Downed Jet in West Milford

In 1967, a jet plane crashed in the woods of West Milford. The pilot safely ejected and was rescued. The Air Force removed the engine, but left the fuselage behind. It has remained a hidden secret in the woods for nearly 4 decades. This was written up in Weird NJ in issue 14. I was given the approximate location by WillyD, so I drove up to West Milford one weekend, parked on a small cul-de-sac and headed into the woods.

The land belongs to the Newark Watershed Commission. ATV riding is illegal, but hiking and horseback riding are allowed with a permit. I headed down a large trail and within 15 minutes found the jet. The nose cone has been dragged about 100 feet away from the fuselage, which is in surprisingly good shape after 40 years in the woods.

Lad, A Dog: Albert Payson Terhune

Albert Payson Terhune was a children’s storybook writer, as well as a breeder of Collies. Eventually he combined his two interests and wrote a children’s book “Lad, a Dog” based a real Collie of his. The book proved quite popular and he went on to write a whole series of “Lad” books.

Terhune lived in Pompton Lakes on the shores of the Lake for which the town is named. He buried Lad and all his other Collies right there on the property. The Wayne Police also bury their K-9 dogs here. Lad’s grave is right off the parking area. You can read more about Terhune and his dogs here

The Ottillio Office complex

You could drive past the Otillio office complex and not give it a second glance as it is off set and below the roadway itself. But on second look you begin to notice certain architectural and design elements. The massive columns creating the central opening and doorway certainly stand out. Like the giant chain links that create a pseudo wall. Or the giant bell by the parking area, with the large gate and ornate scrollwork on it.

Inside the complex it becomes even more unique. From the detailed carvings on the push bars on the doors, to the elaborate railings on the elegant stairway to the little garden next to the stairs to the wooden chest, you realize there is something a bit more extravagant then normal about this place.

The Ottillio Complex was fashioned from elements salvaged from landmarks being torn down, including the Japanese Pavilion at the World’s Fair, columns from Barnert Hospital, the Transportation Building at the World’s Fair and the from the 7-Up Pavilion, not to mention the Paramount theatre. The railing came from an abandoned subway station, and the chain links from a pier being brought down on the Hudson.

The project took over 15 years to complete, during which time Carmen Ottillio searched thru rubble and thru buildings about to become rubble to see what was striking or unusual. He then brought the pieces here and created something entirely new from these old & useless (to some) pieces.

Ghost in a tree?

These photos were submitted to me by Diane, a reader.

My friend and I met you today at the Weird Us book signing in Clifton. I gave you tips about the Heartland Mail Box, You showed us your down Jet pictures and I took your picture for you and you took mine ; Anyway I think that is enough clues as to who this is. Sorry, I did not introduce myself , I’m Diane and my friend’s name is Dolores. Anyway here is the picture of my ghost face in the Trees at Skylands Manor. The one picture looks like a clown face and other picture, I see another face. look within the circled area’s . Let me know what you think.

The Lou Costello statue

Louis Francis Costello was born on March 6, 1906 in Paterson, N.J. In 1936 he met William Alexander Abbott on the burlesque circuit where he often worked as the straight man. Although they were popular locally, it wasn’t until they appeared on the Kate Smith Radio Hour, performing what would soon become known as their classic signature skit, “Who’s On First,” that they would find true stardom. Located in Federici park, this statue commemorates the famous “Who’s on First Routine” and the local comedian who performed it so well. Abbott & Costello are the only people in the Baseball Hall of Fame who never played, coached or had any direction connection the baseball.

My Jungle Habitat collection

Like most amusement parks and zoos, there was merchandising.

//cue Yogurt’s cry of Mer-chen-DISING!

I’ve trolled Ebay and other places in an effort to obtain some of the Jungle Habitat items. I’ve collected around 30 items and below are some pictures. If you have an Jungle Habitat merchandise you’d like to get rid of, please contact me.

