Capture This Photography
Deserted Village in Light Snow
Posted by Laurie (New Jersey, United States) on 7 January 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.
This is a shot that I took on New Years Eve in Watchung Reservation about 20 minutes from my home in NJ during a light snowfall. I had not been here in years so I thought it would be interesting to see if anything had changed.
We didn't go too far because it was bitterly cold and windy. I did see that some of the old buildings had been restored and others were boarded up and seriously decayed. I hope to go back when it is a little warmer but also snowing because the snow does make this a magical place.
There is not a lot of information on any of the official park sites about this place. I did read that at one time there were 175 people living there. Now I believe there are only 3 families living there. The village consists of eight houses, a church, a carriage house and a general store, and a small graveyard.
I believe this building once housed a general store downstairs and a church upstairs.
For a much larger view go here.
See my new SLIDESHOW page.
Your comments are very much appreciated. I know how much time and effort it takes to visit and leave comments. I really do appreciate them.
I make every effort to reply to questions but sometimes I miss one or two and I apologize for that. If you really need me to get an answer to you quickly, the best way is to use the CONTACT button at the bottom of the page.
I post the same photos here as on Capturethisphotography.com but they are higher res. and landscape orientation shots are larger size.
I post only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand
This is lovely. Great capture of the snow falling.
7 Jan 2009 5:14am
Barbara from Florida, United States
Enchanting place in the woods with the snowflakes coming down. You braving the cold was worth this fabulous image.
7 Jan 2009 5:23am
@Barbara: Thanks. I wanted to spend more time there. We didn't venture to the end of the village. It was a little bit of a walk since no cars other than the residents are allowed into that part of the park. It was only difficult because of the biting cold that day. We wanted to go further but the snow started to pick up and we had to drive down the mountain to get out so we decided it was best to leave then. The snow stopped fairly soon after we left and only produced a light coating.
JamesC from portland, United States
Very historic and you frame the shot well. Braving the elements too.
7 Jan 2009 7:01am
djedfre from schaumburg, United States
wow - that's a pretty amazing structure (and capture)!
7 Jan 2009 11:24am
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
You have captured the deserted look of the place. Quite a sad, yet beautiful image.
7 Jan 2009 12:06pm
kerfendal from Paris, France
really fabulous picture, I am fond of this old house in the woods, thanks to share
7 Jan 2009 12:26pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
This is really interesting. I'd really like to know more about the village. Thanks for introducing us outlanders to this place.
7 Jan 2009 12:29pm
@Viewfinder: Thanks. I found some history about the village in PDF format here at the local Library. It is pretty interesting.
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
A beautiful place and a classically appealing winter scene, Laurie.
7 Jan 2009 12:32pm
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
The snow is a great decor for this fantastic building, although it must be very hard living there.
7 Jan 2009 12:47pm
@Monique: Thanks...It probably isn't too hard. The homes that are inhabited seemed well appointed and maintained from the looks of it. I do have a photo of one of them that is all decked out for Christmas and another that is totally run down and uninhabited. I may post a side by side in the next week or so.
The village is located in the Watchung Reservation and civilization is not far away at all. This is located in the suburbs of New York City. Shopping and a major highway are just down the mountain, probably less than 5 minutes drive. It is a small mountain. We used to hang out in the reservation when I was a kid in high school. It was about 10 minutes from the school and was a very popular hang out.
Sri Harsha from Melbourne, Australia
The colours of the building are very pleasing! Well shot.
7 Jan 2009 1:10pm
Marcie from United States
Very pretty winter image. Lovely old building. Love its warm colors and tones against the cool white of the snow.
7 Jan 2009 2:15pm
JJ from Jersey City, United States
Wonderful capture of the snowfall and interesting building, Looks to cold to strollt o far for shots, hope you do get back there in spring look like an interesting place
7 Jan 2009 2:34pm
@JJ: It wasn't too bad at first but then the wind really picked up and we bailed out at that point and headed back up the hill to where the car was parked. No cars other than residents are allowed into the village so you have to park at the top of the hill and walk in.
john4jack from Corvallis, United States
Lovely winter shot. Amy says that you are really enjoying your D700.
7 Jan 2009 2:49pm
@john4jack: Thanks...I am indeed! It really is a wonderful camera. I am more than satisfied with it.
Julian Kilsby from Birmingham, United Kingdom
Beautiful shot. It's just been snowing here - only it doesn't look quite so pretty in inner city Birmingham!
7 Jan 2009 3:21pm
@Julian Kilsby: Thanks...what little snow we've had has washed away.
Michael Rawluk from Williams Lake, BC, Canada
That is a great old building. The snow give the shot an interesting texture.
7 Jan 2009 3:26pm
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
This is a beautiful old building; that log railing is just super. The snow does indeed make it magical. Good work.
7 Jan 2009 3:52pm
dogilicious from Millerstown, PA, United States
Well shot. It is quite an interesting building.
7 Jan 2009 3:53pm
Daryl from Amagasaki, Japan
That's a fascinating story, and a revealing shot. I really wonder what the few remaining inhabitants think about the place and their future...?
7 Jan 2009 3:57pm
@Daryl: Thanks...I wonder as well...I think, but don't know for certain, but I think that at least one dwelling, possibly more are inhabited by park rangers. I may be completely wrong though. I would have asked but the public buildings were closed that day and I didn't see anyone else around to ask.
Jasp from Plymouth, United Kingdom
I could imagine a roaring fire inside making an inviting place to be.
