David Felt established the town to include a school, a church, and a general store to make his workers self-sufficient.
After the mill closed in 1860, the property was purchased by Edward A. Moos, who rebranded the area as a summer resort for wealthy New Yorkers.
The community was known as 'Feltville' during its industrial period and 'Glenside Park' during its era as a summer retreat.
The village was largely abandoned by the mid-20th century before the Union County Park Commission acquired the land.
The Blue Brook, which flows through the valley, provided the necessary water power for the original textile manufacturing machinery.
The Deserted Village of Feltville is a preserved 19th-century mill town located within the Watchung Reservation in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. Founded in 1845 by David Felt, the site was originally a company town centered around a cotton duck cloth factory. It transitioned through multiple phases, serving as a utopian community, a summer resort called Glenside Park, and a private residential area. The site features several original structures, including the general store, the factory ruins, and multiple restored residences. Visitors can view the remnants of the mill race and the foundations of various industrial buildings. The site is currently maintained by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation as an outdoor historical exhibit. Interpretive signs are placed throughout the grounds to explain the history of the workers and the industrial operations. The village is situated on a hillside overlooking the Blue Brook valley.
The restored General Store and the hillside view overlooking the village foundations.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the paths through the village are primarily gravel and dirt.
Bring bug spray during the summer months, as the surrounding Watchung Reservation is heavily wooded.
Download or print the self-guided walking tour map from the Union County website before arrival to better understand the building layouts.
Do not attempt to enter the fenced-off factory ruins or off-limits historical buildings, as they are not structurally sound.
The outdoor grounds are accessible year-round, but access to building interiors is restricted to specific guided tour events or seasonal programs.
Stay on marked trails and paths to protect the site's ruins; do not enter buildings unless they are explicitly marked as open for public access.
