Mt Laurel State Park

[MikeBickerson]

Went and explored Mt Laurel State Park on Saturday, mostly because I was driving past it anyway. I know that this is the Mount Laurel that the town is named after and that there is a huge radio tower at the top. Other than that, there seems to be no info. The signs posted on trees there say "state park", but its not listed on the New Jersey State Parks page. Seems odd.

The park itself isn't much. A trail that sticks pretty close to the road and houses before climbing the hill. At the top, there isn't much of a view, just a big radio tower.

With the meeting house (1760s I read somewhere) and the historical society in the grange building right there, there has to be some history there.

http://southjerseytrails.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/mt-laurel-state-park-mt-laurel-nj/

Posted this here since it's outside the Pine Barrens, but I figure if anyone knew anything, it would be you folks.

 

[Boyd]

I used to drive past there frequently and always wondered myself. I had seen it onthe map before and actually wondered if it was a mistake. Never took the time to explore myself though.

 

[Spung-Man]

M-B,

Are there any ironstone or silcrete boulders left on the slopes or summit? I suspect that many stones were hauled away for building material a long time ago. If any remain their upper surface should be highly eroded by blowing sand during cold climate (Pleistocene) wind events.

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/threads/about-difference-in-nj-stones.5534/#post-64755​

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http://udel.edu/~mdemitrf/UDel_Web_9-4-12/5c.html​

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Posted this here since it's outside the Pine Barrens, but I figure if anyone knew anything, it would be you folks.

Actually, many Inner Coastal Plain hilltops are mantled with windblown sands. McCormick & Andresen (1963) show Mt. Laurel to be situated in a large Pine Barens-like Oak-Pine Fringe patch.

Excerpt of "Vegetational Map of Pine Barrens" from Slide 5 of Earth, Wind, and Ice: Ancient Climate Change and Periglacial Landscapes (Demitroff). Modified from McCormick & Andresen (1963). Also see:

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/threads/pointing-to-folsom.7970/#post-94552​

Best,
S-M

 

[Teegate]

I grew up in Marlton by the circle and I could see the flashing light of that tower from my house. This was when there were many farms and very few trees and homes in that area. When I was around 12 or so a friend of mine and myself rode our bikes to the tower. We found one of the bulbs that lit the tower laying on the ground. It was huge! I somehow was able to ride home with that bulb and for many years it was in my moms attic. It is hard to believe today that the traffic along Hainesport Mt. Laurel road was very sparse and it was extremely safe.

The main station may or may not be there at the top and I was not able to view it or see it because of the fence. However, here is Reference Mark and if anyone goes there they should look to see if it is still there.

Guy

 

[Teegate]

In 1935 when the Reference Mark was placed there is was at that time already a state park.

DESCRIBED BY COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 1935 (JB)
THE STATION IS LOCATED ON STATE PROPERTY (WHICH IS A STATE
FOREST RESERVE), ON A HILL KNOWN AS MOUNT LAUREL, ON THE HIGHEST
POINT OF THE HILL, 6 PACES EAST OF A 14-INCH PINE TREE, 5 PACES
NORTH OF A 12-INCH PINE TREE WITH A STUMP AT THE BASE, 4-1/2
PACES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF A 12-INCH PINE TREE WITH A BLAZE. THE
MARK PROJECTS 2 INCHES AND IS STAMPED MT LAUREL 1935.


However, by 1946 the tower was there. This appears to say the main station monument is underground 5 feet.

RECOVERY NOTE BY LOCAL SURVEYOR (INDIVIDUAL OR FIRM) 1946 (HRF)
LETTER FROM MR. H.R. FRIZZELL, DIVISION PLANT SUPERINTENDENT,
WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, DATED
MARCH 12, 1946--

STATION MARK WAS LOWERED 5.040 FEET IN ITS EXISTING LOCATION
DUE TO THE BUILDING OF A STEEL TOWER.

 

[MikeBickerson]

SM ~ Didn't notice any big rocks that weren't concrete. I'll definitely keep a better lookout when I visit the next time to check out the other side of the hill.

Guy ~ I posted a picture of the survey marker at the link, looks identical to me. I'll have to check the full size image to be sure.

Traffic has picked up in that area over the years, but I still feel like it isn't alot. I need to get away from Springdale, Maple Ave, and Rt 70 more often I think.