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 opened in 1834, this waterway stretches? 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 this 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.

Books

1. “Snubbin’ Thro’ Jersey:” a Tale of the Delaware & Raritan Canal by The Century Magazine (Princeton Public Library)
2. The Delaware & Raritan Canal: a Pictorial History by William J. McKelvey (Princeton Public Library)
3. Passage Between Rivers: a Portfolio of Photographs With a History of the Delaware and Raritan Canal by Elizabeth G. C. Menzies (Princeton Public Library)
4. Along the Delaware and Raritan Canal by James S. Cawley (Princeton Public Library)
5. The Delaware and Raritan Canal at Work by Linda J. Barth (Princeton Public Library)
6. The Delaware and Raritan Canal by Linda J. Barth (Princeton Public Library)
7. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park: Master Plan Adopted May, 1977 (Princeton Public Library)
8. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park: Historic Structures Survey by David Gibson (Princeton Public Library)

Websites

1. A Historic Place (D&R Canal State Park)
2. Delaware and Raritan Canal (National Register of Historic Places)
3. Explore the Delaware & Raritan Canal (Canal Society of New Jersey)
4. From Towpath to Bike Path: Princeton and the Delaware & Raritan Canal (The Historical Society of Princeton)
5. D&R Canal State Park (Department of Environmental Protection, The State of New Jersey)
6. Henry B. Kummel Collection: Photographs of the Delaware and Raritan Canal (Department of Conservation and Development, The New Jersey State Department)

Articles

1. State-Wide Celebration Underway to Honor 150th Anniversary of The Delaware And Raritan Canal by Barbara L. Johnson (Town Topics, 13 June 1984)