Built by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad in 1910, the viaduct soars 115 feet above Paulins Kill and Station Road as seven arches carry it 1,100 feet across. Hardly any wild trout are found. What we do encourage is appreciating New Jerseys unique history. It has been five years since Ive been there but I keep in touch with my old friends there and they do return to practice and they still feel a presence there sometimes. State Police Sgt. The most elevating feature of the Viaduct is that on top of the arches, beneath the rail bed, are a series of step ladders. About 6% of the workforce in Warren County have super commutes in excess of 90 minutes, that is roughly 3,900 people. My fellow adventurers on this mad quest were Kagemushi, Giza, and Carmine. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The Paulinskill Viaduct has been a bridge to nowhere since 1978, when the last train rumbled across this majestic crossing 115 feet above the river. A recent study called the Lackawanna Cutoff Restoration Commuter Rail Study pegs the cost at $288.93 million, far lower than the $551 million estimate in a 2006 study. Completed in 1911, it was part of the Lackawanna Cutoff before being abandoned in the 1960s. No matter how wide Interstate 80 in New Jersey is, even up to the Interstate 95 interchange in Bergen County, theres clearly demand for additional commuter and traveler capacity even if taking into account COVID-19s impact on future workflows. Walsh said he no longer sees anything like that, adding that technology has likely played a role in discouraging extreme adventures. 40.9480, -75.0613. Participating in this activity could result in you or others getting hurt. They were coming down right over the river. After their death, the castle passed down through many owners until it met its demise at the hands of arsonists in the 1960s. In 1979, the train line went out of service and by 1985, the property was entirely abandoned. So why do the Pocono Mountains, a premier ski and recreation destination that also serves as a super-commuter suburb of New York City and North Jersey, lack a passenger rail corridor? The height can be dizzying though, looking down at the tops of tall trees, and several of the guardrails are not longer in place to separate the adventurer from the abyss. [31][32] Shafer, who operated a grist mill at Stillwater starting in 1746, transported flour, fruit, and other products by flatboat down the Paulins Kill and the Delaware River to the market in Philadelphia. There are no doubts about it. The Viaduct is now clearly marked as being owned by the state of New Jersey and there are signs thatsay the property is patrolled by the state police. He also told me that most of these people say that they hear about it from Weird NJ. The spot is marked in one of the arches. The surrounding area is used for hiking and other forms of recreation such as observing birds and other wildlife. Trout Brook, which rises on Kittatinny Mountain, flows into the river near Middleville in Stillwater Township. Check out our Holiday Shipping Deadlines. [1][2] This is due to the river getting shallow in summer and warm. Kittatinny Valley is bordered to the northwest by the Kittatinny Ridge segment of the Ridge and Valley Appalachian Mountains, and to the southeast by the New Jersey Highlands. Fruit trees in orchards produce cherries, apples, plums, peaches and pears, while native wild grape vines, and blackberry bushes are also found in the valley. His property covers 50 acres on both sides of the Paulins Kill River (the river uses a different spelling than the viaduct). NJ Transit is lengthening the current line about three miles to Andover Township, in Sussex County, but there is no plan at present to head farther west, a spokesperson said. Mathez said efforts have been made, to varying degrees of success, to limit access to the viaduct from the woods on either side or at least minimize the potential harm. Apr 2, 2022 18 Dislike Share Scout Productions 98 subscribers Sister to the nearby Delaware River Viaduct , the Paulinskill Viaduct towers 115 feet above the Paulins Kill. The Paulins Kill drains an area of 177 square miles (460km, This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties, Labelled "Tockhockonetkunk or Pawlings Kill" on an untitled map of Jonathan Hampton (1758) in the collection of the New Jersey Historical Society, Newark, New Jersey; also. It is also the definition of an attractive. Support lehighvalleylive.com. Its a constant, ongoing problem to get the graffiti off, Starrs said. Misuse of the site is distressing to those who respect the viaducts legacy as an engineering marvel of its time. [1] It flows southwest for the rest of its journey, through Hampton and Stillwater townships in Sussex County. They did it over the river, at the highest point. [28][33], The first road connecting Elizabethtown, and Morristown with settlements along the Delaware River, was the Military Road built by Jonathan Hampton (17111777) in 17551756. Several farms along the banks of the Paulins Kill produce alfalfa, wheat, corn, hay (and historically, barley, buckwheat and rye). Thats nothing compared to bungee-jumping, which Mathez said was popular for a time about a decade or two ago. Neither do we. Mike Del Vecchio, president of the Tri-State Railway Historical