Vineland, New Jersey: Palace of Depression (In Transition)

Just dropping a line to say we're off to a terrific start this season on the rebuilding of George Daynor's Palace of Depression. This photo shows the first real remains of a tunnel we've uncovered to date, running about four or five feet in length, and at least 3 ft. high. He even had a ceramic pipe "mucked" in to the wall for ventilation, sadly there's no saving this little stretch, as the mix that Daynor used is crumbling as it dries, and the first floor footings for the recreation need to be placed here. But all the rocks recovered are going right into the wall of our own tunnel system that we would have practically dropped in its place had it not been for the wet land restrictions!

Hey guys! This is where we're at with the basement, Devil's Den, and some of the primary tunnels. We're at 5-ft., and hope to have it up to 7-ft., and capped with the first floor before we have to stop for the winter.

Since last year's Groundbreaking Ceremony in Vineland, NJ, George Daynor fans have eagerly awaited the rebirth of the Palace of Depression. Here's the latest report from Jeff Tirante (aka "The Jersey Devil"):

The finished model went to the architects last week to be officially recorded. If you look at the back, you can see the ramps have been resolved, and worked up to "code" to make the entire Palace wheel-chair accessible, as well as successfuly creating a tunnel (to code) that will bring visitors under the main house into a recreation of his original "digs" and the Devil's Den.

George Daynor's Palace of Depression will be rebuilt on the same ground where it stood half a century ago. An official groundbreaking was held Saturday afternoon in a woodsy hollow along South Mill Road, attended by supporters, local residents and the media.