Rich History & Heritage

The history of Fair Lawn traces back to its origins as part of a larger territory inhabited by the Lenni-Lenapi tribe, whose presence is still marked by relics such as the Fishweir in the Passaic River. Early European influence began with Dutch fur traders, who established trading posts along the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers, leading to the area being known as Slooterdam until around 1791. After the English took control of New Amsterdam in 1664, Dutch settlers remained, bringing their distinctive Flemish Colonial architectural style, some of which, like the Garreston Forge and Farm Restoration and Naugle House, still stand today as testaments to early settlement life.

During the Revolutionary War, the area played a minor but notable role, with figures like John Post dismantling bridges to hinder British pursuit. Prominent early settlers included Andrew Hopper, whose family settled in the area in 1711; Hopper Avenue is named in his honor. By the 19th century, the large farms were divided into smaller lots, leading Fair Lawn to be known as "Small Lots." The community grew further as Paterson's industrialization in the late 1800s brought housing for mill workers along the Passaic River. In the early 20th century, the innovative Radburn community was conceived as a "Town for the Motor Age," featuring unique urban planning with superblocks and pedestrian pathways, although the full vision was never realized due to the Great Depression.

In the post-war era, Fair Lawn experienced significant growth with the development of an industrial park that attracted major companies, including Nabisco, Kodak, and Lee & Perins. Today, the community continues to evolve. Fair Lawn, New Jersey, is a city with a proud history and a thriving present. Its strong sense of community, diverse culture, and convenient location make it an ideal place to live, work, raise a family, and, of course, to shoot a film, TV Show, Industrial, or any other project. No matter the genre, historical, a particular decade, dark drama, light comedy, or reality shows, Fair Lawn has something for you!