New Jersey is a state with a lot of history – sometimes hiding just out of plain sight. That’s the case for Estell Manor Park in Mays Landing. A charming county park with hiking trails, playgrounds, and waterfront views, it makes for a great day trip – but those who stray off the beaten path will find a massive surprise. The park is home to the ruins of the Bethlehem Loading Company, an abandoned factory in New Jersey that has been standing inactive for a century. In that time, nature has reclaimed much of the area and only a few stone structures are left standing. These historic sites can be visited by park guests if they know where to go, and they may find a few other historic surprises along the way.
Estell Manor Park is one of south Jersey’s best-hidden parks, and it’s a beautiful destination no matter the time of year.
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You’ll find several large playgrounds around the park, perfect for letting the kids blow off steam.
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But for those who wander off the beaten path, they’ll be rewarded with one of New Jersey’s most fascinating sites.
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The park is home to a massive collection of stone ruins - from what was once the Bethlehem Loading Company during the First World War.
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This munitions factory was opened in 1910, but now has fallen into disrepair - with only the larget stone structures still standing.
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A testament to the hardy construction of the era, these buildings are considered historic sites and can be explored, but the park asks for caution to keep them preserved.
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There’s something both peaceful and eerie about seeing these stone structures and imagining the way the park was once full of industry, before it was reclaimed by nature.
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For another historic spot in the park, you can visit the Smith-Ireland Cemetery, which dates back to even earlier than the factory, in the 1800s.
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Have you visited Estell Manor Park in Mays Landing and seen its historic sites? Let us know what you saw at this abandoned factory in New Jersey in the comments section. You can learn more about Estell Manor Park on the county website. For another mysterious abandoned site in New Jersey, why not take the creepiest hike in the Garden State?
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Address: Estell Manor Park, 109 NJ-50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330, USA
