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The Old Essex County Jail Complex

Newark, NJ - Peter - Thursday, May 21st, 2009 : goo

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The Newark Street Jail was built in 1837. Renamed the Essex County Jail Complex when several
additional structures were constructed, it remains Essex County, New Jersey's oldest
standing municipal building.

This is what it loos like today, almost 175 years later

The undergrowth has been thriving in the recent warm springtime weather, and the outer yards are
hard to navigate, between all the rotting waste and sharp objects scattered about

Perhaps the structure decayed long ago or perhaps it was removed, but this cellblock is right
outside in the open air

From the overgrown western yard, a passage leads towards the front of the jail, skirting the giant
stone wall just a few feet away

Although now sealed from the outside, a look behind the wall reveals what appears to have been a main
(and very secure) gate

The entrance to the main cellblock

Let's step inside...

A tier of cells three levels tall

Around the corner, they're four levels tall

The cells are very tiny

The cell-door opening mechanism

I saw precious few overhead lights or lamps. I'd imagine that this structure was largely naturally-lit
for most of its life. It certainly is now, thanks to the huge, looming windows

One of the windows has fallen in in an adjacent cell-block

Around back is some fencing and two dilapidated structures. It's almost too overgrown and crumbling to make
out the footprint of the original complex, or tell which area is which from the outside of the building.
Spotting this smokestack in the historical photo (at top), helps a little with orientation.

This appears to be a boiler in what might have been a mechanical/utility building. It is separate from
the rest of the jail and seems to be laid-out quite differently from the main jail building, although
all of its windows are covered with bars, too

The second floor of this mechanical building burned not too long ago and collapsed

You can make out one of the cell-blocks through the shaded windows, which aren't nearly as overgrown

This is where the mechanical building and the main outer wall meet

This is Shaun, who I nearly startled to death when I inadvertently approached him from behind while
he was squatting in a corner smoking. Hoisting his bucket of water and bottle of dish-soap, he explained
that this was the only safe, accessible place in Newark that he can go to have a bath and a smoke in
private. Having just smoked a dusted cigarette, he engaged me in the most lurid, abstract conversation I've
ever had with another human. His brief tale was mind-bending, wondrous, terrifying and bridged
all conventions of time and space. The crack vials littering the side-yard tell further tales.

This major wing, right up at the front of the complex, was apparently built in 1890

The burned-out mechanical structure from outside, street-level

The Newark Light Rail now weaves by next door in what used to be the Morris Canal in the
jail's heyday

A structure situated a ways behind the main complex, this building appears to have been non-correctional,
perhaps offices or housing

The Old Essex County Jail Complex, Essex County, Newark, New Jersey...

This article has been viewed 6374 times in the last 16 months

anon (cpe-24-175-71-228.tx.res.rr.com): awesome post!

Violet: 21st May 2009 - 03:37 GMT

These are beautifully haunting photos. Thank you so much for posting them here.

Sanzay: 21st May 2009 - 04:15 GMT

Wow! Looks like a theme for the good action game. So depressive and fascinating at the same time. The blend of urban exploration, parkour and documentary. Great article!

Victoria: 21st May 2009 - 08:05 GMT

Wow these are beautiful. Is it actually that easy to enter or is it difficult?

adam: 21st May 2009 - 18:39 GMT

great photos dude.. really gettin out there on your lunchbreaks huh? :)

Sean Hopkins: 21st May 2009 - 19:30 GMT

Instantaneously my favorite post of yours Peter. AWESOME. Now I'm itchin' to get out there!!

Peter: 21st May 2009 - 20:39 GMT

a: hahaha, not quite a lunch-time spot... i came out of there covered with dust and smelling like a dump, but definitely an on-the-way-home adventure ;)

s: thanks man... yeah, id like to go back, too. i could only get so far into it before the sky got overcast and it got dark inside... only got to see about 25% of the place and snap some quick-n-dirty photos. plus, not the sort of place where you want to explore the deepest crannies (think the basement dungeons) alone.

ntatap: 21st May 2009 - 21:07 GMT

Peter, great post!!! do you know how long ago this place was shut down?

Peter: 21st May 2009 - 21:53 GMT

1970, when the new essex county jail was completed. oddly, this jail has been on the national register of historic places since 1991, but nothing at all is being done aside from letting it slowly crumble and be reclaimed by nature (until it falls completely and can be razed for something undoubtedly more profitable, if the adjacent condos and student-housing is any indication).

Alito: 22nd May 2009 - 06:49 GMT

I heard that Frank Sinatra was once held captive in this jail for a petty offense.

Alex Sagrista: 13th Jun 2009 - 22:24 GMT

really good pictures great job hope to see somemore peter

Marielos : 17th Jul 2009 - 01:12 GMT

Dear Peter! This is one of the most facinating sites that I have found. What motivated you to go in and take these amazing pictures.

Peter: 17th Jul 2009 - 20:54 GMT

i walked past it and thought it looked cool...? i like dystopic decay :)

Jailbird: 18th Jul 2009 - 03:41 GMT

The cell door opening mechanism looks really cool. Nice shot.

