The M. Butkus library of New Jersey
 and the Jersey Shore Post Cards



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I have been a Jersey Boy for 60+ years. My early childhood had my parents and I visit Lavallette N.J. every year for two weeks during the summer for some 18 years.  Seaside Heights was my favorite hangout when I  grew older.  Just a long walk along the beach at evening to check out the night time action. 

These are some old postcards of NJ, the Jersey Shore and I'll get to post some photos I took when visiting.  Somewhere in the late '80s I tool a trip to Asbury Park and photographed the last of the buildings.  I'll hunt them down. The main pier was still open and I did shoot a number of shots inside the buildings.

 

If you have any postcards you would like to add to this page, write to the address above.

Links to other "postcard" sites I have found

These are PDF files, so you can use the + or - and enlarge or shrink the image.
- - MUST have Adobe X, Foxit PDF 6 or Chrome to open these -

Atlantic City, NJ - Postcards


Jersey Shore - Ocean City,

WildWood - Postcards



Asbury Park, NJ

Bellewook Park, NJ
Long gone amusement park

New Jersey Towns - Postcards


Point Pleasant - Historical Postcards

 Delaware Water Gap


Lakewood - Historical Postcards

High Bridge / Clinton and surrounding towns Postcards
Click link for full size images


Lake Solitude Dam - 1924

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

Lake Solitude Dam
frozen Jan 2017



High Bridge
Taylor's Dam - 1910


Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


High Bridge Reformed Church - 1915
Church St.


Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

River Road - 1920s

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


Lake Solitude - Camp Taylor

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

Main St. 1910
Trade Carnival


Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge, NJ
Lake Solitude


Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


High Bridge, NJ
Mountain Falls


Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

I have no idea where this is
except it must be by River Road.
The only place where it's that steep.


High Bridge - Boat house

 Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge Old Central RR Bridge

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards
Another post card of
overpass at High Bridge, NJ


Central RR bridge in High Bridge, NJ

Colorized post card of
High Bridge, NJ
with train


Central RR bridge in High Bridge, NJ

High Bridge, NJ
Foundry Bridge


Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


High Bridge
The Arches - 1941


Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards



High Bridge - Bird's Eye View

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Church St.

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


Bloomsbury Foot Bridge

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


Main Street, High Bridge - 1950s

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


High Bridge - Main St. 1908

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Church St. hand colored

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge Church Steeple

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge Arch 1907

 Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Birds Eye View

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge Jersey Central Depot

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

Thomas St. Bridge over C.R.R.
Now Columbia Trail



Columbia trail infomation

High Bridge, NJ Thomas St. bridge

Gorge Bridge, High Bridge, NJ
Now part of the Columbia Trail
Was replacement to wood bridge
that failed in tragic train accident.


 High Bridge, NJ Gorge Bridge


High Bridge Steel Plant

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge Iron Works Bridge 

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards
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High Bridge Iron Works Bridge
street view




High Bridge - Steel Mill (side)

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Bridge engraving w/train

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Taylor Iron & Steel Works

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Church St. 1907

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

A curve on the steel's company's track

High Bridge, NJ curve at Taylor Warton Steel Mill


A curve on the steel's company's track - back

High Bridge, NJ curve at Taylor Warton Steel Mill


Scene around High Bridge

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards
 
High Bridge - The River

 Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - East Main St.

 Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Riverside Grove

 Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Arches and Dorlands Dam

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - multiple views

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards

High Bridge - Delorands Bridge
This is the metal bridge by Taylor Warton.

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards, High Bridge - Delorands Bridge


High Bridge - Foundry Pond

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards, High Bridge - Foundry Pond


High Bridge Foundry Pond - 1929

Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards


High Bridge Foundry Pond - 1929

 High Bridge, NJ -  Foundry Pond

Hall's Service Station
High Bridge, NJ


High Bridge, NJ - Hall's Service Center

This stereo photo has to be the
High Bridge dam.  Note the very
high hill in the background.
That has to be the RR track,
now the Columbia Trail.


high fall, NJ - I believe it is the High Bridge, NJ dam.


High Bridge - Bank note (front)

These are paper currency before the Feds took over all US currency.  They are worth some $1,500 since small banks like the High Bridge Bank only printed a few.  Larger banks also printed paper currency, but they printed many, many more, and not as rare as paper money from such a small bank like ours.

