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Mary's Reflections: Reflections
on the Passaic River When It Was a Scenic Waterway by Mary ZanfinoI was born and grew up on McBride Avenue in Paterson across the street from the Passaic River and within a stone's throw of the Great Passaic Falls. It was not an uncommon sight to see rowboats and canoes paddling its waters then. Mr. Theodore Bower lived across the street in what we used to call "The Boathouse". He rented out rowboats and canoes. The back of his house was an attached dock where boats were tied and an area roped off for swimming. Sundays were popular days for boaters and fishermen. A couple of hundred yards up from his house was a concrete dock, topped by asphalt and extended into the river about 25 feet. It was used by boaters and fishermen (as well as children) who cast their lines into the river shaded by willow trees that lined the area. Mr. Bower planted and nourished all the willows that lined the street for over a block. Across the river from his property, on Front Street, a huge tree hung over the river where boys delighted in daring leaps into the water by swinging on a huge rope. Shrieks and hollering echoed across the river. I used to watch from the iron-grilled fence bordering the river or from the newly constructed concrete bridge crossing into the Totowa section of Paterson. It was in the late l930s when a man named Bill Pappas leased some property adjoining the boathouse and built a hot dog stand,"Libby's Lunch". It was no ordinary hot dog stand but one that brought the famous Hot Texas Wieners to the area. He developed a huge following with throngs of people coming from surrounding towns. They would line up three and four deep along the counter shouting out their orders. People would often take their hot dogs, hamburgers and generous portions of French fries to eat at the water's edge. During the war years many a GI would mention things they missed about home and they included a Libby's hot dog to their lists. His secret spices were mixed behind closed doors, wrapped and tied in a cheesecloth bag, immersed in the sauce and simmered for hours. "Let's take a walk or ride, see the Falls and go for a Libby's" was often heard. I know this first hand because I worked there nights and summers while attending college. Next Email us to add your memories |
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