Weehawken Dueling Grounds, Weehawken (Hudson County)

The Weehawken Dueling Grounds is the location of where Vice-President Aaron Burr shot and killed former Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Burr and Hamilton had a strong dislike for each other for years prior to the duel, but tensions reached a boiling point when Burr alleged Hamilton defamed his character during Burr's 1804 New York gubernatorial race. A duel was scheduled for July 11, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey.

 

Cheesequake State Park, Old Bridge (Middlesex County)

Cheesequake State Park's uniqueness lies in its geographical location. Not only is it situated in the middle of the urban north and the suburban south, it lies in a transitional zone between two different ecosystems. Open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, Pine Barrens, and a northeastern hardwood forest are the main characteristics of the park.

 

Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May (Cape May County)

The Cape May Lighthouse was built in 1859 and continues operation to this day. It is the third fully documented lighthouse to be built at Cape May Point; the first was built in 1823 and the second in 1847, but the exact locations of the first two lighthouses are now underwater due to erosion. There are 199 steps to the top of the Lighthouse; the view at the top extends to Cape May City and Wildwood to the north.

 

Iviswold Castle, Rutherford (Bergen County)

Originally built in 1868 by the New York newspaperman and land developer Lloyd W. Tomkins, this structure was a two-story home. But after David Brinkerhoff Ivison, president of the American Book Company, bought it in 1887 he turned the building into a three-story turreted mansionwith25 rooms, including a music room and a carriage porch. In the 1930's and indoor pool was installed on the second floor, the walls of which can still be seen in parts of the castle. It was bought in the 1970's by Farleigh Dickinson University and they built a campus around it.

 

Brooksbrae Terracotta Brick Factory, Manchester Township (Ocean County)

In its heyday, the Brooksbrae Brick Company had the ability to produce thousands of bricks a day; however, many doubt the factory ever reached operational status. The owner of the factory, William J. Kelly, died in 1908 before the factory was up to full speed. Due to complications within his will, all of Kelley's assets were frozen, halting all of the facilities' operations. In 1915, railroad workers from Central Railroad of New Jersey went on strike near Brooksbrae. To avoid any damages to the factory, a caretaker was assigned to watch over the property. One winter night, the elderly caretaker and his wife lit a fire in the stove to warm up the residence. However, they didn't check or clean the chimney's flue causing a massive fire, killing the couple. After the issues with Kelley's will were resolved, the factory was sold. Due to the deaths on the property the factory was left incomplete. The area is now a popular graffiti and art spot.