MUNICIPALS: "P" IS FOR PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS

Moving along to another badge I have a "P" to offer you. This is for the Township of Parsippany, New Jersey. This item is in my display containing NJ Municipalities that I have managed to obtain over the last 45 years.

I have assembled the collection in alphabetical order. This represents the 28th community in the big case.

The Parsippany Community is technically a "Township" so it fits right into the municipal group . It is in Morris County, which is where I lived for thirty years or so. I remember rolling hills, two lane roads, and plenty of lakes dotted on the map here and there.

The memory is good, but the facts have changed. Today there are over 50,000 people living  there. It is the largest place in Morris County as well as northern New Jersey.

The name originated from the Indians who lived back in my day.  They described it as "the place where the river winds through the valley."  The Indian word was - parsipanong.  

Troy Hills is part of the official name of this community.On the badge pictured above one will see the hyphen and those words. In reality the Town is generally recognized as simply Parsippany. That makes the Indians happy. I think they also like this traditional shape badge in my display. I have had it a good twenty years, and I am quite proud to have it.

The shield is a traditional Jersey type badge. It is simple. One size fits all. Letters get stamped into the two panels and presto the badge is unique. Plating and numbers follow and we have an excellent finished product. The end piece reads: "Parsippany - Troy Hills,"  "Police,"  Number "14".

Like all my "muni's" they sit about three feet away from my keyboard where they ignite a different memory every day. 


 

MUNICIPALS: "P" IS FOR PARAMUS

This "P" is for PARAMUS and it is part of the MUNICIPAL COLLECTION that I have been describing over recent months in this blog.

My parents went almost their entire life in New Jersey without hearing of or driving to Paramus. The community was a small area in Bergen County near the George Washington Bridge. It is incorporated as a "Borough" which is why this badge fits in my Muni Collection.

When our Country was first being settled this area was inhabited by Indians. Their favorite game bird was the Turkey. In their language one will see the roots for the word that gives this town its' name.

During the Revolutionary War this community saw nothing in terms of a battle, but they did have heavy movements of both Washington's Troops, as well as the British. The trails used became the foundation for many of today's major roads. 

It took the creation of the Garden State Parkway and an appropriate exit to create the Paramus Mall. These two events, I am told, put this community on the map.

My research revealed that this Mall was one of the top spending spots in the country. I am so glad the wife and I live in Florida where Gulf Waters are our main concern.

The badge that is pictured above is an obsolete badge that is believed to date back to the mid 1920's. It is a traditional Jersey type badge with a silver tone finish.

As the picture reveals it has two panels with recessed lettering. The letters re black and reads: Paramus on top, with Police on the second panel. The NJ State Seal is stamped from the rear onto the shield prior to plating.

In the number box, at the bottom, is the number "277".  It is the 27th community in alphabetical order in my display. It is a keeper, especially since I favor the shape which was very popular in New Jersey. It now sits under glass where it reminds of all those receipts from "the mall" that I don't have to worry about.

 

MOTOR CYCLE OFFICER'S

I like to trim off some of my displays with a picture or two from New Jersey, and if it is Newark that makes it even better. The Guy's above are from other cities, but nonetheless their pictures are pretty neat.

The Officers on top I believe are from Washington DC. The foursome on the bottom are from the City of Brotherly Love - Philly.  Are they going in the right direction? It looks like they are headed towards Newark.

 I obtained these pictures over the last few years and think they look good here for the "world" to view. A copy is available on request. Also If you have an old picture that you would like to share here, send it to our email address. 

MUNICIPALITIES "O" IS FOR ORANGE

"O" is for Orange. This is the 26th badge by municipality (and alphabet) in the collection.

Orange however is a City. I have been lucky enough to acquire two badges from this community over a century of collecting. I have elected to display one badge in both my "City" and "Municipal" Collections.. 

I have previously described the community of Orange when I address those Jersey metropolis' that have the pleasure of being incorporated as a City. If memory serves me correct  I told you that this badge represents about 4 square miles in area. 

Some 45.5 years I ago my wife and I had our wedding pictures taken in Orange Park. I am not so sure I would repeat the walk in the park today, and that has nothing to do with the wife.

