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Historic New Jersey village of Batsto trying to bounce back from flooding

The Batsto and Mullica Rivers were the key reasons that Charles Read first built an ironworks in 1766 at what became the site of the village of Batsto.

An aerial view of floodwaters that engulfed Batsto when Hurricane Irene hit. More than 20 buildings were damaged and a key road was closed. (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)
An aerial view of floodwaters that engulfed Batsto when Hurricane Irene hit. More than 20 buildings were damaged and a key road was closed. (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)Read more

The Batsto and Mullica Rivers were the key reasons that Charles Read first built an ironworks in 1766 at what became the site of the village of Batsto.

The waterways supplied power to mills, had an abundance of bog ore containing iron, and were excellent transportation routes to the Delaware River, Philadelphia, and New York.

But when Hurricane Irene hit last month, the rivers that were so important to Batsto's beginning became a problem.

They overflowed their banks and flooded more than 20 buildings at the state historic site in the Wharton State Forest in Washington Township, Burlington County.

Nearby, Route 542 at the bridges over the Batsto and Mullica Rivers also was damaged, forcing the closure of that main access road.

Batsto, though, is making a steady comeback, state officials said this week. Sites in the upper village, including the iconic Batsto Mansion, Batsto Visitor Center, hiking trails, and picnic areas, were unaffected and reopened last Saturday. They are open seven days a week.

A free public program focusing on James Still, the first black doctor in the Pine Barrens, will be presented at 1 p.m. Sept. 18 by the Batsto Citizens Committee at the visitor center.

"Despite the flooding of the two rivers, Batsto remains a popular destination, and is offering public programs and mansion tours," said Rob Auermuller, superintendent of the Wharton State Forest, including Batsto. "We encourage people to visit the historic blacksmith shop on Saturdays to see live demonstrations of blacksmithing."

The lower village, with its quaint workers' cottages, remains closed and is being assessed by the New Jersey Park Service to determine what repairs are needed. The cost of the work is unknown.

During Irene and its aftermath, water rushed into the village and encircled the houses, pouring into crawl spaces and covering some floors. The grist mill, mule barn, sawmill, and Batsto Nature Center also were inundated.

"It was right in the flood plain, on flat land," said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection. "The buildings do not appear to have sustained too much damage.

"Foundations were flooded, but the water wasn't too deep," he said. "We'll be asking FEMA for disaster relief for the parks that were damaged."

Batsto "has seen flooding before, so we were prepared for it," Auermuller said. "But this was more than we expected."

Now, the challenge is letting the public know that the picturesque Pinelands village is still inviting visitors to experience its history.

"We were horrified by the flooding in Batsto," said Linda Stanton, a member of the Batsto Citizens Committee, a nonprofit group that provides financial support for the site. "A lot of repairs will have to be done.

"We want people to come out, support the events, and make donations for restoration," said Stanton, a resident of Sweetwater in Mullica Township.

The Batsto Iron Works was established by Read, who was joined by Philadelphia businessman John Cox in 1770. Cox became sole owner in 1773. The site produced pots, kettles, and other household items, and later manufactured supplies for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

"It was an important location for trade and commerce in 1700s and 1800s," said Terry Schmidt, a customer-service representative at Batsto. "Prior to roadways, waterways were used.

"Everything was shipped," she said. "Rivers were also good because they could be dammed for power."

The manager of the ironworks, Joseph Ball, bought the business in 1779, and his uncle, William Richards, bought a controlling interest in 1784. The Richards family erected most of the buildings in the village during the next 92 years.

The son of William Richards, Jesse, ran the operation until he died in 1854 and was followed by his son Thomas. The demand for iron fell and the village turned to glassmaking, but soon fell into bankruptcy.

By 1876, Philadelphia businessman Joseph Wharton purchased Batsto and other properties in the area. He improved the buildings and became involved in cranberry farming and a sawmill.

After Wharton died in 1909, his properties were managed by the Girard Trust Co. in Philadelphia. The State of New Jersey bought the Wharton holdings in the late 1950s, eventually turning them into a historic site.

"There is a lot to see at Batsto," Stanton said. "We just want everybody to come back."