Exploring in Tabernacle

[Teegate]

All,

Today I went on my own searching for some stones on state property near Tabernacle. In order to get there without hiking forever, I had to find a way to get to them without crossing private property. I have been working on this dilemma for over a month, and finally decided to just ask a local property owner if I could cross their land.

After a little persuading and explaining what I was trying to achieve, I was granted permission and was also told of places to visit on their property.

I was looking for a stone that was reported to be inscribed with the letters "LS" on it, so I headed across their property to state land to find it. A short half mile walk and I was there, and soon found it covered with moss. But there was nothing written on it

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/262-1/IMG_5238.jpg

For the next two hours I forced my way through the briers to find other stones on my list, and soon gave up and headed back. As I neared the property I crossed I found this.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/267-1/IMG_5241.jpg

I then proceeded to follow the route mentioned to me by the land owner, and I passed by a interesting hill that was quite high for that area.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/270-1/IMG_5245.jpg

The property has a lake, wooden footbridges, and seating areas along an old bog. A very interesting place.

Guy

 

[BEHR655]

Nice report. I like that hill.

 

[Teegate]

Nice report. I like that hill.

That was a surprise. As with most of the hills like that it has tons of sandstone around and on it. The top has been used for camping and campfires, but is clean. A nice place.

Guy

 

[bobpbx]

Is the hill also on private property Guy?

 

[Teegate]

Is the hill also on private property Guy?

Yes.

Guy

 

[suresue592003]

Any time anyone wants to go exploring Tabernacle, let me know. I grew up in Tabernacle and know alot of folk there. The place you describe sounds like a place I know of, if it is off of Carranza Road. There are tons of historic signs throughout the Tabernacle area, some are off the beaten path. Has anyone took the time to check out the old Friendship School sitting in the old Tabernacle School yard? I actually have a pic of me standing in front of it in it's original condition/original site about 42 years ago.

 

[Rubibee]

Has anyone took the time to check out the old Friendship School sitting in the old Tabernacle School yard? I actually have a pic of me standing in front of it in it's original condition/original site about 42 years ago.

I'd be interested in seeing this pic if you would be willing to either post it here or you could send it to me privately. Send me a PM and I will give you my email address. You are a member of the ghosttowns group are you not? I recognize your name from there

 

[GermanG]

Those pics sure are interesting. My wife still laughs at how I can get excited while we are in the woods and we find something like "an old rock". Since the ones you found don't appear to be native stone, I got excited at first at the chance you found markers for the Lawrence or even the Keith Lines. Tabernacle seemed too far west though, and checking a map of the lines confirmed that. Still cool though!

 

[Teegate]

Those pics sure are interesting. My wife still laughs at how I can get excited while we are in the woods and we find something like "an old rock". Since the ones you found don't appear to be native stone, I got excited at first at the chance you found markers for the Lawrence or even the Keith Lines. Tabernacle seemed too far west though, and checking a map of the lines confirmed that. Still cool though!

They are native stones. And I did find all of the Lawrence Line stones that are still there from mile 5 to mile 40.

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=231

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=40

Guy

 

[GermanG]

By native, I meant sandstone or ironstone, which is pretty much the only native stone bigger than quartz pebbles found in the pines. The ones in your pics seemed to be too light and I assumed they were of a non-pine barrens rock type.

In any case, the Lawrence Line has become increasingly interesting to me lately. I'm impressed at the feat of finding all of those! I can never seem to find enough time to do anything close to that kind of exploration. Oh well, I guess that's what retirement was made for. Thanks for the fascinating pics.

 

[Teegate]

By native, I meant sandstone or ironstone, which is pretty much the only native stone bigger than quartz pebbles found in the pines. The ones in your pics seemed to be too light and I assumed they were of a non-pine barrens rock type.

In any case, the Lawrence Line has become increasingly interesting to me lately. I'm impressed at the feat of finding all of those! I can never seem to find enough time to do anything close to that kind of exploration. Oh well, I guess that's what retirement was made for. Thanks for the fascinating pics.

You are correct that they are not stones from the area, but I look at if from a different perspective.

My American Heritage Dictionary describes "native" in many ways, but one description is "original inhabitant". Most of the stones I search out and find are property corners, many of which are also state corners or line markers. So there usually is a state marker with stampings in conjunction with them. They are from 1954-1957 in most cases, which obviously makes the stones next to them "original inhabitants". Thus a native stone no matter what it is made of. The "original inhabitants" are what I am really interested in.

As for the time to search them out, unfortunately I actually spend very little time overall in the pines searching. Most of my time is spent right here in front of my computer pouring over maps and such preparing so that I can find these things in as little time as possible. Just like you my time is limited. Someday you and I may have more time, I just hope we are not to old.

As for the Lawrence Line, I can assure you I have searched for every one from Route 9 in West Creek, to 539 near Great Adventure. I have found some that other surveyors did not find, and some that they found were gone before I got there. I know the location of all of the rest of them to the Delaware, but my interest ends in the area I have searched. We are lucky here in the south, because the remoteness of the pines have protected the old stones, with the north end mostly being more recent ones.

Guy

 

[RednekF350]

As Guy knows, I am a licensed land surveyor and the term "native stone" to surveyors means the original stone, whatever the material.
When the State surveyed Wharton and other tracts they would not remove or disturb native corners. If the state was to share a common coerner with private property, the State would map the native stone and then in most cases, set a state monument nearby. The information would be recorded in their fieldnotes and placed on the survey.

 

[GermanG]

It's funny how perspective makes such a difference. I've never encountered that usage of the word "native" before, having little surveying knowledge. And being a naturalist by profession, my usage is skewed towards the way one would separate indigenous from non-indigenous species of plants or animals (please don't tell me there a surveying usage of the word "indgenous" too! ). Anyway, I'm glad to learn something new. These jobs cross paths now and then (I've also worked for as environmental consultant, doing wetland delineations) and it's good to be familiar with each other's terminology.