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Historic mill town turned summer resort featuring preserved 19th-century buildings and interpretive walking trails.
General Information
Visitor Center open weekends and most holidays from 12pm to 5pm
Walking tour pamphlets available at kiosks
How to Get There
From Newark, NJ (18 mi): Take I-78 W to Exit 43, then follow Diamond Hill Road to McMane Avenue and turn onto Glenside Avenue; follow signs to Cataract Hollow Road.
Overview
The Deserted Village of Feltville is a rare historical site nestled within the Watchung Reservation, offering a glimpse into a 19th-century mill town that evolved into a summer resort before being reclaimed by nature. Visitors can explore ten surviving buildings, including homes, a church, and a general store, all set along a quiet wooded trail. Interpretive signs and walking tour pamphlets guide guests through the village’s layered history, from its founding by David Felt in 1845 to its transformation into Glenside Park in the 1880s.
Now managed by Union County, the site is a peaceful destination for hikers, history buffs, and families. Seasonal events and guided tours bring the village to life, while the surrounding Watchung Reservation offers additional trails and picnic areas. Whether you're tracing the footsteps of early settlers or enjoying a quiet walk through the woods, the Deserted Village offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Deserted Village, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
