New Milford Plant of the Hackensack Water Company
The New Milford Plant of the Hackensack Water Company is a historic industrial building in Oradell, New Jersey, originally built to treat and pump water for the region. The complex includes late Victorian and Romanesque Revival brick structures, a pumping station from 1882, a filtration tower, and underground pipes that show how water moved through the system.
The Hackensack Water Company purchased the land in 1881 and built the facilities between that year and the early 1900s, with the pump house completed in 1882. The plant became a key part of water infrastructure development in New Jersey and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
The plant was an important hub for the local community, employing workers who maintained the equipment and served residents daily. Local stories reflect how this facility represented progress and community effort during the town's growth.
The site on Van Buskirk Island can be explored on foot, though some buildings show signs of disrepair and access to certain areas may be limited. It is best to approach the structures carefully and view them from the outside while being aware of ongoing preservation efforts.
The site sits on Van Buskirk Island, a human-made island created in the early 1800s by dam construction that once served as a major dock for schooners sailing to New York City. The island previously housed saw mills, bark mills, a woolen mill, and a gristmill before becoming a water treatment facility.
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