Category Archives: Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods

Atlantic County Historical Society 907 Shore Road Somers Point, NJ 08294

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Historic Atlantic County, Exploring Ocean City NJ, Exploring Somers Point, NJ, Exploring the Jersey Shore, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t miss the interesting exhibitions at the Atlantic County Historical Society.

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The Atlantic County Historical Society at 907 Shore Road

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The entrance sign

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

Atlantic County Historical Society

907 Shore Road

Somers Point, NJ 08294

(609) 927-5218

https://www.atlanticcountyhistoricalsocietynj.org/

https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticCountyHistoricalSociety/

Open: Sunday-Tuesday Closed/Wednesday-Saturday 10:00am-3:30pm

Admission: Free

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46825-d24142996-Reviews-Atlantic_County_Historical_Society-Somers_Point_New_Jersey.html

The Atlantic County Historical Society at 907 Shore Avenue

The Atlantic County Historical Society

I recently visited the historical sites of Somers Point and took my time to tour the Atlantic County Historical Society, which tells the story of life in Atlantic County from the beginnings to today with a major concentration the early history of the County with the Native American Lenape Indians and into the late 1700’s and 1800’s with the founding of the town, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, shipbuilding, fishing and the start of the Victorian Age. Each floor has interesting displays that sometimes have been over-decorated with too many objects.

When you walk in the door, you enter the library where people study the history of the town and…

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Somers Point Historical Society 745 Shore Road Somers Point, NJ 08244

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Historic Atlantic County, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Somers Point, NJ, Exploring the Jersey Shore, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Somers Point Historical Society is an interesting look into this shore community’s past.

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The Somers Point Historical Society at 745 Shore Road

The sign that welcomes you

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There’s lots to do and see at this small historical society dedicated to the Town of Somers Point, NJ.

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Displays to ship building and fishing industries

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

Somers Point Historical Society

745 Shore Road

Somers Point, NJ 08244

(609) 927-2900

http://www.somerspointhistory.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/239626702903267/

Open: Sunday-Wednesday Closed/Thursday 7:00pm-9:00pm/Friday Closed/Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm

Admission: Free

My review on TripAdvisor:

The Somers Point Historical Society at 745 Shore Road

I visited Somers Point, NJ recently to see the historical shore town and explore their small museums. The Somers Point Historical Society differs from its neighbor down the road, the Atlantic County Historical Society in that its concentration is on the Town of Somers Point and not the entire county.

The Somers Point Historical Society started in 1987 as part of the “Save City Hall” campaign to save the historic City Hall building. The plan was to highlight the history of Somers Point and its place in the community and to save some of the older buildings in the town.

The City Hall was saved and it was renovated for the new library. The…

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Somers Mansion 1000 Shore Road Somers Point, NJ 08244

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Historic Atlantic County, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Somers Point, NJ, Exploring the Jersey Shore, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Somers Mansion is the oldest home in Atlantic County NJ and was home to five generations of the Somers family. The old mansion looks over The Great Egg Harbor.

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The Somers Mansion at 1000 Shore Road in Somers Point, NJ.

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The historic plaque

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The Somers Mansion and estate

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The welcoming sign

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

Somers Mansion

1000 Shore Road

Somers Point, NJ 08244

(609) 927-2212

https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/somersmansion.html

Somers Mansion

Open: Sunday 9:30am-3:30pm/Monday-Friday Closed/Saturday 9:30am-3:30pm

Admission: Free

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46825-d5970174-r844645596-Somers_Mansion-Somers_Point_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The Somers Mansion at 1000 Shore Road

(There is no indoor picture taking allowed)

I visited the Somers Mansion, the three story former home to five generations of the Somers Family. The mansion sits on a buff overlooking the bay and the bridge to the barrier island where Ocean City is located. The original part of the house was built in 1725 and in 1920 the last family members moved from the home and deeded it to the town. The modern additions of the home have been stripped off so you see the original house.

The historic marker of the home when it was donated by the family

I have to say that I was very disappointed with the condition of both the house…

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Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church & Cemetery 54 West Avenue South Bridgeton, NJ 08302

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Bridgeton, NJ, Exploring Historic Cumberland County, NJ, Exploring Historic Salem County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Salem NJ, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), My walk in Manhattan on Father's Day, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t miss this interesting and historical cemetery on the edge of downtown Bridgeton, NJ.

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The Broad Street Presbyterian Church and Cemetery at 54 West Avenue

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church & Cemetery

54 West Avenue

South Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Check website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Broad_Street_Presbyterian_Church_and_Cemetery

Broad Street Presbyterian Church

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=107949879227430&tn=CH-R
Open: From Dawn to Dusk every day

Admission: Free

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46324-d24140698-r844174571-Old_Broad_Street_Presbyterian_Church_Cemetery-Bridgeton_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church at 54 West Avenue

When I was traveling to Salem and Cumberland Counties to visit historical sites, this was the last one on my list the first day of exploring. The Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church sits in the middle of a declining downtown in Bridgeton, NJ like a ghost of its former self. This graceful and elegant church is not used much anymore and sits like a majestic building overlooking a city that has passed it by.

