The Pine Barrens of New Jersey has a long and sordid history. It once belonged to the Indigenous people of the Lenni Lenape and was colonized by the Dutch and the Swedes, who claimed the cedar and oak trees as their own for shipbuilding. The area played an integral role in supplying soldiers with munitions during the American Revolution.
The Cedar Bridge Tavern is where guerrilla Loyalist, John Bacon, was captured after slaughtering 19 Continental Army soldiers in their sleep. It's a historic location that you can visit today.
It's terrifying to think a man could be so callous that he murdered a group of people and still felt comfortable ordering a drink in a local tavern.
A major part of the iron industry until 1869, the bustling industrial town fell victim to overgrowth and decay.
Once full of buildings and railroad tracks, few signs of life exist except through the stories told by locals living in the area. Like other towns affected by the changes in commerce, it became a forgotten place, having served its purpose at the time.
Located in Southern New Jersey, the 1.1-million-acre forested area is ideal for growing carnivorous plants, cranberries, and orchids.
It doesn't have the nutrient-rich soil needed to grow other things. Instead, it's very sandy and acidic.
The Jersey Devil - the most sinister of New Jersey folklore - is said to have been born to a woman living in the area when it was thriving with life.
You can see nods to its presence outside of Lucille's Country Cooking restaurant. The eatery was on an episode of Anthony Bourdain's "Parts Unknown."
People could hear a small child laughing during a meeting held by the Festival Committee of Chatsworth.
There were no children present in the building at the time, making it incredibly spooky to continue discussing details about the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival, which is an area highlight annually.
The Pine Barrens Scenic Byway is a place to "explore pristine nature."
Despite the area's terrifying history, the 130-mile-long drive from Batsto and Tuckerton into Dennisville in the North and Port Elizabeth in the South is rather enjoyable. There are many state parks and exciting towns to explore through the journey.
Have you ever experienced any paranormal activity in The Pine Barrens? If so, tell us all about it in the comments section below!
Prepare to have the living daylights scared out of you! These 10 Fascinating Ghost Towns In New Jersey Will Take You Back To The Past. Explore the heart-pounding, sweat-inducing thrills that these places provide you with today. You'll never encounter spookier places in the state that have this much history!
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