Northern New Jersey Oil Corporation (Northern New Jersey Fuel Oil Co)

 




Investigating the site, I was greeted with a disheartening scene as I approached the fence. The telltale signs of a vigorous demolition effort were evident, signaling that the once desolate and overgrown area had been subjected to a thorough dismantling, nearing its completion. It was particularly disappointing for me, considering that I had frequented the site a couple of times, only to miss out on exploring its secrets during my previous visits. The once prominent oil tanks had vanished, leaving behind a neat pile of debris, a poignant reminder of their recent presence.  In its place, the earth lay leveled with grey gravel stones, where the four imposing oil tanks had stood for a considerable period. Undeterred by the setback, I wanted to revisit the standalone building that had eluded my curiosity until then, harboring an intriguing piece of alien-themed graffiti by a renowned artist. Alas, my hopes were dashed as I discovered the building had succumbed to the ongoing renovation efforts, it was now secured at all entrances by plywood boards. 





Delving into the scant online archives, I uncovered that the Northern New Jersey Oil Corporation, established in 2007 as a wholesaler dealing in petroleum and related products, had an enigmatic history. Astonishingly, available records indicated that the enterprise had experienced a swift rise and fall within the same year. How could a company be established and subsequently defunct within such a short period? Moreover, the property had remained vacant for a significant duration before October 2007. During this period, the desolate land had become a clandestine dumping ground, attracting the attention of the Newark Illegal Dumping Task Force, which apprehended an individual caught unlawfully disposing of old gasoline stored in 5-gallon containers. In the antiquated Google Street View photos, a yellow towing service canopy was discernible, serving as the last sole business remnant bearing any company's namesake. 




You can see the changes by looking at my 2017 revisit here: Abandoned Oil Depot: Revisited (2017) It was already too late to enter the remaining building left after demolition. I had not entered the building during my revisit the last time. A choice I regret now. Pictures taken in 2018.


However, in the realm of Piers, Wharves, and Docks, the property had been known under a different moniker, namely Riverbank Petroleum Co. or Riverbank Petroleum Inc. This facility facilitated the transportation of petroleum products via barges. According to the book 'Access to Wharf,' the approach to the dock was through a tunnel beneath McCarter Highway, housing an intricate network of pipelines: one 8-inch and one 6-inch, extending from the wharf and tunnel to four street-level storage tanks at the terminal situated on the opposite side of McCarter Highway. These tanks boasted a cumulative capacity of 47,600 barrels of oil. However, during the survey conducted in 1998, the pipelines were inactive, with the tanks devoid of any contents. Furthermore, historical records indicated that the City of Newark had assumed complete ownership of the property long before 1998, implying that the facility likely ceased its operations sometime in the early 2000s, subsequently undergoing a name change during that period.


Examining past public records of real estate transactions, it came to light that the property had changed hands for a noteworthy sum. Back on September 30, 1991, it was sold for a staggering $750,000, only to be acquired for a mere $20,000 in 2019, signifying a dramatic depreciation in its value. This transaction marked a transition from a commercial-class property back to public ownership in 2019, with 2052 McCarter Industrial Urban Re emerging as the purchaser, having acquired the land from the City of Newark.


As of present, the property has undergone a complete transformation, having been repurposed into a thriving location for Enterprise car and truck rentals, catering to the transportation needs of residents and visitors alike.









Sources:


1. Baldwin, Carly, "Middletown Man Charged With Illegal Dumping In Newark", Patch, January 12, 2018

2. Port Series. United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1979. [Page]

3. The Port of New York, NY and NJ and Ports on Long Island, NY. United States, The Corps, 1988. [Page]

4. Newark International Airport Ground Access Monorail, Northeast Corridor Connection Project, Essex County and Union County: Environmental Impact Statement. United States, n.p, 1996. [Page]

5. Small Business Conversion Problems -- 1964, Hearings Before ... 88-2 on ... June 23 and July 7, 1964. United States, n.p, 1965. [Page]

6. Northern New Jersey Oil CO, manta,

Location: 2052 McCarter Hwy, Newark, NJ 07104, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Historic Killingly Ballouville Mill

