The website of Merrill Creek Reservoir is at: www.merrillcreek.com To view another of Thomas Edison's impressive influences on the area, head into the Valley View neighborhood in Phillipsburg. Trail surface is mostly easy, with some rocks/roots in areas. Four narrow roads met at the bottom of the basin after descending its steep sides from the four points of the compass, at a place called Pleasant Hollow. The perimeter trail may also be accessed here, and fishing is allowed from the shoreline. Today, the Victaulic Company utilizes a few of the remaining buildings. Follow Route 57 to its end, merge with Route 22 and turn onto the Roseberry Street exit. Bucks, does, and fawns frequent the meadow across the water, and harriers are common as the day's light fades, sweeping low across the open meadow hunting for prey. In one mile, turn left into the lane leading to Bread From the gravel parking area, continue north on today's rerouted Fox Farm Road. Nearby Merrill Creek Reservoir, with its vast open waters and network of wooded trails, is deserving of any excursion up the mountain. Also, brochures, pamphlets and general information are available. Continue across Route 57, cross the Pohatcong Creek and in less than a mile, just before turning right onto Good Springs Road, an 1874 map shows a depot at the rail crossing. In 1903, to supply water for its new location at Phillipsburg, the Ingersoll-Rand Company built a ten-acre reservoir just upstream from the site of today's huge dam, which now hides the old thirty-foot high concrete barrier under two hundred feet of the reservoir's deepest waters. Follow Reservoir Road and then Low's Hollow Road back down to Route 57. The end of this loop is very flat – mostly level dirt or gravel. Initially, potential buyers were reluctant to live in concrete houses, believing they would be cold and damp. But the 1980s project was not the first to impede the creek's progress. Merrill Creek Reservoir Keep informed about all the great stuff to do in and around Northwest New Jersey by reading our seasonal publication, the Skylands Visitor magazine. Merrill Creek Reservoir is surrounded by woods and fields for a scenic setting close to the Pennsylvania border. If there were awards handed out for the best-hidden treasures, Merrill Creek Reservoir would certainly receive one of them. Ready for more? Less than a half-mile to the right you'll notice a beautifully restored private (please do not enter) home known to local historians as Smith's Quaker meeting house. 7/7/18 Merrill Creek Reservoir ( Open Buddy ) Angler # Of Fish Caught Total Weight. Merrill Creek originally entered the mountaintop basin from the plateau to the north, then flowed southerly for nearly two miles before escaping into Low's Hollow. (908) 454-2747 (f). After about a mile, a gated old road seen on the left once led uphill and continued along the mountain's broad flat top to the hamlet of Montana. It will pass over the old Morris Canal just before the traffic light at Route 57 in the village of Broadway, so-named since at least 1856. This area is also the current site of the Scott's Since it opened in May of 1989 the area has become a popular destination for outdoor lovers. At least three ancient roads led to or from the hamlet, one of them having been constructed around the time of the Revolutionary War. Visitor Center Phone: (908) 454-1213. Explore the remarkable personality of this place and get a year-round supply of great things to see and do!! Because housing was so critical, the first twenty-five homes in Valley View, those on Congress Street, were built as conventional frame houses, due to the initial logistics of constructing and erecting the concrete forms. By 1911 the mill had the capacity to produce 2,500,000 barrels of Edison Portland cement annually. Coogan, an executive of Alpha Portland Cement Co. was the development corporation's president—it was decided that the hundred or so houses of Valley View would rise using the "Ingersoll Method". In a short distance, notice the gravel lane on the right that leads back to a wildlife observation blind located on a former homestead, the upper Beers farm. Return to Route 57 and turn left to travel the Concrete Mile. After Roseberry Street bends into Center Street turn left onto Green Street, then in a few blocks turn left onto Congress Street and into the Valley View neighborhood, one like any other neighborhood, except for its homes made with concrete. We appreciate our visitors understanding while we … And the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad carried freight and passengers through here for many years. Restored c.1754 stone ironmaster's home associated with c.1741 Oxford Furnace.is open first and second Sundays, 1-4pm, for tours through Colonial and Victorian rooms with costumed docents. The Boat Ramp is open from Sunrise to Sunset, but its use is gate-controlled on a schedule of specific hours for opening and closing. And around the same time, visitors may have noticed huge excavating machines in the distance reshaping a natural geological basin into the final contour of what would become the 650-acre Merrill Creek Reservoir. NJ Audubon's thirty-fifth outpost is a model for blending environmental awareness, wildlife habitat, and agriculture. In 1903 a coal dust explosion at the mill killed eight workers including the chief engineer. Warren County's Scott's Mountain, so named since at least 1885, is known locally as Montana Mountain, named for the small hamlet that sits on its scenic plateau. | Owned by: Merrill Creek Reservoir. The 650-acre Merrill Creek Reservoir, owned by a consortium of power companies, is a pumped-storage facility, completed in 1988. Follow it for three miles as it twists and turns downward through beautiful terrain. The Visitor Center will remain closed at this time. Five miles of track connected everything, and over three miles of belt conveyors moved materials along. 