Entry No. 80 — the New York City file — filed under: ruins

Staley Mine

Discovered in 1832 to supply the nearby Oxford Furnace, the Staley Mine (also known as the Straley Mine) was a prominent magnetite iron mine that was abandoned before 1868. Today, the site lies within the West Oxford Mountain Natural Resource Area, where hikers can find remnants of the operation, including an old railroad bed, a wooden cistern, and a small brick structure with a rusty bolted door. The historic mine shafts themselves remain in the woods, safely sealed and fenced off by the county.

The move: Hike the scenic trails of the West Oxford Mountain Natural Resource Area to photograph the historic mining ruins and view the fenced-off mine shafts from a safe distance.

📍 Before you go The surrounding trails of the West Oxford Mountain Natural Resource Area are legally open to the public, but the actual historic mine shafts are dangerous and fenced off by the county.

• 📍 Oxford
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 27 Mine Hill Rd, Oxford, NJ 07863, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: metrotrails.org · nj.gov

last checked: 2026-07-20