Raritan Landing, New Jersey
Raritan Landing, New Jersey | ||
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Township Piscataway | |
Raritan Landing is a historical unincorporated community located within Piscataway Township in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey,[1] which was once an inland port, the farthest upstream point ocean-going ships could reach along the Raritan River, across from New Brunswick. Begun in the early 18th century it remained vital until the mid 19th century, when most of the port was abandoned.[2]
The remains of the community now reside buried beneath Johnson Park on the south side of River Road,
History
Raritan Landing emerged as a vital port community during the 1720s. It was situated at the farthest inland point on the Raritan River that could be navigated by merchant ships of the day. In its heyday, the Landing was the center for local trade and, along with New Brunswick, served as a hub for imports and exports to and from the
By the early days of the American Revolution the community was occupied by British troops. The bluffs provided safe haven for the troops, and an unobstructed lookout toward New Brunswick, enabling clear views of approaching Patriot forces.
Timeline
- c. 1700: Raritan Landing community first occupied.
- c. 1739: Edward Antill Houseis built.
- 1740: Raritan Landing community included 70 structures and more than 100 inhabitants.
- 1741: Cornelius Low House is built.
- 1825: Landing Lane was lined with blacksmith shops, cooper shops, stores and warehouses.
- 1830: Construction of Delaware and Raritan Canal begins.
- 1834: Delaware and Raritan Canal completed.
- 1870: Most of the community is dismantled and converted to pastureland.
- 1936: Cornelius C. Vermeule, a Piscataway resident, creates a map of Raritan Landing based on his research. The numbers on the map correspond to houses and are keyed to a list of owners included in an article published in the Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. His publication draws others into researching the history of the area. Some of the Vermeule designations are later updated with wills, deeds, newspaper reports, and other paper record.[6]
- 1970s: Metlar-Bodine House, and Road Up Raritan Historic District are added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places
Raritan Landing Archeological Site
Raritan Landing Archeological District (Boundary Increase) | |
Location | Piscataway Highland Park |
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Coordinates | 40°30′45″N 74°27′45″W / 40.51250°N 74.46250°W |
NRHP reference No. | 79001506 (1979) 84002738 (1984)[7] |
NJRHP No. | 1918 (1979) 1921 (1980) 1919 (1984) [8] |
Added to NRHP | October 11, 1984 |
The Raritan Landing Archeological Site includes the Upper Van Rants House Site, the Bluff Prehistoric Site, and areas just
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in New Jersey
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County, New Jersey
- East Jersey Old Town Village
- Six Mile Run
- New Bridge Landing
References
- ^ Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed February 13, 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7385-0439-1
- ^ Wikimapia
- ^ "Raritan Landing". Middlesex County. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- ^ "Historic Community". Recovering Raritan Landing The Archeology of a Forgotten Town. New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2002. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ Yamin, Rebecca (2011). Rediscovering Raritan Landing: An Adventure in New Jersey Archaeology (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. p. 6.
- ^ a b "New Jersey - Middlesex County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ a b "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Middlesex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. June 2, 2011. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
- ^ "Recovering Raritan Landing The Archeology of a Forgotten Town". New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2002. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
External links
- Dawson, George, ed. (2012). "Piscataway". Guide to Historic Sites in Central New Jersey. The Raritan-Millstone Heritage Alliance. pp. 53–66.