Rt 539 Painted Rock
Location (N 39o
52.663', W 074o 22.594')
Elevation: 157 '
Have you ever driven
by the Decorated Rock on Route 539 S in Lacey Township)?
Each month someone repaints the rock to fit the
season.
Well, it is no longer
a mystery as to who paints the rock. One Monday, March 13, 2000 I met
Eddie. He is a retired person who is just someone who enjoys painting
the rock each month and has nothing else to do. Today I found him
repainting the rock after someone had painted graffiti on the rock. He
said his name was Eddie, the want-to-be-artist. He owned a paint store
and had a lot of left over paint.
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Local rock artist carves out a
fanciful niche on Route 539 |
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Beach Haven Times,
January 24, 2001
For many years I have
traveled Route 539 South from Allentown to Manahawkin where we own a
condo at Fawn Lakes. Approximately 5-6 miles from Route 72 there
is a large rock on the side of the road. Many times there was
graffiti written over the entire rock--and it was a complete eyesore
for travelers to observe.
Several years ago, some unknown person, or person decided to change
the atmosphere and started painting various scenes on the rock--in
accordance with the season or holiday at each different painting.
At times, other people, have left signs, they had painted with
statements, i.e. "Good Job", Well Done" "Thanks", etc.
So it seems that along with myself and my family and friends who enjoy
seeing this work of art, many others seem to be grateful also.
Enclosed please find some of the recent snapshots I have taken of
different scenes on the rock--at St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving,
Labor Day, Easter, Mother's Day, etc.
I wish I had started
at an earlier date to take some photos of other scenes painted.
In view of all that is said negatively about today's events in most
newspapers, I think that perhaps this would make a very interesting
story; if the person could be located who is responsible and then to
be interviewed.
Also, since this person is undoubtedly using his own finances to do
these works, why not have a fund set up donations welcome-- and
present it to that person as a thank you. (Count me in.)
As a former resident of New Jersey, moved to West Virginia in 1977, I
plan to try my skill at "rock painting" in the near future. I
anxiously await each trip to Manahawkin--especially to see "What next
on the Rock!
Resident of
W. VA.
Editor's Note:
The identity of the "artist" was revealed in a feature published last
summer in the Islander. We can thank Mr. Edward Gillesheimer,
Cedar Glen Lakes, for providing passersby with a sense of mystery and
a smile because of his artistry and community spirit. |
Someone recently also
showed their appreciation to painter
(click on any of the
thumbnail prints to view a larger picture)
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October, 1999 |
November, 1999 |
December, 1999 |
January, 2000 |
February, 2000 |
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March, 2000 |
April, 2000 |
May, 2000 |
May, 2000 |
JUNE, 2000 |
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In honor of the Day Lincoln was
assassinated? |
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July, 2000 |
August, 2000 |
September, 2000 |
This completes one year of pictures of
the rock on Rt 539. |
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October, 2000 |
November, 2000 |
December, 2000 |
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Angela recently left
this sign at the
painted rock.
Thanks for the
words of encouragement. 10/31/00
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January, 2001 |
February, 2001 |
March, 2001 |
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April, 2001 |
May, 2001 |
June, 2001 |
July. 2001 |
August/September
2001 |
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September, 2001 to Present (01/27/11) |
9/11/04 |
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The same painting has remained on the rock since 9/11/01 in honor of
those lost in the Twin Tower Destruction |
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7/25/05 |
Sept-Nov 2005 |
Summer 2006 |
| Note from a
recent painter of the rock 7/10/05: Hello,
I loved your info about the rock. I painted the flag on it in 2001. I
always wondered who was the man painting it before then. I waited a week
after 9/11 to see if he would come and paint it. I was wondering if you
knew if he is still around and if he liked the flag? I didn't want to
stop him from painting any thing else on it, I thought that since it
hadn't changed in awhile before 9/11 he was not able to do it. I hope
the new painting made him smile. I found out last week someone had
painted peace signs on it and next came some foul words. I have gone
back and painted a new flag on the day the bombs went off in London.
Jennifer |
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 Neil and Daughter painting the rock in
July, 2006 |
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August, 2006
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Article About the Mystery
Story on The Painted Rock
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How the Painted Rock Got to the Side of Route 539
According to "Captain Lou" Puskas, Jr., who recalls when the rock first
appeared there, it was on its way to be piled with other rocks of its size
around Barnegat Light to help prevent erosion of the land. He first saw a
"big tractor trailer truck" hauling three rocks in that direction. The truck
got a flat tire and was apparently too heavy to be jacked up in order to
change the tire.
A day or two later, Puskas was in the same area and noticed a new
addition to the roadside – a large (then unpainted) rock. He only assumed
the truck driver had removed it from his truck in order to jack the vehicle
up and change the flat tire so he could continue on to his destination, one
rock less. Puskas' first-hand account ends there, only revealing how he
believes the rock got to its present location.
Read more at Suite101: The Painted Rock of Route 539: A South New Jersey
Roadside Oddity in the Heart of the Pine Barrens
http://www.suite101.com/content/the-painted-rock-of-route-539-a220455#ixzz1CBSONE6y
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January, 2011
Pictures by Lisa Prothers |
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| Updated on
01/27/11 . |
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