Built in 1912, ths building was the pump house for the village of South Orange water works. It is roughly the same size as the Campbell's Pond pump house, but without the iconic chimney. There isn't any architect I can find listed for the project, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find it had been drawn up by the local firm of Hurd & Sutton. H&S are famous for designing the iconic red brick buildings of the Overbrook Hospital in Cedar Grove around the same time. The pumphouse bears a number of architectural similarities to the buildings there.
An envirmental assessment performed around 2013 recommended demolishing the pumphouse to help restore the natural flood plane of the area. Fortunately no work had begun on that yet by 2024.
I'm sure the building will eventually be demolished, but it's still neat to know that there were once two abandoned pumping stations so close by in Essex County.
Ooh, I actually went to the Campbell Pond pumphouse with a group of friends. It was kind of cool, the whole place was falling apart and was pretty much the way it is in your photos. The only thing in the room with the intact floor was debris and a single lawnchair. The stairs to the lower floor had unfortunately collapsed and the lower floor was totally flooded with some of the dirtiest water I've ever seen. In case anyone is curious, what isn't shown is the left side of the third photo. That area is as big as the area in the third photo and completely lacks a floor. In addition, on the outside there is a crumbling chimney.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were there we ran in to another small group of young people, which kind of spooked me. I didn't really expect to see anybody else enter the building.
People are always going in and out of there. We scared the crap out of some people when we were coming out before they put the fence up.
DeleteI went to SMR many times with my family as a child in the 60's and 70's. the Campbell pond pumphouse was very well built. As I recall it had a slate roof and slate roofs last forever. It is a beautiful piece of history being destroyed by thoughtless types who only respect an armed guard.
ReplyDeletewhere is this second pump house located? the village?
ReplyDeleteA more accurate history of the Lake Campbell Pump Station -http://www.mshhistsoc.org/galleries/366
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd building is just up the street from Columbia High School and through Chyzowych field. But it's been boarded up and probably will be demolished soon.
ReplyDeleteThe fence is down and they're demolishing the building with the chimney as of now, February 12th, 2020. It's a shame they're taking the thing down, it's a nice place when the sun's right. They should put a plaque or stand regarding the place's history.
ReplyDeleteHello mate great bloog post
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