Historic High Bridge bank note


High Bridge - Bank note (back)

Historic High Bridge bank note

High Bridge Bank $5
Ben Harrison


High Bridge, NJ $5 bank note

High Bridge Bank $5
Ben Harrison - back


High Bridge, NJ  - $5 bank note

 If you are wondering what the concrete abutment just north of the edge of Hampton (next to the Hick's Paving).  It is a long ago train bridge !  Only the southbound side remains.  Not sure why they would only leave that part.  Took me an hour to figure it out (with help from the wife).  See this page for photo posted at Bridgehunters.com

http://bridgehunter.com - site

DL&W Railroad- bridge

Hunterdon, NJ Rt 31 train overpass

High Bridge Falls

 Historic High Bridge N.J. post cards, High Bridge Falls
.


Massive collection of
Western NJ postcards


Those scans of the above link are not of high quality, as stated on their site, many are taken for other sites.
The image quality on that site depends on location.  FYI - Postcards can cost $3 to $40 each, on auction sites !


The High Bridge High School - 1910
now the Middle School


Historic High Bridge high school post cards

 Annandale NJ post cards
Massive collection of Clinton area postcards 

CLINTON, NJ
Click links to see enlarged images


Clinton House - 1903?

Historic Clinton NJ post card


Clinton House - 1920s

Historic Clinton NJ post card


Clinton House Bar

Historic Clinton NJ post card


Clinton House Dining Room
1946


Historic Clinton NJ post card


Old Red Mill, Clinton (no date, but 1900's)

Historic Clinton NJ post card



Clinton Mill General Store





Sunset Motel - Rt. 69 (now Rt. 31)

Historic Clinton NJ post card


Blossom Hill Milk Bar

Historic Clinton NJ post card
I bet it was one of the few places on Rt. 22

Clinton Twp. Rt. 31
White Swan Restaurant - 1950s


Historic Clinton NJ post card

This was suppose to be the "light on the highway"
for many, many years
on Rt. 69 (Now Rt. 31).


Original Blossom Hill Restaurant
and Milk Bar


Historic Clinton NJ post card

There is a Blossom Hill Rd. but no signs of any of this
along Rt. 22. Lebanon
 


Old Mill - Clinton

Historic Clinton NJ post card


Clinton, Main St., 1908. - Looking West
You can see the bridge in the back.


Historic Clinton NJ post card

 
Coach and Paddock - 1980s

Historic Clinton NJ post card


This has been renamed and turned into a fancy
Catering / Wedding place as of 2007
 after some additions/alterations. 
Always packed on weekends.

Clinton Baptist Church

Historic Clinton NJ post card
 

FLEMINGTON, NJ

ExploreFlemington.com
Another dead site on Flemington that's gone

HistoricFlemington.com
(official site)


Rockerfellow's Dam

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Located by River Road and Rockerfellow Rd.
There is now a house on the left side
Click here for a current 2009 image from the bridge

Click here for another shot showing the huge tree
hanging over the dam from Hurricane Floyd.


Main Street - 1912

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 


Flemington - Main St. by library

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Current view - 2018

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards
Flemington steam train - 70's ?

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Current View - 2018

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Flemington Court House - 1908

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Current View - 2018

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards
HOUSES OF FLEMINGTON - Main St.

ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 


ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards
ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards
ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 


ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards
ENLARGE

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards
   

Flemington New Jersey
Flemington Cut Glass (closed - 2002)


Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Flemington town used to be the place to walk around in the '1970s -'80s.  Living in High Bridge since '78, and at a local NJ college before that,  you could not move on the sidewalks during the weekends on Main Street back in those days.   Almost every house on the main street was a store selling something.  Now, most of main street is residential.  A few of the main street houses are restaurants.   Just a few of the larger stores remain on main street.

Flemington Cut Glass closed, according to the papers, due to changes in taste for gifts.  No longer are vases and glass art objects given as gifts.  The Flemington "Turntable Junction" (1965) and "Liberty Village" (1982) are still there.  Turntable Junction is trying to hold on since 2000.  But basically that area is no longer for tourists. Many vacant stores and the crowd are gone.

With the opening of so many other "outlets" in N.J., the multiple busses that used to travel to Flemington have dwindled.  The Liberty Village outlet shops have kept the area alive and more larger stores have recently opened right next door (2006-'08) .  Check out http://mainstreetflemington.com (site died in 2015) if you would like to visit.

OOOOPPP... that link is now dead..  now try DownTownFlemington.com  OOOOOPs, that link has noting to do with Flemington anymore.  Try  ExploreFlemington.com

One of the few place to catch a short ride on a real steam train, when in operation.


