10 Abandoned Places In New Jersey That Nature Is Reclaiming

In such a densely packed state it can be difficult to find abandoned buildings. Many abandoned properties are simply knocked down to make room for more malls or upscale apartment complexes. When you’re tight on space, every square foot matters. Even still, if you know where to look, there are a treasure trove of abandoned places just waiting to be explored. Many of these buildings are on public property; as for the ones that aren’t, we’ll just have to live vicariously through these photos.

Flickr/Peter Miller

Flickr/Peter Miller

Once used to transport passengers, this train car is now home to local wildlife and rebellious teenagers.

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Flickr/Peter Miller

This former Army base was active between 1874 -1974. Once home to anti-aircraft missiles, the fort now houses Nubian Goats to help combat the poison ivy.

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Flickr/Owl's Flight

No longer home to the hustle and bustle of a daily commute, this train station crumbles while awaiting new passengers of the four-legged variety.

Flickr/Mike Rastiello

Paterson is a populous city, but this factory sits on the outskirts untouched. It's a wonder it hasn't been knocked down by now to make way for something new. It might help that in the spring and summer the surrounding trees shade the building from prying eyes.

Flickr/Dennis

The ruins of this church now serve as a house of worship for woodland creatures.

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Flickr/Danni Suplicki

Flickr/Danni Suplicki

The lines between building and nature are blurred in Walpack; nearly the entire town has been abandoned. At the time of the 2010 census, there were only 16 residents.

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Flickr/Danni Suplicki

Flickr/Danni Suplicki

This abandoned schoolhouse has since been demolished. For years it was a favorite haunt of high school students on the hunt for ghosts.

Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Though we don't know what type of building once stood here, we do know that these rocks have found their way back into nature.

Flickr/hjhipster

There are quite a few abandoned buildings in Newark but this one is visible off the Turnpike for all the world to see. Look closely and you'll notice tree branches sprouting from the windows and rooftop.

Flickr/Justin Gurbisz

Once a stunning mansion owned by stockbroker Milton Untermeyer, the building burned down in the late 1960's. All that remains now is brick and vines.

In the end, nature always wins. That may be reassuring for some though it may be unsettling for others. Either way, the significance of nature reclaiming urban sprawl and industrial progress does not go overlooked. Whatever it means to you, it can not be denied that there is something meaningful going on. Trees and towers meld together to create unique landscapes that seem to work together despite being stark in contrast. What’s your view on abandoned buildings being left to nature? Do you have any favorite spots to scope out similar sights?