Image
  As I recall that April day in 2018, the memory unfolds with the vividness of a carefully preserved photograph. The sky, a vast expanse of unyielding blue, served as the perfect backdrop for our excursion. J and I, driven by curiosity and a keen sense of adventure, stood at the threshold of the historic Ballouville Mill in Killingly, Connecticut. This relic of a bygone industrial era was nestled imposingly between two homes as if guarding the secrets of its storied past. Our entry into the mill was less an act of intrusion and more a gentle push through time's veil. An opening – not quite a door, nor a window – beckoned us into the heart of a forgotten world. Inside, the mill presented itself as a cathedral of industry, now silent and solemn. Wooden beams and columns, like the ribs of a great leviathan, stretched upwards, supporting the weight of history and time. The machinery, once the pulsing heart of this place, had long since ceased their hum of productivity. In their absence
Read more

Doorway on the Passaic River

Image
In the realm of industrial history along the Passaic River in Northern New Jersey lies a captivating tale of an oil company's struggle for survival against the evolving landscape of progress. Amidst the modernization of Route 21 in the 1950s, the Riverbank Petroleum Company later renamed to Northern New Jersey Oil Company stood as a fierce opponent to the development. Their existence pivoted on the river's access, a lifeline for their business. Relinquishing it meant demise, so they fiercely contested the eminent domain battles. Ultimately, a compromise was reached: a tunnel beneath McCarter Highway, enabling oil transportation without disrupting the flow of the newly expanded route. Riverbank Petroleum Company Wharf had its last recorded shipment of under 2,000 tons of fuel oils in 1997. Time has seen the oil company fade into history, leaving behind an abandoned, flooded tunnel. However, a peculiar sight remains – a doorway, a relic from the past, etched onto the side of Rou
Read more

Rockaway Metal Products Corporation

Image
Rockaway Metals Products (RMP) began as a sheet metal fabrication factory beginning in 1961. RMP occupied the site from 1971 to 1987 leaving a plethora of hazardous waste materials onsite. From 1990 to 2004 the building housed various tenants which even included an auto repair shop. Rockaway Metals a manufacturer of filing cabinets and other metal products closed down in 1987. It was leased a few years ago to different owners who did not manage the 4.85-acre parcel. The 155,000-square-foot building has long been an eyesore and trouble in the neighborhood since its closure. A coastal storm in March 2018 blew debris materials to adjacent properties. Rockaway Metals was acquired by Nassau County in 1995 by tax deed. The county has held onto the property for 22-plus years. In February 2011, the site was damaged by fire and condemned soon thereafter. For more in-depth legal ownership of the property, you can read more below in the source list under U.S. v. 175 INWOOD ASSOCIATES LLP.
Read more

Abandoned Factory Z (Northeastern, USA)

Image
Update : A full research write-up of International Silver Company's former Factory H boiler house .  This abandoned northeastern factory sits in the back of a quiet residential street surrounded by nature. Next to this two-story building remains another abandoned medical complex boarded up to the gills. Stay tuned for upcoming flicks. Getting into this building was quite hard. We hopped a perimeter fence in the middle of the morning just before a police car was sitting taking a quiet break or making their due diligence check on the property. This property is down the road at a current asbestos abatement medical hospital by the local town/state agency. Once on the property, it offers a mix of old machinery and pipework from this little factory which was probably much larger before residential developers took over. In addition, the building was free of graffiti and its brick-walled facade still looked like the day it was constructed. The only giveaway is the wide-open away roof
Read more

Sun, Sand, and Secrets: The Untold Stories of Neponsit Beach Hospital

Image
  While delving into the historical aspects of this place has been extensively covered by reputable news media, I humbly defer to their expertise. To explore its storied history and its significance as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ Riis beachgoers, please refer to the source material linked below. Neponsit Beach Hospital, also known as Neponsit Beach Hospital for Children, Neponsit Hospital, and  Neponsit Children's Hospital, Neponsit Beach Hospital, once a tuberculosis sanatorium, holds a rich history. Originally dedicated to children's treatment, it later served veterans during World War II. Located in Queens, New York, adjacent to Jacob Riis Park, it transformed into the Neponsit Home for the Aged and later the Neponsit Health Care Center. Discover its fascinating journey in the annals of healthcare, linked to the Belle Harbor district and cherished by the LGBTQ+ community at Riis Beach. The Past Comprising three buildings, two of which face the beach, Neponsit Beach Hospital boas
Read more