Jungle Habitat

Jungle Habitat was one of the first big zoos to be established in NJ. The park was owned by Warner Bros, who also owned Great Adventure. The park opened in summer 1972, and within a few months was the subject of controversy as a tourist was mauled by lions after opening his car window, and local residents reported animals that had escaped. There were also reports of animal mistreatment. After 4 years, the park closed and the Safari at Six Flags opened.

The story of what happened when it closed is the subject of much speculation and rumor. Animals that were healthy were transferred to other zoos, but sickly animals were supposedly killed. Unfortunately it was the middle of the winter and the ground was frozen, so stories abound that they left the carcasses to rot. Many animals reportedly escaped into the wild, and recently a rare white Indonesian peacock that was spotted on Clinton Rd. There’s little doubt where it came from considering the rarity.

RECENT EVENTS

In the days before Weird NJ introduced the idea of urban exploration to millions of young peoplel, few people explored the former JH property perhaps because of the rumors that tigers and lions still roamed the grounds. Eventually vandals and explorers did come and they scavenged the lastg elements of Jungle Habitat. Time and the elements did the rest. The 800 acres property was bought by the state in 1988 for 1.45 million, but it sits there today, unused, criss-crossed by 26 miles of roads and by a giant 3,000 car parking lot. It is legal to hike there, as it state property. I have explored and there really is hardly anything left to see.

Sattelite view of the former Jungle Habitat site.

Sattelite view of the parking lot and nearby airport.

THE FUTURE OF THE PROPERTY

In the early 90’s, an organization called Extreme Habitat proposed turning the site into a BMX/ATV/Motocross playground. They promised that all bikes would have noise silencers and that the environment would be respected. Here is an interesting summary of some of the ATV park proposals. Not believing that either promise would be kept, and fearful of the traffic and other problems that JH brought with it, the plan was not well received. Eventually the West Milford residents and politicians said “Not here”, and the plan was rejected. In 2007, the State purchased a 224 acre former strip mine in Monroe, Gloucester County. Here, and at a second planned site in Ocean County will provide ATV riders with a legal place to ride,

In 2007 and 2008 a carnival/fair was held in the old parking lot.

There have been discussions about turning the 800 acre site into a destination for hiking, or converting some of the land to ball fields. As of December 2008 it seems as if these plans may become a reality. According to this article the town may lease anywhere from 30-60 acres, mostly comprised of the giant parking lot and surrounding land, and convert them into athletic fields. No word what will happen tot eh other 90% of the park though.

Weird NJ article about Jungle Habitat.

former employee webpage.

1970’s ad for the park

One person’s memories and photos of Jungle Habitat.

Dutch Reformed Church and the tunnel under the Passaic River

The Dutch Reformed Church in Belleville was first built in 1697. It has been rebuilt three time, in 1725, 1807 and again in 1853. 63 Revolutionary War veterans as well as Henry Rutgers (for whom Rutgers University is named) are buried in the church cemetery. The church is a historic building, but it’s probably more well known for a tunnel that may or may not link the church to buildings on the other side of the river in Lyndhurst.

The tunnels are a true urban legend. Several people have claimed to have been in them, but no one can provide proof. Supposedly the tunnels go underneath the Passaic River and bring you into a building somewhere on the other side. If they exist, these tunnels go back to the Revolutionary War and were used by American soldiers to sneak across the river to scout and attack enemy forces. It is believed that George Washington actually worshiped here at one time during the war, but that does not prove that tunnels exist.

Here’s a collection of photos of the church.

Weird NJ article about the church and tunnel

the Stone Living Room lives!

This photo was taken in November 08 and recent reports indicate it’s still doing fine. More info when I post my SLR page.

Stone Living Room Youtube video by WNJ

Four years ago some asshats destroyed the SLR. Me and about a dozen friends went and rebuilt it and it was destroyed again within 24 hours. This video was posted on youtube in late 2008. Apparently others have made similar rebuilding attempts and the SLR was again destroyed. The “logbook” shown in the video is actually from a geocache that was eventually stolen.