Visiting The Historic Park of Smithville

Before you say it, yes, there's a Smithville in Eastampton Holly New Jersey. If you're a local around these parts, you might be familiar with "The Historic Village of Smithville" minutes from Atlantic City. However, while that location may be home to many shops and a lake, the "Historic Smithville Park and Smith's Woods" destination is a nature trail crossed with museum-style buildings. The best comparison to make is this location feels very similar to Batsto Village in Hammonton New Jersey although it feels more industrial.

From the various signs (and websites), I gathered a few interesting tid-bits regarding the Park. For one:

Smithville started as a typical, small mill operation on the Rancocas Creek to a major industrial plant employing hundreds of workers in its shops and yards from the 1860s to the 1920s. Smithville became known for its high-quality woodworking machinery, the Smithville-Mt. Holly Bicycle Railroad, and the creation of the star high wheeled bicycle by G. W. Pressey. Smithville was also well ahead of its time in town planning, sustainability, and workers’ rights and welfare. Within its borders, it offered its residents and workers a variety of recreational, artistic and educational opportunities.

The entire park itself is 312 acres and features a diverse collection of habitats and terrain. I mean, while walking around I saw at least a half dozen turtles lingering around a log in the water! Some of the various terrain includes upland forests and meadows, freshwater streams, wetlands, creek shoreline and the 22-acre Smithville Lake. You can hike, bike, fish, canoe, and have...picnics. Sorry, that word "picnic" just never sounded right to me haha. Anyway...what happened to this small town? Why is it a Historic Park and not actively used today? Well:

The federal government lifted import tariffs on many products at the tail end of the 1840s. At that point, the factories began to slowdown in production. As a result, business owners went bankrupt and life in the village came to a halt.

If you want to read further into the history on this town, I definitely recommend this article by Best of New Jersey as this was one of my main sources for writing this piece. Overall, this place was excellent and served a great purpose; photographing my Engagement pictures with my wife-to-be. Check it out sometime!

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