Safety Notes: There used to be a ladder that would take you down into the sunken concrete area, but it is gone now. In addition to witches and time machines being built in the Pine Barrens, there is also the Clifton Gate. Danny's former rookie has a place on the team and in Steve's heart. Where are they? Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Tread carefully. Generations of local teenagers have told stories of what lay deep inside these darkened corridors, and have dared each other to venture forth. If you knock on the railroad ties above the entrance in groups of three, you will hear a loud horn sound from within the tunnel. I have been told that this is Red Eyed Mike. 0 0. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The preceding article is an excerpt from Weird NJ magazine, “Your Travel Guide to New Jersey’s Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets,” which is available on newsstands throughout the state and on the web at www.WeirdNJ.com. Source(s): weird jersey gates hell: https://shortly.im/rfoy0. The inactive one, on the right as you face them, is the Gates. Cross the tracks and proceed down the embankment. The name ‘Gates of Hell’ is quite a common nickname for any dark entrance, yet in all the years of research there is … Whenever a place is known as The Gates of Hell, you can be sure that there is some kind of horrifying tale connected with it and this network of tunnels and storm drains in Clifton, New Jersey is no exception. Another story I’ve heard is that at the very end of the Gates is the actual portal to Hell. 5. After a few dead ends we finally found a route to the tunnels. Follow/Fav To the Gates of Hell and New Jersey. Posted by Jamie Loughlin at 3:09 PM. ... Gates of Hell in Clifton, New Jersey. … My first recollections of this place were from the kids at the local BMX bike jumps. –Richard M. The original story of the Gates of Hell was featured in our book Weird NJ. In the 2014 film As Above, So Below, set in the depths of the Catacombs of Paris, has an inscription marking the entrance to hell. New Jersey has a lot of hard-kept secrets and unsolved mysteries. To the Gates of Hell and New Jersey bgharison. I have explored every inch of Clifton and nowhere is as eerie as the Gates of Hell! This amazing ancient cave was kept secret for seven years to protect it from the public. Popularized by Weird NJ. There is a very evil truth to the mythology of the Devil’s Tree. I live in New Jersey and I have no idea. Kono sat behind the desk in Kamekona's small but tidy office. 3 comments: Brooke Jinks August 7, 2017 at 7:30 PM. Windona. From the outside, the Gates of Hell, located behind the old Black Prince Distillery in Clifton, New Jersey, look like any other collection of drains. Mysterious heaps of stones dot these otherworldly woods. Clifton police are well aware of the dangers associated with the Gates Of Hell, so named by Weird NJ, a website devoted to New Jersey folklore and urban legends. Inside can be an extremely dangerous place even without the presence of Satan. I always wanted to find this spot to satisfy my own craving of knowledge and wonderment of the unknown, but at that age Clifton seemed as big as the universe and finding them was a bit further than mom would let me ride my bike. At the very center of the groove is a smoothed out granite manhole which is supposed to be one of the portals leading to Hell. It is a storm drain in Clifton, New Jersey. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). When I was sixteen, I was introduced to the Gates for the first time. Danny, of course, had been grousing the whole time; while Jax looked entirely too excited about the whole situation. New Jersey is full of urban legends and local lore, the story of the gateway to hell is one of the more popular. More Gates of Hell Are Being Kicked Open... Dec 16, 2020. You can either jump down near the Gates’ entrance or look for the nearby ladder (it’s located near another drain entrance). Originally built in 1869, this castle is currently part of Felician University's campus. This legendary passageway leads to a network of underground tunnels and storm sewers, and some say to the lair of the evil one himself. Truth Or Tale: Are The Gates Of Hell Really In A Clifton Tunnel? This was a shock to the system since it had been totally quiet except for the flow of the water. It is a short drop in but requires some scrambling or lifting to get out. Weird New Jersey Gates of Hell? This New Jersey Tunnel System Is Said To Be The Gateway To Hell. Ong’s Hat And The Portal To Another Dimension | The Gates Of