Near Wantage in Sussex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
To the South
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 15, 2022
1. To the South Marker
Looking south, you can follow the spine of the Kittatinny Ridge past Lake Marcia into Stokes State Forest and on to the Delaware Water Gap, where the Delaware River has carved a deep cleft through the Ridge. The Appalachian Trail, stretching from Maine to Georgia also extends along the length of the ridge here, crossing the Delaware River at the Water Gap and continuing along the Appalachians into Pennsylvania.
You are standing at the highest elevation on the Kittatinny Ridge, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. The bedrock that forms the spine of this ridge is called Shawangunk Conglomerate. It is a very hard rock and is resistant to erosion.
Conglomerate boulders like this one, dense with quartzite pebbles, are abundant along the ridge.
At 1600 feet above sea level, the lake below, Lake Marcia, is the highest lake in New Jersey. It has been a destination for picnicking, swimming, and fishing since the 1800s. This postcard [see separate closeup photo] shows the view in the 1930s. To the right you can see the Kuser Mansion which once stood on the bluff overlooking the lake.
Erected by New Jersey State Park Service and Park Donors.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment
this page online
Location. 41° 19.252′ N, 74° 39.699′ W. Marker is near Wantage, New Jersey, in Sussex County. It can be reached from Monument Road. Marker is at the base of the High Point Monument in High Point State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1480 NY Route 23 (Park Office address), Sussex NJ 07461, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Jersey and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: To the West (a few steps from this marker); High Point Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); High Point: An Early Haven for Sightseers & Sportsmen (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Gift of a State Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Public Parks: Refuge & Recreation for All (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Kuser Lodge: An Inn, A Mansion, A Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); Life of the Inn & Mansion 1890 ~ 1996 (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Heart of the Park 1923 ~ 1950 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wantage.
Regarding To the South. Marker has limited historical information but helps provide context for why the area became a state park.
Also see . . . High Point State Park Overview
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 15, 2022
2. To the South Marker and View
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 15, 2022
3. Historic Postcard on To the South Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 15, 2022
4. High Point Monument
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 15, 2022
5. To the East Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 15, 2022
6. To the East Marker and View
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 15, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
