History of the Washington Elm Society's Name

A Note About “The Washington Elm”

From its location on modern day Franklin Turnpike, near the historic HoHoKus Inn in HoHoKus, NJ, a famous landmark has now vanished from the scene, but it is remembered in picture and history. That is the Washington Elm.

Legend has it that General George Washington and his officers are thought to have stopped under the spreading branches of this great elm tree as they traveled from Fort Lee to the Ramapough Mountains during the American Revolution. 

Even during the Revolutionary War, this famous elm was a majestic tree over sixty years old and in the prime of its beauty. By 1830 it had passed its first century of life.

About 1917, when the state widened Franklin Turnpike, some of the roots of the elm had to be cut away. This damage so weakened the tree that it fell prey to Dutch Elm disease. Many attempts were made to save the tree, and some of the large branches were braced, but to no avail. This historic old tree, whose falling branches had become a menace to pedestrians and automobiles, had to be taken down in 1937. As of that date, the tree measured seventeen feet in circumference, and its age was estimated as 225 years.

Though the noble elm is gone, its memory remains green. Some interesting facts about the Washington Elm:

·        The gavel used by the HoHoKus Woman’s Club was made from a piece of wood from the tree

·        The Veterans of Foreign Wars of HoHoKus chose the name Washington Elm Post 192

·        The Washington Elm is pictured on the bookplates used in the HoHoKus Public School Library

·        A mural of George Washington and his officers under the Washington Elm was depicted for many years in the lobby of the Warner Theater in Ridgewood, NJ

The Washington Elm Society, Children of the American Revolution is as well proud to bear the name of this grand historic symbol. Just as the Washington Elm spread its branches over key figures and events during the birth of our nation, its legacy presides over our society and its endeavors during the dawning of this new millennium. 

Link:
Memorial Park, 2 Franklin Tpke, HoHoKus, NJ where the Ramapo Valley Chapter DAR moved the monument

           

HoHoKus Inn, NJ was where the tree originally stood