Hell Is In New Jersey #higherself All contents ©Weird NJ and may not be reproduced by any means without permission. In 2011, we unveiled the first ever R-Rated Haunted attraction in the state of Nevada. This old-fashioned candy shop, ice cream parlor, and diner served as the setting for one of TV's most controversial series finales. To call the seven gates of hell an … Are their tales an accurate depiction of what lies beyond the murky threshold of the Gates of Hell, or are they more a window into the dark fears which can be found inside us all? The September 2012 edition of Weird NJ magazine describes a large tunnel, referred to by urban legends as "The Gates of Hell". The Gates of Hell tunnel is about eight feet high and covered from top to bottom in graffiti. From the outside, the Gates of Hell, located behind the old Black Prince Distillery in Clifton, New Jersey, look like any other collection of drains. To the Gates of Hell and New Jersey - Chapter 1. (Image credit: Owlsflight / Atlas Obscura) - ADVERTISEMENT -. This house covered in art created with volcanic rocks is shrouded in macabre lore. There were seven layers of tunnels under the ground, and the lower you got the closer you came to meeting the devil. Besides the glowing skull rumor, there’s supposed to be an area within the Gates that has some very disturbing  decor. This week, that work freed a Catholic Church in California, and the Supreme Court has now issued orders for churches in New Jersey and Colorado! The Gates of Hell in Clifton, New Jersey. I had seen the entrance, and I now believed everything I heard just by looking at it. The room is filled with a glowing human skull that is the last sign before you encounter the devil himself. There is probably no better way to prove one’s courage than by walking straight into the gaping maw of Hell, the gates of which can be found in the town of Clifton, PassaicCounty. All rights reserved. According to the legend, there is a room deep underground that can be entered only by those possessed with the powers to lift giant axes that weigh thousands of pounds and block the doors. Other, slightly more plausible legends, tell of people drowning in the drains, while trying to explore them and the rooms underground being used as meeting places for devil worshippers and members of the KKK. I have also heard of this tale of the gates of hell. Also, the areas over which water flows are smooth and coated with slippery residue. At this point I was ready to leave and go home. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Park at the Pathmark on the corner of Paulison Avenue and Clifton Avenue From there, walk down Clifton Avenue toward the railroad tracks and then turn left on Fornelius Avenue. My friend swears it was someone whispering some chant deeper in the tunnels. My friend asked me if I had ever been to the Gates of Hell. This room was only to be entered if you possessed powers that enabled you to lift axes that weighed thousands of pounds and blocked the door. Show the world your Jersey pride some of our Jersey-centric goodies. It was an unprecedented gamble based on one simple theory: that our adult audience was ready for something more. Some say All Seven Gates of Hell located in New Jersey, New York, Stull, Kansas, or in even on the land of Voodoo, New Orleans? Lv 4. That’s when we ran and got the hell out of there. It is a very old tunnel with an arched stone ceiling about eight feet high. The Gates of New Jersey [Image via Atlas Obscura] In Passaic County, a semi-abandoned storm drain for Weasel Brook is supposedly the gateway to Hell. It was pure Evil. There is a groove about 20 feet deep, and about 40 feet across. Gates Of Hell Part of Clifton's underground drainage system. There’s a creepy location in New Jersey known as ” The Gates Of Hell” that many won’t dare go near. I live about 5 miles from Clifton. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. They would tell stories of people entering these tunnels and never returning. One of these, and one of the more famous, is the legend of the Gates of Hell. But once you climb inside you’ll see that the drains,—the home of the devil according to an old urban legend—are covered with satanic graffiti and murals from generations of those who have dared to enter. Past the second building, there is a path that leads up to the tracks. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. You will see two sunken concrete areas each surrounded by fencing. