Gateway to the George Washington Bridge.

1. Fort Lee was originally called Fort Constitution, and was renamed in honor of Major General Charles Lee. Washington’s plan was to use Fort Lee and nearby Fort Washington to prevent the British navy from moving up the Hudson River. However, after Fort Washington was captured on November 16, 1776, Washington ordered General Nathaniel Greene to evacuate the fort to prevent being trapped. The fort was evacuated and captured by the British on November 20, who found many American supplies left behind in the hasty retreat.
2. On April 27, 1853, a group of German residents of New York City formed the German Democratic Land Association. They soon bought 140 acres of land in New Jersey for $16,000. On February 24, 1854, the settlement was established and named Carlstadt after the President of the Association, Dr. Carl Klein.
3. Fort Lee, New Jersey is the real birthplace of the motion picture industry. Because the palisades of Fort Lee were considered perfect for outdoor shots, many early film studios were established in the area, and many of the first films produced there. However, starting in 1918, many causes led to the decline of Fort Lee being the home of film, and studios began moving to California.
4. The term “cliffhanger” originated in Fort Lee. A series of films called “The Perils of Pauline” always included Pauline, played by Pearl White, hanging off the side of a cliff.