Hilltop, Jersey city

The Island is a small enclave within the Hilltop neighborhood which takes its name from its small size and location atop an isolated outcropping of Bergen Hill formerly called Mount Pleasant. ​The hilltop is the eastern section of the Journal Square district.

The only way in and out of the Island area is Chestnut Street. This gives one the feel of being on a secluded island in the middle of the city surrounded by a sea of rails. ​

There is also a pedestrian footbridge at Waldo Avenue.

It gets its isolation from the railroads that run past it, cutting it off from the packed journal square. ​

View overlooking the Waldo Yards

The Waldo Yards was originally used by the Pennsylvania Railroad Jersey City Branch. The Pennsylvania Railroad was the largest railroad through the beginning of the 20th century. By 1925, it had 10,515 miles of track. It is now the Port Authority Trans Hudson maintenance facilities.

Coming out of the island onto Newark Avenue is the  Jersey City Harsimus Cemetery. ​

Laura Gonzalez
​January 10 2016

All images © 2012-2016 Laura Gonzalez