A Journey Through Time: Capturing North Jersey's Fading Echoes

There's a certain magic, isn't there, in stumbling upon places time forgot? Or perhaps, more accurately, places that society simply chose to move on from. For Wheeler Antabanez, an urban explorer with a well-earned reputation – particularly among fans of Weird NJ – these forgotten corners of North Jersey aren't just ruins; they're stories waiting to be told, silent witnesses to a bygone era. And now, he's inviting us to peek into his latest visual diary with the upcoming release of "WHEELEROIDZ - Polaroids from North Jersey Vol. 2."

Set to hit bookshelves on September 1, 2026, courtesy of Abandoned Books, this new volume promises a rich tapestry of more than a hundred monochrome Polaroids. It’s not just a collection of pictures, mind you; it's Antabanez's signature exploration of the "obscure corners" of our beloved North Jersey. If you were captivated by the first volume, released just last year, then get ready – because this sequel delves even deeper into the heart of local decay and forgotten beauty.

What kind of sights can one expect? Well, Antabanez, an Essex County native through and through, has a knack for finding significance in the seemingly mundane, yet deeply nostalgic. Think about those iconic ShopRite phone booths, remember them? He’s captured them. He's also turned his lens on the Livingston Mall, catching it in what he poignantly describes as its "death throes" – a slow, melancholic decline that many of us have watched unfold. It’s these everyday, yet vanishing, scenes that really resonate.

But his journey certainly doesn't stop at retail relics. Antabanez also explores grander, more storied structures. We're talking about the South Orange Pumping Station, a place whose preservation efforts tell their own tale, and the chillingly abandoned Orange Memorial Hospital, where remnants of medical waste whisper of past emergencies and forgotten lives. Each image is a stark reminder of what once was, and what now stands as a testament to time's relentless march.

Newark, naturally, features prominently in this collection. It's a city teeming with history and haunting beauty, and Antabanez knows its pulse. He's captured the ghosts of places like Borden's Creamery/Peddler's Village, the imposing Genesis Towers – affectionately known to some as the "Dog Towers" – and the majestic, yet derelict, Proctor's Palace Theater. And speaking of Proctor's Palace, fans will be thrilled to learn that legendary skateboarder Fred Gall makes an appearance, having famously discovered a unique skate spot within the theater's cavernous embrace. It’s moments like these that blend urban exploration with local lore.

So, why Polaroids, you might ask? The choice of a Polaroid Now camera isn't arbitrary; it’s central to the aesthetic. The immediate, raw, and often slightly imperfect nature of instant film lends itself perfectly to Antabanez's subject matter. It imbues these decaying landscapes with a timeless quality, a tangible sense of the past, devoid of digital polish. Each black-and-white frame feels like a tangible piece of history, plucked directly from the moment it was captured.

Ultimately, "WHEELEROIDZ Vol. 2" is more than just a photo book. It's an important artistic and historical document, a deep dive into the soul of North Jersey as seen through the eyes of someone who truly understands its hidden rhythms and overlooked beauty. So mark your calendars for September 1, 2026, and prepare to embark on a captivating visual journey through the forgotten corners of the Garden State.