Nestled back in the woods of Burlington County lies the ruins of Friendship, a small crossroads community. A modest gathering of about eight structures, now reduced to rubble, graced the intersection of East Sandy Ridge road and the Friendship-Speedwell road.
I encountered the site while searching for the Emilio Carranza memorial near Tabernacle. Deciding to be adventurous, I decided to take the “unimproved” road spurring of County Road 563 up to Tabernacle. While a lovely drive, I would not recommend going this route again, as it took several hours navigating through Wharton State Forest at under 15 miles per hour, for fear that my car would become mired in the extremely loose sand. If you do decide to go this way, an off-road vehicle is advised. I made it in my Mercury, but it was an extremely nerve wracking drive!
The town itself lies in a clearing next to a small stream that runs parallel to the Friendship-Speedwell road. All of the buildings are reduced to cellar holes – that is, all that remains are holes where the houses used to be. Many of the cellars were lined in brick, which has stood up to the elements well, while one major building, possibly a tavern or church, was made of native Jersey stone. One structure has no cellar hole, but its foundation is lined out, visible amongst the weeds.
The history of the town is hard to trace, as it is often confused by another Friendship, north of Tabernacle. It appears that not all of the buildings were built at the same time – the largest structure there seems to date from the early to mid 1800’s, while some of the others appear to be from a later date. I have not been able to find what has happened to this small hamlet. I surmise that it used to be a stagecoach stop on the way to Tabernacle and possibly Chatsworth, falling into disuse with the coming of the railroad into the area, and apparently destroyed by a forest fire. William McMahon describes Friendship in his book South Jersey Towns, published in 1973, as a “crumbling gathering of old houses.”
Those visiting the town are cautioned to carry bug repellant and mind their step, as the cellar holes appear suddenly, and the rubble at the bottom does not make a comfortable cushion to land upon. Another thing to note is the abundance of rusted metal pieces in the ruins and on the ground, covered in grass. Boots are advisable. Also, if you make garbage, please take it with you. No one comes to clean up the area, and litter and garbage spoil the effect that the town has.
