Photo by Susan C. Moeller

By Victoria Seetaram / Reporter

RUTHERFORD (March 11, 2010) — Serving approximately 1,030 commuters on an average weekday, the glorious Rutherford Train Station is no stranger to riders shuffling their way to New York City. The architecturally unique station has been a neighborhood staple for more than 100 years.

The structure, listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, was originally used to load and unload freight in the 1800s. It serviced the Erie Railroad, which became a productive line that stretched from Paterson to New York City. The first wooden building was built in 1866.

In 1898, when more than 20 trains would arrive daily, Charles W. Buchholz was hired as the chief engineer to build a station to accommodate the growing needs of the community. He expanded the station, which today consists of an asymmetrical structure that includes a gazebo with the smooth exterior finish of warm orange brick and tinted mortar, a theme that repeated itself in many prominent buildings of the time.

In May 2008, the NJ Transit Board of Directors authorized a two-phase renovation of the station, starting with the exterior. “We are not only restoring the building’s century-old elegance, but also making all of Rutherford Train Station useful again,” stated Congressman Steven Rothman at the time.

The Board awarded a $1.4 million contract to DMR Construction Services Inc. of Waldwick to restore the original exterior condition of the station. It was completed last year. The exterior work included “design and restoration of masonry; thorough cleaning of brick, sandstone, limestone and bluestone; restoration of the copper-clad window enclosure; and repair and replacement of window sills, doors, exterior columns and soffits.”

Last June, Rothman and NJ Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles joined Rutherford Mayor John Hipp to mark the completion of exterior renovations and announced the start of interior restoration work that “will preserve the building as both a transit facility and community landmark.”

With federal funding to the tune of $1.9 million, construction then began on the interior. “I am pleased to have delivered federal funding to the people of Rutherford to make this project possible and maintain the integrity and history of the train station,” Rothman said.

Local Councilwoman Kim Birdsall met with Rutherford’s historic commission recently, and stated that the “renovations are in line with the strong history of the borough” and “with the harsh winters that just passed,” the renovations should be completed this spring.

As part of a $988,000 contract to Collette Contracting, Inc., of Rutherford, interior construction work includes refurbishing the ceiling, floors, windows, doors, wood benches, plaster surfaces and wood frames. The project also includes the replacement of exterior windows and doors in the taxi stand building.

According to Rutherford historian William Neumann, the station was built in a vital place along the Erie Railroad.

Constructed right in the middle of the boiling spring of Rutherford, it first provided water for the animals that pulled the early trains, then aided when steam locomotives were manufactured.

“Rutherford would not have developed the way it did without this Boiling Spring station,” he wrote.

Neumann is looking forward to presenting a nomination for commendation when renovations are completed this May.

Contact Victoria at 201-438-8700