Overbrook Asylum Hospital Demolition: N.J. Urban Explorer Shares Video, Photos

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s a dark place with a dark past. But soon, the abandoned Overbrook Asylum in Essex County will be relegated to the exclusive realm photographs and memories.

In an effort to help preserve the history of the defunct hospital and infamous urban exploration site in Cedar Grove – which is currently under demolition – local weird historian and author Wheeler Antabanez recently shared some emotion-raising photos and videos of the destruction process with Patch.com.

“The Essex County Hospital Center is a very dark place with a horrific past so I can see why the county would want to erase the memory,” Antabanez said. “On the other hand, my memories of Overbrook are all good ones so I seek to preserve them as best I can through writing, photography, videos and painting.”

The abandoned asylum has long been a popular and off-limits urban exploration site for locals.

• See related article: Trespassing At Overbrook: Police Apprehend 7 In Essex County
• See related article: More Trespassing Arrests At Old Essex County Hospital Grounds
• See related article: Fire Torches Abandoned Overbrook Asylum Building In Essex County

In May, county officials announced that when demolished, the site will become the location of a new, $11 million, 77-acre park.

According to a county news release, the land was the last remaining parcel from the old Essex County Hospital Center complex, which was originally slated to be sold to a private developer. However, in 2008, county officials initiated a change in policy and decided to preserve the land as open space.

• See related article: Essex County Plans $11M Park At Overbrook Asylum Hospital Site

A lengthy lawsuit involving the developer, the county and Cedar Grove was resolved in 2015 when a compromise was reached, county officials stated.

Antabanez is no stranger to the site, which is technically off-limits and grounds for a trespassing citation without proper clearance. He recently released a book, “The Old Asylum And Other Stories,” published by Sagging Meniscus Press of Montclair, which is composed of fictional tales set against the backdrop of the old asylum.

• See related article: Overbrook Hospital: Book Adds To Mythology Of Essex County's Infamous Asylum

“I'm lucky that I have a long zoom on my camera so I can capture detailed photos without having to go inside the perimeter fence,” Antabanez said. “Security is very tight around Overbrook as the buildings are being razed, but the guards have actually been respectful and considerate as long as I don't trespass. It's really painful to see Overbrook fall because I love it so much, but when I'm there taking photos of the demolition it's my way of paying tribute to the history that took place within those walls.”

Antabanez will be appearing alongside the publishers of Weird NJ on Oct. 6 at the Montclair Art Museum to perform a reading from “The Old Asylum And Other Stories.” Learn more about the book here.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Video/Photos: Wheeler Antabanez

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