Locations In Matawan


The following is a list of locations related to the attack in Matawan.

The Creek
The spot where the attacks on Stillwell and Fisher took place is located between Public Works Street (Formally Water Street)and Dock Street. It can be found by traveling east of main street past the town of Matawan, the streets are right after you cross over the railroad tracks. Access to the creek is VERY LIMITED, especially in the summertime with the overgrowth of trees. However, if you do attempt to go down there, your best bet is to drive down Dock st and climb down the short hill that leads to the Fisher Bag Factory. If you look to you left at low tide you will see pilings that are remains of the Wyckoff Dock, this is near where the attack took place. Another option would be to find the trail (it is hidden) that runs right next to the train tracks. However, in the summer there is virtually no access to the creek using this route unless you want to climb through weeds, poison ivy, and get bitten by insects. The best time to visit the spot is in the winter at low tide.

Two other spots where you can get a glimpse of the creek is when you pass over the garden state parkway near mile marker 119. Another is when you cross over the matawan embankment while on the NJCL train.

Below is a detailed map of the creek showing where the attacks took place.



Below is a picture of the spot where the attacks took place in 1916. The men in the boat are attempting to find Lester Stillwell's body while a crowd of matawan resident watch. I attempted to replicate the exact spot of where that picture was taken below. Picture was taken at low tide in the Spring of 2005 and is a view the west side of the creek.




Rose Hill Cemetery



Rose Hill Cememtery where Stillwell and Fisher are buried is technically off limits. There are no trespassing signs at the front and if the cops see you they will tell you to leave, even for research. However, I have been in the cemetery a number of times and never been caught. Below I have provided a map and a picture of the location of Stillwell and Fishers gravesites if you choose to find them. Stillwell's grave can be found by following the main path till there in a bend. It's just opposite the pond. Fisher's grave on on top of the hill directly over Lester's. Many people say that it' ironic that it is as if Fisher is watching over Lester in death, just as he did in life.





Home addresses are where chracters lived at the time of the attack in 1916. These are places you can stop at if you happen to be in Matawan, however I would venture to say very few of the original structures still exist.


Stanley Fisher's House: 4 Fountain Drive (original house still standing)



Stanley Fisher's Taylor Shop: Opposite 147 Broad Street (according to Leroy Smith).



Lester Stilwell's House: Church Street/Orchard Street/Lower Broad Street (In dispute)

Anderson Bag Factory: ? Atlantic Ave

Albert O'Hara's House: 75 Main Street



Johnson Cartan's House: 99 Main Street



Anthony Bublin's House: ? Little Street

Charles Van Brunt's House: ? Main Street

Chief Mulsoff's Barbershop: 118 Main Street



Arrowsmith Undertakers: 206 Main Street (now 204)



United Methodist Church: Intersection Of Ravine and Main Street (Near Post Office Parking Lot)

Frank Clowes's house(in creek with Lester?): 117 Main Street

Renny Cartan's house: 93 Main Street (original house)



Captain Cottrell's House: 50 Washington Street, Keyport NJ

Joseph Dunn's Aunt's house: ? Cliffwood Avenue.

Jerry Hourihan's House: ? Mash Street, Keyport NJ.



Cliffwood Locations


Here is a map that shows the location of the attack on Joseph Dunn in relation to the attacks on Stillwell and Fisher. Using the 1936 map as a guide, it appears the attack took place just East of where the Parkway crosses the creek. When the Garden State Parkway was built in the 1950’s it appears as though the creek was rerouted.





1936 Commerative map that appeared in the Matawan Journal showing the locations of the attacks. Courtesy Of "In Search of the Jersey Maneater"





Below is a map of the creek area taken sometime in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. You can see the Parkway being built over the creek and the creek being rerouted. You can also see the area where the Stillwell and Fisher attacks took place. At that time there were still many factories that lined the creek.