DESCRIPTION: Once upon a time in the village of Hamburg, New Jersey, there were two unique historic resources on one property– an early 19th-century mill and an amusement park featuring a whimsical Gingerbread Castle. It used to be that both sites had value in the community, but alas, they are now ... » Learn More about Wheatsworth Mill and Gingerbread Castle
2012 Ten Most Endangered Historic Places in NJ
The 10 Most Endangered Historic Places program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural and archeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost. The act of listing these resources acknowledges their importance to the heritage of New Jersey and draws attention to the predicaments that endanger their survival and the survival of all historic resources throughout our state. The list aims to attract new perspectives and ideas to sites in desperate need of creative solutions.
Several challenges face properties included on this year’s endangered sites list, including neglect and deferred maintenance, vandalism, environmental hazards, and ownership challenges. But on this year’s list, the effects of an extraordinarily challenging economy are particularly evident: a dearth of funds, a lack of viable rehabilitation plans, and taxed municipal and state budgets are just a few of the difficult issues with which not only those sites on this year’s list, but historic properties throughout New Jersey, continue to grapple.
Proudly, PNJ points to many properties previously listed among the 10 Most Endangered that have now been saved, preserved and brought new life.
Tichenor-Gregory-Goddel-Wallisch Farmstead
DESCRIPTION: The Tichenor-Gregory-Goddel-Wallisch Farmstead, known commonly as the Wallisch Estate, is one of the last surviving large tracts of land that formed the original township of West Milford. The Tichenor family, one of the early families to settle the area, constructed the original ... » Learn More about Tichenor-Gregory-Goddel-Wallisch Farmstead
Salem County Insane Asylum
DESCRIPTION: Constructed in 1870, the Salem County Insane Asylum is the only known surviving example of a first-generation county insane asylum in New Jersey. County asylums were constructed in response to the lack of state action to address overcrowding in state-run facilities in the ... » Learn More about Salem County Insane Asylum
Mount Peace Cemetery
DESCRIPTION: Located in Lawnside, the only African-American incorporated municipality in New Jersey, Mount Peace Cemetery was founded in 1902 as a burial ground for African Americans. Many of those interred were excluded from whites-only cemeteries or burial grounds that were affiliated with ... » Learn More about Mount Peace Cemetery
Lime Kilns of New Jersey
DESCRIPTION: Lime kilns are a common element of the rural landscape in the limestone-rich regions of New Jersey. Though the evolution of industrial production techniques caused their rapid abandonment during the early 20th century, many of these structures have survived in areas of limestone ... » Learn More about Lime Kilns of New Jersey
Jersey City Terminal Train Shed – Central Railroad of New Jersey
DESCRIPTION: With the opening of the Ellis Island Immigration Station in 1892, the number of newcomers entering the U.S. via New York harbor increased dramatically. In Jersey City, an integral element of the place from which approximately two-thirds of these newcomers began their new lives sits ... » Learn More about Jersey City Terminal Train Shed – Central Railroad of New Jersey
Howell House
UPDATE: In 2020, the Howell House begins its new life as the Harriet Tubman Museum. This museum was listed by Smithsonian Magazine as one of 'The Most Anticipated Museum Openings of 2020' and its transformation has been featured in local publications like Cape May Blog and across the ... » Learn More about Howell House
Hope Fire Company / American Legion Post 254
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1894, the Hope Fire Company building has served a variety of community uses in Mays Landing, Hamilton Township. The building was originally constructed, thanks to a partnership between community tradesmen, as the headquarters of the Hope Fire Company, later known as the ... » Learn More about Hope Fire Company / American Legion Post 254
The Franklin Inn-Van Liew Homestead
DESCRIPTION: The Franklin Inn-Van Liew Homestead in the East Millstone district of Franklin Township tells the story of the history the township from the earliest Dutch settlers, through the American Revolution, to the Canal era and the emergence of commerce, to its functioning as a thriving place ... » Learn More about The Franklin Inn-Van Liew Homestead
The Kastner Mansion / Pride of Newark Elks Lodge No. 93
UPDATE: The Kastner Mansion / Pride of Newark Elks Lodge No. 93 was gutted due to a fire in 2019. An article on the fire is here. DESCRIPTION: During the late 19th century, Newark was considered the beer brewing center of the United States. Then home to a large German immigrant ... » Learn More about The Kastner Mansion / Pride of Newark Elks Lodge No. 93