of Greenville Grove circa 1860 before Greenville separated from
Bergen Township. Courtesy, Jersey City Free Public Library of
Greenville and Bergen circa 1869 At present, Greenville might
rank fairly low on the hierarchy of prime Jersey City
neighborhoods. Not that long ago, however, a Greenville address
enjoyed a much better reputation than it does today. Although
never a truly prestigious district, the neighborhood was
considered desirable for its stability, prosperity, and quality
of life. Built up primarily during the first quarter of the
twentieth century, Greenville was characterized by quiet, shady
treets lined with relatively new and comfortable dwellings.
Greenville homes generally had more up-to-date plumbing,
electrical, and heating systems that were not standard in some
of the older parts of the city. Most residents took advantage of
the area’s extensive public transportation network, but some
properties were already being equipped with small driveways and
backyard garages to accommodate a private