A Gorgeous Train Depot Was Built And Left To Decay On New Jersey's Waterfront
By Kim Magaraci|Published February 11, 2022
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Kim Magaraci
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
New Jersey is a state that’s absolutely packed with history, and we’ve done a pretty good job at preserving historic buildings and places. One of the coolest spots in the entire state is located at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The stunning Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal was built in the late 19th century and used as the gateway to America for over 10 million immigrants. Then, it was abandoned and left to decay. Today, it’s a fascinating preserved structure that’s so worth a visit.
The historic Central Railroad Of New Jersey Terminal is now a beautiful park on the Hudson River and New York Harbor waterfront, and you can visit.
This stunning train depot was built in 1889, and it replaced a similar depot that had been at this spot starting in 1864. The CRNJT was used all the way through 1967, serving the city and state for 78 years..
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy's floodwaters and wind devastated the historic building, and it sat closed for years. In that time, it was largely reclaimed by nature, and urban explorers documented the takeover of plants and wildlife.
Even before Hurricane Sandy, the terminal acted as a sort of greenhouse, supporting all sorts of native plants and weeds that took over when the trains stopped rolling.
Today, thanks to restoration efforts that began after the storm and continued until the depot was again open to the public in 2016, most of the lfora and fauna have been removed.
Some people miss the wild, abandoned feel of the terminal in its "jungle" days, but the structures themselves are better protected now.
Ferries to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island still depart from the terminal's docks, and Liberty State Park is a fantastic spot for a family-friendly day trip.
