Bridge Pilings

[jburd641]

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=39.6739&lon=-74.53581&s=25&size=l&u=4&datum=nad83&layer=DRG

Today, while on my waterquest, I came across pilings at this spot on the Wading River. I originally was only planning to check out the pond on the Batona between Rts 563 & 679 but the lure of a trail heading towards more water was too much to resist. I'm glad I listened to the call because stumbling across the old bridge made my day.
Can anyone tell me anything about it? Does it have a name besides long gone?
My sense of history is tingling and the proximity to Harrisville does nothing to quell this tingling. Next time, when I have more time, I would love to walk the overgrown road leading from this bridge to Harrisville.
If I can, I'll post some pics tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[jburd641]

Spring

Am I the only one getting a serious case of Spring fever? Today did nothing to cool my fever either, it was almost perfect weather to be tromping the Pines.

 

[pinelandpaddler]

jburd, I can't tell you anything about that bridge except that it was still there in 1930.

 

[Teegate]

Here is a map from the 1950s. The bridge in question is circled. Now notice the arrow pointing to the symbols this map always uses for intact bridges. So from this map I would say it was not there in the mid 1950s since the bridge symbol is not there. That does not mean it wasn't though, so lets keep working on this.

Guy

 

[pinelandpaddler]

It may have been destroyed by the 1939 storm.

 

[jburd641]

Thanks Guy. I'll be out there this weekend. I'm curious to see if there is much evidence of the road on the Evans bridge side. I was on the Harrisville side and could see the road heading straight towards Harrisville even though it looked very overgrown.
One question, what are the rules on taking a machete to clear the overhanging brush from the road? Is this legal?

 

[Teegate]

Is this legal?

I would say it is not legal, but hunters and others do it all the time. Just don't get caught.

Guy

 

[bobpbx]

jburd, I can't tell you anything about that bridge except that it was still there in 1930.

Speaking of 1930, I checked the Alquatka 1931 image. That location on the other side of the savanna titled "Oak Grove" is interesting. And Plateau does look like some wood cutting went on there.

 

[jburd641]

I would say it is not legal, but hunters and others do it all the time. Just don't get caught.

Guy

I don't want to do anything illegal. If it's mostly pine branches hanging over, I can knock them back with my walking stick.

 

[Teegate]

Speaking of 1930, I checked the Alquatka 1931 image. That location on the other side of the savanna titled "Oak Grove" is interesting. And Plateau does look like some wood cutting went on there.

I have been to Oak Knoll. Rob and I crossed it on our hike there in 2005. It is marked as 23. We crossed it on our way back and entered the cedar swamp at 25 and could have been lost forever if not for that bridge they just repaired on Jackson Road. You can see Atco Dragway at the bottom left.

Guy

 

[bobpbx]

I have been to Oak Knoll. Rob and I crossed it on our hike there in 2005. It is marked as 23. We crossed it on our way back and entered the cedar swamp at 25 and could have been lost forever if not for that bridge they just repaired on Jackson Road. You can see Atco Dragway at the bottom left.


Guy

Cool area. I'd like to see more of it. Was Oak Knoll evidently cleared at one time?

 

[Teegate]

There is so much to see there. You would love that section of the Alquatka. It is wet!

Guy