(by 16 people)
I have lived in New Jersey all of my life!
I was born in Orange, New Jersey, and lived in Nixon in Edison Township on a little street off Route 1 called Gurley Road. When I was 14 we moved to Hillsdale, NJ and I started High School there at Pascack Valley High School. Then at age 21 I went out on my own, and moved..moved and moved again.
Started out at a little college in Teaneck, and during college years spent some time living in Teaneck, South Hackensack and Montclair.
After a couple years of college, I got a little apartment in East Rutherford, and while living there met my husband. We moved from there to North Haledon, then finally moved to West Milford where we have settled in for the past 22 years. The picture you see above was taken from our bedroom window in the fall.
Why would I think of starting a lense about New Jersey being weird?
Well, our local Weird NJ lore takes place on Clinton Road. The road is in West Milford, NJ, and runs for about 10 miles between Rte. 23 in Newfoundland, NJ, to Upper Greenwood Lake.
Tales of ghost sightings, gatherings of witches and satanists, bodies and the Klu Klux Klan abound. One source I read indicated that as early as 1905 people were warned about traveling the road as there were many bandits in the area and witchcraft practiced.
We have driven the road during the daytime, and it's actually quite a beautiful, wooded stretch, with no buildings, homes, lights, just beautiful woodland, but at night, I would warn my teens not to drive the road...and wouldn't drive it myself...as it is dark and desolate, no street lights, and no way to easily get help. But you know how teens are, it was always a daring adventure to go as a group and drive Clinton Road just to see if all that they heard was true.
If you read the book, Weird New Jersey, or other writings about the area, you are likely to find stories about the ghost boy at the bridge, a structure that was believed to be a Druidic Temple (which it really is not, but makes for great lore), cannibal kidnappings, ghosts of park rangers, a ghost car...a camaro driven by a girl who died when she crashed in the car, unusual creatures in headlights of cars running across the road, a castle that was burned down but still is a popular destination of hikers.
There are stories of bodies found in the woods...one is a true store of a man discovered when someone saw vultures hovering, the body was frozen after killed to throw off figuring out time of death...the man was killed by a hit man doing work for the mafia operating in Rockland County, NY. He was captured, but claimed to have killed at least 100 others and frozen many, giving him the title "the Ice Man".
If your curious about weird occurrences in NJ or any other state, or weird things in general, maybe some of the items below will interest you.
West Milford, NJ
NJ Trivia Part 1
This circulates by email...esp. to those of us in NJ
-New Jersey in the Highlands has the highest elevation along the entire eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.
-New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified as metropolitan areas.
-New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.
-New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana, Cuba.
-New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the US.
-New Jersey has the highest cost of living.
-New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.
-New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.
-New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to as the "Diner Capital of the World." Including OLGAS -New Jersey is home to the original Mystery Pork Parts Club (no, not Spam): Taylor Ham or Pork Roll. Home to the less mysterious but the best Italian hot dogs and Italian sausage w/peppers and onions. Only down the shore.
-North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square mile radius.
-New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
-The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride by inventor John P. Holland.
-New Jersey has 50+ resort cities &towns; some of the nation's most famous: Asbury Park, Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Long Branch, and Cape May.
-New Jersey has the most stringent testing along our coastline for water quality control than any other seaboard state in the entire country.
-New Jersey is a leading technology &industrial state and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals.
-Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy, and you haven't lived until you have eaten New Jersey sweet Corn.
-Here's to New Jersey - the toast of the country! In 1642, the first brewery in America opened in Hoboken.
-New Jersey rocks! The famous Les Paul invented the first solid body electric guitar in Mahwah, in 1940.
-New Jersey is a major seaport state with the largest seaport in the US, located in Elizabeth. Nearly 80 percent of what our nation imports comes through Elizabeth Seaport first.
-New Jersey is home to one of the nation's busiest airports (in Newark), Liberty International.
-George Washington slept here. Several important Revolutionary War battles were fought on New Jersey soil, led by General George Washington.
New Jersey Nutritionist
- happynutritionist.com
- I have been a Certified Nutritionist for about 15 years, and helping people with health an nutrition for over 20 years. Stop by and visit my Nutritionist website, there are some great articles there, more added all the time. Sign up for my newsletter and receive something FREE.
- Doorway to almost all my Links
- You'll find links to almost all my sites, Squidoos, blogs and more!
- New Jersey Balloon Festival
- Pictures and things from the annual New Jersey Hot Air Balloon Festival! Fun!
NJ Trivia Part 2
New Jersey Firsts and other trivia:
-The first seaplane was built in Keyport, NJ.
-The first airmail (to Chicago) was started from Keyport, NJ.
-The first phonograph records were made in Camden, NJ. Including the dog listening to his master's voice
-New Jersey is home to the Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City. "Not any more"
-The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets on its playing board after the actual streets in Atlantic City. "Even That has changed"
-And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world, Not to mention salt water taffy, And not a drop of saltwater in it.
-New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East countries.
-The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey, in the Watchung Mountains.
-New Jersey has the tallest water-tower in the world. Union, NJ!!! Not to mention the Lighthouse at Barnegat Light
-New Jersey had the first medical center, in Jersey City.
-The Pulaski SkyWay, from Jersey City to Newark, was the first skyway highway.
-NJ built the first tunnel under a river, the Hudson (Holland Tunnel).
-The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ, which is also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra.
-The first intercollegiate football game was played in New Brunswick in 1889 (Rutgers College played Princeton).
-The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ, (but they're all gone now!)...and I, the lensmaster add, no they are not, oh yeh, the one closest to us is not in NJ but in Warwick, NY...oops
-New Jersey is home to both of "NEW YORK'S" pro football teams!
