Today, 140 years ago in 1885, Montclair held its first Fourth of July Parade!
We know the occasion now as an irreplaceable part of the town’s culture, but before 1885, Montclair celebrated with a simple reading of the Declaration of Independence during church processions. The first parade introduced decorated wagons to the streets, giving businesses and groups a chance to display their work proudly. The star of the show was a large car with a woman dressed as Lady Liberty, who was surrounded by 13 little girls wearing the colors of the national flag.
This Day in History in Montclair series is a collaboration between the Montclair History Center and Montclair Local.
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