Open Every Sunday from 1pm – 5pm

Phone:
201-445-1804

Address:
330 Paramus Road Paramus NJ 07652

If you would like to set up a Private Group Tour, give us a call and we will be happy to accommodate you!

Bill

About Bill Leaver

Bill Leaver has been associated with the Behnke Museum since it opened in 2003. He was named as Director/Curator in 2013.
25 03, 2025

NEW JERSEY ROUTE 2 – NOW ROUTE 17

2025-03-25T09:13:09-04:00

Designated in 1920 as NJ17N, a road from Newark to Suffern, NY, it was named Route 2 in 1928.  It  was renamed Route 17 in 1942 for defense purposes during World War II.  .  The original cloverleaf was completed in 1932 and was then replaced by the flyover ramps we see today in 1998

NEW JERSEY ROUTE 2 – NOW ROUTE 172025-03-25T09:13:09-04:00
17 03, 2025

OLD PARAMUS POLICE HEADQUARTERS

2025-03-16T13:53:14-04:00

This building was a one room school house until Paramus built 2 new schools in 1944.  Now used as the Charles E. Reid Branch Library that opened in June of 1994, the photo shows the sign over the entrance when it was used as Paramus Police Headquarters and Paramus Court.

OLD PARAMUS POLICE HEADQUARTERS2025-03-16T13:53:14-04:00
11 03, 2025

TRAUTWEIN AIRPORT

2025-03-11T10:45:06-04:00

Biplanes were popular at the airport located on Passaic Street at the Paramus/Rochelle Park border in the early 1930's.

TRAUTWEIN AIRPORT2025-03-11T10:45:06-04:00
24 02, 2025

TRADER HORN

2025-02-25T10:19:24-05:00

Trader Horn was the go-to store for appliances before the P.C. Richards and Best Buy that we have today.  They, along with several smaller independent dealers, sold televisions and kitchen appliances.

TRADER HORN2025-02-25T10:19:24-05:00
27 01, 2025

PARAMUS BOWLING ALLEYS

2025-01-27T11:01:10-05:00

The Paramus Bowling Alley contained 42 lanes, a sandwich shop and cocktail lounge.  It also had a 400 seat grandstand from which spectators could see 1950's television shows such as "Make That Spare" and "Championship Bowling".  When the alley closed in became Sports World an entertainment complex that hosted children's birthday parties.

PARAMUS BOWLING ALLEYS2025-01-27T11:01:10-05:00
20 01, 2025

PARAMUS FIRE DEPARTMENT – COMPANY 2

2025-01-19T13:52:26-05:00

The first fire company was organized unofficially in 1904 as a result of a rash of barn burnings,  Company 2  located on Spring Valley Road started as a bucket brigade.  Built in 1868 and used by the Protestant Church of North America, the original firehouse was purchased by the members of Company 2 for fifty dollars.

PARAMUS FIRE DEPARTMENT – COMPANY 22025-01-19T13:52:26-05:00
10 01, 2025

KOMSA’S FARM

2025-01-10T11:01:29-05:00

A old landmark in Paramus was Komsa's Farm, known for their fresh turkeys raised behind this building.  Although the farm closed, the building still remains.  It is now occupied by Ted's Delicatessen.

KOMSA’S FARM2025-01-10T11:01:29-05:00
26 11, 2024

FIRST POLICE OFFICER

2024-11-26T10:06:37-05:00

Barney Martin was the first Paramus police officer and first police chief.  He was "on duty" 24 hours a day.  His office was on the front porch of his house.  He served from April 1925 until April 1936 when Carl Jockish became Police Chief.

FIRST POLICE OFFICER2024-11-26T10:06:37-05:00
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