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Gate of hell is the oldest tunnel with a stone ceiling about 8 feet high. Not to mention the Devil's Tree and Shades of Death Road. The tunnel system was built as a drainage run-off for a stream called Weasel Brook, and in times of heavy rain the usual trickle of water through the tunnel can become a raging torrent almost instantly. He had taken off a few minutes before, with Danny and Jax, loosely disguised in shorts, t-shirts, and sunglasses. Deep inside the dark tunnel we started to hear a strange knocking sound. And so, the myth of the devil living in a town in north new jersey remains a myth. It skirted around the edge of the table and slunk underneath to settle at Jax's feet. There is probably no better way to prove one’s courage than by walking straight into the gaping maw of Hell, the gates of which can be found in the town of Clifton, Passaic County. As discussed in several blog posts and, of course, our Jersey Devil series...a lot of weird things are happening in New Jersey. By: bgharison. But I realized that the only way to conquer the Gates was to enter the tunnels. Winner will be selected at random on 03/01/2021. The light quickly evaporates behind you as you enter and you are soon enveloped in total darkness. Reportedly, the drains go on for hundreds of feet underground, layered nine times just like the circles of hell, and are filled with the remains of satanic sacrifices—bones, decaying carcasses, crosses, and more. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. The Gates of Hell is the name of Rodin's bar that doubles as a demonic weapons market. I have heard this horn on occasion, and have seen rocks hurling themselves out of the tunnel with no person visible inside. Two pipes open into the one on the left. What Does the Title 'Esquire' Mean, Anyway? But once you climb inside you’ll see that the drains—the home of the devil according to an old urban legend—are covered with satanic graffiti and murals from generations of those who have dared to enter. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. An active drainage pipe flows into the one on the right. Must sign a waiver before entering the Gates of Hell. Myself and two friends decided to explore the Gates of Hell in Clifton New Jersey after hearing about it for years. According to local legend, a gate to Hell is located in this drainage tunnel in New Jersey. You need to climb down to reach all the storm drains. Edison's cast-in-place concrete houses were a massive failure, but way ahead of their time. Amazing thing is light quickly evaporates, as soon as you enter the gates of hell. Exploring a huge network of tunnels underneath Clifton, New Jersey and famous for lots of creepy happenings throughout many decades. A 21-year-old Port Reading man was rescued early Friday morning after falling roughly 20 feet in an area commonly referred to as the “Gates of Hell,” Clifton authorities said. Only those who are brave enough, or fool hearty enough to enter those gates can say for sure. He had taken off a few minutes before, with Danny and Jax, loosely disguised in shorts, t … –Jeff H. My friends and I have heard some rumors about the Gates of Hell that may be of interest to you. This legendary passageway leads to a network of underground tunnels and storm sewers, and some say to … It’s said that a spirit, known as Red Eyed Mike, guards the tunnel. Holmdel, New Jersey See All From the outside, the Gates of Hell, located behind the old Black Prince Distillery in Clifton, New Jersey, look like any other collection of drains. –Ralph Sinisi. I know they are in Clifton but can I get a more specific location. #*#*#*#*# To the Gates of Hell and New Jersey - Chapter 1. Growing up in Clifton, it wasn’t hard to learn of the stories of wrong doings and evil happenings at a spot known as the Gates Of Hell. I could feel the fear running from my feet straight to my shoulders. 1 decade ago. Most chilling to me was a secret room many layers under the ground. Visit our SHOP for all of your Weird NJ needs: Magazines, Books, Posters, Shirts, Patches, Hats, Stickers, Magnets, Air Fresheners. Part three of the Jersey / Jax series. The Gates Of Hell. In short, it's a large underground tunnel system located in Clifton, NJ, that is reported to be a hub of satanic and other cult activity. You might think that the term “Gates of Hell” would be a common nickname for any dark and foreboding entrance to the underground, yet in all of our years of research we have found no other subterranean passage in the state with the same moniker as this Clifton site. At one time, Bernards Township was one of the central headquarters of the KKK in New Jersey – they held many demonstrations in our town and held many meetings throughout the hills. