Harrisville, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harrisville, New Jersey
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 Harrisville, New Jersey
Location in Burlington County, New Jersey
Harrisville, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Harrisville, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Burlington |
| Township | Bass River |
| Established | 1795 |
| Destroyed | 1914 |
| Named for | John and Richard Harris |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 876972 |
Harrisville, also known as Harrisia or McCartyville, is a fascinating ghost town in New Jersey. It's an unincorporated community located in Bass River Township, Burlington County. You can find it about 6 miles northwest of New Gretna, deep within the beautiful New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Contents
The Story of Harrisville
Harrisville has a long and interesting history. It started as a small industrial site. Over time, it grew into a busy town. Today, only ruins remain, telling tales of its past.
Early Beginnings
The first business in Harrisville was a sawmill. It was built by Evi Belangee around 1760. This mill used the power of the Oswego River to cut wood. A dam was built to create enough water flow for the mill.
From Iron to Paper
In 1795, the dam was made bigger. Isaac Potts built a "slitting mill" there. This mill cut iron sheets into strips, mostly for making nails. However, this iron business didn't do very well.
Around 1815, the mill changed. It became a paper plant, still powered by water. The town that grew around this factory was first called McCartyville. This name came from the factory owner at the time.
The Harris Family Era
In 1855, the Harris family bought the paper factory. They changed the town's name to Harrisville. Under their ownership, Harrisville became a company town. This meant the company owned most of the town.
The Harris family provided many things for their workers. There was a grist mill for grinding grain. The town also had its own post office and a company store. Workers even lived in free homes provided by the company.
The Fire and Decline
Life in Harrisville changed dramatically in 1914. A big fire started and sadly destroyed the entire town. After the fire, Harrisville was never rebuilt. Today, only the old, decayed ruins of the town remain. They stand as a reminder of its busy past.
Images for kids
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Remains of Harrisville, early 1970s
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June 1939 WPA construction project on the Oswego River at the CR 679 overpass near Harrisville, just southwest of Harrisville Lake and Harrisville Dam
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View of the August 20, 1939, Oswego River flood at Harrisville, as seen from where Chatsworth Road/County Route 679 crosses the river. The 1939 flood occurred despite the Harrisville Dam being in place since 1932.
