West Milford Mayor Wilbur Fredericks, left, and Township Committee member Mollie McFarland and some West Milford Little Football League team members are seen 60 years ago. ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: Little League football Youth sports have been important throughout the years for people who grew up in West Milford, including some senior citizens... Columns 06 Apr 2026 | 02:27
Before coming to the United States, Francisco Pacheco, inventor of the hydrogen Pacheco Generator, was a soldier in the Chaco Boreal land ownership war between Paraguay and his native Bolivia from 1932 to 1938. ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: Francisco was a soldier Readers interested in last week’s West Milford Messenger column “Hydrogen Energy Power” asked for more information about... Columns 30 Mar 2026 | 04:22
Inventor Francisco Pacheco, seated at the edge of the boat, directs his grandson Edwardo, as he operates a 26-foot vessel with hydrogen power for nine hours in a 1974 Point Pleasant demonstration. ( Photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Hydrogen energy power After Francisco Pacheco of Bolivia demonstrated hydrogen power energy at a Green Energy Conference in Canada and participated... Columns 24 Mar 2026 | 11:51
Jacob Corter Sr. operated one of the excursion steamboats on Greenwood Lake when the lake was a popular vacation location. ( Photo provided) Looking back: Strawberries saved a life Physically exhausted after working nine or more hours a day underground in Peter’s Mine in Ringwood six days a week, Jacob... Columns 16 Mar 2026 | 01:58
The current manor house at Lindy’s Lake was included in George Spinnler’s community developed in 1928 named in honor of aviator Charles Augustin Lindberg Jr. ( Photo submitted) Looking Back: Naming Lindy’s Lake When George Spinnler named his Lindy’s Lake community in the Township of West Milford in 1928, he was honoring Charles Augustin... Columns 10 Mar 2026 | 10:49
This building, located on Union Valley Road near the current West Milford Post Office building at 1560 Union Valley Road, was the first location for Dr. Joseph Masessa’s dermatology office before he established other professional offices along the East coast. He was killed piloting his vintage military airplane at an air show in another state. ( Photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: House numbers Before 1965, there was no house numbering system in the Township of West Milford. The successful delivery of mail throughout... Columns 02 Mar 2026 | 02:53
Constance (“Connie”) Struble is seen in her eighth-grade graduation dress outside Echo Lake School where she received her elementary school education through eighth grade. During a winter in the 1940s she was sleigh-riding on Germantown Road and died when her sled collided with a delivery truck. (Photo by Ann Genader) ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: Sleigh riding tragedy Life in rural West Milford during the 1940s usually followed a simple routine. The family unit was powerful with daily activities... Columns 25 Feb 2026 | 12:36
Water dowser “Charlie” Decker demonstrates how he finds a place where a well water supply could be abundant. Seen in a 1950s photo from left are: Peter Gillen Jr., Peter Gillen Sr., Charles Decker, Anna Romlein Struble, Parrick Gillen, Corky Struble, Floyd Struble Sr. ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: Finding water When people purchase a home in West Milford today, there are established, approved commercial water supply companies in place... Columns 17 Feb 2026 | 10:43
There were many activities available for children when the late Dr. Arthur Zampella operated “Idylease.” ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: Idylease Day Care 50 years ago When West Milford was evolving from a county community to suburbia 50 years ago, social services and any attempts at childcare... Columns 10 Feb 2026 | 11:46
The first 1920s food service business building near Macopin/Weaver Road intersection is shown in the drawing, with no known photos existing. A new business in a shuttered restaurant on the opposite side of the road that replaced “The Stand “is expected to open this year when remodeling is done. ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: The Macopin/Weaver Road corner With public anticipation of a new restaurant opening near the Macopin/Weaver Road intersection later this year, some memories... Columns 04 Feb 2026 | 09:25
Lola Laverne Bevington instructs Marshall Hill School musicians in 1965. Students from left are Deborah Allen, Richard Harris, William Schaefer and Kenneth McGill. ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: Lola Bevington remembered When West Milford Board of Education members hired Lola LaVerne Bevington of Hicksville, Ohio, as the district’s music teacher... Columns 27 Jan 2026 | 04:07
Originally Tattersalls Lodge in the 1930s, this restaurant was known as Whitey and Iva’s in the 1960s. The property now belongs to Battinelli Enterprises. (Photo provided) ( Photo: Ann Genader) Looking back: Country dining in the 1960s In 1965, newsman Ed Cropley and his wife Dorothy, a teacher at Eleanor G. Hewitt School in Ringwood, decided to expand their... Columns 15 Jan 2026 | 04:03
Looking back: The reality of war After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Americans began a very stressful, uncertain week on Monday,... Columns 08 Dec 2025 | 04:49
The Greenwood Baptist Church at 520 Warwick Turnpike, Upper Greenwood Lake, is pictured in the 1930s. ( Photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Millionaire clergyman Thanksgiving may be a time when those interested in North Jersey religious history find the life of a millionaire clergyman... Columns 24 Nov 2025 | 04:20
The Smith Mills building on Hamburg Turnpike near the intersection of Route 23 is seen when Daniel Smith operated a store there decades ago. The building is now privately owned. (Photo provided) ( Photo by Ann Genader) Looking back: Smith Mills revisited The long-ago busy community of Smith Mills, once a significant stop along the Hamburg Turnpike in the early days of the iron... Columns 19 Nov 2025 | 10:04
