Oakland's Stream House Will Be Built Again With New Purpose

When the news came that a plan submitted for the Stream House at last had gotten the green light, Mayor Linda Schwager was elated.

“When we finally got the plan approved, I was jumping for joy!” exclaimed the mayor.

A solution to the dilemma of what to do with the decaying building that would satisfy the State Historical Society’s requirements had been found.  The work would not jeopardize future grants available to the property.  The structure above the Stream House could be taken down, but not the foundation.

From the beginning of her three terms in office, the mayor imagined the preserved property being restored and utilized to foster interest in the history of the Borough of Oakland.

“We had appealed to all the authorities about the problems with the Stream House without a good result," she said.

Some 30 years ago the Stream House was joined with the Van Allen House through an agreement establishing its historic landmark status.  It could not be razed without losing eligibility for grant money.

The Van Allen House was built in 1748 and is documented to have been George Washington’s headquarters as his troops encamped nearby on July 14, 1777 on their way to West Point. 

“The house has survived for 240 years because of its historical importance and because funds from grants were available to keep it going,” the mayor explained.  “We could not afford to be penalized by taking down the Stream House.”

The Stream House was built on the same property in 1902 by Edward Page. The Oakland Historical Society website describes Page as "one of the industrialists who settled along Rt. 202 to develop agriculture for the growing cities of Northern New Jersey, such as Paterson or Newark."

The Oakland Historical Society said of Page: "He was a 'Son of the American Revolution,' coming from a family that had long supported American workers and their freedom to live full, productive lives. He had the Stream House built as a central office for his business, and a home for the office manager of the thriving dairy farm that his success in America's textile industry had allowed him to create. He employed many farmers as well as professional carpenters, stone masons and other craftsmen who helped create Oakland's first Fire House and many other public and private buildings in town."

(Photo: Van Allen House, early 1900s; photo courtesy of Oakland Historical Society)

The building’s foundation was erected over a stream running along the edge of the property.  Upstairs was Page’s office and down below was a stream-cooled storage space for his dairy products.

When the mayor took office in 2012, the Stream House was becoming dilapidated to the point it was in danger of collapse.  The future of both structures was tied together and, therefore, prevented the demolition of the Stream House.

“Fast forward a few years and Councilman Biale and I hired an architect who specialized in historic buildings,” Schwager said.

(Councilman John P. Baile is historic preservation liaison.)

The architect advised them that dismantling the Stream House and rebuilding on top of its foundation--which spanned the stream--would preserve the historic status of the property. This meant the building could be taken apart and a new one could be built on the same foundation.

“We worked together to present a plan to the state to dismantle the Stream House,” Schwager said. “The pandemic made it more difficult, but the shovels went in this year and the building was taken down to its foundation, which has been capped to protect it with extra care taken to protect the stream.”

Schwager foresees Oakland ultimately will have a property turned into an attractive community feature with historical significance. 

“Oakland will be proud of the Van Allen House and a new building on the old Stream House foundation is part of our town,” she said. “I envision a children’s museum with an ornament on its roof, a bridge over the stream, parking for those who will come to see it and maybe road-widening at the intersection.”

The mayor is calling for volunteers to come forward to help with future planning and fundraising.  She asks that those interested in taking part in this important project email (mayorschwager@oakland-nj.org) or call her about how to get involved.

As has happened many times before with such projects as the Recreation Field, Great Oak Park, the Dog Park, and the grants sought for the building of Station Park at the railroad crossing, the people of Oakland have made progress happen through their volunteerism. 

And it’s been no different, even this year, amid a pandemic. The work has begun and will continue for the good of the Borough of Oakland.