The plant was built by the American Can Company in 1962. Midland Glass bought it in 1968, then Anchor Glass acquired Midland Glass in 1984 and operated the plant until 1996. The place has been a parking lot for school buses and semi-trailers until a long-planned renewal of the property can get some traction. In the meantime we have our very own haunted house, to be viewed from afar, of course.
Below is a view of the right side of the house.
Below is a Google Maps street view, which you can convert to a map and check its location. The Google address is only an approximation and surely wrong.
View Larger Map
This house looks a bit like the mansion that Joseph Rose owned, but that house was located a few blocks away on County Road at Rose Street. The Rose mansion also has a different layout, based on the photograph that appears on page 52 of Matawan and Aberdeen: Of Town and Field, by Helen Henderson. But it is of a like style and period. I don't believe Ms Henderson mentioned this house in her book, but I could have missed it. Maybe someone will enlighten us as to its story?
Pat,
ReplyDeleteThis house is located on Cliffwood Avenue not far from Rose Street (it is in the Block of Cliffwood Avenue and Rose Street - there are no blocks in between). It is my understanding that this is the Rose Mansion, an historical site for this very reason, and it is why that in all this time it has never been torn down. It has been kept in this condition since well before 1958 and since that time there have been several attempts to have it torn down/removed, but all attempts have failed due to the fact that this is the "Historic Rose Mansion."
I look forward to your response.
If they won't tear it down because it's historic, why are they letting it rot away to the point it will collapse anyway? And who is "they"?
DeleteAnonymous - You should read the 10 August 2013 post below. It's not an historic house, just a family built and owned house that the owners haven't decided what to do with yet.
DeleteGoogle Maps lists this address as 183 Cliffwood Avenue, Cliffwood, NJ instead of 233 Cliffwood Avenue. Is there are reason for this discrepancy?
ReplyDeleteI mentioned the Rose Mansion in my blog article. A local historian said Mr Rose's home was situated on County Road, which is at the other end of Rose Street, not on Cliffwood Avenue. A photo of the mansion included in her book is somewhat similar but not a match to the house architecturally.
ReplyDeleteI found Joseph and Frances Rose in the 1860 and 1870 censuses living in Matawan but the enumerators didn't include addresses in those days. Frances was widowed by 1880 and was living with her daughter Cordelia Shackleton and son in law Judson G Shackleton, physician. Perhaps they took over the house? Unfortunately that record likewise provides no address and I couldn't find a record of the Shackletons in 1900 census.
You don't seem to be saying that you have found proof that it is Rose Mansion. If you find an address, or if someone else knows or can locate the address, then we're in business.
As for the incorrect address provided in Google Maps, these mapping systems are based on global positioning systems (GPS) and are no better than the data those systems provide. GPS systems are designed to estimate locations based on a rough division of spaces based on known addresses. As a result, they can be way off at times.
I have submitted two address fixes to Google Maps over the past two years on other addresses. One was fixed but it took months. The other, Sayrebrook Veterinary Hospital in Sayreville, is still marked over a mile from its actual location at the intersection with Ernston Road.
It would be great to clarify the story behind this old house. I hope you continue to pursue answers.
this wonderful old house I have photographed in the fall with beautiful leaf canopies surrounding it. Has anyone tried the National Historic Register to see if it is listed?? Local history buff.
ReplyDeleteAberdeen, which includes Cliffwood, has no historic homes listed in the NJ or National Registers of Historic Places. We're part of a few historic districts involving railroads and the Garden State Parkway, but that's it. Matawan has more places, like Burrowes Mansion. Check out the 16 pages of Monmouth County listings at this link.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it could be restored? Has anyone been inside?
ReplyDeleteI've not been inside. It looks like a total loss from the roadside.
ReplyDeleteIn the book Around Matawan and Aberdeen. By Helen Henderson, this house looks IDETICAL to the Cliffwood Helium pictured on page 82. The windows are exact! The only problem is the hotel was listed being on 255 Cliffwood Ave.. Is the anyway at all the number can be wrong? This just has to be the same place!! Please send me an email to caa_816@yahoo.com to see pics.
ReplyDeleteThe 255 Cliffwood Avenue address is actually Bruno's Wine, Liquor and Food Market. If you look at it through Street View on Google Maps, you will see that, minus a few recent modifications, the building is a good match for the Cliffwood Hotel. I interviewed the family at Bruno's not too long ago. You will want to read that blog entry, which also includes a photo. http://aberdeennjlife.blogspot.com/2010/04/brunos-wine-liquor-and-food-market.html
ReplyDeleteThe last known owners of this property was named Zunack. Until the 1950's it was used as a farm house.
DeleteThe family is actually Zduniak. I wrote an article about them and the house about a year after this article. I should have provided a link. Here it is. http://aberdeennjlife.blogspot.com/2012/04/history-zduniak-of-cliffwood-nj.html
ReplyDeleteMy family has owned it since it was built. We have been inside a few times since its been abandoned but it is very unsafe. Floors and ceilings have rotted and the house is destroyed. My great grandfather built it in the early 1900s and had the property of the 3 houses after it as farm land. My family lives in those 3 houses now and the farm is long gone. We still own the property and dont plan to restore it. My grandfather and his brother are in decided what they want to do with it. Hope this helps answer any questions and i can confirm that my great grandfathers last name was in fact Zduniak
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend's last name is Zduniak, in fact his full name is Justin Craig Zduniak Jr and his grandfather was Craig Peter Zduniak, who's father was Walter Zduniak, hes indeed very interested in this story and the prperty and finding out if theyr'es any relation, if any information please contact justinzjr@yahoo.com
DeleteVery kind of you to write and clarify things. The old house is quite the curiosity and many people visit my blog to read about it. One of the most popular pieces I've written to date. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love the old houses the history be hide them
ReplyDelete