11/25/2023
An extremely rare 1864 photo of Main Street, Hackensack. This scene was captured by A. D. Terhune, who had a photography studio in Hackensack. The man in the carriage is unknown, and the blanket on his lap indicates that it was cold. The sign for the tailor shop of William Mattgetscheck identifies the location as 125 Main Street (in the 1950s & 60s this was where Freeman’s children’s clothing store was). William Mattgetscheck (correctly spelt Mattjetscheck) was born in 1823, in Hanover Germany. He became a citizen in 1858 while living in New York, and then relocated to Hackensack. In the 1880 census his business is recorded to be a dry goods store. As we can see from the picture this was more a clothing store than just a simple tailor shop. Notice the clothing on display hanging from the porch, which William likely made himself, by hand. (Also notice there must have been a slight breeze, as some of the clothing is blurry with the long camera exposure.) William died in 1893 and is buried at Hackensack Cemetery. His son Henry F. took over the business at this location until 1901. It is unclear what the business to the left is, although it looks like photographs are on display. (Was that A. D. Terhune’s photography studio?) Note, Main Street is dirt, and it was that way until 1902 when it was paved with brick (made in Little Ferry). These wood frame buildings are long gone, and the “today” image is in the first comment. – Tim Adriance