The works of man and the works of nature have always achieved a balance in Demarest. From the beginnings of human settlement in the area until the present day, some aspect of nature has always played a role in Demarest's development. Samuel Demarest utilized the waters of the Cresskill Brook to run his mill. Later inhabitants saw the gently rolling lands covered with forests and fields as a haven from the metropolis. The hotel and race track which once flourished have long gone, but nevertheless, a precedent was set for Demarest as a town for people, and not for industry. The residential character of Demarest has survived into the present century, and unlike nearby towns, Demarest remains a community whose residents still prefer its quiet treed streets and varied terrain to the flat monotony of the city. The conveniences of twentieth century technology and the beauty of the Duck Pond and the many acres of forest and open recreation land combine to give Demarest its special character. Buildings such as the railroad and fire station, and a number of beautifully restored homes recall Demarest's past.

It is always interesting to look back at our heritage, to seek a rediscovery of the past traditions and values, and also to reflect on the great strides our town has made in a comparatively short time. With this in mind, the Trustees of the Demarest Nature Center Association are pleased to present this short history.

David Demarest, originally known as Davis des Marets, settled in Bergen County New Jersey in 1677. He was founder of the Demarest family in America, and was one of a band of French Huguenots who came to this country in 1663.

The earliest settlers in the area, now known as Demarest, were the Westervelts, whose homestead still stands as the northern wing at 277 County Road. The year was 1723, and other Dutch settlers from New Amsterdam soon followed, having obtained land grants from the British owners of New Jersey.

By the time of the Revolution there were six or seven farmhouses stretched along the length of County Road. Most of the people were patriots ­ prominent among them were Samuel P. Demarest (1724-1808), great great grandson of David, whose mill just south of the intersection of Anderson Avenue and County Road, supplied flour to Washington's troops when they were stationed at Tappan, and Captain John Huyler, a militia leader who had bought the Westervelt home. Others included Mattias Bogert (whose home, near Closter on "Old" County Road, is now owned by the O.T. Clarke family), Roelf Demarest, son of Samuel, (whose home is near Cresskill), and the Cole family whose homestead is generally thought to be a part of the home on the corner of County Road and Hardenburgh Avenue.

These families bore the brunt of a devastating Tory raid on May 9, 1779. Most of the homes were burned and severely damaged and several of the men, including Samuel Demarest, were taken prisoner to New York City. Samuel's son, Cornelius, was killed, as was a ninety year old farmer named Douwe Tallman, who lies buried in the Revolutionary cemetery on Everett Road.

After the successful conclusion of the Revolution, the fathers of Demarest returned to their homes and the little community prospered. Samuel Demarest reopened his grist mill with the help of his sons Peter and Roelf. Roelf's two sons, Samuel R. and John operated a brewery and a woolen mill, respectively, in the nineteenth century. Business was good and in 1816, Samuel R. Demarest built the beautiful sandstone colonial home that still stands on County Road across from the Duck Pond.