New Jersey is home to some interesting ruins, including the remnants of former milling and mining towns in the Pine Lands. It's a bit rarer to see ruins in the northern portion of our state as the area is more developed - any land not in use will be used for something soon enough. Still, you'll find a fair share of abandoned spots. One of these spots is in New Jersey's largest city.
The Old Essex County Jail can be found in the University Heights section of Newark, adjacent to the Norfolk Street station of the Newark Light Rail.
The original prison was built in 1837 and designed by notable architect John Haviland, who also designed the Eastern State Penitentiary. It was expanded in 1890 to include 300 prison cells, all with toilet facilities and running water. The building served as Essex County's main jail until 1970 when a new jail was built.
The prison is a popular destination for urban explorers, though trespassing is not recommended.
The prison has not been used since scenes from the film, Malcolm X were shot here in 1991. The building was severely damaged by fire in 2001 and is not considered structurally sound. Several adjacent buildings, including the warden's house, have already collapsed. In addition to this danger, the grounds are frequented by vagrants and, trespassing is illegal.
The city is currently accepting bids to demolish the building but others wish to preserve its history.
The building was slated for demolition back in 2010 to make way for a new park but the city's landmark's committee, which seeks to have it restored, rejected the plan. New bids for demolition are now being considered and the fate of the prison is unknown. While it cannot exist in its current state, it would be nice to see at least a portion of it restored.
The prison was once a very unique place.
It included garden paths, courtyards and a greenhouse for well-behaved inmates to enjoy. It also featured innovative glass pane flooring to allow the guards visibility from above and below. The facility is the oldest standing government building in the City of Newark.
Perhaps most interesting is the building's brief usage as the home of the Essex County Narcotics Bureau.
The building was used to separate the department from the courthouse, so confidential informants wouldn't be seen by the people going to court. The building also served as a storage space; some of the cells were used to hold evidence. Controversy arose after the department vacated the building in 1989. An old New York Times article claims that confidential files were left behind, for anyone to access. Wiretapping transcripts and even confiscated gambling machines are believed to have remained after the building was evacuated.
While fascinating, this is a truly creepy place.
Floors, walls and ceilings have collapsed. Garbage is everywhere; as is drug paraphernalia. Frequented by homeless crack and heroin addicts, this is not where you want to be right now. Several corpses have been recovered from the grounds, with overdoses being the likely cause of death. Whether this building is demolished or (at least partially) restored, something needs to be done.
To experience the prison up close, and safely, check out this video by YouTube user, Decay Is Headed Your Way!
For another old prison in New Jersey that you can actually visit, check out the Burlington County Prison. It now operates as a museum and is believed to be haunted.
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