18 catches; 319 followers; 9 spots; This made-man reservoir was completed in 1988, and has a maximum depth of 200 feet. The reservoir has hosted a pair of nesting bald eagles for more than a decade, and hundreds of observers have watched the royal birds, the growth and antics of the fledglings, and their interaction with other wildlife. 6.7 miles. The most popular are the broadwing hawks which fly over in huge groups, so high you'll need binoculars or a spotting scope to see most of them. Located in central Warren County, New Jersey, Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre (2.6 km²) artificial lake that is surrounded by 290 acres (1.2 km²) of protected woodland and fields. (C. H. Ingersoll bore no relationship to the Ingersoll-Rand Company but was of Ingersoll Dollar Watch fame, later Timex.) A descent into the basin through row after row of tall, dark evergreens provided a romantic setting by which to dally at the water's edge of Ingersoll reservoir at the bottom. Until about 1860 the hamlet was called Springtown, and then Springville until the 1870s when it became known as Montana, perhaps because it is the highest elevated town in Warren County. (Please respect the residents' privacy and safety.) One trail passes alongside the old farm ruins of the Cathers and Shafers families, including building foundations and a limestone kiln. Mountain Hawk Watch from September through November, where thousands of hawks pass over along a major raptor migration flyway. We appreciate our visitors understanding while we are closed during this most challenging time. By 1903 the plant was producing 3,000 barrels daily, although not without some glitches. Edison's cement mill employed 600 men, mostly immigrants, the majority of whom commuted daily by trolley from Phillipsburg, Easton and Washington. The Merrill Creek Reservoir boat ramp and trails will be re-opened on June 15, 2020. It stores 16 billion gallons of water that can be released, during low-water periods, to the Delaware River to augment river water used by electric generating stations. These lands are themselves part of of open spaces. Brochures are available, including a detailed map of the nature preserve's color-coded trails. But the cast iron molds proved to be too heavy to be purchased and handled economically. And the snowy owl appearance last winter was the talk of New Jersey. But as the houses were completed and occupied, their comfortable nature eased those fears. The Visitor Center will remain closed. Over the years some of Merrill Creek's staff have led kayak and canoe nature tours of the reservoir, the most intriguing being their moonlight paddles (the only exception to the dawn to dusk rule). Merrill Creek is connected to the Delaware River, about three miles away, by an underground tunnel. The plant's production activities created so much dust that Edison eventually had to buy out the owners of the surrounding farms. His involvement, however, certainly helped promote the growth of the young industry. Although his Portland cement was used for buildings, roads, dams, and other structures, including the 1923 construction of Yankee Stadium, Edison's New Village plant was never very profitable. Turn left on Route 57 and continue through New Village, which in 1918 held a population of 250 people, had the trolley, railroad, post office, school, two churches, and telephone. Home of Lakota Wolf Preserve. Other portions of MCR's trail network may be accessed from here. Few visitors realize, though, that the Fox Farm Road once continued down the basin's steep western side, passing the sites of old family farms and a schoolhouse, now deep under water. Back then, Pleasant Hollow's aura was one of beauty and mystery. The visitor center of Merrill Creek Reservoir is located at 34 Merrill Creek Road, Harmony Township (or Washington Township depending on which map you are using), New Jersey, 07882. Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by a 290-acre environmental preserve and 2000 additional acres of woods and fields. Beyond the Concrete Mile, turn right and follow Richline Hill Road to the stop sign, then turn right onto Reservoir Road, which follows Merrill Creek up through Low's Hollow to a cul-de-sac. Or watch an eagle suddenly fly toward an osprey as it tries to quickly escape with its newly-caught fish, snatching it in mid-air drop. Ironically, because Edison licensed the use of his kilns to other manufacturers, cement overproduction affected profits to the industry in general. Turn right onto Millbrook Road. At Merrill Creek Reservoir From the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife : The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is informing anglers that Lehighvalleylive.com includes a featured article on the great lake trout fishing in Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County. This 16-billion gallon off-stream reservoir is impounded by a 290-ft high dam and 3 dikes, all earth and rockfill embankments. After the Ingersoll reservoir was completed, the Lopatcong Water Company gradually bought out most of the land within the basin, planting large stands of conifers in the abandoned fields and clear-cut wood lots, some of which are still visible. Brian S. & Eric G. 5 12.00lbs ( Lunker 4.24lbs ) ( Late Penalty -1lb ) 2. Land Use. 7 reviews of Merrill Creek Reservoir "A privately held reservoir and environmental preserve, open to the general public, that's a scenic, relaxing spot to hike. The Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 16-billion-gallon reservoir located approximately three-and-a-half miles east of the Delaware River in Warren County, northwestern New Jersey. The two original churches are gone but the Methodist church, built in 1891, as well as a cluster of houses still exist today. Sunday concerts on the manor lawn are a favorite during the summer. Comments: Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by a 290-acre Environmental Preserve and 2000 additional acres of woods and fields. E-mail: [email protected] (Site owned by 7 utility companies. Hands-on exhibits, dioramas and other displays may be seen in the Center. Montana once held a cluster of homesteads, a Presbyterian church, a Baptist church, schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, store and post office. Merrill Creek Reservoir (1/5/2013) Months after Hurricane Sandy swept through the area, the majority of NJ state parks are still closed with (as far as can be determined) no date on when they will open. So glad with the days results! Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by a 290-acre Environmental Preserve and 2000 additional acres of woods and fields. In 2019, the Historic Moravian Village of Hope celebrated 250 years since the Moravians first settled the hills along the Beaver Brook. The trip back down into and through the Pohatcong Valley is equally rewarding for students of history and devotees of the outdoors. This story was first published: Autumn, 2012, Bald Pate Mountain, Washington's Crossing, Howell Farm, Reservoir Relaxation: Split Rock,Taylortown and Boonton. From the Visitors Center, return to Richline Road then turn right and continue to its intersection with Montana Road. Ingersoll Dam April 1986. It's one of the few places that is beautiful during all four seasons. Copyright During the late 1890s, hoping to turn a profit from his iron ore mine in northern New Jersey, Thomas Edison developed and used his own iron ore milling process. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et sa meilleure utilisation est de … No boats may be on the premises before the gate is open or after the gate is closed. MCR welcomes our visitors to enjoy all of the recreational opportunities that Merrill Creek has to offer, but we ask for your cooperation in being respectful to your fellow visitors, as well as MCR employees, and maintain social distancing and wear a mask when interacting with others. There is a small green sign pointing up to Merrill Creek at Fox Farm Road, just south of the Warren County Fairgrounds, on the other side of County Route 519 in Harmony. It was Phillipsburg's largest employer through the 1960s, then declined in stages until the company sold the property in 2004. Rustic cabins also available. The 110-acre site once contained more than fifty buildings: offices, mills, shops, and 700-foot-long stock houses that could store 600,000 barrels of cement. Here the reservoir's inlet-outlet tower handles the Delaware River water as it is taken in or released from the reservoir. Merrill Creek Reservoir Warren - New Jersey. From about 1906 the trolley tracks of the Easton & Washington Traction Company ran along Route 57, carrying passengers between Washington and Phillipsburg for 25 cents. Group garages were located within the community as were a community center and grocery store. Lunker Hunters Penn • Jersey Bass Club! Le sentier longe un lac et sa difficulté est évaluée comme facile. Heading in the other direction, the perimeter trail passes a spur trail which heads down to a wildlife observation deck at water's edge. Mike W. & … It is the deepest man made lake in New Jersey which allows it to keep a healthy population of lake trout year round. Charles Ingersoll had improved upon Edison's casting method by using lighter, more economical wooden forms and by eliminating the need for top forms for the floors. Mike W. & … The telephone number for the Visitors Center is (908) 454-1213. Nearby Merrill Creek Reservoir, with its vast open waters and network of wooded trails, is deserving of any excursion up the mountain. Quaker ownership continued for decades after. A bear has been spied at least once swimming across a narrow part of the reservoir. Merrill Creek Reservoir Perimeter Trail est un sentier en boucle de 5.2 miles très fréquenté situé près de Stewartsville, New Jersey. The Merrill Creek Visitor Center remains closed to the public. Cover includes brush, ledges, timbered shoreline, riprap shoreline, coves, and fallen timber. Turn up narrow Fox Farm Road and follow it up Montana Mountain, bearing right in about a mile. (This is all posted private property.). This picturesque plateau is enhanced by the small former one-room school house and nearby small church. The Visitors Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends, year round, except for New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Continuing past the gate on foot for a few hundred yards leads to the base of Merrill Creek Reservoir's main dam. Merrill Creek Owners Group Back to All Projects Next → Principals of TERRA have been continuously involved with the Merrill Creek Reservoir since the pre-design site investigations. It is actually pretty well known in its immediate area, and even hiking books that cover the entire New Jersey tend to mention it, but finding the place may not be too easy. In the mid-1980s New Jersey's largest one-day count of migrating fall raptors was recorded nearby; an amazing 18,500 broadwing hawks! 34 Merrill Creek Road. Even the tall cluster of Edison's cement silos are partly hidden as nature reclaims its territory. Although the first Valley View concrete houses had only four rooms, the rest had six rooms, and both types had modern bathrooms and basements, all cast in one operation. Nearby, to the left of the huge Ise Farms silo, lay the vast ruins of Thomas Edison's Portland Cement Company mill, now overgrown and obscured by brush, vines, and trees. Located in central Warren County, New Jersey, Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre (2.6 km²) artificial lake that is surrounded by 290 acres (1.2 km²) of protected woodland and fields. Its basic purpose is to provide stored water that can be released to the Delaware River to make up for the evaporative water usage at certain electric generating units in times of low flow in the river. A bit farther on, there is another wildlife blind along the water's edge. 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