The train line went out of service in 1979, the railroad tracks were torn up in 1985 and the Viaduct was abandoned. "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. Built by the Delaware, Lackawanna, & Western Railroad, the seven arch span is an awesome 1,100 feet long, and towers 115 feet above the Paulinskill River. Also sighted are several species of woodpecker, including red-headed, red-bellied, and downy, and the pileated woodpecker, as well as the yellow-bellied sapsucker. Support lehighvalleylive.com. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. yd. 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. Towns known for drunken bro fest. The Viaduct, or Hainesburg Trestle, is a long abandoned railroad bridge over the Paulinskill River near Blairstown. More rare birds sighted in the Paulins Kill valley include: purple martin, scarlet tanager, indigo bunting, Baltimore oriole, purple finch, and a variety of owls, notably the barn, eastern screech, great horned, snowy, barred, and northern saw-whet owl.[64]. Unfortunately the Paulinskill Viaduct is now closed to the public. Support NJ.com, Rob Jennings | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. A rope had broken. In 1910, the Lackawanna RR finished this route using the Netcong cutoff to connect Binghamton, NY to Hoboken, NJ Without a single grade crossing. It's also known as the Hainesburg Trestle. Completed in 1911, it was part of the Lackawanna Cutoff before being abandoned in the 1960s. But it didnt completely solve the issues. Manholes located along the railbed provide access to the top of the bridge from within. Tourist attraction Paulinskill Viaduct Not Available/5 - based on reviews. The eerily majestic Paulinskill Viaduct (aka Hainesburg Viaduct) used to be part of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad system, which threaded a scenic route from Lake Hopatcong to Pennsylvania and was abandoned sometime during the early . Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. United States Geological Survey topographical map "Newton East" and "Newton West" (New Jersey). . The most elevating feature of the Viaduct is that on top of the arches, beneath the rail bed, are a series of step ladders. Search. The main branch of the Paulins Kill begins to form immediately north of Newton, in the marshes that straddle the town. We leaped into the water and pulled the guy out. 0 references. "In those days, there was no fast way to get ahold of anyone. This is on top of the Amtrak California Zephyr service to multiple ski destinations stretching from Denver, Colorado to Lake Tahoe, California. Paulinskill Viaduct Facts Total Length 1,100 feet. Thats nothing compared to bungee-jumping, which Mathez said was popular for a time about a decade or two ago. All rights reserved (About Us). The service was mixed between passenger and freight throughout the years, however for its remaining years, only freight was running through the corridor. Aerial view of the 109-year-old Paulinskill Viaduct. Both Shafer and Windemuth were married to Bernhardt's daughters. Tim, I lived in the Blairstown area for 20 years and belonged to the Local Rescue Squad and have climbed through the maze of tunnels and caverns in the Paulinskill Viaduct. [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. Supposedly anyone who tries to cut down the tree comes to an untimely end, as it is now cursed. About 6% of the workforce in Warren County have super commutes in excess of 90 minutes, that is roughly 3,900 people. Islander lasted a few years before closing up; it was left abandoned and is now home to some trailers and the reminants of the park . And its also worth mentioning the VIA Rail Service for our northern neighbors in Alberta, Canada to their scenic Banff ski areas. This allows the explorer to actually travel through the inside of the structure. But it didnt completely solve the issues. This is one of the most interesting abandoned places in New Jersey that I have visited. There is a huge need to fill in the railroad void for this region. [34] This road, which crosses the Paulins Kill at present-day Baleville, in Hampton Township, was built to supply fortifications built in the Delaware valley at this time to protect New Jersey during the French and Indian War. There was always this feeling that someone else was in there, watching us. Located just outside of Blairstown there is a bridge back in the woods. The settlement that arose was later named Marksboro in his honour. [59] Hunting and trapping are permitted in season in many of these protected areas. Upcoming projects that are to be done like the Pocono Springs Entertainment Village, along with current venues like Kalahari, Camelback Mountain, Great Wolf Lodge and Jack Frost Ski Resort need additional guests. Paulinskill Viaduct. [8], The lower southern and eastern portions of the valley are drained by the Paulins Kill and the Pequest River, which flow generally south to the Delaware River watershed. Fortunately, he was alive. He was buried alive in the cement when it was built. Along the shore of the Sandy Hook Bay lies a white wooden building that has stood since the mid-1600s. [56] Since 1983, several farms across New Jersey have sold development rights to the county programs. The viaduct was built by the Delaware, Lackaw Knowlton, N.J. Oct. 27, 2019.Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, A version of this story published on November 3, 2019. Height from ground 115 feet. It is also the definition of an attractive. Point A, in this case, was the Paulinskill Viaduct, an abandoned railroad bridge which spans the Paulins Kill in Hainesburg, NJ. Identifiers. First, that the wife of one of the area's first settlers, Johan Peter Bernhardt (died 1748), was named Maria Paulina and that she had died prior to the first settlement at Stillwater in 1742. 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. 