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Lecture Explores Waldwick's Historic Railroad Tower

WALDWICK, N. J. -- The 106-year-old Erie Interlocking Tower in Waldwick, one of the last wood interlocking towers in New Jersey, is the topic of a Dec. 8 lecture by two local historians involved in preserving Waldwick history.

The historic Erie Interlocking Tower at the corner of  Bohnert Place and Zazzetti Street in Waldwick.

The historic Erie Interlocking Tower at the corner of Bohnert Place and Zazzetti Street in Waldwick.

Photo Credit: Lorraine Ash

Curt Springstead, project manager for the Waldwick Historical Society, and Doug Cowie of the Waldwick Community Alliance, will present a brief history of the tower during its 106 years of operation and the 18-year effort to rehabilitate it to house the Railroader Museum in Waldwick. 

Part of the Mahwah Museum Lecture Series, the lecture will take place at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8, at the Ramapo Reformed Church, 100 Island Road, Mahwah. 

Admission is $3; free for museum members. Contact programs@mahwahmuseum.org for reservations or call (201)-512-0099. Refreshments will be served after the presentation.

Also known as the “WC” tower, the structure is on the National Register of Historic Properties and is the last remaining wood interlocking tower in New Jersey, officials said. The Waldwick Historical Society and the Waldwick Community Alliance are sister organizations with related missions focused on preserving Waldwick history.

The tower preservation project is focused on the railroad worker and the railroad as a major industry in the area. Nearly 50 percent of households in the Waldwick area had a railroad employee in the family, officials said.

Exhibits and presentation are planned to focus on the various roles the railroad played in Waldwick with personal stories where available. With help from NJ Transit, the historical society is planning to bring back the equipment that the tower housed, very rare pieces, to display.

For details, visit the project website or the Mahwah Museum website.

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