What's New
We do not maintain a blog, so this will have to do!
Spring and Summer 2026
In May, we made a special presentation on the effects of Eminent Domain in the forced acquisition of homes in the Tocks Island area. While the planned dam that was expected to be built just above the Delaware Water Gap was never built, the disruption of the lives of thousands of local residents was painful and lasting. We discussed how Eminent Domain works and how it was implemented there by the Corps of Engineers.
Much of the last year has been devoted to research about some events that occurred near Lumberton, NJ during the American Revolution. Particular focus was on the march of 11,000 British troops through this area, following their evacuation from Philadelphia in June 1778, with attention to old maps and historical records. With several major historical articles now awaiting publication by Stockton University’s South Jersey Culture & History Center, we will now be turning to preparation of PowerPoint shows based on our findings.
In addition, we are working with the Lumberton Historical Society on a project to design and install a number of signs at key points, pointing out historical information.
Winter 2025-26
Our major research publication on Marl in South Jersey has been printed by Stockton University. See it here.
This is perhaps the most comprehensive overview of this subject available, and reflects extensive study and analysis.
Fall 2025
Fall 2025 has been an especially interesting period. We have been requested to provide a number of presentations to local historical groups on subjects including Marl and the Tocks Island Dam project. Publication of our major article on the New Jersey Marl Belt by Stockton University’s South Jersey Culture and History Center is imminent.
In addition, we have been collaborating with an individual who has undertaken the clearing of a historical cemetery adjacent to properties we have written about in the former Pahaquarry, NJ, which was impacted by the failed Tocks Island Dam project. The cemetery is located within but not part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and is not Federally owned. An initial writeup is here; it has led to considerable local interest. We are assisting in researching the cemetery’s history and establishing its legal status.
Also, now underway is research of an area in Lumberton, NJ historically called Belly Bridge. This is expected to lead to a new historical paper on this fascinating place, which involved a location, a bridge, and a creek, with a series of occurrences dating back to the American Revolution.
Summer 2025
A specially researched version of our general Marl program was presented at the Pemberton Township Historic Trust, with special attention to the large marl pits that were once operated there. We also researched later activity on the site as processing turned to creating materials for water filtration. This sparked considerable interest.
Spring 2025
Recent presentations on marl have been made to several local historical societies, drawing on additional information gleaned by access to several former marl production sites. We have pending requests for additional presentations from several organizations. A modified presentation on local Burlington County railroad history has been prepared for delivery in May.
A major article on the history of New Jersey’s Marl Belt has been completed, with appropriate documentation and illustrations, is awaiting review for publication by Stockton University later this year. See our current articles and video on marl here.
A recent visit to part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area allowed observation of and discussion with local advocates seeking to maintain several important historic facilities there, including a formerly bramble-overrun cemetery with graves dating back to the late 1700s.
Fall/Early Winter 2024
Our heavily documented articles on solid waste management in South Jersey, and our companion article on the Tuckerton Mound (one of the earliest landfills around), have been published in the Autumn 2024 issue of SoJourn, by Stockton University’s South Jersey Culture and History Center.
Presentations on our marl research have resumed, initially in the Medford Leas Pathways program (see video), and then to the Lumberton Historical Society.
Summer 2024
Layout of our extensive article on the South Jersey Solid Waste story is underway, accompanied by an article on the Tuckerton Mound, an early clam shell waste site in lower Ocean County, NJ. Publication in Stockton University’s South Jersey Culture and History Center journal SoJourn is expected later this fall.
Local presentations based on our research on marl will start in the Fall.
Late Winter/Spring 2024
Late Fall 2023/ Early Winter 2024
A video of our first showing of the South Jersey Garbage Story has been added to the website, and may be viewed here. The program has also been presented at the Burlington County Historical Society, and is available for live presentation in the local area.
In addition, final editing of our expanded article on the Lumberton Nike Missile Base was completed, and it has been published in Stockton University South Jersey Culture & History Center’s SoJourn journal. Copies of the edition may be purchased here.
Spring 2023
We have resumed local presentations, in the above photo seen Jim is seen at the Southampton Historical Society, presenting the Nike program to a full house.
In addition, work has been completed on a highly documented magazine article entitled From Clam Shells to Recycling: The South Jersey Garbage Story, and a companion article Mysteries of The Tuckerton Mound. A copy of the predecessor articles of both and additional information can be viewed here.
We have also uploaded a number of short articles Jim has written locally, including book reviews, government and community activities, and nature. See them here.
Also added is the story of how crooked politicians in Philadelphia made profits off of sand from Burlington County NJ sandpits that was used in the badly needed Torresdale Water Plant, a classic example of earlier corruption patterns in that city.