The church was built in 1792 for the growing Presbyterian congregation who was living in Bridgetown as it was called at the time. The brick walls and roof were completed but…

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The Greenwich Tea Burning Monument Ye Greate Street and Market Lane Greenwich, NJ 08323

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Greenwich, NJ, Exploring Historic Cumberland County, NJ, Exploring Historic Salem County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Salem NJ, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), My walk in Manhattan on Father's Day, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, Walking Greenwich, NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t miss this important piece of New Jersey history during the American Revolution.

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The Greenwich Tea Burning in 1774 (NJ Historical Society)

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

The Greenwich Tea Burning Monument

Ye Greate Street and Market Lane

Greenwich, NJ 08323

http://www.co.cumberland.nj.us/greenwich-tea-burning

Open: 24 Hours/Outdoor Monument

Admission: Free

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46477-d24137215-r844112153-The_Greenwich_Tea_Burning_Monument-Greenwich_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The Greenwich Tea Burning Monument in Greenwich, NJ

I am a firm believer in that you learn something new everyday and on a recent trip to visit historical sites of Southern New Jersey I came across this one in a guide book. I never even knew this monument existed let alone that we had our own version of the Boston Tea Party right here in New Jersey. It really showed me the significance of the Revolutionary War and how people from the past fought for the freedoms that we have today.

On the night of December 22nd, 1774 forty people from the community took possession of tea chests and piling them together burnt them in protest of the Tea Tax that had been imposed…

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Quinton’s Bridge at Alloways Creek Route 49 at Quinton-Alloway Road Salem, NJ 08079

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Historic Cumberland County, NJ, Exploring Historic Salem County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Salem NJ, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), My walk in Manhattan on Father's Day, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Add this site to your list when visiting Historic Salem and Cumberland Counties in Southern New Jersey.

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Quinton’s Bridge in Alloway, NJ

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

Quinton’s Bridge at Alloways Creek

Route 49 at Quinton-Alloway Road

Salem, NJ 08079

No Phone Number

https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/quinton_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=88443

Open: Sunday-Saturday 24 hours

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46799-d24137890-r844180359-Quinton_s_Bridge_At_Alloways_Creek-Salem_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

Quinton’s Bridge at Alloway Creek

If you blink your eye, you will pass this bridge along the Alloway Creek just outside of Alloway, NJ, a sleepy little town just outside the County seat of Salem, NJ. What may seem like just a bridge with an historical marker once held a big place in the history of the Revolutionary War for this part of New Jersey. This was once a major travel and transport point during the area’s heyday of the farming industry in the early part of the country’s history, supplying food for the Philadelphia and lower New Jersey area.

Today the Alloway Creek is used more for fishing and recreation from I saw the afternoon I visited the site but once upon…

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Alan E. Carman Museum of Prehistory 1461 Bridgeton Road Greenwich, NJ 08323

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Greenwich, NJ, Exploring Historic Cumberland County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Salem NJ, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), My walk in Manhattan on Father's Day, MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, Walking Greenwich, NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nice little museum for children and adults alike. Great for people who like Native American objects and fossils.

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The Museum of Prehistory at 1461 Bridgeton Road

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

Alan E. Carman Museum of Prehistory

1461 Bridgeton Road

Greenwich, NJ 08323

(856) 455-8141

Click to access prehistorical.pdf

Admission: Free

Open: Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm/Monday-Friday Closed/Saturday 12:00pm-4:00pm

My review on TripAdvisor:

I stopped in at the Museum of Prehistory after a tour of several other historical sites in the area and this little museum is packed with interesting artifacts.

One section was dedicated to the Lenape Indians who lived in the area. There was a many artifacts such as arrow heads, spears, pottery and an assortment of fishing and cooking materials. The Native Americans had an interesting system of living that adapted to nature. They developed a sophisticated system of living that was mobile and came with them as they moved around during the seasons.

There is an extensive fossil collection that includes trilobites, shark teeth, crabs, lobsters and they even had a foot print of a dinosaur. What I thought was…

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Hancock House State Historic Site 3 Front Street Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Exploring Historic Salem County, NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Salem NJ, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), My walk in Manhattan on Father's Day, MywalkinManhattan Experiences, Uncategorized, Visiting a Museum in New Jersey, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I spent an long weekend visiting historic sites in southern New Jersey studying the Revolutionary War. Don’t miss this area as it is steeped in history of the Revolutionary War and the country’s founding.