Seton Hall University is a mile or two down the road, in the Village (definitely not a City) of South Orange. I remember a lifetime ago an incident at the University which required the local constabulary to call for backup. The troops came from Newark (which is a City) and Orange. As I recall Orange sent one officer who was their S.W.A.T. Team (at least in my mind) and order was quickly restored.

The badge I have is of the same vintage as my above recollection at the University. It was old then. It is not in use any more as the current badges of taken more modern design.

As you can see this is a vintage "Jersey" type shield. It is gold tone and has the following stamped into it: Lieutenant, Orange, and Police. The NJ State Seal is at center point. It has no color in it having been affixed to badge prior to the invention of enamel. It still looks good, because it's beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Today this item is under glass and as noted before wrongly placed in my Municipal Collection, simply because I can't fit it where it does belong. I hope you all can keep the secret.



 

"N" IS FOR NORTH ARLINTON

Last year I posted an article regarding the badges in my "Municipal" Collection. These are the badges that do not fit as either a "City" or the "City of Newark which is my primary interest.

I am presenting these badges in alphabetical order, by municipality. I will start 2013 with the "N's."

First up is "N"  for North Arlington. This nice antique is at home in my NJ  Municipal Collection. It is the 25th in alphabetical order.


The Community is incorporated as a Borough. It has around 15000 inhabitants. They all live in an area just under 3 square miles.  It lies on the Passaic River in Bergen County which surprises many people because the assumption is that it is in Hudson County. It is very close, and there probably was a war that resulted in a map landing this town in the more affluent county.

It is also in the NYC Metropolitan area. A quick ride to the NJ Turnpike and over the "GW" Bridge and you are in Manhattan. The kids, and a few more people, are around in the daytime.

When one is hungry the place to go is "Pizza Land." It is on Belleville Avenue. You may have seen it if you watched "The Soprano's." Tony is from the area in real life.

The Badge pictured above is a traditional shape item. It is believed to have been replaced by a newer design. This one is nicely marked with black recessed letters: North Arlington, Police. 

At the bottom of the badge is a number box where numbers were inserted. This box holds the number "4".

In the center of this badge is a State Seal which is used by a majority of towns in the Garden State. The Badge has been mine for over 20 years, and today has a fine home in my muni collection. It's under glass and in a spot where I see it everyday. I am pleased to have it !

NEWARK TREASURES 2013

The year 2012 was pretty good, although I still have not obtained the Newark Star pictured at the top of this post.

The primary collection has grown. I have nine oldies  covering the middle of the collection. They look a little tight. That is because I never expected to get as lucky as I have in tracking these guys down.

On the perimeter (left, right, top) are eight "Old  Ovals." They are in number order going from a low 93 (Right corner) to a high 700 (Left corner). I feel good about having these hat badges. They make nice trim and are very collectible.  They look nice surrounding my treasures, but  I just might have to get a bigger case in 2013. That would be nice

If I ever get the "Star" I guess I will have to get the bigger display case. Maybe it should be displayed alone. 

During the year 2012 I was able to put together a display of current badges. There are eight in total, including a matching set of breast and hat badges for  Officer.  Then going from left to right are: Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Chief. 

This display is trimmed out with old buttons, my dads' blackjack, and a current patch. I had to get this case, and hang it, while the wife was away in NJ. When she returned she had no new badges for me, but she didn't say a word about the new case below.  I guess she likes it.

I was also able to pick up a couple of  "Unique" Badges that I have in a separate display.  Someday I'll do a the job posting them here.   I do understand that the interest is not in badges from the Dept. of Sanitation.  I ought to give that one to my wife as she does a great job keeping all my displays looking good, and going to shows with me.

Well in 2013, with your help, I will acquire that Newark Star. While I wait for it I will keep telling you about the remainder of the collection.

TIME TO REMEMBER

Another year has come, and gone. It's time to give a moment or two to remember friends who have passed on. One way or another they are still with us.

It has been a couple of years since one of my friends answered his last call. His grand-daughter drew the picture below. It makes a very nice memory. 

In addition to this Officr, there are others who have passed away in 2012. They leave us and their families behind.  Miss you guys!