South Bound Brook in Somerset County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park
Dug by hand, mostly be Irish immigrants, the 66 mile D & R Canal was completed in 1834. 75 feet wide and 8 feet deep, the canal originally had 14 locks to raise and lower boat traffic.
The D & R Canal operated as an inland waterway between the Delaware and Raritan rivers, primarily transporting Pennsylvania coal to New York via mule drawn canalboats. The busiest years of the D & R Canal were in the decade following the Civil War, when it proved itself to be one of America’s most important canals.
By 1843 mules were supplemented by steam powered boats. The D & R Canal was used by a great variety of commercial, pleasure and naval vessels. Many locks, spillways, tender’s houses, and other nineteenth century structures remain intact and in use. The entire D & R Canal is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Corridor of Conservation and Recreation
Along its route of scenic beauty, the canal offers varied recreation and provides a natural habitat for plants and wildlife. Visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of the natural world while canoeing, fishing, cycling, walking or horseback riding.
After 1932 the D & R Canal no longer provided a through route for vessels. Instead, the water itself became a resource which is of increasing
Erected by NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection.
Location. 40° 33.517′ N, 74° 31.839′ W. Marker is in South Bound Brook, New Jersey, in Somerset County. Marker is on Canal Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in the parking lot of the D&R Canal State Park. Marker is in this post office area: South Bound Brook NJ 08880, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Locks on the D&R Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Bound Brook (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Queen’s Bridge (about 800 feet away); Van Horn Plaza (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Frelinghuysen Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Bound Brook (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Stone Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Bound Brook Library World War I Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Bound Brook.
More about this marker. The bottom right of the marker contains a photograph of “The South Bound Brook lock and locktender’s house. At each lock and bridge the canal company built a modest house for the locktenders and bridgetenders.” The
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers related to the Delaware and Raritan Canal.
Also see . . . Delaware & Raritan Canal History. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park website. (Submitted on January 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
Categories. • Waterways & Vessels •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on January 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,142 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 5. submitted on January 28, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.