Society, Inc., said last year that he hasnt given up on fully restoring the Lackawanna Cutoff. Though trespassing and even bungee jumping have long been popular at the abandoned site, both are now illegal, not to mention life-threatening activities. Love New Jersey? About four or five years ago, some enormous concrete blocks, about 10 feet long and 3 feet wide, were installed to block ATVs and other vehicles. An eastbound freight train crossing the Paulinskill Viaduct en route to Hoboken in March 1952.John Treen, from the collection of Mike Del Vecchio / Tri-State Railway Historical Society. [18], A village named Paulina located a short distance east of Blairstown on Route 94, is said to have been named "from the stream upon which it is located." [5][6], The Paulins Kill drains a portion of the Kittatinny Valley watershed. WallyFromColumbia/Wikipedia Several of these Hessians are alleged to have deserted the British and taken up residence in Stillwater because of the village's predominantly German emigrant population. Paulinskill Viaduct (Hainesburg Viaduct), Knowlton, New Jersey: explored & photographed by: Shady. Not because of the train itself. Variously known as the Paulinskill Viaduct, or the Hainesburg Viaduct, the bridge still sits there, casting its broad shadow across a river frequented by fly casters and kayakers. Paulinskill Viaduct. As you go down the road you dont see it, then all of a sudden theres this massive bridge towering above you out of nowhere. Giving up the corridor, which is currently in safe hands NJTransit and gaining interest by Amtrak for their 2035 rail network vision for another recreation trail would be the worst possible decision for the region. I dont remember if we found the spot or not but the guy is supposed to walk the tracks on top of the trestle. [63] The Appalachian Trail follows the top of Kittatinny Ridge at the northern edge of the valley. The people who live around the Viaduct as well as the town of Blairstown are annoyed about the drinking, graffiti anddrug use that has happened there. [48] Historically, the Paulins Kill was known to be populated with American shad, but with the construction of mill dams across the river in the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the shad were unable to spawn in the river. Knowlton, N.J. Oct. 27, 2019.Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. When first constructed in 1908, the Paulinskill Viaduct was considered to be one of the wonders of the world. For a brief period of time the reinforced concrete arched bridge was the largest structure of its kind in the entire world (until a more massive one was built in Pennsylvania). At the time of the first settlement by emigrating Europeans in this region, it was populated by the Munsee tribe of the Lenni Lenape (or Delaware) Indians. This age-old railroad bridge is also known as the Hinesburg viaduct. [62], The Paulinskill Valley Traila network of rail trails along abandoned railroad beds of the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroadhave been transformed and maintained for hiking, horseback riding, and other recreational uses, stretches for 27 miles (43km) from Sparta Junction in Sussex County to Columbia in Warren County, roughly following the entire length of the river. Do not enter or you're trespassing. Since then it has remained a true hidden treasure. imported from Wikimedia project. . When completed in 1910, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world. of concrete and about 500 tons of reinforcement steel..The base of the rail is about 110 ft. above . [44] Currently abandoned, several plans are underway by New Jersey Transit to open the route as a passenger line to Scranton, Pennsylvania. [10] The Wallkill River drains the northeastern portion of the valley, flowing north to the Hudson River watershed. Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, News never stops. To this day, the murder is unsolved. Visit ourSHOPfor all of your Weird NJ needs:Magazines,Books, Posters,Shirts,Patches,Hats, Stickers, Magnets, Air Fresheners. Areas along the Paulins Kill generally were not settled until the 1740s and 1750s. Paulinskill Viaduct Facts Total Length 1,100 feet. The viaduct was built by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad as part of the Lackawanna Cut-Off, a project that replaced an older route with a straighter and flatter route through the mountains of northwestern New Jersey. Its already one of the widest rural highways in the region. The tracks were removed in 1982 and the Viaduct abandoned. reviews. William Armstrong, a local settler, built the first grist mill there along the river in 1768, and the village took root. DOT spokesperson Mairin Bellack, in an email, reiterated that public access is strictly prohibited.. It is authorized to succeed to Andover, New Jersey for Phase 1, and it is projected to be in service by 2025. The most elevating feature of the Viaduct is that on top of the arches, beneath the rail bed, are a series of step ladders. "[16][17] This translation is thought to refer either to the valley of the Paulins Kill itself, or to the Delaware Water Gap. According to some, numerous suicides and murders occurred around the evil arbor. These days if you may see people walking a dog, someone proposing, or base jumpers, or unfortunately even risk takers or