This Abandoned New Jersey Bridge Was Once Known As The Eighth Wonder Of The World
By Kristen|Published July 08, 2019
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Kristen
Author
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
There are many manmade wonders in New Jersey, one of which is the Paulinskill Viaduct. The Paulinskill Viaduct is a reinforced concrete railroad bridge that crosses the Paulins Kill in Knowlton Township. At the time it was built in 1910, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world.
Also known as the Hainesburg Trestle, it was an architectural marvel.
Abandoned for years, much of the viaduct is hollow, allowing explorers to traverse the interior. Both dangerous an illegal, many have failed to heed the law and the structure is filled with graffiti.
Building began in 1908 and by the time the structure was completed, it was considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. It was the largest trestle of its type in the world for years, until a larger one was built in Pennsylvania.
In 1979, the train line went out of service and by 1985, the property was entirely abandoned. Today, it is owned by New Jersey Department of Transportation. There are plans to restore service to the area.
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Abandoned, secluded, and cavernous, some say the structure is the site of satanic rituals, others say that it's haunted.
There's a story that a worker died during construction and that his body still remains in the concrete. True or not, visitors to the area do report a strange presence or eerie feeling.
Photos of the interior are not included in this article as it was difficult to find graffiti without vulgarity. In addition, the address is not included as trespassing is illegal. With a road running underneath and near several hiking trails, it’s easy enough to find but we do not encourage illegal activity. What we do encourage is appreciating New Jersey’s unique history. If you’d like to get a closer look, check out the gorgeous drone video below by ESTOUCHFPV. I highly recommend watching – the footage is fascinating.
For another unique bit of New Jersey history, check out our article on WWII espionage.
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