Griggstown in Somerset County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Griggstown Bridge Tender’s Station

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2010

1. Griggstown Bridge Tender’s Station Marker

Inscription. The D&R Canal was built between the years 1830 and 1834. The waterway connected the Delaware and Raritan Rivers and, after its completion, served to expedite the flow of commerce between Philadelphia and New York City. Coal was the primary commodity transported along this canal.

This station was used by the Griggstown bridge tender who monitored boat traffic and operated the bridge at this location.

The bridge tender’s station was fitted with a Morse telegraph machine, one of the earliest uses of the technology, in order to alert other locations of emergencies and other needed information.

This historical interpretation was provided by Boy Scout Troop 850 of Montgomery township, with assistance from the Griggstown Historical Society and the D&R Canal Commission.
Landscaping materials donated by the Belle Mead Co-op.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 40° 26.278′ N, 74° 36.835′ W. Marker is in Griggstown, New Jersey, in Somerset County. It is at the intersection of Griggstown Causeway and Canal Road, on the left when traveling west on Griggstown Causeway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belle Mead NJ 08502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey,

specifically in 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic River Road and River Crossing (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington’s Route from Princeton (approx. 0.6 miles away); Opie-Vanderveer Cemetery (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bridgepoint Historic District (approx. 2.1 miles away); Harlingen Road Bridge (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Titus Farm (approx. 3 miles away); Blackwells Mills Canal House (approx. 3.4 miles away); Kate McFarlane and Josephine Swann (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Griggstown.

More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a photograph of the Bridge Tender’s Station.

Griggstown Bridge Tender’s Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2010

2. Griggstown Bridge Tender’s Station

Marker on Griggstown Causeway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2010

3. Marker on Griggstown Causeway

Lock on the D&R Canal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2010

4. Lock on the D&R Canal

The Griggstown lock on the D&R Canal, seen here, is located about a mile south of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,261 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.