Foul Rift, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Foul Rift, New Jersey
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View of Martins Creek Power Station and the Delaware River from the south end of Foul Rift
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 Foul Rift, New Jersey
Location in Warren County, New Jersey
Foul Rift, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Foul Rift, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Warren |
| Township | White |
| Elevation | 73 m (239 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 876430 |
Foul Rift is a small, quiet place in White Township, Warren County, New Jersey. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it's a neighborhood that doesn't have its own local government like a town or city. Foul Rift used to be a little village of cottages right by the Delaware River. It's about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of a town called Belvidere.
Foul Rift is also known as a "ghost town." This doesn't mean it has actual ghosts! It means that most of the people who used to live there have left. The buildings are often gone or empty.
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History of Foul Rift
Foul Rift got its name from the fast-moving water, or "rapids," in the Delaware River nearby. Imagine a river that's usually calm, but in one spot, the water rushes and tumbles over rocks. That's a rift!
Early Days and Mills
The community started as simple campsites. People would visit and set up tents. Over time, these campsites grew into a small village. People built summer cottages and even homes they rented all year round. It was a popular spot for people to enjoy the river.
In 1740, some of the first settlers bought land in Foul Rift. This land was originally surveyed for William Penn, a famous early American leader.
Because the river water was so powerful, people decided to use it for energy. In 1814, a place called the Rifton Mills was built here. These mills used the fast-flowing water to power machinery. It was a smart way to use nature's energy! Sadly, in 1856, a big fire destroyed the mills.
Becoming a Ghost Town
Life in Foul Rift changed a lot between 2004 and 2006. A series of big floods hit the area. These floods were very strong and destroyed 24 of the cottages in Foul Rift. It was a tough time for the community.
After the floods, only four cottages were left. These last few homes were owned by a company called PPL Corporation. In 2008, these remaining cottages were also removed. With no homes left, Foul Rift became what we call a "ghost town." It's a place where people once lived, but now it's mostly empty.
Famous People from Foul Rift
- John Insley Blair: He was a very successful businessman in the 1800s. He built railroads and was known for being very wealthy. He also gave a lot of his money to help others, which is called philanthropy.
