Historic Marker Unveiled At Walker’s Pond In North Caldwell

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the North Caldwell Historic Preservation Commission. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

A large crowd gathered Saturday for the Walker’s Pond Historic Marker Reveal at Walker Park hosted by the North Caldwell Historic Preservation Commission, bringing together local and regional officials, residents, and community members. This new historic marker, honoring Walker’s Pond, is North Caldwell’s first since 1976.

Among those in attendance were Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Mayor Joshua Raymond, State Senator Kristin Corrado, Assemblyman Al Barlas, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, Councilman Art Rees, and Councilwoman Suzanne Corbo.

A “Marker Reveal” is a cherished tradition that dates back nearly a century when Mr. E.W. Hawes of Marietta, Ohio, first introduced placing roadside historical markers along the byways and highways of the United States.

Mayor Josh Raymond kicked off the event, reading aloud a letter received from Governor Mikie Sherrill commemorating the significant occasion.

The marker provides historical context for the pond and surrounding property, tracing its origins to Mr. J.D. Armitage, who built the pond and a 400-foot dam fed by Green Brook in 1928–29.

The marker inscription reads:

“J.D. Armitage built this pond and a 400-foot dam fed by Green Brook in 1928-29. He used the wide sweep of lawn above the pond as a pasture, where cows still grazed when Carlee and Elwood Walker purchased the property in 1949. They hired James Timpson to design and build their ranch style home on the shallow hill overlooking the pond, and in January 1950, they moved in. Five years later, the Walkers and their neighbors formed a community ice skating pond association. A skating shack was built in 1956, and winter skating events were held on the pond for many years. In 2016, the Borough of North Caldwell purchased this property from the Walker family for use as a park.”

Today, Walker’s Pond is a well-used and scenic part of the community, known for its natural beauty and year-round use.

For Nick Walker, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission and grandson of the former owners, the project carries both historical and personal significance.

“This didn’t start with my family. The pond goes back to J.D. Armitage and the estate that shaped this landscape. My grandparents carried it forward and shared it with the town, and a lot of people here have their own connection to it. This marker connects all of that and makes sure the story stays with it.”

The installation marks a continued effort by the Historic Preservation Commission to document and preserve key sites across the Borough.

The project was led by Historic Preservation Commission Chairman Matthew Leeds, with funding support from the Walker’s Pond Conservancy. Installation was completed by the North Caldwell Department of Public Works.

Images from the event can be viewed at www.nchist.org

The North Caldwell Historic Preservation Commission is dedicated to safeguarding the cultural heritage and architectural integrity of the Borough of North Caldwell. The Commission protects and promotes historic sites as irreplaceable elements of North Caldwell's distinct identity as “The Green Jewel of Essex County”. The Board’s members enhance the quality of life for all residents by advising the Borough on planning and zoning in a historic context, documenting town history, facilitating historic education, and advocating for responsible growth that honors the Borough’s historic character.

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