Tag: Neshanic Station

MG MGB

The presence of the red MG MGB at the Neshanic Station flea market created a focal point for conversations and camaraderie among the attendees and other classic car owners. Strangers struck up conversations, bonding over their love for classic cars and exchanging stories of their own automotive discoveries.

As I strolled to the back of the Neshanic Station flea market, the vibrant hue of the red MG MGB immediately caught my eye. It stood proudly, parked amidst other classic cars, exuding a timeless charm. Like a woman in red, the car's red dress and sleek body pulled me in.

The MG MGB is a symbol of British automotive heritage. Its iconic chrome grille, smooth lines, and elegant curves harkened back to a time when automotive craftsmanship was an art form. The red MG MGB evoked nostalgia for my youth. Dad owned a Mini Cooper, then a more family-oriented Volkswagen Beatle. But my Uncle Clifford owned a Triumph sports convertible. Uncle Clifford would drive around with some of us boys crammed into the back seat.

Approaching the car, I stared at its exquisite details. The well-maintained leather seats exuded an air of luxury, and the polished wooden steering wheel exuded a gentlemanly sophistication. As I ran my fingers along the sleek exterior, I could almost sense the car's history.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

But it wasn't just the car that captured my attention; it was also the passionate owner who stood nearby. With a grinning smile, he eagerly shared anecdotes about the MG MGB's history, regaling curious car enthusiasts with tales of the car's adventures and the joy it had brought him. It was evident that he had poured his heart and soul into preserving this automotive gem, cherishing every moment spent behind the wheel. He told me about the roads he had travelled and his adventures.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

The presence of the red MG MGB at the Neshanic Station flea market created a focal point for conversations and camaraderie among the attendees and other classic car owners. Strangers struck up conversations, bonding over their love for classic cars and exchanging stories of their own automotive discoveries.

MG MGB
MG MGB · Saturday 15 July 2023 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I am a technologist, but in an ever-changing world of fast-paced advancements, there is a timeless appeal in the past's simplicity, elegance, and craftsmanship.

Neshanic Station Bridge

This Neshanic Station Bridge, also known as Elm Street Bridge, has been on my to-do list for several years. Whenever I visit my brother-in-law in Annandale or stop at Conclave Brewing for a pint, I route through Hillsborough and Neshanic Station. On this occasion, I was returning from completing a photo project. I had spent the morning photographing from the south branch of the Raritan River in Clinton Township.

Neshanic Station is an unincorporated community within Branchburg Township in Somerset County, New Jersey. Notably, in 2016, a significant portion of the village was recognised for its historical value and added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Neshanic Station Historic District. On the drive out to Clinton, I slowed down, paid attention to potential parking places, and made a mental note to stop on the way back.

When I started my return drive home, the sun was lower in the sky. I parked on the shoulder of the road on the eastern side of the Raritan River. I could easily see the banks of the River. I grabbed my camera and tripod and went to the river bank through the brush. The snow or ice had melted, and the ground was muddy and slippery. I slid down to the river bank. I almost slide right in. My shoes were full of chunks of mud, but I set up my tripod and grabbed a few shots from a few locations.

Neshanic Station Bridge, Branchburg Township, Somerset County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/10, ISO200), Copyright 2019-01-26 Khürt L. Williams

So what do I know about this bridge? I gathered from various online sources that The Elm Street Bridge, also known as the Neshanic Station Bridge, is a lenticular truss bridge that carries Elm Street (Somerset County Route 667) over the river out of the community to River Road. Because of the length of the Raritan River, there are quite a few towns in New Jersey with a River Road.

Constructed in 1896 by the renowned Berlin Iron Bridge Company of East Berlin, Connecticut, this bridge comprises two spans and spans a length of 285 feet. Even after over a century, the Elm Street Bridge remains true to its original design and maintains its historical significance. In 2007, Somerset County undertook a rehabilitation project to ensure the preservation and maintenance of this historic structure.