7 Jan 2009 4:22pm
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
What a charming old house. I wouldn't hesitate to knock on the door while it's blowing snow. :)
7 Jan 2009 5:28pm
@MadScientist: Thanks...that is one of the buildings that is used for the public but it was closed that day. I know that they do have special events scheduled there throughout the year. I will have to have a look at the schedule to see if I can get back there for one of the events.
Alun Lambert from cheshire, United Kingdom
very nice looking house, i cant get over the wood build.
7 Jan 2009 6:04pm
Yvonne S. from Tilburg, Netherlands
This is a charming old house, beautiful picture!
7 Jan 2009 6:04pm
Jean-François from LES ISSAMBRES, France
so nice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is a village here in the "arrière pays Varois" ... LOL ......... THORENC ......... with the same colours !!!!!! ...... 1240m ..... on the sea ..... today rain ..... and tempest but in "mountains" of the south ... snow !!!! excuse my bad english ;)))))
http://www.provenceweb.fr/f/alpmarit/thorenc/thorenc.htm
7 Jan 2009 6:09pm
@Jean-François: Thanks...That sounds like a beautiful place as well. I would love to see that. Today we had lots of cold rain all day and ice storms to the North and West. No snow, it has all washed away.
Your English is pretty good, at least I was able to follow what you wrote.
alex centrella from California, United States
wow,this looks like a great place to photograph, if i were u, i would do more research on the village, may be interview the local families..let me know ..
7 Jan 2009 6:32pm
@alex centrella: Thanks...I did find a little more history on the Village at the local library. It is in PDF format here.
Paco Díaz from Spain
Delicious image and beautifuil house, I wish I was there right now!
7 Jan 2009 7:15pm
Suzanne from Huntington Bch, United States
Marvelous image. Falling snow is so lovely.
7 Jan 2009 7:20pm
Elisa from Massachusetts, United States
The snow really adds a lot to this image! great winter shot!
7 Jan 2009 7:26pm
Rehim from Baneh -Kurdistan, Iran
I like this building,Ilike the snow.look like chinese house!
7 Jan 2009 8:02pm
@Rehim: Thanks. I believe the wooden railings and cupola were added later. They do not really fit the colonial style of the original architecture. I find them very interesting and yes they do seem to have a bit of Asian influence. Interesting observation.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
I really like the way the building blends with the trees... and the snow is so very magical. The snow is also very beautiful!
7 Jan 2009 8:22pm
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
A fine looking building standing in the snow, super shot this one.
7 Jan 2009 10:54pm
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
How sad that these beautiful houses are left to decay :( hopefully one day they may restore them.
Beautifully photographed Laurie.
7 Jan 2009 11:11pm
@MaryB: Thanks. Some have been fully restored and there was evidence that the others, at least the two I went up to, have had some attention paid to them, if only minimal to keep them from completely falling down until funds can be found to make proper repairs.
One from Açores, Portugal
What wonderful place !
Excellent image during the snowfall, congratulations !
8 Jan 2009 1:48am
amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
The snow adds the perfect touch for this almost Victorian Christmas-like image (talk about adjectives galore there LOL!!)
8 Jan 2009 2:42am
Fliss from Melbourne Beach, United States
Oh... I want to stay there... so pretty...
8 Jan 2009 2:47am
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
Such a beautiful building in this winter scene! A wonderful capture!
8 Jan 2009 4:14am
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
Wow Laurie is certainly is a magical looking place
8 Jan 2009 6:40am
Inés from Namur, Belgium
On ne croirait transporter dans un autre temps, j'aime beaucoup cet espèce de décalage ...
8 Jan 2009 7:00am
NarB from Bruxelles, Belgium
Very beautiful winter scene I like the building with the falling snow.
8 Jan 2009 10:50am
Rags from Plano, United States
It is an awesome looking place with a lot of history.
8 Jan 2009 5:22pm
Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom
Beautiful shot and it sounds like the perfect day for an abandoned village. The snow has accentuated the form and detail in the way that only snow can.
8 Jan 2009 10:24pm
Francesc B. from région parisienne, France
Brrrrr... very cold weather...magnificent winter scene... and house !
8 Jan 2009 10:38pm
Charles from New York, United States
Beautiful looking structure. Looks like a nice winter scene.
9 Jan 2009 12:04am
Wolfgang - vu@granby from Granby, Québec, Canada
Interesting building with all these porches!
9 Jan 2009 1:27am
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
What an amazing place this is! I'd love to have a look around, do some exploring on the outside as well as the inside. Your exposure and frame is so good...the snowflakes falling so clearly in plain view. Great.
9 Jan 2009 5:50am
Kelela from Upland, United States
Spectacular. I love this image. I would hang this up on my wall so I can gaze it often. We don't get snowfall like this where I live. You've captured this so well. Awesome!
9 Jan 2009 10:24pm
@Kelela: Thanks...I am not a fan of the cold but I figure if it is going to be cold then there might as well be a little snow! But just a little...no blizzards please...
Andrew Gould from Sydney, Australia
This is wonderful, Laurie. The light, the falling snow, the building and your great technique make this a superb image.
11 Jan 2009 9:55pm
Hadassah from Chicago, United States
This one inspired a snow shoot of my own - I hadn't been out in a while, so thanks for that. ;)
13 Jan 2009 9:46pm
Nikon D700
1/320 second
F/5.6
ISO 900
50 mm