Marielos : 18th Jul 2009 - 15:27 GMT

Peter: I am someone who has worked in Newark (University Heights) for the past 8 years. I am a nurse by training but for a long time has been in love with this site. I see so much potential. I have been meeting with the residents of University Heights and are planning to undertake some efforts to save this site. I have been lucky that my mother is a visionary like myself and she already has contacted some of her friends who are architects and have worked in prison design. I am also going to have a meeting with Dr. Clement Price who is a Newark resident and a historian. I am also in plans to speak with a professor at NJIT school of architecture. Thank you for your pictures, they will make part of history.

anon (173.70.10.133): 23rd Jul 2009 - 15:52 GMT

Thanks so much for posting, not sure how much longer this will be here. Six months ago there were a bobcat in the front administrative building. Great photos, thanks for sharing

anon (70.15.201.8.res-cmts.sm.ptd.net): 25th Jul 2009 - 03:38 GMT

Did Shawn hit you up for a few bucks after rambling on and giggling?

ryan: amazing photos i want to check this place out.

Hopkins: I keep coming back to this one. I love it.

Nita: 30th Aug 2009 - 22:28 GMT

Thank you for letting everyone know that there's more to Newark than just the shooting and the gangs.There are a lot of us out here that are so unaware of the history of Newark. The cty of Newark is a historical venue in itself. We need more folks such as yourself to inform us of this great city's past.I don't know what led me to this site but I'm glad that I visited it. Thank you again.

Buzzy: 10th Sep 2009 - 01:42 GMT

Great Pix. You done a super job getting them.
Did anyone ever give you any problems about being there?
Like the local fuzz and such?

NICKEISHA: 22nd Oct 2009 - 03:17 GMT

WOW DEFINATELY SOMETIHING TO SEE THIS IS BEAUTIFUL

Blanca: 11th Nov 2009 - 19:03 GMT

Here's an interesting article which I think is about this jail:

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/25/nyregion/confidential-police-records-left-strewn-about-ruined-jail.html

