Tags: Abandoned, Castle, Ocean County

A few years back, I received an email about a castle in Lakewood. I was told it was part of an apartment complex, and it was to be shortly torn down. Figuring it was done for, I never bothered to check it out.
While geocaching around the area, we stumbled upon it – what’s left anyway. The entire area is now fenced off with black tarp covering the fence line. One building is nothing but a foundation now. The castle itself is half boarded up. The remaining apartment building has also been abandoned for a few years and looks like it’s falling apart.
The only way we could get pictures was to shoot through the gate.
We got a lot of funny looks just by doing this, so we didn’t stay too long. We quickly took our photos and left.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Tags: Island, Monmouth County, Monument

Another place found due to geocaching. I’d been wanting to go to this island for over 2 years but never had the time or anyone willing to cross the Manasquan River with me in my crappy inflatable raft.

It was really cool exploring what appeared to be a seldom visited island. The island did have some party remnants on it, but nowhere as much as I was expecting. I’m including it on the site because of some of the things I found on it – the remains of docks and what appears to be a wall running down one side of the island.
…oh, and the guy who wrote Treasure Island actually visited this place and gave it its unofficial name.

Approaching the island.

The raft of doom lands.

Sadly, the interior of the island had nothing of interest. There were a few overgrown trails and a lot of birds. That’s about it.
We found a sign dedicating the island to its namesakes, the Nienstedts.

Fair warning – much of the island is covered with poison ivy.

Popularity: 11% [?]