The 539 Rock

[bobpbx]

We all know it. Some love it, some abhor it. I myself put up with it, cause its part of 539, a road I really love. To me, 539 is the Pines Highlands. It is the Pine Barrens on steroids. True and manly pinelands.

Uh, where was I going with this?

Oh yeah. Maybe you have noticed that someone has "hijacked" the rock to promote one theme. I am not sure if it now represents veterans, prisoners of war, or the flag and apple pie in general. It is now decorated in stars and stripes and seems to be staying that way. But there is also something new. Someone has erected about 4 flagpoles with American Flags flying close to the rock. Some of the poles are 10-12 feet tall.

I am not sure I am satisfied with this turn of events. Don't jump on me yet as being unpatriotic. But, who really owns the rock, and is it right to keep it under the thumb of one theme?

[TeeGate]

City Hall has said in the past that they might take a stand and remove the rock if trouble brews over it again. Apparently with it staying as is for quite a while now, the differences are over. Will the flags cause more trouble???

Thanks for posting Bob.

Guy

[BEHR655]

But, who really owns the rock, and is it right to keep it under the thumb of one theme?

Just think of it as a tribute to Betsy Ross.

[bruset]

Gotta agree with you, Bob. It was great as it was - something to look out the car window at and smile.

I don't think I like the ideas of the "in your face" rock.

[Piney Boy]

Nothing unpatriotic at all about saying that. Personally, I wish they would've left the rock alone. Put a memorial of some type in a park , let the rock be, well, a rock.

[Buck]

In which town is the rock located? I am sure I would have seen it if I passed it.

[TeeGate]

It is in Lacey Township on 539 between Whiting and 72. You can't miss it especially driving south from Whiting.

Guy

[GermanG]

I've also been disappointed by the apparent now permanent theme on the "rock". It was always enjoyable driving by it whenever the next holiday rolled around. I guess the flags are meant to be an exclamation point made by the recent hijackers (the perfect term!) of the rock.

In any case, Cliff Oakley (of Wells Mills) told me that the rock ended up there in the late 1930s when a truck delivering it from a quarry in Pennington had an accident at the site. The rock was heading towards Barnegat Light, to be hoisted across the inlet as part of the north jetty project. I was wondering if anyone could substantiate this?

[TeeGate]

I've also been disappointed by the apparent now permanent theme on the "rock". It was always enjoyable driving by it whenever the next holiday rolled around. I guess the flags are meant to be an exclamation point made by the recent hijackers (the perfect term!) of the rock.

In any case, Cliff Oakley (of Wells Mills) told me that the rock ended up there in the late 1930s when a truck delivering it from a quarry in Pennington had an accident at the site. The rock was heading towards Barnegat Light, to be hoisted across the inlet as part of the north jetty project. I was wondering if anyone could substantiate this?

Glad to see you back German.

Guy

[omega]

Just drove by it yesterday and was surprised to see the flag poles. It was always something I looked forward too on my drives thru that area, "what's the rock doing now?" being "standardized" like this ruins the anticipation. And I doubt anyone would want to paint over the stars and stripes.

[GermanG]

Thanks Guy!

Work, family obligations and life in general have left me with little internet time lately, but I'm making a point to stop by more often. This site is too great a resource to not take advantage of!

[Badfish740]

In any case, Cliff Oakley (of Wells Mills) told me that the rock ended up there in the late 1930s when a truck delivering it from a quarry in Pennington had an accident at the site. The rock was heading towards Barnegat Light, to be hoisted across the inlet as part of the north jetty project. I was wondering if anyone could substantiate this?

I've always wanted to find out the REAL story behind the rock. As a kid growing up in Mercer County we traveled to Long Beach Island for two weeks every summer, so we always took 539 to Route 72 to get to the island. It was always a tradition to look for the rock which told us we were getting close! My dad always told me it was a jetty rock on its way to the shore, which makes sense since there's no other good explanation for a rock of that size in the middle of pines, but I'd love to find the police report about the accident, news clippings, etc...