Flemington Outlets.. should now be called OUCH-lets.  March 2017
(Update Dec. 2021 - it was voted to be turned into housing - no contractors or plans yet)

In the hay days of Flemington Cut Glass and Peddler's Village, there were throngs of people there. The outlets, built in 1988, was so popular there were busses from other states coming.  Sometime after 2014 thing started to change.  We visited there and you can see from the photos, more then half of the stores are empty.  The restaurant, that was there is gone.  The train still runs on weekends so far.  And a vote to tear up Main Street and the Historic Hotel, I'm sure that will brighten up Flemington once again... 

UPDATE: Feb. 2018 - The property is up for sale.   Only a few store remain.
UPDATE:  May 12, 2020 - The Friends of Flemington had a lawsuit against the town to stop the developer (Cust) from redeveloping more then just the Flemington Hotel.  The judge said that area can be redeveloped... so many something can finally happen.  The design was downsized in height after a new Mayor was elected.
UPDATE: Jan. 2021 - Redevelopment is starting on the Hotel and a couple other properties.

FYI:  Things I may say that are in Flemington may be in Raritan Twp., but so does the State of NJ.  The Flemington circle is in Raritan Twp.  as well as the Flemington DMV and Flemington MV Inspection Center.  The new restaurant The Rock, only their parking lot is in Flemington.


I finally got around to shooting Turntable Junction
in Flemington, NJ
Click here to see August 2015 shots of what's left
(this was on a Thurs. )

As of May 2016 the old "antique" store and several building behind it were demolished.
In July 2016 a new plan for the Union Hotel was announced.  That historic building and
three others should be demolished !  More to come.
Update June 2017, the Union Hotel front, was to be saved.  Still, all talk.
Update, Jan 2021 - After many years, construction inside the Union Hotel has begun.

 

Flemington Circle Diner - 1970s

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 

Union Hotel, Flemington - 1920s

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards


Flemington - Union Hotel - 1940s

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Current View - 2018

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 

 

Flemington Circle diner -1950s

Destroyed by fire in the 90's

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Flemington Circle changed to ...
wait for it.. a circle by the DOT
 Flemington Circle - 2018
Note the two "side roads to Rt 12 and to Rt 202

So if you are coming from south 202, you just stay to the right
If you are on Rt 31 south going to Rt 12, stay to right
Neither go into the circle.

Yes, the Flemington Circle is still there.  (Update May 2015, they are upgrading the circle, to a better circle !)  Also they finally put two continuous lanes going north just after the train underpass to the curve by the truck company.  It now goes 2 lanes all the way up to truck repair place, then back to 1 lane for 1/4 of a mile... then to the original 2 lanes made in the 1990s.  Why that stretch is one lane each way... must be politics !

Update:  Oct. 2020 - The DOT provided initial plans to put two lanes from  north of the circle where Rt 31 goes back to 1 lane all the way to the circle.  The train bridge will be removed and replaced with a wider bridge, but not raised much. A number of years later, it will be raised to the Federal height of 14 ft for bridges.  Not sure the logic there. In my 40 years living here I have NEVER seen a train go over that bridge.  Actually there is a tree growing on that bridge.  All this will be done by 2025 !  (Dec. 2021 - nothing done, no markings or anything.) Can't wait.

Traffic south in the morning is a terrible craw due to the Subaru light, and the light before it.  They are not synced.  Going north after 3:30 is not that bad after they made mostly two lanes north, taking out a "right turn only" lane.  Before, it went to 1 lane, to 2 lanes back to 1 just before Stop and Shop.   Traffic was horrible.

Update: Dec. 2019 - The Raritan Twp decided to agree to have a company buy and tear down that gas station on the (Flemington) circle and have a company put up a large electronic billboard !  Yes, something that will not distract drivers when trying to be careful.
PLUS:  They are putting a sign on the "Flemington" circle.   I will see confused drivers everywhere.


Rt. 31 from the High Bridge light to Flemington were widened to two lanes in the late 90's.  They improved 31 running through Flemington with lanes appear and disappear, a center turning lane was added.  The train underpass is still the "blockade" for any 4 lane repair.  Flemington Speedway became a Wal-Mart mall and now (2016) a Costco was built.  We already have a BJ's, Home Depot, Lowe's and the Flemington Department Store is still great. (Even though it's in Raritan Twp.)
In 2017 they fixed the northbound to 2 lane after the train underpass up to a 1.4 mile to the older 4 lane.  That's where it goes back to 1 lane, then back to 2 lanes each way with a concrete divider.

 

Flemington Fair 1900s - reprint

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 

Flemington - Main St. Raggedy Ann Museum
What was one of the many houses turned into stores

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Iorio Cut Glass

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 

Flemington Fair - 1920s -
Note the stage is still there at Turntable Junction

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

   Village Misses and Deb Shop
148 Main St.


