New Milford Plant of the Hackensack Water Company facts for kids
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New Milford Plant of the Hackensack Water Company
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 Location in Bergen County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | New Milford Avenue, Oradell, New Jersey |
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| Area | 13.3 acres (5.4 ha) |
| Built | 1882 |
| Architect | Brush, Charles Benjamin; Tierney, Myles |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000891 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 22, 2001 |
The New Milford Plant of the Hackensack Water Company was a special place that cleaned and moved water. It was located on Van Buskirk Island in Oradell, New Jersey. This island is in Bergen County, New Jersey.
The Hackensack Water Company bought the land in 1881. They built the plant between 1881 and 1911. It had a brick pumping station from 1882. There was also a tall tower for filtering water. Plus, it had huge underground pipes and equipment. The Hackensack Water Company later joined with United Water. Today, the company is called Suez North America.
Contents
What Was the New Milford Plant?
The New Milford Plant was a very important facility. It helped make sure people had clean water to drink. It did this by treating and pumping water.
How Water Treatment Works
Water treatment is a process that cleans water. It removes dirt, germs, and other things that could make you sick. This makes the water safe to drink and use.
The Pumping Station's Job
A pumping station uses powerful machines to move water. It pushes water through pipes to homes and businesses. This plant had a large pumping station built in 1882.
Buildings and Equipment
The plant included several key structures. There was a strong brick building for the pumps. A tall tower helped filter the water. Many large pipes and machines were hidden underground.
Van Buskirk Island: A Special Place
The New Milford Plant was built on a unique spot called Van Buskirk Island. This island is not natural; people created it.
How the Island Was Made
Van Buskirk Island was formed in 1802. It was created by building dams for mills. These dams changed the flow of the Hackensack River.
A Hub for Trade and Industry
The southern part of the island was once known as the Old Dock. It was the highest point on the Hackensack River where boats could travel. Large sailing ships called schooners regularly traveled between the Old Dock and New York City.
Before the American Revolutionary War, the island was a busy industrial center. It had many different types of mills. There were sawmills to cut wood and bark mills. There was also a woolen mill and a gristmill for grinding grain. After these mills, the Hackensack Water Company used the site starting in 1882.
Historic Equipment Still There
Even today, the site looks much like it did in 1911. It still has important steam equipment from the time of the Industrial Revolution. This shows how water was moved and treated long ago.
Saving a Piece of History
In 1990, United Water stopped using the New Milford Plant. They offered the site to Oradell, then to Bergen County.
Efforts to Protect the Site
Today, the island is changing. There is a discussion about what to do with it. Some groups want to turn it into a park or recreation area.
- In 1996, Preservation New Jersey called the plant "One of 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites."
- In 2002, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed it as one of the 11 Most Endangered National Historic Places.
- In May 2001, the site was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.
The Future of the Plant
The plant is currently in need of repairs. Bergen County has made plans for the site. However, its future is still uncertain. The Bergen County Division of Historic and Cultural Affairs is trying to get people to support fixing up the site.
In August 2011, the state gave $704,000 to help. This money was managed by the New Jersey Historic Trust. It was used to make the buildings safe. The goal is to open the site to the public one day.
Images for kids
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Front of the New Milford Plant
