One of the most iconic abandoned locations in New Jersey has to be the old Wheatsworth Mill building. However, few people know that behind the Wheatsworth complex along the old NJ Midland Railroad lies another piece of Hamburg's industrial past; the old Union Waxed and Parchment Paper Mill.
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| Source: TFPNJ Historic Postcard Collection |
What is now little more than a collection of crumbling ruins along the Walkill River was once a bustling paper producer. Paper production had historically been one of New Jersey's lesser know big industries. Most only know of Marcal, which tragically burned down in 2019. However there also existed large paper mills in Milford, Warren Glen, and Hughesville. Before any of these were operating, there was the Hamburg Paper Mill.
The facility was constructed in 1874. At the time there existed a dam on the river for the iron furnace on the site, which was another popular industry in the state at the time. The dam was raised in order to be able to increase its power potential.
Unfortunately the land on which the mill say on was flood prone, causing issues for production. Ironically it was a series of fires that eventually put the mill out of production in the 1950s. Shortly afterwards the train line that runs alongside the mill was de-tracked and subsequently abandoned.
The mill was left to rot, and after decades of neglect very little remains of the complex. What is left, however, is quite a sight to behold.
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