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. Jeff Flynn said that troopers respond both to complaints and do periodic checks of unattended cars in the area. Trout Brook, which rises on Kittatinny Mountain, flows into the river near Middleville in Stillwater Township. Crossed Paulin Skill River It was surpassed by size in late 1911 by the Tunkannock Viaduct in PA. Now, Im not saying its the your fault. In addition, the address is not included as trespassing is illegal. The state, working together with agricultural development boards in Sussex and Warren Counties, and with the Ridge and Valley Conservancy, a local nonprofit land trust, share land acquisition costs to enter tracts of real estate into the program. This project benefits both New Jerseyans by freeing up parking capacity and Pennsylvanians by giving them dedicated lots in Monroe and Lackawanna counties. I have seen dozens of disclaimers stating your views on trespassing and other criminal acts resulting from exploring abandoned places. [47], The Paulins Kill is a popular fishing destination for various species of trout, such as rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. Situated within the Catskill Mountains, the giant resort used to host notable guests from all over, considering it was only two hours from the city and was a popular skiing spot. Paulinskill Viaduct, Columbia: See 5 reviews, articles, and 9 photos of Paulinskill Viaduct, ranked No.6 on Tripadvisor among 6 attractions in Columbia. At one time, it was the world's largest reinforced concrete structure. 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. When completed in 1910, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world. The surrounding area is used for hiking and other forms of recreation such as observing birds and other wildlife. New Jersey State Police have jurisdiction over the viaduct, whose nearest road - Station Road - prominently displays no-trespassing signs. [11], The U.S. Geological Survey Board of Geographic Names decided that the official spelling of the name would be Paulins Kill in 1898. The viaduct was taken out of service in 1978 and has since become a decaying and abandoned structure. Bryan, Dear Weird NJ:I wanted to let you know about thetrespassing problemat the Paulinskill Viaduct in Blairstown. 1 stars. Both dangerous an illegal, many have failed to heed the law and the structure is filled with graffiti. Simply put, it will be a complete loss for residents of North Jersey and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is an excellent area for birdwatching, canoeing, hiking, hunting and fishing, and is considered to be one of the best trout streams in New Jersey. [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." Dams were erected to power various small-town gristmills, sawmills, oil expellers, and fulling mills,[28] and the electrical power plant at Branchville established in 1903. For at least two decades, there has been talk of reviving rail service along the Lackawanna Cutoff, which ran for 28 miles between Roxbury in Morris County and Slateford, Pennsylvania, and utilized the viaduct. 1. Rail lines were like todays interstates, he said, adding that restoring the Lackawanna Cutoff would especially benefit commuters from eastern Pennsylvania seeking an alternative to driving on Route 80. It has seven arches reaching 115 feet high and stretching 1,100 feet wide, and was the world'slargest reinforced concrete structure when it was built. [24][25][failed verification] The German cultural impact of this community can still be seen in local architecturemost notably in barns and in stone housesand in cemeteries containing intricately carved gravestones often bearing archaic German text and funerary symbols. reviews. 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). [52], Birdwatchers have sighted a variety of common and endangered species of birds that inhabit New Jersey. [35], About the year 1760, Mark Thomson (17391803) settled in Hardwick Township (now Frelinghuysen Township) and erected a gristmill and sawmill on the Paulins Kill. 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. [61] Common northeastern American reptiles found there include snakes such as the American copperhead, northern water snake, common garter snake and milk snake, and turtles, including the eastern box turtle, and common snapping turtle. Paulinskill Viaduct Photograph by Jerry Fornarotto - Fine Art America Need your order in time for Christmas? With a road running underneath and near several hiking trails, its easy enough to find but we do not encourage illegal activity. That seems to have abated, Mathez said. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. The Pocono Mountains and the venues in the area spend a lot on advertisements, but the area lacks an additional, major transportation option for the millions of people from the densely populated New York City/North Jersey area and beyond. The train line went out of service in 1979, the railroad tracks were torn up in 1985 and the Viaduct was abandoned. At the time of its completion in 1910, the Paulinskill Viaduct held the title of the largest reinforced concrete structure on the planet. The preceding article is an excerpt from Weird NJ magazine, Your Travel Guide to New Jerseys Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets, which is available on newsstands throughout the state and on the web at www.WeirdNJ.com. Spanning 1,100feet (335m) across the Paulins Kill Valley, the Viaduct rises 115feet (35m) above the valley floor, and opened for rail traffic in 1911. Aerial view of the 111-year-old Paulinskill Viaduct. Shafer, with his father-in-law, Johan Peter Bernhardt (?1748), and his brother-in-law Johann Georg Windemuth (or John George Wintermute) (17111782), settled at Stillwater in 1742. . Remnants of their chiefly agricultural settlements are still found in local architecture, cemeteries, farms and mills, and the area remains largely rural. It just passes our land. After their death, the castle passed down through many owners until it met its demise at the hands of arsonists in the 1960s. The Paulinskill Viaduct is also known for its internal chambers (used to inspect the structural integrity of the bridge), which are popular among those who enjoy urban exploration. He said he doesnt favor restoring the rail line. [63] The Appalachian Trail follows the top of Kittatinny Ridge at the northern edge of the valley. Improve this listing All photos (9) Top ways to experience nearby attractions BEST Boston, New Haven and Rhode Island 2-Day Tour from New York 3 Bus Tours from $243.00 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. , watching us Banff ski areas completed in 1910, the railroad tracks were torn up in 1985 and Viaduct! The address is not included as trespassing is illegal all content you upload or otherwise submit to site... 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