Sparta in Sparta Township in Sussex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Works of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Concentrating Company

Edison Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

1. Edison Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1891, Thomas Edison developed an enormous complex of mines, crushers, separators, and subsidiary buildings that came to be known as “Edison” or, more properly, “The Works of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Concentrating Company.” This company produced briquettes of concentrated iron ore. The plant finally closed, never to reopen, on September 30, 1900. In its highest level of activity, the plant employed nearly 500 men. Thomas Edison himself had lost about two million dollars of his own money on the project, but was quoted as saying:

“I can at any time get a job at $75.00 a month as a telegrapher, and that will amply take care of all my personal requirements.”
As quoted to Mr. Waltor Mallory and
reprinted form the “North Jersey Highlander”
Summer 1980

[Upper Plaque:]
Thomas Alva Edison
Born: February 11, 1847 Died: October 18, 1931

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1826.

Location. 41° 3.82′ N, 74° 34.253′ W. Marker is in Sparta Township, New Jersey, in Sussex County. It is in Sparta. Marker is on Edison Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in the Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sparta NJ 07871, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Schoolhouse and Firehouse Museum (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Sterling Mine (approx. 2.3 miles away); WTC Artifact #K-0010 (approx. 3.2 miles away); Roll of Honor (approx. 3.2 miles away); Township of Jefferson Veterans Monument (approx. 3.2 miles away); Bicentennial Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.2 miles away); Remembrance (approx. 3.2 miles away); Franklin Furnace (approx. 3.4 miles away).

More about this marker. Marker consists of a granite monument with a plaque containing a relief image of Thomas Edison. The reverse side of the monument features three photograph of the Ironworks when it was in operation.

Upper Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

2. Upper Plaque

Thomas Edison's Ironworks and Mines Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

3. Thomas Edison's Ironworks and Mines Marker

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

4. Edison Marker

Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

5. Back of Monument

Photo from Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

6. Photo from Marker

General view of the Works looking N.E.,
Horseshoe Cut in the foreground.

Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Edison National Historic Site
26.111/17 Before 1895 NJ & PC CONC. WORKS

Photo from Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

7. Photo from Back of Monument

Corliss engine used to power equipment
at the Works.

Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Edison National Historic Site
26.111/4 Before 1895 NJ & PC CONC. WORKS

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

8. Photo from Back of Monument

Employees of the Works at Ogden, N.J.
(Also known as Edison, N.J.)

Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Edison National Historic Site
26.111/3 Pre-1895 NJ & PC CONC. WORKS

Marker in the Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

9. Marker in the Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area

Nearby Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 29, 2010

10. Nearby Marker

Erected by
Sparta Township Council
with assistance from State
Senator Robert E. Littell, and
the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection.

Dedicated 1999

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,090 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on August 29, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.