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. All that I had heard and envisioned for the last half of my life was hitting me at once. Chapter 9: Pupule ... "Bloody hell," Rachel exclaimed, as a huge cream colored cat stalked onto the lanai, eyeing the group with suspicion. Offer subject to change without notice. There are dead trees planted exactly three feet apart from one another with dead cats and birds tied around their trunks. From a fiery crater in Turkmenistan to a diabolical tunnel beneath New Jersey, peer into the underworld through these eerie earthly portals rumored to be gateways to hell. I wasn’t sure what we had heard. Fengdu Ghost City in Chongqing Municipality, China. Seven golden statues rise into the sky from sculptor Victor Victori's New Jersey front lawn. Each episode explores some of New Jersey’s strangest locations and darkest legends. Looking at the entrance was more terrifying than anything else. These gates are rumored to be the very gates of hell. Inside this room was a dungeon that housed a human skull, or so it was said. Years later I made several trips back to the Gates of Hell, however after telling my story I could never convince anyone to venture into the tunnels as far as my friend and I did that one summer day. Kono sat behind the desk in Kamekona's small but tidy office. Check out our list of N.J.'s 10 creepiest spots - and feel free to add your own. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Legends of treasure and spirits flow from this this fairy tale-like oasis. Weird NJ Experience- Gates of Hell A couple years ago, me and some of the guys decided we would go to "The Gates of Hell," mentioned in Weird NJ. Stranger Jersey is a video series about urban myths. Unlike the other tunnels which were round and had streams of water flowing from them, this entrance was square, and had no water flow. The Clifton drainage tunnel gained notoriety after being featured by the infamous publication, Weird New Jersey. This old tunnel system with high arched stone ceilings is filled with graffiti, litter, and myriad stories of eerie happenings. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Seems he and his new bride are taking the rest of the day to visit Tripler," Adam said. Halsey also shouted out a few haunted New Jersey landmarks she’s been to: The Pine Barrens (where the Jersey Devil “lives”), the Gates of Hell in Clifton, Jenny Jump and the Profanity Houses. Private Trip: Croatia’s Abandoned Sites & Ancient Cities, Private Trip: A Culinary Exploration of Lisbon, Private Trip: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Private Trip: Chernobyl by Day, Kyiv by Night, Sunday Sabor: An Afternoon of Spanish Sherry, 'Res Gestae Divi Augusti' ('The Deeds of the Divine Augustus'), Enter the Lair of an Enormous, Ancient, Predatory Worm, The 17-Year Cicada Swarms of Brood X Are Coming This Summer, The Blacksmith Turning Decades of Chinese Bombs Into Kitchen Tools. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. Here is a sneak peak at chapter one - please look for the NEW story posted to continue! It’s located behind the old Black Prince Distillery in Clifton, New Jersey and is riddled with stories of some pretty creepy things. See. The very Gates of Hell are located in New Jersey. - Wayne, NJ - Patch is looking into urban legends and spooky bits around the Garden State. The Gates of Hell take the form of a dark tunnel in the town of Clifton, located in Passaic County. Satanic sacrifices, decaying carcasses, upside down crosses, satanic graffiti, anything dealing with the darkness in human nature was down there. Meet the Experimental Violinist Forging Her Own Path, How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/southpassaic/police-fire/cliftons-gates-of-hell-rescuers-save-severely-hurt-man-who-fell-20-feet/722218/, https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2017/10/23/clifton-gates-hell-story-called-bunk/783390001/, http://www.weirdnj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=81&Itemid=28. The Gates of Hell drain stands out from others nearby because it is square in shape and dry, while all others drains in the area typically have streams of water flowing from them. It was dark from all of the tree cover, and my stomach began to drop as we climbed down to the level that the tunnel entrances were located on. I also once witnessed a small human shaped figure run out of the tunnel towards Weasel Brook Park with superhuman speed. No purchase necessary. 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