Does ext3 file system use a '.journal' file?

[Jeffrey J. Barteet]

Greetings,

I recently cpio-ed some user directories onto a new ext3 partion.

After putting this file server's partition into production, I noticed a .journal
file in the root directory of the partition dated well before the creation of
this partition.

I think this .journal file was copied over from the old filesystem and I am
concerned that I over-wrote this current filesystem's .journal file and this
file system will explode the next time I reboot.

I have also seen some non-definitive reference to ext3's journal being hidden.

My questions:

Does ext3 use a .journal file or is it hidden?

If it DOES use a .journal file, can I rebuild it on the fly? i.e., while the
file system is in production?

I'm on the  2.6.10 kernel.

Thanks,

-jeffrey