Woosamonsa Ridge

Moving upstream from the Jacob’s Creek Preserve is the Woosamonsa Ridge Preserve. Hillier, and closer to the creek’s headwaters, the Woomonsa also has longer (like, 2-3 miles vs. 1-2 miles) trails.

The Rogers Ruin of Mercer County

J + R R: The John and Rachel Rogers Stabilized Ruin, with Radmini. Source: TCM

The Rogers House is a fine example of 18th century pattern brick architecture that unfortunately was neglected long enough that by the time funding was acquired, the only option was to preserve it as a stabilized ruin. Mercer County acquired the house in 1970; the preservation project was not completed until 2019. Still, a stabilized ruin is better than a collapsed house.

“Pattern brick” means that letters and numbers are built into the walls using glazed brick ends inset among unglazed brick stretchers. On one end is “1751” commemorating when the house was built (although there has been debate about whether the third digit is a “5” or “6”). On the opposite side are the letters “J + R R” for John and Rachel Rogers, the original homeowners. The rest of the walls are built a Flemish bond with alternating brick headers and stretchers.

The Rogers Ruin, Mercer County Park, NJ. Source: TCM
J + R R Gable End. Source: TCM

E-Biking the Pole Farm

About 10 miles wandering around Mercer Meadows (a.ka. the Pole Farm) and Rosedale Park.

RadMini e-bike in front of Last Pole Standing
The RadMini in front of the Last Pole Standing at Mercer Meadows. Source: TCM
Metal Arches in a Park
AT&T Building One was where radio technicians connected telephone calls from the U.S. to the rest of the world. The arches show where the entrances to the building used to be. Source: TCM

E-Biking Mercer County Park

Another quick ride, on both single track and the paved bike path. The lake here was constructed in the 1970s by damming Assunpink Creek. It’s used as a U.S. Olympic training site for rowing.

Near the Finish Tower. Source: TCM
In the woods. Source: TCM

E-Biking Baldpate

RadMini
Near the Ridge Trail, Baldpate Mountain. Source: TCM
Ridge Trail

A quick, 5 mile out-and-back ride along the Ridge Trail in the Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain, New Jersey.

Archaeological Sites Along the Assunpink

Dam archaeology in New Jersey: 1970s archaeology along Assunpink Creek, and modern creek daylighting efforts in Trenton: Assunpink Creek Dam Site 20