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POMPTON LAKES - Old newspaper archives now available
(by Leslie Scott - Staff Writer - July 16, 2008)
POMPTON LAKES - Those looking to read original copies of the borough’s history can visit the Emanuel Einstein Memorial Library.
Original copies of one of the borough’s oldest newspapers, The Bulletin, can now be viewed on the computer.
The Bulletin was initially published out of a business located on Ramapo Avenue. The first edition was dated March 17, 1894 and it was just four pages long.
In it were articles informing residents to go to the school district meeting at the Reformed Church to discuss where a new school should be built.
There were two locations on the agenda: one on Lenox Avenue and the other along the borderline of Pompton Lakes and Ringwood.
The publication also discussed women’s voting, The Bulletin’s purpose to serve the community, and whether a fire department should be established.
H.L. Wells first published this paper and local residents could purchase a copy for just 3 cents.
Over the years, The Bulletin grew in size and changed ownership.
Around 1971, The Bulletin was published by George Schultz, who owned Tri-County Publishing at the time.
Former Suburban Trends Editor Howard Ball said Schultz was a long-time publisher of the paper. Schultz got in some final difficulty and he sold the paper to Joe Matzner, who then owned the Today newspaper in Wayne.
Over the years, ownership of The Bulletin changed more hands until it ceased publishing.
Around 1992, the Suburban Trends reprised The Bulletin for a short time and printed articles that were originally printed in the Trends.
“It was kind of a gimmick. We had the Trends paper and then we would give out free editions, of the Argus or Bulletin, and put that nameplate on it,” Ball said.
The library has digitized copies of The Bulletin available from 1895-1898 and from July 1967-Oct. 1975.
Library Director Michael Drazek said more editions would be added onto the computer database.
Drazek said the library decided to digitize The Bulletin because the original copies were old and becoming worn.
“Trying to look through them becomes difficult. Some are older, they are dirty, and when you look through them you get ink on your hands and dirt under your fingers. This makes it easier to find stuff,” said Drazek.
The library was able to get The Bulletin digitized through a $2,000 History Regrant from the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council in 2007.
In addition to the grant, the Pompton Lakes Woman’s Club held book sales and Tag Day in 2007 to raise more money.
Residents can search through The Bulletin at the library located at 33 Wanaque Ave. It is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and closed Saturdays during the summer. The library is not open on Sundays.
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