4 replies to this topic

[lammius]

We've all heard it, from people from other states whose only experience of Jersey is driving through the Meadowlands on the Turnpike.  They say things like,

"New Jersey smells."
"New Jersey is an industrial wasteland."
"New Jersey is full of oil refineries."
"New Jersey is nothing butta bunch of chemical plants."

Well those of us who live here know there's much more to Jersey than the stretch of the "Chemical Coast" along the Turnpike.  Many of us may choose to argue that NJ has beautiful beaches, preserved natural highlands and pinelands, historic towns, villages and hamlets, and lots of other wonderful, beautiful things.  

But we do have lots of industry.  I, for one, think that much of NJ's industrial landscape is actually quite beautiful.  The Pulaski Skyway, a massive structure of dark, black steel, is a beautiful monument to America's proud history of industry and innovation.  So rather than being ashamed of "dirty Jersey" let's show it off!  

I have a few pics of industrial landscapes I've taken and that I've found on the web.  Share yours too!

[lammius]

I'll start with some of my favorite web finds.

Pulaski Skyway

[Cotuit]

I agree, the Pulaski Skyway rocks.

[flotown]

Here's an interesting history of the NJ Turnpike, with some photos as well.  At least the tolls are being used for something  


http://www.nycroads....ds/nj-turnpike/

[lammius]

flotown, on Feb 13 2007, 07:04 PM, said:

Here's an interesting history of the NJ Turnpike, with some photos as well. At least the tolls are being used for something


http://www.nycroads....ds/nj-turnpike/

nycroads is a great resource.  Reading that today I learned for the first time about a 1960s proposal to extend the Turnpike north into Rockland County NY to hook up w/ the NYS Thruway west of the TZ Bridge!  Interesting.

I loved this quote posted there...
More from Jeffrey Page, writing in The Bergen Record as follows:

The New Jersey Turnpike, at least the northern part, is an adventure. Its abstract expressionist shapes, strange lines and angles, concentration of various transport, kinetic energy and tumult, wildlife and history, the things you see from it, its concrete and iron and rubber, its noise and smells and speed, make it a thing of gritty beauty.

South of New Brunswick, it's just another highway in a countryside so self-righteously rural it might as well be in Oklahoma.