Englewood Makes History
Englewood Makes History is a living archive — a book that never stops being written. Explore the stories, add your own, and help us make sure nothing is lost.
Featured Stories
Englewood Through the Lens of History
Discover rare archival footage, photographs, oral histories, and community memories that capture the people, streets, culture, and moments that shaped Englewood across generations.
Englewood's Influence on Michael Jackson
The Mizell Brothers, Freddie Perren, Michael Jackson, and Englewood's Hidden Place in Music History When people think about the origins of hip hop, they often think of the Bronx, Harlem, Queens, or the studios of Sugar H…
The 4th Ward Fires of 1970
The Fourth Ward Fires and the Crisis of Urban Renewal The fire epidemic that swept through Englewood's Fourth Ward during the fall and winter of 1970 unfolded against a backdrop of racial tension, housing insecurity, and…
Althea Gibson, Jerry Volpe and the Englewood Golf Club
Few athletes in American history broke as many barriers as Althea Gibson. Born in 1927 in Silver, South Carolina, and raised in Harlem, New York, Gibson rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest athletes…
Discover the Collections
Dive into our curated categories, featuring over 1,000 historical items, photographs, and documents preserved from Englewood's past.
Music: Soul City
Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Wilson Pickett, the Mizell brothers, and the birth of hip hop. Englewood was home to some of the most important musicians of the 20th century.
Comedians: The funny neighborhood
In the late 1950s, the biggest names in comedy — Buddy Hackett and many more — moved to Englewood for the golf, the city access, and each other. Eddie Murphy followed decades later.
Actors: From stage to screen
The Travolta family, Delroy Lindo, Clark Peters, Téa Leoni, and the legendary Actors' Home, where stage performers have retired since the 19th century.
Organized Crime: 44 bosses in Bergen County
Italian and Black mafia leadership settled in Englewood and Bergen County — living suburban lives while running operations in the city. The Genovese family, Nicky Barnes, Frank Lucas, and more.
From the Blog
New stories, discoveries, and updates from the Englewood Makes History project.
Contribute Your Story
Do you have photos, documents, or memories of Englewood? Help us grow the archive and ensure your family's history is preserved for future generations.
Family Collections
Does your family have a history in Englewood? The Taylors, Tinsleys, Drakefords, Satterfields — every family's story belongs here. Upload your documents, photos, and memories and we'll create a dedicated collection just for your family.