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"Ruins of a late 18th-19th C. furnace and later cranberry operation along the Batsto River." - http://www.pinelandsalliance.org/history/places/  Exploring the Pines is one of the best things you can do to relieve stress and to enjoy nature.  Through the woods...  Over an old bridge...  To a fork in the road...  We found what was left of the Hampton Park, which are the remains of the old Cranberry Packing House that was still in operation until 1964 when the government condemned the property so that they could control the headwaters of the Batsto River. For more information about please visit this link... https://forums.njpinebarrens.com/threads/the-cranberry-packing-house-at-hampton-park.6895/  Before (the beautiful four story building in 1946) and After (what little is left in 2015)     Not much is know about the actual Hampton Furnace, but it was approximately opened in 1795. Sometime around the 1850's the furnace cease operation. The Hampton Furnace used bog iron which was found in the surrounding area's swamps and bogs. It is possible that cannonballs were made here for the War of 1812. It is known that this furnace produced nails of various sizes and some can still be found around the site if you look closely.  Down the road a bit we found more foundations of possibly the workers homes.    Photo my dad took while we were exploring the foundation of one of the homes.
The next stop on our trip through the forest we followed the trail all the way to Friendship. A once prosperous cranberry bog town, now mere ruins stand in its place. Years of wild forest fires and controlled burns removed any remains of the stick homes that housed the workers and made the land fertile for wild grasses.  "In 1869, Friendship was the heart of a 3,000-acre cranberry farm." "Today, foundation ruins of the abandoned cranberry town can be found in the field to the east side of Carranza Road and south side of Friendship-Speedwell Road." "This old crossroad provides a lovely view of a meadow, woods and cedar stream." - http://www.pinelandsalliance.org/history/places/   Founded in 1869, this was once the site of one of the largest and prosperous cranberry businesses in NJ. Before this land became cranberry bogs there once stood a sawmill dating back to the 1790's. Unfortunately, the town of Friendship was sold in the 1950's to a private buyer who never developed the land and they later sold it to the State of New Jersey.    
   All that stands in this ghost town are what is left of the foundations. 
On this long day trip my dad and I ventured down a new trail finding our way to what is known as Apple Pie Hill. No we did not get a piece of apple pie for climbing the hill nor is there an actual hill... well maybe it is a hill, but the real climb is be had when you brave the steps to the top of the fire tower that is located in a clearing at the top of the "hill".   A towering 209 feet above sea level, Apple Pie Hill is one of the highest elevations in the Pine Barrens.   If you can make it to the top there is an amazing view. On clear days, you can see Atlantic City looking one direction and Philly from the other. Everything is so tiny from all the way at the top.   Cats There were not many cats this time around. Gata, the top left kitty, got a new photo. The other three pretty kitties are all teenagers and brand new to the shelter.  Dogs There were some pretty cool dogs this month. All were excited to have there photos taken and tried to look there best for the camera.  Featured Dog(s)
Oscar and Felix would like to got home together. They love being with each other and would hate to see the other leave without going with them.
So after missing the December dogs due to weather and the chaos that is the holiday season, I am now back and ready to make the new adoptable pups look their best for their profiles on pet finder.  ~Featured Dog ~ Vader "Hi, my name is Vader. I'm a super friendly little guy and I'm looking for a new family. A semi active family would be great because I would love to do fun things and stay active." "I can also be a real love bug too when it's time to settle down. I'm good with other dogs but I do like to have all the toys for myself so I would love to make new friends and then go home to my own stuff." "I would be better with children over 8 years old and we could totally be best friends. So that's my wish list, what do ya think?" -- http://www.aacnj.org/adoptable-dogs/  |
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I am Lizabeth Carl, photographer and owner of Lizabeth Carl Photography. I am 30 years old and have lived in South Jersey my whole life. I was also probably born in the wrong generation because I am hippie at heart. Categories
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November 2020
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