Historical Markers and War Memorials in Bristol, Pennsylvania
Doylestown is the county seat for Bucks County
Bristol is in Bucks County
Bucks County(270) ► ADJACENT TO BUCKS COUNTY Lehigh County(127) ► Montgomery County(266) ► Northampton County(253) ► Philadelphia County(1659) ► Burlington County, New Jersey(331) ► Hunterdon County, New Jersey(365) ► Mercer County, New Jersey(430) ► Warren County, New Jersey(125) ►
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On Feb. 21, 1861, the train carrying the President-elect from Springfield, Ill., to his Inauguration in Washington, D.C., stopped briefly near this point. Mr. Lincoln appeared on the rear platform and spoke to the assembled crowd, estimated at more . . . — — Map (db m87067) HM
“A quiet little village at the southern end of the canal suddenly awakened to find itself a teaming river port swarming with canal boats, boatmen, mules, and river and coastal boats of all sorts.”
C.P. Yoder
Delaware Canal . . . — — Map (db m31279) HM
This monument was erected by the citizens of the 140th legislative district in tribute to Christopher Columbus and those who followed him to America.
Celebration
We celebrate the 500th anniversary of the 1st voyage of Christopher . . . — — Map (db m31448) HM
The Industrial Revolution marked the shift in America's economy from hand-made to machine-made products. Better means of transportation, manufacturing, and communication were needed to make change. In the early 1800's, entrepreneurs and . . . — — Map (db m160086) HM
Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849. She fled to Philadelphia where, as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, she made 19 sorties into the South, liberating over 300 slaves. Ms. Tubman also served as a spy and nurse for the Union Army . . . — — Map (db m31308) HM
Whether they were headed down the Delaware River or making return trips north, canal boats needed a place to wait in Bristol Borough. A five-acre Basin located between Lock 1 and the Tide Lock provided that space. Some boats were waiting to be . . . — — Map (db m160088) HM
Widely regarded as a key figure in state and national Republican Party politics, he advocated pro-business, low tax, and high tariff policies. An influential industrialist, publisher, banker, lobbyist, and politician, he founded the Pa. . . . — — Map (db m31168) HM
“We used to trade a lot along the canal, people who had vegetables and things, we’d give them coal and they’d give us cabbages, tomatoes and things like that. Then there were lock tenders whose wives made good bread. We’d give them . . . — — Map (db m62626) HM
Over its 59-mile length, the Delaware Canal drops 165 feet from Easton to Bristol. To overcome this elevation change, 23 lift locks were built along the way. They allowed safe and reliable navigation for cargo-filled boats.
A lift lock was a . . . — — Map (db m160055) HM
The spot where Lock 2 once stood is located in front of this sign. It is outlined with concrete. By the lock were a locktender's house and shanty, as well as a blacksmith shop and mule barn.
The Delaware Canal not only served as a route for . . . — — Map (db m160053) HM
On October 27, 1827, five hundred people gathered here to witness the first shovelful of dirt being dug for the Delaware Canal, "one of the grandest enterprises of the age." Five years later, a 59-mile long, 40-feet-wide, 5-feet-deep waterway . . . — — Map (db m160050) HM
Progress Canal boats continued to pass through Bristol for years after the Pennsylvania Railroad built a line nearby. Progress, in the form of the Railroad undermined the business of the Canal and led to the eventual demolition of its channel, . . . — — Map (db m87145) HM
Marker 19T (replica)
indicates distance
between here and
Market St. in Phila.
along the Phila.-
Frankford Turnpike
to Morrisville, PA.
Road through Bristol
was finished in 1810 — — Map (db m31173) HM
[Unreadable]
At one time, Bristol Marsh was over four times as large as it is today and extended up Otter Creek for about one quarter of a ile. Bristol Marsh is located adjacent to the entrance and basin for the Delaware Division of the . . . — — Map (db m160082) HM
Irish Immigrant-Civil War Veteran Bristol Resident Born in Donegal, Ireland May 10, 1844, Michael Dougherty came to Bristol in 1858. In August of 1862 he enlisted in the Union Army as a Private in Company B, 13th Cavalry, Pennsylvania 117th . . . — — Map (db m62606) HM
In memory of
S/Sgt. James B. Boyle
U.S.A.A.F.
Killed in Action, Feb. 1, 1945
Member of
Bristol Blood Donors
Consolidated Fire Dept.
— — Map (db m160047) WM
[parts of quote illegible] “T___ ___ seemed to be a solid mass of boats.”
W.H. ____
Mule ____
Waiting
The five acre Bristol Basin provided a place to wait. Located between Lock No. 1 and the Tidal Lock, the Basin . . . — — Map (db m31256) HM
At this point, a canal boatman coming from the north concentrated on stopping. The boat basin and Delaware River were just ahead. The route of the Canal purposefully made a turn toward the River. This change in direction slowed the water flowing . . . — — Map (db m160058) HM
A locktender was a crucial canal employee. Responsible for locking canal boats through quickly and efficiently, a locktender needed the endurance and skills to operate the lock's wickets and gates. Having the tact and good humor to deal with . . . — — Map (db m160056) HM
This monument is a replica of the Spanish Garitas, or guardhouses, that lined the forts of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is dedicated to the Puerto Rican people who have made their homes in Bristol.
In March of 1509 a ship . . . — — Map (db m80537) HM
“This day [June 11] the first clearance on the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal was issued from his office to the Mauch Chunk Canal Boat No. 30, Capt. William C. Zanes, bound to Bristol with 30 tons of coal.”
The . . . — — Map (db m31224) HM
“Coal boats consigned to Philadelphia and adjacent ports were assembled in the river outside the tide lock in rows of up to twenty-one boats, three abreast, to be taken down the river by steamboats. The departure of these tows was . . . — — Map (db m31258) HM
Points of Interest
118.8: Bristol Marsh Preserve contains an important freshwater tidal marsh, one of the few remaining along Pennsylvania's coastal region. Visitors may use the viewing platforms, a walking trail, and interpretive . . . — — Map (db m160092) HM
The Delaware Canal was built to transport coal from northeastern Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia and New York markets. Its route essentially parallels the Delaware River. So why not use the River to convey boats loaded with 70-80 tons of cargo? . . . — — Map (db m160093) HM
A Tide Lock was located here. It separated the tidal Delaware River from the Delaware Canal. Unlike the other 23 locks along the Canal that accommodated changes in land elevation, this Lock accommodated fluctuations in water elevation. The tide . . . — — Map (db m160084) HM
Early river port laid out as Buckingham, 1697. The third oldest borough in Pennsylvania, chartered Nov. 14, 1720. County seat of Bucks, 1705-26. Travel and trade center for over two hundred years. — — Map (db m28383) HM
Vietnam
The Great Indochina War
Bristol Township
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Dedicated
November 5, 1988
In honored memory of the men and women of Bristol Township who served their country in South East Asia, and to our heroic sons . . . — — Map (db m24042) HM
"Besides, I want to tell you there were pretty good times and many a heart broken and rough life on the canal."
Flora Henry, Locktender
Shouts of "Gid-Up" echo along the canal. Pairs of mules strain at their . . . — — Map (db m131430) HM
In Honor of the Heroes America Forgot
Few Americans are aware of the invaluable service given by War Dog teams during the Vietnam War. Dog teams consisting of Scout, Combat Tracker, Sentry and Mine and Tunnel dogs saved thousands of lives. . . . — — Map (db m24040) HM
