Scenic historic Raritan (D & R) Canal, water river transportation canal branch springtime green trees 175 years old New Jersey
Image details
Contributor:
Robert Quinlan / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
BB9X5MFile size:
50 MB (3.2 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5120 x 3413 px | 43.3 x 28.9 cm | 17.1 x 11.4 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
2009Location:
Raritan Boro, Somerset County, New Jersey, NJ usa USA, United States of AmericaMore information:
http://www.dandrcanal.com/history.html Now 175 years old Today the canal is a part of the state's park system, with the water enjoyed by canoeists and fishermen and the tow path enjoyed by walkers, joggers, cross-country skiers and cyclists. Unlike other state parks its maintenance does not depend on the health of the state budget. The canal is part of the New Jersey Water Authority's infrastructure, delivering water to Central Jersey customers. Funds from the sale of water are devoted to its upkeep, including maintenance of the tow path. What William Penn proposed in 1676, a canal through New Jersey "narrow waist, " began to take shape in 1830, when legions of laborers, many recent Irish immigrants, dug the canal through 44 miles of New Jersey. They also dug a 22-mile feeder canal that runs parallel to the Delaware River. canal was designed to link Pennsylvania and points west to the New York City market. At its peak in 1871 it carried 2, 990, 000 tons of cargo, about 80 percent of it coal. More tonnage passed through the canal that year than in any year the more famous Erie Canal was in operation. elen Erdey, who was born in New Brunswick 1917, recalled her grandparents telling her about how the boats were powered by mules on those tow paths. She learned to swim in the canal. Her father fished for eels in the canal. "It was a sweet fish, very delicious, " said Erdey. Jim Zinsmeister of Highland Park, recalled how his family moved from New York City to Kendall Park in 1962. At age 10 he and his buddies discovered the canal while riding their bikes. They swam the canal, searched for turtles and were scared out of their mind by snakes. "It is a world within a world, " said Zinsmeister, who today jogs on the tow path.