Back to Results

The Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park

2 Cataract Hollow Rd.
at Watchung Reservation
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

908-527-4900

Website

Overview

About 1736, Peter Willcocks built a sawmill along the Blue Brook to produce lumber, which would be needed by farmers as they settled this frontier area. The sawmill operation cleared hundreds of acres of forest.

In 1845, David Felt bought 760 acres of land and built a printing factory along the brook. He built an entire town on the bluff above the brook to support the mill operation, and by 1850, 175 people were living in Feltville. After Felt retired in 1860, other business ventures were tried but failed, and the town became deserted for a short time.

But in 1882, Warren Ackerman bought the property and converted the former mill town into a summer resort, called Glenside Park. When the popularity of mountain resorts was displaced by the advent of the Jersey Shore, Glenside Park closed in 1916.

Soon after the Union County Park System was formed in 1921, this area was incorporated into the Watchung Reservation, one of America's first county parks. The grounds of the Deserted Village are open every day, dawn to dusk. The Visitor Center is open Saturdays and Sundays (and most holidays) from noon to 5pm.

There is a pamphlet available for a walking tour that explains the ten surviving historic buildings, some of which are still inhabited. The pamphlets outlining the walking tour through the Deserted Village, with some additional history, are usually available at the brown kiosks, one in the parking lot just off Glenside Avenue, and the other just past the General Store/Church.
Amenities
- Free Admission
Map

Get Directions
Nearby:
- Dining
  - Stone House at Stirling Ridge
    5.3 MI
    908-754-1222
    View >
  - A Toute Huere
    5.3 MI
    908-267-6600
    View >
  - Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille
    9.3 MI
    973-539-6666
    View >
  - Osteria Morini
    9.4 MI
    908-221-0040
    View >
  - The Lobby Restaurant, Lounge & Sports Bar
    10.1 MI
    908-469-8088
    View >
  - Focacceria Ristorante
    10.2 MI
    908-604-2440
    View >
  - Crowne Plaza Newark Airport
    10.2 MI
    908-527-1600
    View >
  - Vonda's Kitchen
    11.1 MI
    973-732-4532
    View >
  View More +
- Lodging
  - Best Western Plus Murray Hill Inn & Stes
    1.4 MI
    908-665-9200
    View >
  - Embassy Suites by Hilton Berkeley Height
    2.1 MI
    908-897-1970
    View >
  - The Grand Summit Hotel
    2.5 MI
    908-273-3000
    View >
  - Hilton Garden Inn Springfield
    3.0 MI
    973-232-5300
    View >
  - Best Western Westfield Inn
    3.0 MI
    908-654-5600
    View >
  - The Turkey Hill Inn
    3.1 MI
    908-522-9699
    View >
  - Debary Inn
    3.1 MI
    908-277-0005
    View >
  - Clinton Manor Hotel Union
    4.1 MI
    View >
  View More +
- Activities
  - Trailside Nature & Science Center
    0.7 MI
    908-527-4000
    View >
  - Untied Brewing Company
    1.3 MI
    View >
  - World Trade Center Artifact
    1.6 MI
    View >
  - Watchung Stable
    1.7 MI
    908-789-3665
    View >
  - Shady Rest Country Club
    1.8 MI
    908-232-9748
    View >
  - Skin Deep Salon & Spa
    1.9 MI
    908-508-1800
    View >
  - Littell-Lord Farmhouse Museum
    2.2 MI
    908-464-0961
    View >
  - Miller-Cory House Museum
    2.4 MI
    908-232-1776
    View >
  View More +
- Events
  - New Providence Street Fair & Craft Show
    Oct. 27, 2024
    1.4 MI
    908-654-1400
    View >
  - Fanwood's Vendor Pop-Up Spring Festival
    Apr. 28, 2024
    2.9 MI
    201-998-1144
    View >
  - Fanwood's Vendor Pop-Up Fall Festival
    Oct. 13, 2024
    2.9 MI
    201-998-1144
    View >
  - Westfield Street Fair & Craft Show
    Jun. 8 - Oct. 5, 2024
    2.9 MI
    908-654-1400
    View >
  - Fanny Wood Day Street Fair
    Sep. 15, 2024
    3.0 MI
    201-998-1144
    View >
  - Vintage & Antique Marketplace
    Sep. 29, 2024
    3.0 MI
    201-998-1144
    View >
  - Cranford Street Fair & Craft Show
    Apr. 28 - Oct. 13, 2024
    4.7 MI
    908-654-1400
    View >
  - Kenilworth Street Fair with Classic Cars, Too!
    May. 19, 2024
    5.1 MI
    201-998-1144
    View >
  View More +
- - Activities
    
    Trailside Nature & Science Center
    0.7 MI
    908-527-4000
    View >
  - Activities
    
    Untied Brewing Company
    1.3 MI
    View >
  - Events
    
    New Providence Street Fair & Craft Show
    Oct. 27, 2024
    1.4 MI
    908-654-1400
    View >
  - Lodging
    
    Best Western Plus Murray Hill Inn & Stes
    1.4 MI
    908-665-9200
    View >
  - Activities
    
    World Trade Center Artifact
    1.6 MI
    View >
  - Activities
    
    Watchung Stable
    1.7 MI
    908-789-3665
    View >
  - Activities
    
    Shady Rest Country Club
    1.8 MI
    908-232-9748
    View >
  - Activities
    
    Skin Deep Salon & Spa
    1.9 MI
    908-508-1800
    View >
  View More +