Remember the millions seeking a new life. This is the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. It was their gateway to America. Imagine arriving here after the ferry from Ellis Island. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal stands as a monument to that hopeful journey.
Built in 1889, the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal replaced an older station. That earlier station had served since 1864. William H. Peddle, Peabody & Stearns designed this beautiful building. It operated until April 30, 1967. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal also served other railroads. These included the Reading Railroad, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Back then, five major terminals lined the Hudson Waterfront. Weehawken, Hoboken, Pavonia, and Exchange Place were among them. Today, only Hoboken Terminal remains in use. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, however, has been preserved. It is now part of Liberty State Park. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal is on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. It is a New Jersey State Historic Site.
The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal connects to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It reminds us of the immigration era. Around 10.5 million immigrants passed through this station. They were processed at Ellis Island. The area is known as Communipaw. In the Lenape language, it means big landing place at the side of a river. The first stop west of the station was called Communipaw. It was near a village established in 1634. The terminal sits next to the Morris Canal Big Basin. Railroads eventually replaced that canal. Audrey Zapp Drive leads to the terminal. It is named for an environmentalist who helped create the park.
The main building showcases Richardsonian Romanesque style. The intermodal facility had many platforms and ferry slips. Passengers could walk to the railhead concourse. They could pass through the waiting room or bypass it. Stairs led to the upper level. The ferry slips have been restored. However, the structure that housed them is gone. The Bush-type trainsheds were added in 1914. A. Lincoln Bush designed them. They were the largest ever constructed. Sadly, they have not been restored.
The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal played a vital role. Lines from the station went southwest. Overcoming natural obstacles was a challenge. The Hackensack River, the Meadows, the Hudson Palisades and traversing the Newark Bay had to be crossed. The Newark Bay Bridge was built for the mainline to Elizabeth. Today, the Hudson Bergen Light Rail uses these rights-of-way.
The Communipaw ferry was the main route. Ferries crossed the North River to Manhattan. The B&O Railroad also used the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal’s ferries. They transported passengers to the Whitehall Terminal. Until the Verrazano Narrows Bridge opened, ferries also served Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Jersey Central’s Blue Comet offered service to Atlantic City. Suburban trains served the Jersey Shore. Long-distance trains ran to Pennsylvania. The Reading Company used the terminal for its Crusader and Wall Street trains. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad offered service to Washington D.C., Chicago, and St. Louis.
In April 1967, the Aldene Connection opened. Passenger service to the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal ended. Trains were diverted to Penn Station in Newark.
Today, ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island depart daily. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal suffered damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. It reopened in 2016.
The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal stands as a reminder of our nation’s history. It connects us to the stories of millions who came here seeking a better future. Take a moment to reflect on their journeys.