You Ask ... Patch Answers
What's with the Abandoned House on Brooklyn Mountain Road?
E-mail Brendan@Patch.com with your questions.
The remains of a mansion stand in a lot near Brooklyn Mountain Road. Its stone walls are weather-beaten. Weeds grow over its steps. I've lived in Hopatcong over a decade and always wondered, "What happened to this place?" But when borough residents Brandon Olenic and Matt Wenneis—two of my best friends—asked, too, I figured I should find out. So I contacted Martin Kane, president of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum. He gave me the lowdown: The place burned down in the 1990s. It was abandoned for years. But, back in the early 20th century, it was a mansion called Oldfield. It was built by Gustave Reinberg, superintendent of American Forcite Powder Company, which manufactured explosives and acids. For a long time, Oldfield was the only …
In this Article:
susan leighton beeson
8:03 am on Thursday, April 4, 2013
I am Susie Leighton, my Dad Jack Leighton had that lunchenette!! I went to Hudson Maxin school! It was 1953!! We even had AIRraid shelter's in the basement!! Milk was delivered to our house on Stone Ave., along with "Bond" bread! Our family doctor, Dr. Kaleca came to the house, along with Reverand Murphy, who was at the Methodist church, on the lake, I was Baptised in! The Buttel's (Doris and …   more ›