All images copyright 2007 by Frank Meloi. Unauthorized use prohibited.  

Took some photos in the hollow at Boonton today. These are red/cyan 3D anaglyphs. You need red/cyan glasses in order to view them in 3D. You may want to do a web search for more information on these glasses.

Washington Rock:

This huge rock is one of Boonton's most famous natural landmarks. It has been visited and painted by many famous artists, including John Trumbull, who also painted the iconic "Signing of the Declaration of Independence." Over the years it has been known by several different names, including "Indian Rock" "Eagle Rock" and "Turtle Rock." During the construction of the Arch Bridge, in the 1860's, a large portion of this rock was quarried away and carved into building stones. The view above is facing west, while the one below is taken from the opposite side.




The Arch Bridge:

Quite possibly the most famous man-made landmark in Boonton, this graceful arch has been spanning the gorge since 1865. It is, in reality, not a bridge at all, but was built as an aqueduct to supply water to the ironworks several hundred feet downstream.

The gentle downward slope of the Arch Bridge is evidence of its original purpose as an aqueduct. It was built with stones quarried from Washington Rock, which still stands only a few feet to the north.


At the bottom of the gorge, the Rockaway river creates living driftwood in the roots of this tree, which seems to be desperately reaching for a foothold in the rocky bank:



Just above the Arch, the gorge widens to a degree. At this point, the large rock below juts out into the river:

This feature seems to have been, at one time, a lower waterfall. Over time, however, the river eventually cut a channel through the rock, and so the fall is now dry, except during periods of very heavy rain.

A closer view (above) of the end of this rock, shows the place where the river has broken through. Here the Rockaway shrinks from many yards wide, to only 3 or 4 feet. This is a very dangerous spot during high water.

The pothole above bears evidence of the days when this was the lower fall. Many centuries ago a small rock became lodged in a depression or crevice. Decades of falling water swirled the stone against the rock, gradually carving out this sink. This spot, from its position in the middle of the river, affords the visitor with the best possible views of the falls.



Below: A view of the old Lower Fall from further upstream.



Boonton Falls. The large boulder in the left of the scene was once the home of a legendary "monster" trout during the second half of the eighteenth century. This fish, whether fact or fiction, was renowned for his ability to avoid capture, and was mentioned by Charles Willis in his famous book "Scouts of '76"



I'll wrap up this set with a scene just below our starting point. Here the river rolls gently on its way past the old ironworks, on its course to the Jersey City reservoir. A little Just out of sight past the bend in the river is an old railroad trestle, which is the subject for another day.