Flemington, NJ - Village Misses store
 
Flemington Public Park
Note the same house and bandstand in the photo.
That bandstand is still there.


Historic Flemington N.J. post cards


Current View - 2018

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 

Main Street Flemington - 1912

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 

Danforth's Restaurant '60s-
Cooking the modern way, electrically
Check out the old post office box


Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 


Flemington Mine Street

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards
 


Log Cabin Pottery Barn

Flemington, NJ - Log Cabin Pottery Barn

Darts Mill Bridge
Over South Branch River



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Local Towns


Lambertville house - 1970s

Historic Lambertville N.J. post cards
This was closed around 2003,
but has since reopened in 2008.

Closed again, but reopened in 2020
Hotel, wedding banquet place
restaurant & bar.
 

Washington, NJ - Birds Eye View 1930's ?

Historic Washington N.J. post cards


Washington, NJ  High School - 1930s ?

Historic Washington N.J. post cards


Lambertville, Union St.  1920s ?

Historic Lambertville N.J. post cards

Lambertville House - 1953

Historic Lambertville N.J. post cards


Lambertville Station - 1980s

Historic Lambertville N.J. post cards
 


Lambertville covered bridge

Historic Lambertville N.J. post cards

Burned down, replaced with current
steel bridge.

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Other Jersey Towns

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Ringoes - Main Street 1918

Historic Ringos N.J. post cards

Washington - Eckel's Pond

Historic Washington N.J. post cards


Hide and Hair - 1971

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

 

Bloomsbury Foot Bridge

Historic Flemington N.J. post cards

Lebanon Hotel - 1905

Historic Lebanon N.J. post cards


Bloomsbury - M. E. Church - 1919

Historic Bloomsbury N.J. post cards

 

Ryland Inn - Whitehouse
- aerial view


Rylan Inn Clinton, NJ postcard


Ryland Inn - Closed as of March 2008

It now operates as
a wedding/corporate
events.


Rylan Inn Clinton, NJ postcard
 

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Oldwick Weathercock Farm
- 1979's


Historic Oldwick Weathercock farm postcard


Oldwick Weathercock Farm
- 1980s


Historic Oldwick Weathercock farm postcard

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Lake Hopatcong, NJ


Sister Island, Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Historic Lake Hopatcong N.J. postcard

My niece lives up in the town.  Wonder if this is still there ?
 A quick web check, yep.  More houses were added.
Click on link to see photos in 2002. Not my site.

Castel Edward - 1911 ?

Historic Lake Hopatcong N.J. postcard

According to the Lake Hopatcong historical site,
this had a few stories added on during the years.
It was destroyed in a fire.
Lake Hopatcong current


Aeroplane View of West Shore and Islands
Lake Hopatcong, NJ - 1927


Historic Lake Hopatcong N.J. postcard

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. .

Easton - Phillipsburg
Since we visit these towns a lot. 
I figure it would be interesting what they looked like a few years ago.


Easton, PA Road Bridge - 1900s

Historic Easton P.A.  postcard

Not sure were this is, but must be by the river.
Possibly by the three bridges ?  Note the trolley tracks.

-- The postcard captioned Easton Road Bridge
was of the previous bridge
 on South Third Street. 
This view is looking north. 
That church is still up on the hill. 
The bridges in the back are carrying the
Jersey Central and LVRR tracks
and they will cross the Delaware River
 on the right out of the picture. 
The bridge pictured has been replaced
by a concrete monstrosity. --

Easton Circle - 1905

Historic Easton P.A.  postcard

The monument is still there,
I bet that store in the back is too.

-- This card is facing east and the store on the corner
in the background was replaced by a Merchants Bank building
in the 1920s or 30s, which is still there. --
 


Easton - Phillipsburg toll bridge
- 1940s


Historic Easton P.A.  postcard
This is the current Rt. 22 bridge "Free Bridge"

 

Phillipsburg - Main / Market
- 1910


Historic Easton P.A.  postcard


Phillipsburg - Easton
Free Bridge - 1928



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Phillipsburg - Birds eye view
- 1900s


Historic Phillipsburg NJ postcard

Delaware Valley
Port Jervis to Water Gap - 1927


Histroic Delaware Valley post card

 


Phillipsburg - Ingersoll Rand Building

Historic Phillipsburg NJ post card

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Vacation Spots
Places we've visited over the years

Niagara Falls - after 1941

Historic Niagara Falls post card
The new rainbow bridge was build in '41
but no Observation Tower is seen.


Virginia  - Natural Bridge

Historic Virgina Natural Bridge post card
Nice place to spend a day


Niagara Falls - 1950

Historic Niagara Falls post card

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