Index>Trail Guide>Tours>Andover

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Sussex Branch Trail

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Andover

On April 21, 2001, I collaborated with fellow historian, Kevin Wright as we guided a tour of the Sussex Branch Trail in Andover NJ.

We began our tour in the parking area of the Sussex Branch trail on 206 North. 12 participants gathered as I pointed out the previously unknown quarry siding which curved off from the main and extended for about 1,500 feet to a limestone quarry. This was used to bring limestone down to the Muscanetcong iron works in Stanhope.

Next we crossed the road and started up the trail. I pointed out the remains of a relay circuit box and the telegraph pole to which a wire still extends.

Further on, we stopped at Andover Junction--the crossing of the Lehigh & Hudson and the Sussex Railroads. I described how the L&H first built to Andover and then in 1882 connected to the Sussex Railroad for a time. This was done because a sink hole in lake Iliff was delaying construction of the line from Andover to Franklin.

In 1905 the L&H and the Lackawanna came to an agreement and built the better known connection which remained until the late 1960s.

At the location of the connection with the mine spur, Kevin described the conditions which made the Andover iron mines important and how the mule road was built on the opposite side of 206 from the steam road.

At the Andover station site I pointed out the surviving coal pocket, the location of the Fulboam creamery and the station.

One of the two surviving Mile markers, MP 55. was found hiding under the boughs of a pine tree.

At the Cut-off Tunnel, I described the construction of the cutoff tunnel and the traffic that ran over it. I also explained how a ghost story from Flanders, the Hookerman, was translocated up to Andover in the 1970's and how kids used it to scare each other.

To finish up the tour, we walked over to the A&P Parking lot where Kevin described the old iron industry of the town. He pointed out the mill pond dam and explained the old uses of many of the buildings.

When we returned to our cars, several of us caravaned out to Whitehall where Kevin told us some of the history of the area and pointed out a terrace on the far side of Rt. 206 which is another remnant of the mule road.

We then adjourned to Stewart's, a little drive-in on 206, north of Andover for a light lunch.

Pictures courtesy of Charles Smith (2001)

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