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Weird NJ (WNJ) is a semiannual magazine that chronicles local legends, ghost stories, folklore and anything considered "weird" in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
History
Weird NJ began in 1989 as a personal newsletter sent to friends by Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman. Gradually it evolved into a public magazine published twice a year in May and October. Abandoned places, creepy experiences, unique people, and strange landmarks were and still are common subjects for the magazine. Past issues have covered everything from the Jersey Devil and UFO sightings to abandoned Nike missile silos and the life of Zip the Pinhead.
In 2003 a Weird NJ book, made up of content from earlier issues, was published. The next year saw the follow up Weird US, covering sites and stories across the country. That led to a series of books for other states and areas, including Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, California and New England, and a TV series, Weird US, on the History Channel.
Influence
The painting of a grinning face named Tillie has appeared in many Weird NJ books and on the magazine covers. In 2004, the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park with the image of Tillie on it was set to be destroyed to make way for a hotel. When Weird NJ readers learned of the planned demolition, efforts were started to try to save the building. Tillie's face was saved; but the rest of the building, built more than a century ago, was not.
Weird NJ has also influenced other similar groups in New Jersey and around the United States. These include "The Midnight Society" (now defunct), "PsychoNJ", "Myth mission", and "Jersey Junkies".
There are many other strange New Jersey locations such as "Midgetville", "Stairway to Hell", "Shades Of Death Road", and "Clinton Road".
Community
The growth of the magazine has led to the creation of a community of sorts for fans of Moran and Sceurman's work. These avid readers often travel to sites listed within the pages of the periodical themselves, which is frequently considered a dangerous practice and is sometimes illegal. In an attempt to dissuade readers - or at the least, remove legal liability from the editors and publishers of Weird NJ - a disclaimer has been posted on the inside cover of each issue.
The most popular locations to explore are usually abandoned or dilapidated structures, such as psychiatric hospitals, prisons and old homes. Haunted locales are given extra attention. Explorers are known to take pictures and upload them to various websites and online groups for others with the interest to see.
This is considered by most to be a form of urban exploration and is very popular, especially given New Jersey's small size and the accessibility of major roads and arteries, such as the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway.
Reference
- Moran, Mark and Mark Sceurman (2004). Weird N.J. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 0-7607-3979-X.