Journal Square
Journal Square Journal Square was planned in the 1920's as the "Times Square" of Hudson County. The Hudson and Manhattan RR (now PATH) brought development to the quiet residential Bergen section when a station opened near Hudson (now Kennedy) Boulevard in 1910. Old Dutch houses were soon replaced by apartments. In 1912 The Jersey Journal moved to Sip and Bergen Avenues. Businesses followed and planners demolished an entire block, including the new "Journal" building, to create a vast plaza which took the newspaper's name. The 11-story 35 Journal Square was built by the Trust Company of N.J. in 1921. The Hotel Plaza (1924) on Sip Avenue was a social center. The Jersey Journal completed a new plant in 1925. An entertainment mecca evolved with three movie palaces: The State (1922), The Stanley (1928) with 4,300 seats, second largest east of the Mississippi, and The Loew's Jersey (1929) with 3,300 seats. All offered leading stars live performances. Radio station WAAT broadcast from Journal Square, scene of political and civic rallies. Commuters patronized fine restaurants and other businesses. Bergen Avenue was widened and a landscaped boulevard to Newark Avenue was planned but the 1930's depression halted development. The PATH center of the 1970's improved transit connections for commuters but reduced pedestrian traffic. New residential development is restoring that vitality to this still important hub. Submitted by @lampbane