-The first radio station and broadcast was in Paterson, NJ.
The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ, by Maj. Thomas Armstrong.
What's the Wierdest Item You See?
New Jersey Nets Beer Stein
12 ounce pilsner glass with Nets logo on side and more...0 points
New Jersey State cookie cutter
New Jersey State cookie cutter constructed of tinp more...0 points
NFL Football Team Jersey Bottle Holder
These jersey bottle holders are constructed from 3 more...0 points
Weird N.J. Video Adventures - Greetings From Weird N.J.
Your pals Mark and Mark take you on a journey thro more...0 points
New Jersey Bird Screen Print on a Heavyweight T-Shirt in White
<p><strong>Garment Name:</strong> more...0 points
2003 New Jersey Devils 24 Oz. Championship Stein
No kitchen or bar is complete without this 24 Ounc more...0 points
Brigantine: New Jersey's Best Kept Secret Mug
Text on mug: <b>Brigantine: New Jersey's Bes more...0 points
I Love Trenton, New Jersey Keychain
Text on keychain: <b>Trenton, New Jersey< more...0 points
I Love Trenton, New Jersey Mug
Text on mug: <b>Trenton, New Jersey</b> more...0 points
NJ Trivia Part 3
Famous NJ Natives:
How the whole "Weird NJ" thing got started
NJ Trivia Part 4
You know you're in NJ when:
-You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags.
-A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter.
-You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
-You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.
-At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
-You know what a "jug handle" is.
-You know that Wawa is a convenience store.
-You know that the state isn't all farmland.
-You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the shore--and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." And when you are there, you're not "at the shore"; you are "down the shore."
-You know how to properly negotiate a circle.
-You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving.
-You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (try . . . Mexico . . .York ... Hampshire-- doesn't work, does it?).
-You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.
-You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege.
-You don't think "What exit?" is very funny.
-The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar
-You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
-You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
-Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony.
-You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos opening credits.
-You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall.
-You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from South Jersey go to Wildwood. It can be no other way.
-You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey.
-You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Channel, Bamberger's and Orbach's.
-You also remember Palisades Amusement Park and Olympic Park.
-You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries.
-You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.
-and finally..You've NEVER, EVER pumped your own gas.
NEW JERSEY NEWS
What's Happenin' Where I Live
Well surprise surprise, nothing came up for Arts & Entertainment, lets see what happens if I pick "Local Flavor".
Okay, so we have no "Local Flavor". hmmm. Lets try "Food", people have to eat, right? Here goes.
WOW, how exciting, we have a Dunkin' Donuts!
So there you go, I'll be back another day and try another category.
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Food in 07480
- Dunkin' Donuts (West Milford)
- "Excellent coffee as usual for Dunkin Donuts, but this location leaves a lot to be desired. More times than not, their drive-thru speaker is broken. The..." more
15 MINUTES OF FAME
My Ebay Auctions
Vintage books, paper and ephemera
Since 1999 I have been selling old books, and antique paper documents, including photos, postcards, newspapers, magazines, periodicals, old letters and correspondence, just about anything paper you can think of. I have always loved reading, books and such, so it's a natural for me...see what I may have available now...for some reason, the lists here are sometimes outdated, so click and see what is currently available.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Please say hello!
I am just adding this to my "squid" 2/1/07, don't know why it took me so long...say hello, I'd love to meet you!
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drsallywitt
this is a wonderful lens. I love NJ. I grew up in CT, and did not appreciate NJ. We just drove through it! Now that I live in PA, 5 minutes from Trenton, I spend a lot of time in NJ and love it. Posted August 23, 2008 |
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qualifiedelectrician
Wow! Posted June 17, 2008 |
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HappyThirstyNJBBQnBeerGuy
Hi as being from New Jersey myself I love your lense about Wierd NJ, very factual and entertaining this year I promised myself that I am going to take my wife and kids to the Hot Air Balloon Fest in Readington, love the pictures, 5 STARS ALL AROUND !!! Posted May 15, 2008 |
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4deb
First thx for stopping by my blog. Second, this page is awesome! :) Thirdly this NJ girl is Surviving NJ in Hunterdon County. Great page Claudia! Cheers, Deb Posted September 11, 2007 |
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KristenB
Hey Claudia, Posted August 18, 2007 |
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Hammersteam
Hey there! Posted July 15, 2007 |
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showme
Hi, Claudia, Posted April 24, 2007 |
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IDTheftHelp
I think NJ is weird because for some reason our service only costs $9.95 per month for essentially the same services that everyone else in the country pays $16 or $26 for! You would think everyone would have it, wouldn't you? Posted April 22, 2007 |
Listen to some Music While Your Here
New Jersey Photos
We were at Long Beach Island for a vacation this year. Lets see whether anyone has some Flickr pics of LBI.
armorTex_5875
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AndyJavelinTriptych....
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The bay
Sunset w/ 2 boats
Sunset w/dock
L.B.I. 059
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Akira
Seashell for Dan
winged migration
Visit Us Sometime
We live in NJ, but if you don't live on this side of the USA, like my in-laws who live in Colorado, you probably think of NJ as an extension of NY and the big City. To those of us who live the rural life in NJ, it most definitely is not. Still, if you come out this way, the big city will probably be a place you want to visit, and it's worth every minute. Newark Airport is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away from us, but the rest of the airlines that service this area are in New York.
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$841 from Washington DC: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $841 from Buffalo: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $841 from Boston: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $857 from Tampa: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $861 from Pittsburgh: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $893 from Miami: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $901 from Baltimore: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $909 from Fort Lauderdale: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $920 from Milwaukee: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $929 from Chicago: flight + 2 nights hotel
- $841 from Buffalo: flight + 2 nights hotel