worse. The tracks were removed in 1982 and the Viaduct abandoned. All rights reserved (About Us). Unused since the road was abandoned by Conrail in 1984, it has now become . The passenger train known as the "Phoebe Snow" is seen heading west on April 8, 1951, with the Paulinskill Viaduct in the background.John Treen, from the collection of Mike Del Vecchio / Tri-State Railway Historical Society. [55], New Jersey's Green Acres program has targeted the Paulins Kill and its surrounding valley as an excellent natural resources for open space and farmland preservation and recreational opportunities. [47], The Paulins Kill is a popular fishing destination for various species of trout, such as rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. I was talking to a state trooper that is stationed around there and he said that they were arresting 15 to 20 people a month there. Columbia, a hamlet near the mouth of the Paulins Kill in Knowlton Township, was known for a large glass manufacturing factory. A fantastic 7x9 inch vintage photo from 1943 depicting Locomotives of a Delaware, Lackawanna and Western RailroadINVESTIGATION OPENS TODAY INTO CAUSE OF RAILROAD WRECK.BODIES IDENTIFIED.Wayland (AP) -- Twenty-two of the 27 persons who lost their lives in the wreck of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western\'s . [35][failed verification] New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection occasionally brings civil actions against local firms that pollute in the Paulins Kill watershed, such as a $121,500 fine for a Sussex County shopping mall sewage treatment facility which discharged pollutants into a tributary of the Paulins Kill between 1996 and 1998. It's a landmark. Knowlton Mayor Adele Starrs said she would prefer seeing the viaduct incorporated into the regions extensive rails-to-trails network. [49] Shad can still be found in the Delaware River. Knowlton, N.J. Oct. 27, 2019.Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, A version of this story published on November 3, 2019. That is lost revenue, lost income and more negative carbon emissions in North Jersey and Northeastern Pennsylvania for a purpose that could easily be fulfilled by a commuter/intercity rail to Scranton. This doesnt even include the rest of Monroe County plus neighboring Lackawanna and Northampton counties. Today. The Paulinskill Viaduct, also known as the Hainesburg Viaduct, is a reinforced concrete railroad bridge that crosses the Paulins Kill in Knowlton Township, New Jersey. That seems to have abated, Mathez said. This is a treasure and it needs to be kept up, not left to fall into disrepair, Starrs said. There used to be rail service here, but a general lack of attention and investments in railroads nationwide in the 1970s and 1980s brought it to an end the culminated with the unfortunate removal of trackage by Conrail in 1984. When completed in 1910, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world. Not because of the train itself. There are tunnels within it. Deciding to live for now, I climb back up the slanty rungs and head back east off the bridge, back to the top of the page to . It is also the definition of an attractive nuisance. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In 1910-11 it was the worlds largest Concrete Structure. if one weren't afraid of certain death. Our fire and rescue has responded multiple times to people who got stuck up there, Starrs said. This page was last edited on 28 April 2022, at 12:34. GROSSINGER'S CATSKILL RESORT HOTEL, NEW YORK.This might be one of the coolest abandoned spots in America. The time spent on the road by such long commutes by thousands of fellow Pennsylvanians and New Jerseyans from Lackawanna, to Monroe, to Warren, and other neighboring counties like Northampton, and Sussex Counties. This is one of the most interesting abandoned places in New Jersey that I have visited. With its impressive 115-foot clearance and seven majestic supporting arches, the 1,100 foot-long bridge was a marvel of modern engineering at the time. Officials installed fencing making it difficult to toss anything off the viaduct in that area, he said. The Viaduct, or Hainesburg Trestle, is a long abandoned railroad bridge over the Paulinskill River near Blairstown. Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail Easy 4.3 (119) Newton, New Jersey Photos (466) Directions Print/PDF map Length 25.4 miElevation gain 990 ftRoute type Point to point Experience this 25.4-mile point-to-point trail near Newton, New Jersey. One should be able to comfortably relax, do some work ahead of time, or read a book, listen to some music, or get much-needed nap while they commute. I asked one person, are the blocks stopping people? He said, no, theyre put up a ramp," he said. It was abandoned by Conrail in the late 1970's. Today New Jersey Transit is conducting studies to restore the cutoff and restore passenger trains between Hoboken, Newark, Stroudsburg, the Poconos, and Scranton. Add Review. Trout are stocked each year during the spring fishing season by New Jersey's Division of Fish & Wildlife. Of all the abandoned places that Weird NJ has explored over the years none match the awe inspiring architectural magnificence of the Paulinskill Viaduct. [52][53][54] In addition to these state forests, the Paulins Kill valley is host to a variety of