The Delaware and Raritan Canal

The Delaware and Raritan Canal, known simply as D&R Canal, is a staple in central New Jersey’s history. Chartered in 1830 and first opening in 1834, this waterway stretched more than 70 miles across the Garden State, from Bordentown and the Delaware River up to New Brunswick and the Raritan River. Many resources such as coal, as well as troops and supplies for three separate wars were transported up and down the canal. The canal was also critical in the industrial and commercial development of central New Jersey.

As depicted in the tile, the D&R Canal saw a high volume of traffic by many types of boats and ships including mule-towed boats, the inspiration behind the name “tow-path”. Since being designated a state park in 1974, these paths are now used for running, walking and biking, while the park is also used for various forms of recreation from boating to hunting.

Resources for Further Research:

1. D&R Canal website.
2. National Register of Historic Places.
3. Canal Society of New Jersey
4. New Jersey State Park Service
5. From Towpath to Bike path: Princeton and the Delaware & Raritan Canal (The Historical Society of Princeton)
6. Henry B. Kummel Collection: Photographs of the Delaware and Raritan Canal (the New Jersey State Department, Department of Conservation and Development)
7. State-Wide Celebration Underway to Honor 150th Anniversary of The Delaware And Raritan Canal (Town Topics, 1984 from the Papers of Princeton database)
8. Titles in Princeton Public Library’s collection