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This is what it loos like today, almost 175 years later The undergrowth has been thriving in the recent warm springtime weather, and the outer yards are hard to navigate, between all the rotting waste and sharp objects scattered about Perhaps the structure decayed long ago or perhaps it was removed, but this cellblock is right outside in the open air From the overgrown western yard, a passage leads towards the front of the jail, skirting the giant stone wall just a few feet away Although now sealed from the outside, a look behind the wall reveals what appears to have been a main (and very secure) gate The entrance to the main cellblock Let's step inside... A tier of cells three levels tall Around the corner, they're four levels tall The cells are very tiny The cell-door opening mechanism I saw precious few overhead lights or lamps. I'd imagine that this structure was largely naturally-lit for most of its life. It certainly is now, thanks to the huge, looming windows One of the windows has fallen in in an adjacent cell-block Around back is some fencing and two dilapidated structures. It's almost too overgrown and crumbling to make out the footprint of the original complex, or tell which area is which from the outside of the building. Spotting this smokestack in the historical photo (at top), helps a little with orientation. This appears to be a boiler in what might have been a mechanical/utility building. It is separate from the rest of the jail and seems to be laid-out quite differently from the main jail building, although all of its windows are covered with bars, too The second floor of this mechanical building burned not too long ago and collapsed You can make out one of the cell-blocks through the shaded windows, which aren't nearly as overgrown This is where the mechanical building and the main outer wall meet This is Shaun, who I nearly startled to death when I inadvertently approached him from behind while he was squatting in a corner smoking. Hoisting his bucket of water and bottle of dish-soap, he explained that this was the only safe, accessible place in Newark that he can go to have a bath and a smoke in private. Having just smoked a dusted cigarette, he engaged me in the most lurid, abstract conversation I've ever had with another human. His brief tale was mind-bending, wondrous, terrifying and bridged all conventions of time and space. The crack vials littering the side-yard tell further tales. This major wing, right up at the front of the complex, was apparently built in 1890 The burned-out mechanical structure from outside, street-level The Newark Light Rail now weaves by next door in what used to be the Morris Canal in the jail's heyday A structure situated a ways behind the main complex, this building appears to have been non-correctional, perhaps offices or housing The Old Essex County Jail Complex, Essex County, Newark, New Jersey... This article has been viewed 6374 times in the last 16 months anon (cpe-24-175-71-228.tx.res.rr.com): awesome post! Violet: 21st May 2009 - 03:37 GMT These are beautifully haunting photos. Thank you so much for posting them here. Sanzay: 21st May 2009 - 04:15 GMT Wow! Looks like a theme for the good action game. So depressive and fascinating at the same time. The blend of urban exploration, parkour and documentary. Great article! Victoria: 21st May 2009 - 08:05 GMT Wow these are beautiful. Is it actually that easy to enter or is it difficult? adam: 21st May 2009 - 18:39 GMT great photos dude.. really gettin out there on your lunchbreaks huh? :) Sean Hopkins: 21st May 2009 - 19:30 GMT Instantaneously my favorite post of yours Peter. AWESOME. Now I'm itchin' to get out there!! Peter: 21st May 2009 - 20:39 GMT a: hahaha, not quite a lunch-time spot... i came out of there covered with dust and smelling like a dump, but definitely an on-the-way-home adventure ;) s: thanks man... yeah, id like to go back, too. i could only get so far into it before the sky got overcast and it got dark inside... only got to see about 25% of the place and snap some quick-n-dirty photos. plus, not the sort of place where you want to explore the deepest crannies (think the basement dungeons) alone. ntatap: 21st May 2009 - 21:07 GMT Peter, great post!!! do you know how long ago this place was shut down? Peter: 21st May 2009 - 21:53 GMT 1970, when the new essex county jail was completed. oddly, this jail has been on the national register of historic places since 1991, but nothing at all is being done aside from letting it slowly crumble and be reclaimed by nature (until it falls completely and can be razed for something undoubtedly more profitable, if the adjacent condos and student-housing is any indication). Alito: 22nd May 2009 - 06:49 GMT I heard that Frank Sinatra was once held captive in this jail for a petty offense. Alex Sagrista: 13th Jun 2009 - 22:24 GMT really good pictures great job hope to see somemore peter Marielos : 17th Jul 2009 - 01:12 GMT Dear Peter! This is one of the most facinating sites that I have found. What motivated you to go in and take these amazing pictures. Peter: 17th Jul 2009 - 20:54 GMT i walked past it and thought it looked cool...? i like dystopic decay :) Jailbird: 18th Jul 2009 - 03:41 GMT The cell door opening mechanism looks really cool. Nice shot. Marielos : 18th Jul 2009 - 15:27 GMT Peter: I am someone who has worked in Newark (University Heights) for the past 8 years. I am a nurse by training but for a long time has been in love with this site. I see so much potential. I have been meeting with the residents of University Heights and are planning to undertake some efforts to save this site. I have been lucky that my mother is a visionary like myself and she already has contacted some of her friends who are architects and have worked in prison design. I am also going to have a meeting with Dr. Clement Price who is a Newark resident and a historian. I am also in plans to speak with a professor at NJIT school of architecture. Thank you for your pictures, they will make part of history. anon (173.70.10.133): 23rd Jul 2009 - 15:52 GMT Thanks so much for posting, not sure how much longer this will be here. Six months ago there were a bobcat in the front administrative building. Great photos, thanks for sharing anon (70.15.201.8.res-cmts.sm.ptd.net): 25th Jul 2009 - 03:38 GMT Did Shawn hit you up for a few bucks after rambling on and giggling? ryan: amazing photos i want to check this place out. Hopkins: I keep coming back to this one. I love it. Nita: 30th Aug 2009 - 22:28 GMT Thank you for letting everyone know that there's more to Newark than just the shooting and the gangs.There are a lot of us out here that are so unaware of the history of Newark. The cty of Newark is a historical venue in itself. We need more folks such as yourself to inform us of this great city's past.I don't know what led me to this site but I'm glad that I visited it. Thank you again. Buzzy: 10th Sep 2009 - 01:42 GMT Great Pix. You done a super job getting them. Did anyone ever give you any problems about being there? Like the local fuzz and such? NICKEISHA: 22nd Oct 2009 - 03:17 GMT WOW DEFINATELY SOMETIHING TO SEE THIS IS BEAUTIFUL Blanca: 11th Nov 2009 - 19:03 GMT Here's an interesting article which I think is about this jail: http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/25/nyregion/confidential-police-records-left-strewn-about-ruined-jail.html Comment on this article.. 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The Old Essex County Jail Complex

[previous] :: [next]

Violet: 21st May 2009 - 03:37 GMT

Sanzay: 21st May 2009 - 04:15 GMT

Victoria: 21st May 2009 - 08:05 GMT

adam: 21st May 2009 - 18:39 GMT

Sean Hopkins: 21st May 2009 - 19:30 GMT

Peter: 21st May 2009 - 20:39 GMT

ntatap: 21st May 2009 - 21:07 GMT

Peter: 21st May 2009 - 21:53 GMT

Alito: 22nd May 2009 - 06:49 GMT

Alex Sagrista: 13th Jun 2009 - 22:24 GMT

Marielos : 17th Jul 2009 - 01:12 GMT

Peter: 17th Jul 2009 - 20:54 GMT

Jailbird: 18th Jul 2009 - 03:41 GMT

Marielos : 18th Jul 2009 - 15:27 GMT

anon (173.70.10.133): 23rd Jul 2009 - 15:52 GMT

anon (70.15.201.8.res-cmts.sm.ptd.net): 25th Jul 2009 - 03:38 GMT

Nita: 30th Aug 2009 - 22:28 GMT

Buzzy: 10th Sep 2009 - 01:42 GMT

NICKEISHA: 22nd Oct 2009 - 03:17 GMT

Blanca: 11th Nov 2009 - 19:03 GMT

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