common coniferous and deciduous trees, which have been harvested for lumber in the past, including: white oak and black oak, buttonwood, eastern red cedar, eastern hemlock, American chestnut, black walnut, tamarack larch, spruce, and pine. [27][28][29][30], The area around present-day Stillwater was first settled by the family of Casper Shafer (17121784), a Palatine German who had emigrated to Philadelphia a few years earlier. . The thing I dont like is the impetus for development if the train comes through here, he said. paulinskill-viaduct- references. Now you have cell phones, said Walsh, who runs the Lackawanna Cut-Off Historical Committee Facebook group. "The Paulin's Kill Viaduct is a reinforced concrete structure, 1100 ft. long, composed of five 120-ft and two 100-ft arches carrying the new double track cut-off of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad across the Paulin's Kill valley..The completed structure will contain 43,000 cu. Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Neither do we. Finally, in Warren County its waters enter the Delaware River just south of the Delaware Water Gap at the hamlet of Columbia in Knowlton Township. In recent decades, the dams have been breached or no longer impede the flow of the river. Some people even say on certain nights there are satanic rituals held in the rooms inside the bridge. NJ Transit is lengthening the current line about three miles to Andover Township, in Sussex County, but there is no plan at present to head farther west, a spokesperson said in 2019. Historical stocks and bonds, Autographs, Americana, Ephemera, Numismatics and all forms of paper collectibles specializing in Uncancelled bonds Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). Supposedly anyone who tries to cut down the tree comes to an untimely end, as it is now cursed. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (reporting mark NYSW) (or New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad and also known as the Susie-Q or the Susquehanna) is a Class II American freight railway operating over 400 miles (645 km) of track in the northeastern U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The river owes its fly fishing reputation largely to the prolific populations of various species of the mayfly and caddisfly. Internal Chambers once used for bridge inspection and maitnence. The Paulinskill Viaduct, also known as the Hainesburg Viaduct, is a reinforced concrete railroad bridge that crosses the Paulins Kill in Knowlton Township, New Jersey. The 1,100-foot-long, 115-foot-tall seven arch span was built by the. Got a story to pitch? About four or five years ago, some enormous concrete blocks, about 10 feet long and 3 feet wide, were installed to block ATVs and other vehicles. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The train line went out of service in 1979, the railroad tracks were torn up in 1985 and the Viaduct was abandoned. Continue reading , They say that at one time a farmer killed his entire family, then went to the tree to hang himself. Mostly its kids with motor bikes, he said when asked what he typically sees up there. The region would be donating possible future guests who prefer to ride the train to their destinations to Vermont and New Yorks Catskills. The Spy House In Port Monmouth. Aug 25, 2010 The abanonded concrete railroad bridge known as Paulinskill Viaduct was built in 1910 and now serves as a great little spot to explore. [41][42][43] It was the largest concrete viaduct in the world until 1915,[citation needed] when the Lackawanna Railroad opened the Tunkhannock Viaduct in Nicholson, Pennsylvania, spanning over twice the Paulinskill Viaduct's length. [1] When completed in 1910, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world. The main branch of the Paulins Kill begins to form immediately north of Newton, in the marshes that straddle the town. The cost is also not exorbitant and is healthy for the overall socioeconomic well-being for the region. It enters Blairstown immediately after, where it is joined by Blair Creek, named (as is the town) for John Insley Blair (18021899), as well as Jacksonburg Creek, Susquehanna Creek, Dilts Creek and Walnut Creek. and Brinton, Daniel G. Schaeffer, Casper, M.D. U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, whose office helped cobble together about $1 million in local, state and federal grants to help pay for the new study, called it inching forward in restoring a train service. Mostly its kids with motor bikes, he said when asked what he typically sees up there. Paulinskill Viaduct 3.5 5 #6 of 6 things to do in Columbia Bridges Write a review About Suggested duration < 1 hour Suggest edits to improve what we show. Opened to regular rail traffic on Christmas Eve 1911, the Paulinskill Viaduct, supported by its seven graceful arches, carried DL&W trains until 1960, when the railroad merged with the Erie Railroad to form the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Paulins Kill Viaduct Primary Photographer (s): Nathan Holth Bridge Documented: November 8, 2015 View Photos and Videos View Maps and Links Facility Carried / Feature Intersected Railroad (Abandoned Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad) Over Paulins Kill and Station Road Location Rural: Warren County, New Jersey: United States Structure Type