WesVerde

After enduring more than his share of hardship and struggle, German immigrant John Erpenstein arrived in Newark, NJ, where he was nearly able to carve out his own little slice of Heaven, but instead succumbed to temptation and weakness. It resulted in not only his downfall, but his entire family's as well. A cautionary tale, and a part of New Jersey history. Sources: "Life, Trial, Conviction, and Execution of John Erpenstein" by Rev William Winnis "Albany Evening Journal" (newspaper) "New York Tribune" (newspaper) Links: https://linktr.ee/wesverde #history, #newjersey, #truecrime, #historicalcrime, #murder, #poison, #affair, #newarknj

In 1940, the Hercules Powder Company of Kenvil, NJ experienced its worst - but by no means only explosion. Detected over 100 miles away, it resulted in 50 deaths and hundreds injured. While sabotage appeared likely, it was by no means confirmed. Links: https://wesverde.com/ https://linktr.ee/wesverde Sources: https://retrospytales.com/ww2-mystery-deadly-1940-explosion-at-us-arms-factory "Secret Intelligence in the 20th Century" by Heike Bungert, et al. https://weirdnj.com/stories/local-heroes-and-villains/camp-nordland-bund/ http://www.roxburynewjersey.com/hercules.htm Newspapers: The Central New Jersey Home News The Daily Standard The Morning Call The Daily Register #history, #newjersey, #1940s, #workplaceaccidents, #explosion, #ww2, #germany, #IRA, #memorial, #camp

An otherwise innocuous processed meat, Taylor Pork Roll aka Taylor Ham has earned a big place in New Jersey's culture, and the Ham v Pork Roll debate is something of a local meme. This is the story of how John Taylor's gift to the world came to be what it is today. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ta...) https://www.nj.com/insidejersey/2009/... https://peteandeldas.com/2018/01/hist... Linktree: https://linktr.ee/wesverde #history, #newjersey, #taylorporkroll, #taylorham, #foodhistory, #revolutionarywar

An otherwise innocuous processed meat, Taylor Pork Roll aka Taylor Ham has earned a big place in New Jersey's culture, and the Ham v Pork Roll debate is something of a local meme. This is the story of how John Taylor's gift to the world came to be what it is today. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_(Taylor_Ham) https://www.nj.com/insidejersey/2009/04/how_new_jersey_saved_civilizat_5.html https://peteandeldas.com/2018/01/history-pork-roll-taylor-ham/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/wesverde #history, #newjersey, #taylorporkroll, #taylorham, #foodhistory, #revolutionarywar

In 1843, several murders took place in the small hamlet of Changewater, NJ. What followed was a poorly organized and arguably tainted investigation, a 2 year legal battle, and the conviction and execution of two men under questionable circumstances. Full video: https://rumble.com/v4nzp2o-the-changewater-murders-words-and-coffee.html Sources: -"THE CHANGEWATER MURDERS: CASE CLOSED" by Robert and Sharon Meeker -The Pittsburgh Gazette Newspaper, clippings from 1843 - 1845 -The Evening Post Newspaper, clippings from 1843 - 1845 -"Murder Along the Musconetcong: A Tale of Jersey Justice" by Ruth Farrow -"The Trial of Joseph Carter, Jr" by Sharon Meeker -https://lisaastoll.wixsite.com/change... https://blackriverjournal.com/changew... ... My Full Catalog https://linktr.ee/wesverde #history, #newjersey, #makingamurderer, #crime, #realcrime, #1840s

In 1843, several murders took place in the small hamlet of Changewater, NJ. What followed was a poorly organized and arguably tainted investigation, a 2 year legal battle, and the conviction and execution of two men under questionable circumstances. Sources: -"THE CHANGEWATER MURDERS: CASE CLOSED" by Robert and Sharon Meeker -The Pittsburgh Gazette Newspaper, clippings from 1843 - 1845 -The Evening Post Newspaper, clippings from 1843 - 1845 -"Murder Along the Musconetcong: A Tale of Jersey Justice" by Ruth Farrow -"The Trial of Joseph Carter, Jr" by Sharon Meeker -https://lisaastoll.wixsite.com/changewatermurders/the-murders-1 https://blackriverjournal.com/changewater-2 ... My Full Catalog https://linktr.ee/wesverde #history, #newjersey, #makingamurderer, #crime, #realcrime, #1840s

In 1926, nature blew up a hilltop outside of Dover, NJ Well... that and about 10% of the military's ENTIRE munitions stockpile that was being stored at the Navy Depot outside Picatinny Arsenal. It caused both a prompt disaster as well as lingering effects which are still felt nearly 100 years later. #history, #newjersey, #interwarperiod, #explosion, #navy, #1926, #picatinny, Sources: • http://www.gendisasters.com/new-jerse... • http://thevane.gawker.com/july-10-192... • “Images of America: Picatinny Arsenal.” John W. Rae. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN: 0-7385-0196-4 • https://projects.propublica.org/bombs... • https://www.msiac.nato.int/sites/defa...

