The Township of Teaneck was established on February 19, 1895 and was comprised of parts of Englewood, Hackensack, Ridgefield Park, Bergen Fields and Bogota. William W. Bennett, overseer of the W.W. Phelps Estate, chaired the three man Township Committee (later replaced by a seven member Town Council). The town's population was 811. During these early days of the 20th century, the town's affairs focused on construction of streets and street lamps (originally gaslights), trolley lines (along DeGraw Avenue), telephones and speeding traffic. Social activities centered on church events and harness racing at the popular racetrack on Cedar Lane, near River Road. Several small inns offered fine dining and dancing to overnight guests.

Residential development began in earnest after the opening of the Phelps Estate in 1927. The completion of the George Washington Bridge in 1931 and its connection to Teaneck via State Highway Route 4 brought hundreds of curious and eager new home buyers. The population increased 300% between 1920 and 1930, from 4,192 to 16,513.

Such rapid growth was not without its pains. Financial turmoil and inefficiencies in the town government finally result in the adoption of a new form of government. A full-time city manager, Paul A. Volcker, Sr. was appointed to handle day-to-day business affairs. Volcker's 20-year term, from 1930-50, provided Teaneck with economic stability, zoning and long-term development plans, a paid fire department and civil service for Township employees. It also established a model for future administrations.

The rapid changes and complicated demands of the modern era have been met by careful consideration and adherence to the principles established by Teaneck's early citizens and planners. Never was this better illustrated that in 1965 when, after a long and difficult struggle, Teaneck became the first town in the nation where a white majority voted for school integration.