NYC newspaper helped develop Upper Greenwood Lake
WEST MILFORD. In the 1930s, the New York Daily Mirror promoted sales of lots for $97.50 each as long as people would agree to subscribe to the newspaper for six months.
| 18 Jul 2023 | 06:34
The diving board at Upper Greenwood Lake was a popular attraction in the 1930s and ‘40s. (Photo provided)
The New York Daily Mirror, a tabloid newspaper published in New York City in the 1930s, was a significant force in introducing people in the city to a recreation location of their dreams.
The newspaper distributed brochures about an enchanting place in the North Jersey hills that before long would be known as Upper Greenwood Lake.
Earlier, the area was known as Moe Mountain, named after a businessman with a restaurant and general store who lived there.
According to the brochure, “All eyes are on Upper Greenwood Lake, NJ. It’s the Biggest Thing Under the Sun!
“You can secure beautiful lake shore and wooded bungalow sites for the full price of only $97.50 (each) with $10 down and $3.50 to be paid monthly. All lots are the same price. There are no interest charges.”
The stipulation was that people would agree to subscribe to the Daily Mirror newspaper for six months.
According to the brochure, “On a hill overlooking Greenwood Lake, the Daily Mirror has erected and furnished a large Colonial Clubhouse which will be presented to the lot owners for their exclusive use. The entire lake shore park has been reserved by the Daily Mirror as a private park for the executive use of all lot owners. The value of this alone is worth a great deal to each property owner.”
The original clubhouse still stands and is privately owned. A new clubhouse was built on the lake shore in recent years.
“What better prospect can one ask than to be assured in one of the most delightful spots surrounding Metropolitan New York and at the same time be able to look forward to weekends of rest and years of vacation where the health of your family can be maintained,” the brochure said.
“Force yourself to save by investing year-round and take your needed vacations and relaxation at the same time feel that you are making a substantial saving and preparation to spend your later years without worry in a healthful community,” the brochure concluded.
Many people responded, and they were transported to Upper Greenwood Lake in buses chartered by the newspaper.
The Mirror was first published in 1924 by the William Randolph Hearst organization. It was created to compete with the New York Daily News, which was then a sensationalist tabloid and the most widely read newspaper in the United States.
Hearst preferred the broadsheet form and sold the Daily Mirror to an associate in 1928.
The poet/songwriter Nick Kenny was the paper’s radio editor. His home was on Union Valley Road in West Milford where the Elks Lodge 2236 is now located.
The current Elks building replaced the Kenny house after it was leveled by fire.
Despite having the second-largest daily circulation of any newspaper in the nation, the Daily Mirror closed in 1963 and rights to the Mirror name were acquired by the Daily News. The final issue was Feb. 28, 1972.