Pig Iron, Blueberries, & Cranberries
Discover the manufacturing and farming industries of the Pine Barrens from the earliest settlements to present day. See remnants of the iron ore industry. Ride along the coast of the Mullica River. See the same waters Henry Hudson sailed in his ship Half Moon in 1608. Discover how cranberries are harvested. After a visit to Batsto Village, we traverse through the sprawling fields in the Blueberry Capital of the World, Hammonton, NJ, stopping on our way home at Weymouth Furnace, where shot and bombs were produced during the War of 1812.
There are lots of great lunch spots along the way.
Jersey - Atlantic Wind Farm
The Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm is the first coastal wind farm in the United States and the first such wind farm in New Jersey. It became operational in March 2006, and has five 1.5 MW turbines built by General Electric. The treatment plant uses approximately 50% of the wind-generated capacity from the wind turbines, providing about 60% of the wastewater plant's electricity needs, with the remaining energy being provided to the main power grid for resale as premium renewable electricity.
Each wind turbine reaches a height of 380 feet.
Stop also available on the Jersey Devil Tour.
Dr. Jonathan Pitney House
The historic home of Dr. Jonathan Pitney, the “Father of Atlantic City”, is today a lovely bed and breakfast. The home was built in 1799, added to in 1848 and beautifully restored in 2015. The Dr. Jonathan Pitney House has 8 period appointed rooms and 6 suites all with private baths, gas fireplaces, air-conditioning and decorated from the early 1800's and Victorian era. The B & B has eight period appointed rooms and six suites. Every suite offers a private bath, gas fireplace, air-conditioning and decorated from the early 1800's and Victorian era.
We will pass by this unique Atlantic County treasure on our way to the Pine Barrens.
Stop also available on the Jersey Devil Tour and The Egg Harbor City Tour.
Seven Bridges Road - Little Egg River
Lying in a salt marsh within the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, is a road nicknamed “Seven Bridges Road”, but if you take the time to count, there are only five bridges. Why you may ask? Bridges six and seven were never built. It is said that in the early 1900’s, the 4-mile peninsula was to be connected to Brigantine and then from Brigantine to Atlantic City. But because of the strong churning tidal currents in Little Egg Inlet, which over the years has raised sunken islands and has been known to carve out close to the coastline channels 90 feet deep, the building of the sixth bridge would have been a futile attempt. The Rutgers University Marine Field Station, aka the Old Coast Guard Station, is considered the “Last” bridge.
This pristine peninsula considered to be the most flawless coastal ecosystem on the east coast that still exists. It is home to fish, clams, mussels, a myriad of species of birds, 15 species of grasses and 36 species of herbs. From May through July, Northern Diamondback terrapins cross the road. Please keep an eye on the road during these months. Every season has its own variety of birds; peregrine falcons, great blue herons, and osprey. Throughout the seasons this is a wonderful place to bird watch. From the road, you can see the nesting platforms for ospreys.
This stop also available on the Jersey Devil Stomping Grounds Tour.
Chatsworth, NJ - Capital of the Pines
Known for its rural charm and natural beauty, Chatsworth is often referred to as the 'Capital of the Pine Barrens'. The area is characterized by its vast forests, cranberry bogs, and unique ecosystem, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and those seeking outdoor recreational activities.
We can get up close to the cranberry bogs and learn about cranberry harvesting in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Cranberries are this area's 'red gold'.
Batsto Village
By the end of 1766, John Read had built the Batsto Iron Works, including Batsto furnace. In 1773, John Cox bought the Iron Works, which produced cooking pots, kettles, and other household items. Batsto manufactured supplies for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Today there are more than forty sites and structures, including the Batsto mansion, a sawmill, a 19th-century ore boat, a charcoal kiln, ice and milk houses, a carriage house and stable, a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, a gristmill and a general store. The Post Office is still in operation, and collectors have stamps hand-cancelled, with no zip code. The Batsto-Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church building, erected in 1808 as the Batsto-Pleasant Mills Methodist Episcopal Church, is still active as a place of worship.
Blueberry Capital of the World - Hammonton, NJ
Hammonton, New Jersey, claims to be the "Blueberry Capital of the World", with over 80% of New Jersey's cultivated blueberries coming from this town. Every year the town hosts a large festival, which draws thousands of people to celebrate the fruit.
On this trip we drive past miles of blueberry fields. In season, we can stop and buy some right from the farm.
This stop also available on the Farms and Farm Markets Tour.
Weymouth Furnace
By the time of peak production in the early 1850s, the tract of land contained a furnace, forge, gristmill, Methodist church, sawmill, large owner's mansion, store, 20 workers' houses, a blacksmith shop, and a wheelwright. During the War of 1812, the Weymouth Forge / Furnace was a supplier of shot and bombs to the United States Government. By 1862, the Forge could no longer compete with anthracite coal powered forges of the Pennsylvania area. It was reportedly destroyed by fire that same year.
The forge remained in production for about 60 years. The iron produced at Weymouth was smelted from local bog iron in furnaces fueled by charcoal. Production consisted mostly of cast iron water pipe with limited production of pots, stoves, and nails.