In search of the Morris Canal in Newark
Nov 24th, 2007 by tony
What does Newark, Mulberry St, Flemming Ave and the Morris Canal have in common?
Well I’ve heard both streets were once a canal, the northern side of Fleming ave was called the Island and people crossed it through little walking bridges. I am searching for more information. Can you help?
To start, there was once a canal in Newark.
The Morris Canal extended from Easton to Newark, NJ, a distance of 86 miles. The eastern section of this canal was completed in 1829. From Newark to Paterson, the country through which the canal passes is beautiful. On the south the canal for some distance is bounded by mountainous rugged cliffs, the rocky excavations through which were attended with great labor and expense. Four miles above Patterson is what is called the Grand Aqueduct across the Passaic river at the Little Falls. This Aqueduct may just be ranked, for its admirable construction, workmanship, space of the arch and elevation, with the greatest objects of curiosity in artificial navigation, and altogether may be considered superior to any thing of the kind in this country. Half a mile further is an aqueduct across the Pompton river, a work of considerable magnitude. The whole route, from Newark to Easton is interesting and worth our attention. Than from Easton to Delaware Water gap the distance is 23 miles, proceeding through Richmond, Williamsburg, and from there to the Water Gap.
Newark, M.J. which is located on the route, and which is within 10 miles of New York, is one of the most elegant villages in the union. It is situated near the west bank of the Passaic River, 3 miles from its mouth, and is laid out in regular streets, the principal (Broad) being 200 feet wide. The public square near the centre, is very handsome, and is surrounded by a number of elegant private dwellings. The public buildings in the place are a court house, a jail, two banks and academy and six churches. The population in 1830 was 10,705.
Reference: The Traveller’s Guide Through the Middle and Northen States and the Provinces of Canada
by G.M.Davison 1834
Page 90
Further reading tells me that the Charter for this construction was granted in December 31, 1824 as a cheap means of transportation for merchandize between the Hudson and the Delaware and especially as an eastern outlet for the coal of Pennsilvania. The Canal was completed six years late in Agust of 1931 through Newark but it only reached Jersey City in 1836. The canal remained in this condition until 1941 when the deman for better facilities and larger boats led to the widening of the planes by 2ft. while th elocks were widen to 11 ft and lengthend to 95 ft.
The canal started from tide water level at Newark and run to Phillipsburg on the Delaware river. In traverssing it a boat passed through 16 lifts locks and 12 inclided planes to the summit which is at Lake Hopatcong. The elevation at this point was 914 ft above sea level
American Engineer and Rairoad Journal 1894
page 555