Berlin Wall Comes to Hudson County

History makes its way to Hudson County as a symbol of unity and freedom now stands in Secaucus. On June 2, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy unveiled a newly installed mural in Laurel Hill Park that features an actual section of the Berlin Wall; this has been a project in the making for more than a decade.

County Executive Guy expressed his gratitude for the gift. “During the Cold War the wall was used to block the right of passage from thousands of families, and today it stands as a reminder of the value of unity and freedom for generations to come. Hudson County is proud to come together as a community to unveil a piece of world history right here in Laurel Hill Park.” 

The wall fragment was gifted to Hudson County in 2007 by its sister county, Oberhavel in Brandenburg, Germany, through the efforts of former German State Minister Karl-Heinz Schröter and longtime Hudson County cultural advocate Bill LaRosa.

The installation, made of steel-reinforced concrete, weighs more than 26,000 pounds and stands nearly 12 feet tall. Though it lacks the colorful graffiti seen on many western-facing wall segments, it bears the marks of bullet holes and decades of exposure to the elements.

County officials, including Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski, Parks Deputy Director Kevin Wong, and Silverman Real Estate co-founder Paul Silverman, joined in the unveiling ceremony. The Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs calls the display a “living classroom” that will serve both residents and visitors.

The Berlin Wall stood from 1961 to 1989, dividing East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Its fall marked a major moment in world history. Now, a piece of it stands in Hudson County — a reminder of how far the world has come and the value of preserving freedom.