During the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s, the act of hauling Pennsylvania
coal, iron ore and other goods across New Jersey was a tremendous
undertaking. One system of transport, conceived of by Morristown
businessman George P. MacCulloch in 1822, became known as the
Morris Canal.
Thanks to a 102-mile-long series of locks, planes and aqueducts,
and an elevation change of 1,674 feet - not to mention gravity,
ropes pulled by donkeys, and human ingenuity - 25-ton-loads of
anthracite could be transported to the markets and industry of New
York City. As demand increased, the Morris Canal was augmented to
allow for larger boats transporting 70-ton-loads.
The Morris Canal was highly prized and utilized from 1831 to
1924, when it was formally abandoned and dismantled, after the
successful commercial application of the Great American Rail. Large
portions of the Canal remain preserved today across northern New
Jersey.
Once you reach ground zero, you'll be standing right next to the
"Little Basin" - that is, right next to the mouth of the "ORIGINAL"
older/smaller Morris Canal.
Actually, the original mouth would have been located a good
distance inland from where you'll be standing. Toward the end of
the operation of the Morris Canal however, the Central Railroad of
New Jersey was busy constructing its first large terminal along the
riverfront of Jersey City - on marshland. Such a feat required that
the CRRNJ bring thousands of tons of garbage from New York City
(previously known as New Amsterdam) in order to fill in the mud
flats of Jersey City's south cove. This little park and much of the
shoreline along the west side of the Hudson was developed in the
same fashion.
Enjoy the view and the history, watch out for the many muggles,
and as always, please be safe when caching close to the water.
Enjoy!