In the town of Richland, New Jersey, between the Delaware River and the Jersey Shore, on Route 40, there stands a tree. Carved into a 235 year old oak tree that died in 2015, are scenes of trains, sawmills, clocks, homes, weathervanes, farms, chickens, people, roadsigns, etc. It’s an amazing sight.
The 235-year-old oak tree, centerpiece of the park, died in 2015. Instead of chopping it down, Richland hired chainsaw artist Brian Ackley to carve the town’s history into the tree’s trunk and branches. He expects to finish later in 2017, in time for Richland to celebrate its 150th birthday. ~Roadside America
We found this place on the return trip from Ocean City. Since Route 55 has been finished, no one travels the ‘old’ way ‘down the shore’ anymore. In the age of the pandemic, leisurely drives are making a comeback. It had been near two decades since we were on this road. We found a few surprises, the most interesting, The Richland Oak.
This post is part of Skywatch.
I’m so glad I found the site Roadside America. Who knew that near this old oak tree are also musical robots. I’m going to have to take a few moments tonight and browse all the interesting places for a drive in my area. Put some towns near you in the search bar, and find things you never knew were near to you.
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 
That is something, my great grandparents lived in Richland, visited there many times as a child.
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Years ago I went by there quite often on the way to Ocean City. It was THE way to go then. I never noticed Richland as a town because Buena was so much larger. Now, we’ve been talking about going that way again. This park with the tree was right next to a Fire Department and also had a railroad car nearby. It is a small world. Thanks for the comment.
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Never know where art will be found.
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It surprised us! I am going to have some fun looking up names of towns around our area on the Roadside America site. Thanks for the comment.
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Someone has way too much time on their hands.
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I wish I had the time and the skill. Thanks so much for stopping by and the comment.
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That is so very cool! I am going to have to check out Roadside America.
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It’s a fun site.
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