New Jersey has hundreds of abandoned structures hidden throughout rural parts of the state, but we also have a massive factory sitting in the middle of one of our largest cities that is being reclaimed by nature.
Hydro-Pruf Exterior
Flickr/hjhipster The Hydro-Pruf factory can be found off exit 15E on the New Jersey Turnpike, and in the opening montage of The Sopranos. Thousands of drivers zip past this Newark location daily, never knowing its unique history. Originally part of a nine building complex owned by the Arkansas Chemical Company, this eerie site has been abandoned since the 1980s. Labeled a superfund site, the EPA mandated a cleanup.
Aerial View
Image/Google Thousands of gallons of unidentified chemicals were found, along with vats of vinyl chloride, sulfuric acid and radioactive materials. Worst of all, many of these containers were open and located near drainage systems. As the area was being cleaned, it was made clear that the factory was not totally abandoned - it was frequented by many homeless individuals in need of shelter. Over the years the building has seen several fires and is in a complete state of decay.As you can see from these photos, this once toxic site is now being overrun by nature. Tree branches sprout from the windows and greenery even reaches the rooftop.
View From The Turnpike
Image/Google Maps Foliage can be found everywhere and it’s really quite amazing. Now new life springs from one of the state’s most toxic sites.
Did you ever notice the Hydro-Pruf Factory while driving down the New Jersey Turnpike? Did you know the story behind it? Is there any other information you can add?
Flickr/hjhipster
The Hydro-Pruf factory can be found off exit 15E on the New Jersey Turnpike, and in the opening montage of The Sopranos. Thousands of drivers zip past this Newark location daily, never knowing its unique history. Originally part of a nine building complex owned by the Arkansas Chemical Company, this eerie site has been abandoned since the 1980s. Labeled a superfund site, the EPA mandated a cleanup.
Image/Google
Thousands of gallons of unidentified chemicals were found, along with vats of vinyl chloride, sulfuric acid and radioactive materials. Worst of all, many of these containers were open and located near drainage systems. As the area was being cleaned, it was made clear that the factory was not totally abandoned - it was frequented by many homeless individuals in need of shelter. Over the years the building has seen several fires and is in a complete state of decay.As you can see from these photos, this once toxic site is now being overrun by nature. Tree branches sprout from the windows and greenery even reaches the rooftop.
Image/Google Maps
Foliage can be found everywhere and it’s really quite amazing. Now new life springs from one of the state’s most toxic sites.
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