Located on the western edge of West Milford is Long Pond Ironworks State Park.  Here the remaining structures of the once thriving iron works industry are lovingly preserved with year round tours, events and area museum.  The site was founded in 1766 and operated continually until 1882.  Today, the ruins of three furnaces and other unique structures remain in this beautiful setting near the New York border.  The Friends of Long Pond Ironworks, Inc. (FOLPI) is a nonprofit (501-c:3) volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and interpreting the remaining structures and the history behind them.  In 2003, HSC brought their July production of Henry V to the park reviving a tradition of traveling players presenting shows to the working colonies that operated along the New Jersey/New York border areas.  To view pictures of shows presented at Long Pond click on the title:  Cymbeline.

Above, the Long Pond Ironworks welcome sign and below, a historical information marker located at the head of the trail leading into the ironworks village.

The 175-acre Long Pond Ironworks Historic District is an example of the ironworks plantations established in the American Colonies prior to independence. The village and furnaces at Long Pond produced iron for the Continental Army, for the American forces in the War of 1812, and for the Union Army during the Civil War. Long Pond Ironworks is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

One of the old iron furnaces

An old church on the Ironworks site.

The historical value of Long Pond Ironworks is paralleled only by its natural beauty. The forests that were once cut to make charcoal for the furnaces have returned, and the river that was once diverted into the hydropower systems again cascades over ancient rock formations. The Friends of Long Pond Ironworks are working to ensure that the Historic District is preserved and remembered for its contributions to our past, present and future. 

Getting to Long Pond Iron Works:

From Rt. 17 (Mahwah area): Take Rt. 17 North into NY and take the Ringwood/West Milford exit (Rt. 72) which is just before Sloatsburg. Go 5.2 miles and turn right onto Margaret King Ave. at the ballpark on your right. Go 2.5 miles to the end and make a right onto Greenwood Lake Tpk. (Rt. 511). Go about one mile and the LPI Visitors Center will be on your right after crossing the Monksville Reservoir causeway.

From Route 287 Southbound: Take Exit 57 (Skyline Drive). Follow Skyline Drive to the end. At the fork intersection with Route 511 (Greenwood Lake Turnpike) turn right onto Route 511. Travel about 6-7 miles around Wanaque Reservoir and past the Monksville Reservoir dam. After you cross over the Monksville Reservoir causeway, the Long Pond Ironworks Visitors Center will be on the right. (NOTE: Skyline Drive has steep and curvy sections - use Northbound directions below if preferred, but from exit ramp make a right and then left onto Ringwood Ave./Rt. 511.)

From Route 287 Northbound: Take Exit 55. At the end of the ramp make a right heading north on Ringwood Ave. (Rt. 511). Stay on Ringwood Ave./Rt. 511 for almost 11 miles through Haskell, Wanaque and all the way around Wanaque Reservoir and past the Monksville Reservoir dam. After you cross over the Monksville Reservoir causeway, the Long Pond Ironworks Visitors Center will be on the right.

From Route 23: Take Union Valley Road (Route 513) about 6 miles and bear right onto Marshall Hill Road, which becomes Greenwood Lake Turnpike (Route 511). The Long Pond Ironworks Visitors Center will be on the left.

From NYC area/Lincoln Tunnel: Take the LINCOLN TUNNEL to RT. 3 WEST and follow the highway until it becomes RT. 46 West.  Follow 46 WEST for another few miles until you come to the junction of RTS. 80 and 23.  Take RT. 23 NORTH to 287 NORTH,  Take Exit 55. At the end of the ramp make a right heading north on Ringwood Ave. (Rt. 511). Stay on Ringwood Ave./Rt. 511 for almost 11 miles through Haskell, Wanaque and all the way around Wanaque Reservoir and past the Monksville Reservoir dam. After you cross over the Monksville Reservoir causeway, the Long Pond Ironworks Visitors Center will be on the right.

From NYC area/George washington bridge: Take the GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE TO RT. 80 WEST and follow the highway several miles until you come to the junction of RT. 287.  Take 287 NORTH,  Take Exit 55. At the end of the ramp make a right heading north on Ringwood Ave. (Rt. 511). Stay on Ringwood Ave./Rt. 511 for almost 11 miles through Haskell, Wanaque and all the way around Wanaque Reservoir and past the Monksville Reservoir dam. After you cross over the Monksville Reservoir causeway, the Long Pond Ironworks Visitors Center will be on the right.

For more precise directions from your area click on mapquest.com.

Click on this link to view the West Milford, NJ page.

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