facts for kids
Skunk Hollow was a special community where free African Americans lived. It was located about a mile south of Alpine, New Jersey, close to the Palisades Highway. The people who lived there often called it "The Mountain."
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A New Beginning
Skunk Hollow began as a place where African Americans who were no longer enslaved could build new lives. The first official record of land being bought here was around January 1, 1806. A man named Jack Earnest bought five acres of land for $87.50. He bought more land in 1822.
Other free African Americans started settling in the area as early as 1854. Some land might have been bought even earlier, around 1840, by a formerly enslaved person named James Oliver. These early settlers worked hard to create a home for themselves and their families.
Life in the Community
The community grew, and people worked together to make Skunk Hollow a real home. A very important person in the settlement was William Thomson, a minister. People knew him as "Reverend Billy." He was the spiritual leader and helped organize a church in Skunk Hollow. This church was built between 1856 and 1860.
By 1880, Skunk Hollow was home to about 75 people. This was a busy time for the community.
The Community Changes
Sadly, the population of Skunk Hollow started to shrink. By 1885, there were only 26 people living in six households. The community was mostly left empty by 1886, shortly after Reverend Billy passed away.
Even though most of Skunk Hollow was abandoned by 1911, some parts of "The Mountain" were still lived in as late as 1979. In 1903, the area officially became part of the Borough of Alpine, New Jersey.
Discovering Skunk Hollow's Past
In the 2000s, a researcher named Joan Geismar from Columbia University studied Skunk Hollow. Her research included an archeological dig, where scientists carefully dug up the ground to find old objects and learn about the past.
Her studies showed that after Reverend William Thompson died around 1885, many people from Skunk Hollow moved to nearby towns in the early 1900s.
What's in a Name?
The name "Skunk Hollow" might sound a bit funny! It's believed to come from a plant called "skunk cabbage." This plant was very common in the area, and its leaves have a strong smell.
Some local people on the New York side of the area also called it "Turkey Ridge."
