Exploring the Brooksbrae Brick Factory

Manchester Township, NJ

Nestled deep within the New Jersey Pine Barrens lies the ruins of an abandoned terracotta brick factory.

The Brooksbrae Brick factory was constructed in 1903 by William J. Kelly for $10,000. The factory was designed to produce thousands of bricks per day, and it was one of the most advanced facilities in the region. However, Kelly died in 1908 before the factory could reach its full potential. Unfortunately, Kelly’s will was complicated, and it took several years to settle his estate. During this time, the factory remained inactive.

In 1915, railroad workers from the Central Railroad of New Jersey went on strike near Brooksbrae. To prevent any harm to the factory, a caretaker was assigned to guard the premises. One evening, the caretaker and his wife lit a fire in the stove to heat their home. Sadly, they failed to inspect the chimney flue, leading to a large fire that resulted in their deaths and the destruction of the property.

Once the legal issues surrounding Kelly's will were resolved, the factory changed hands and was eventually sold. However, due to the tragic deaths that occurred on the property, Brooksbrae was never rebuilt. The ruins of the factory have been left to decay, and they are now a popular spot for graffiti artists and urban explorers.

Finding Brooksbrae can be somewhat challenging. If you choose to visit, don't depend entirely on GPS for directions - cell service is very spotty in the area. Plus, there are no road signs to guide you.

I recommend setting your GPS to Pasadena Woodmanse Road in Whiting. At about the midway point, you should start seeing graffiti all over the road.

Park along the road, and as you head towards the woods, you should see railroad tracks. Cross the tracks and continue on the sand trail for about a quarter mile.

Soon you should start to see spray-painted tree trunks - that’s how you know you’re there :)

If you are ever near Manchester Township, be sure to check this place out! Make sure to be cautious while exploring the factory, as there is trash and glass everywhere - I highly recommend wearing closed-toe shoes.

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