New Brunswick in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
George Street Tunnel Stones
History
Photographed by David Weintraub, February 5, 2024
1. George Street Tunnel Stones Marker
The stones here were excavated from George Street before the route 18 expansion in the late 1970's and early 1980's.
It was believed that when the Delaware and Raritan Canal constructed Lock #13 at New Brunswick, goods were transferred through the tunnel to the basement of the Buccleuch Mansion, although this has not been verified. At the time, General Joseph Scott (1778-1871) and his family resided there.
Other unverified uses of the tunnel were that it was for arms and ammunitions smuggling during the Revolution, as a connection to a station of the underground railroad.
The stones are inscribed with a variety of markings, some which may be masonic. Similar inscriptions have been found at Weston Mills Pond and the Lawrence Brook areas.
The remaining stones have markings and names that remain to be identified.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 40° 30.365′ N, 74° 27.405′ W. Marker is in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in Middlesex
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey, in Greater Princeton, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Buccleuch Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Buccleuch (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Birthplace of College Football (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Constitutional Convention in New Jersey (approx. 0.3 miles away); New Brunswick Sailors (approx. 0.3 miles away);
Photographed by David Weintraub, February 5, 2024
2. George Street Tunnel Stones Marker
The Buccleuch Mansion is beyond the marker.
Also see . . . Buccleuch Mansion (Wikipedia). (Submitted on February 18, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2024, by David Weintraub of Edison, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 5, 2024, by David Weintraub of Edison, New Jersey. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings. A photo of the stones. • Can you help?
