This week Charlie Fineran brings us something special to his Photo of the Week!

“Elk in Stuyvesant Park, Allamuchy, near Hackettstown, NJ” reads the description typed across this photo along with a short hand written note.  Our Photo of the Week is a glimpse into the past ca 1907, via a postcard, part of the Allamuchy Historical Society Post Card Collection.  During the latter part of the 19^th century into the early 20^th century Stuyvesant Park was a famous 1,000 acre fenced hunting preserve owned by Rutherfurd Stuyvesant.  He imported Elk, White-tailed Deer, Ring-necked Pheasants and English Quail.  The Rich & Famous of America came out to visit and enjoy these beautiful estates.  The preserve was part of a vast estate, the estate stretched from just north of Hackettstown, through Allamuchy up into Green Township.  Back in the day, there were two great mansions,  Stuyvesant Mansion, owned by Rutherfurd Stuyvesant, burned down 1959, located at the base of the ridge by present day Tranquility Farms and Rutherfurd Hall, by Allamuchy Pond, owned by his younger brother, Winthrop Rutherfurd.  Allamuchy Mountain State Park was created in the mid 1960’s when the State of NJ purchased about 3,000 acres from the Rutherfurd Family.  The Deer Park section of the Park was named remembering Stuyvesant Park with all its deer.  DID YOU KNOW??  There were no deer in this area at the turn of the 20^th Century!!  Hunting and loss of habitat, keep in mind, not nearly as many trees then as now!!!!!

Now let’s visit Deer Park Pond.  This beautiful pond sits atop the Allamuchy Mountain Ridge.  The easiest access is to drive in off CR 517 on Deer Park Rd. and go to the second parking area, Your walk begins at the gate of the service road.  The road will take you along the south and east shores of the pond.  You will intersect and stay on the white trail taking you across the dam and along the North shoreline, then return by the Barberry Trail back down the West Shoreline back to the service road.  An easy and beautiful walk.  Your photo tour includes all seasons!

Please visit my Flickr site for photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157648709204480

Rutherfurd Hall – Please visit http://www.rutherfurdhall.org/index.php for info about The Rutherfurd and Stuyvesant Family, their estates + all the events and activities at Rutherfurd Hall!  The Hall is open to the public for tours on the hour, Wednesdays between 1PM-4PM.  If you go, tell them Charlie Fineran sent you!!  I am a docent there and would be happy to show you around!!

Enjoy Your Open Space, Charlie Fineran