This is a story about vision. About sisters. And about perseverance. I’m talking about that most special Jersey Girl…. Lucy the Elephant. #lucytheelephant, #weirdnj, #history, #newjersey, #elephants, #jerseyshore Sources: THE ELEPHANT HOTEL, HEDWIG & THE TAGEBUCH By: Marie Kobres Bone https://lucytheelephant.org/about-us/history/ https://weirdnj.com/stories/lucy-the-elephant/

May 1880, a riot took place on Garrett Mountain, Paterson, NJ. It began with an altercation between William Dalzell and a number of revelers from the May Day celebration. Rocks were thrown. Shots were fired. And soon Dalzell was on the run for his life. Hidden History of New Jersey by Joseph G Bilby, et al. https://patersonhistory.com/index.php/garret-mountain-riot/ (paywall) https://www.nytimes.com/1880/10/29/archives/william-dalzell-acquitted.html https://njmilitiamuseum.org/unit-lineages/113-infantry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1880_Garret_Rock_May_Day_riot #history, #newjersey, #postcivilwar, #patersonnj, #garrettmountain, #mayday, #germanamerican, #german, #silkcity, #irish, #riot, #fierybutmostlypeaceful,

In 1900, the town of Old Boonton was demolished in order to be turned into a reservoir for Jersey City. While the legends of a "whole town underwater" are just myths the actual history of displaced persons, shady business practices, thalassophobia, and dangerous work are very much real. My Other Work https://wesverde.com/ / wesverde7 Video sources: https://morristowngreen.com/2022/03/2... https://sites.rootsweb.com/~njmorris/... https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2...

On this episode of Words and Coffee, I dive into the history of the town of Old Boonton - specifically the events leading up to its abandonment and flooding. There's a local legend from this area that the town was flooded to make the Jersey City Reservoir, and all buildings were left behind and still remain there to this day. Spoiler: that's not the case, but there are several incidents from the real life history that may have inspired the legend.

In doing research for my next book, I dove headfirst into a rabbit hole of information about the Garden State's most beloved mascot - the Jersey Devil AKA the Leeds Devil. Yes, the Leeds were real people. And the way they became associated with a chimeric "devil" is actually way more interesting (at least to me) than the alleged sightings and encounters.

The real history surrounding the creation of New Jersey's very own cryptid and mascot: the Jersey Devil. A story of rivalry, fraud, and a flame war with a founding father. Website: https://www.wesverde.com Sources: https://www.americanhistorycentral.co... http://wakinguponturtleisland.blogspo... https://www.hoosierkin.com/blog/leeds... https://www.capemaymag.com/feature/th... https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jer... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_... #jerseydevil, #newjersey, #history, #legends, #cryptids, #leedsdevil, #benfranklin, #colonialamerica, #benjaminfranklin, #familytrees, #lore, #philadelphia, #quakers

Jalopy Patrol #14 It's a jalopy jamboree! Classic car show at a dealership down the road. Lot's of amazing talent, but this glitter green roadster style truck caught my eye. #classiccars , #roadster , #carshow , #greencar , #glitter , #trucks , #trucksofinstagram

Jalopy Patrol #13 "Hm... I want to buy these rims, but don't you have four of them?" "Sorry, no. I'll give you these other two for a discount though. They're the same color." "Um...." ^^ A conversation that must have happened. Feat. streetside Honda Civic #jalopypatrol , #jalopy #rims , #mismatched, #roadsideoddities , #hondacivic , #funnycar , #notthesame , #silvercars , #cars , #niceparking , #nahitllbefine

Jalopy Patrol #12 A Dodgey jalopy. Spotted this 1960 Power Wagon outside the local brewpub. #oldcars , #Dodge, #vanlife, #jalopypatrol, #rust, #powerwagon , #ontheroad, #pinstripe

Just a regular, ordinary, purple beam at the mall. Actually, it's a nice paint job. Check out my coffee reviews: https://wesverde.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/ #purplecar, #purple, #jalopypatrol, #oddcars, #BMW, #paintjob, #standout

Bunch of crotch rockets going for a ride on the soccer van of vroom vroom. #stuffontheroad , #motorcycle , #jalopypatrol , #crotchrockets , #trailers , #vroomvroom , #roadsideoddities , #roadtrip

Sunset interrupted by Jeep. Fender of a different color. Number in the back window just in case you want to join an impromptu race on the way home from the store. Full size spare tire on the rear hatch (actually that's probably sensible) Jalopy status: awarded. Check out my coffee reviews: https://wesverde.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/ #jalopypatrol, #sunsets, #dashcam, #stuffontheroad, #jeepsofinstagram , #daleearnhardt , #number3

Choppy Jalopies! (they're old vehicles, right? they got wheels, don't they?) Recently had the good fortune to visit the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester, Delaware. My kids were all about it. Check out my coffee reviews: https://wesverde.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/ #americanhelicoptermuseum , #jalopypatrol , #museums , #oldvehicles, #flight, #helicopters, #coolmachines

Rubber ducky, you're the one You make dashboards lots of fun. Rubber ducky, I am awfully fond of the parking lot It's dashboard diorama time, featuring zombie ducks and something called "comboas"? (I have no idea) Check out my coffee reviews: https://wesverde.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/ #jalopypatrol, #funnycars, #dashboarddiorama , #parkinglot , #zombieducks , #rubberduck

Passed this jack-knifed tractor trailer on the highway. Driver was ok, but his ride was was not. Also, a hell of a traffic jam for several hours hence. #jalopypatrol, #trucks, #caraccidents, #wreckers, #bigtrucks, #whoops, #stuffonthehighway Check out my books and coffee reviews https://wesverde.com/

Just a big yellow flatbed with about a dozen or so spare tires (which you never know when that will come in handy). #jalopypatrol, #oldcars, #rust, #oldtrucks, #roadsideoddities

It's a jalopy buffet line. Took a stroll past a restoration shop with an eclectic offering out front. Check out my coffee reviews: https://wesverde.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/

Found a pair of MG's roadside. Not in terrible shape except for the engines, doors, windshields, and... y'know, these might need some work. Check out my coffee reviews: https://wesverde.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesverde7/