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The Hancock House at 3 Front Street

jwatrel's avatarVisiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical

Hancock House State Historic Site

3 Front Street

Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038

(856) 935-4373

https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/hancockhouse.html

https://www.facebook.com/FOHHNJ/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hancock_House_(Lower_Alloways_Creek_Township,_New_Jersey)

Open: Sunday 1:00pm-4:00pm/Monday-Tuesday Closed/Wednesday-Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm/1:00pm-4:00pm

Admission: Free but donation suggested

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46491-d14113448-Reviews-Hancock_House-Hancocks_Bridge_New_Jersey.html

The Hancock House

I took an extensive tour one weekend of historical sites of southern New Jersey to see how the lower part of the state was inpacted by the Revolutionary War and one of the most important sites was the Hancock House. The family was extremely prominent not just in Salem, NJ but in New Jersey politics as well.

The house once stood on an very busy road between Salem and Bridgeton and where most commerce passed by. When I was taking the tour, you could see that the house was built in two parts. When I was listening to the lecture I found that the side of the house that faced the road had once been…

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My Life as a Fireman: Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department Annual Inspection May 21st, 2022

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Brothers of Engine One HHFD, Exploring Hasbrouck Heights NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Fire Fighting in Bergen County NJ, Firehouse 101 Novel, Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, My life as a Fireman Justin Watrel, My life as a Fireman: FF Justin Watrel, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department Annual Inspection May 21st, 2022

For the first time in two years (due to the COVID pandemic), the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department stood for Inspection for the Borough of Hasbrouck Heights.

All department members worked during the week washing, scrubbing and cleaning every piece of apparatus, cleaning all the tools and organizing all the cabinets to be sure that everything was in place. Then we cleaned the fire house from top to bottom. Every room was cleaned and vacuumed and shown the pride the department has in our firehouse.

The Department Inspection was led by Chief Tim Moots, First Assistant Chief Kevin Todd and Second Assistant Chief Mike Greco. The members stood attention for the flag salute, a special greeting by Chief Moots and speeches by invited dignitaries.

The Department invited the community to join in inspecting all of the department’s equipment and out of town chiefs judged each piece of apparatus, two engines, the ladder truck, the rescue truck and the two ambulances for appearance and equipment check. The rescue truck won that evening.

After the Inspection of the equipment was over, the members of the fire department and their invited guests joined together for an Italian dinner in our large meeting room. It was nice way for everyone to come together after a two-year gap.

Good luck and Godspeed to all members of the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department in 2022!

Fire Fighter Justin Watrel assigned to the Ambulance Squad for “Best Equipment Contest” at the 2022 Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department Inspection.

Nick and Matt’s Restaurant (formerly Blue Café and Lucky Larry’s) 273 Valley Boulevard Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075

"A Local Journey: Exploring the outskirts of New York City, Breakfast Restaurants for the Budget Minded in NJ, Dedication to Warren Watrel, Dining on a Shoe String Restaurants in New Jersey, Exploring Hackensack, NJ, Exploring Hasbrouck Heights NJ, Exploring Historic Bergen County NJ, Exploring Historic Towns in New Jersey, Exploring Manhattan Block by Block, Exploring New York City by foot, Exploring the Island of Manhattan, Exploring the State of New Jersey, Exploring Wood Ridge, NJ, Historic New Jersey Towns and Neighborhoods, Historical Towns of New Jersey, Interesting Delis and Bodegas, My walk in Manhattan (MywalkinManhattan.com), Sandwich and Deli's for the budget minded, Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!, Uncategorized, Walking Downtown Wood Ridge, NJ, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Don’t miss the hearty breakfasts in this local Wood Ridge, NJ establishment. The food is consistently delicious.

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The Blue Cafe at 273 Valley Boulevard in Wood Ridge, NJ

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The Pancake Platter is enough for two people especially with a side of sausage.

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The Cheese and Bacon Omelet with Hashbrowns is delicious

jwatrel's avatarDining on a Shoestring in the New York City area and beyond.

Blue Café (formerly Lucky Larry’s Luncheonette)

273 Valley Boulevard

Wood-Ridge, NJ  07075

(201) 438-1515

http://www.luckylarrysluncheonette.com

https://www.facebook.com/LuckyLarrysLuncheonette/

https://bluecaferestaurant.business.site/

Open: Monday-Friday-6:30am-3:00pm/Saturday-7:00am-2:00pm/Sunday-9:00am-2:00pm

My review on TripAdvisor:

My TripAdvisor review of Blue Café:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews?src=815895779&m=19905

My TripAdvisor review of Lucky Larry’s:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46937-d6821815-Reviews-Lucky_Larry_s-Wood_Ridge_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

My visits to Lucky Larry’s:

I have been to Lucky Larry’s Luncheonette, which is one town over from me, for both breakfast and lunch and I have to say that the food, service and atmosphere are very homey and down to earth. It is a real neighborhood spot, one of those places that the locals hang out to meet one another and catch up on town gossip.

Lucky Larry's VIII

The Lucky Larry’s logo

Blog under the old Lucky Larry’s:

It is more of a deli than a restaurant so there is limited seating but that does not stop the crowd of diners from eating and relaxing there. They will even bring your order to the…

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