This is a field puzzle with a little twist. Finding the cache should be easy. Finding the dates might be tricky. Good luck and have fun!
Warning history lesson below, you might learn something!
Once known as the South Ward of Perth Amboy, South Amboy became one of the earliest townships in Middlesex Country in 1685. It originally included the townships of Monroe, Old Bridge, Sayreville, Jamesburg, Dayton and Cranbury, this second specifically was called Radford's Ferry. Over time several those communities became independent municipalities, South Amboy Township would evolve into South Amboy Borough in 1888 and would later be incorporated as a city in 1908.
The first inhabitants in the area were Native Americans. The name "Amboy" comes from a Native-American word, "Ampoge"; it also appears on deeds and maps as Emboyle and Amboyle, which eventually resulted in the name we have today. Unlike towns to the south and west, South Amboy did not have fertile soil, so its economy was based not on agriculture, but on shipping and manufacturing.
Like several neighboring towns, there were good-quality clay deposits, which grew into a healthy industry of pottery and terra cotta, the cement-like material that is molded into the ornamental adornments on buildings locally and in major cities. However, transportation, specifically ferry service to Manhattan, was South Amboy's primary source of commerce and growth.
South Amboy owes much of its growth to the railroad. In 1831 the establishment of the Camden & Amboy Railroad provided a gateway for most of Central Jersey to New York City. While the Camden & Amboy was the first, it was only one of several railroads that passed through the city. The New York and Long Branch provided services to the Jersey Shore over what is now know as Henry Hudson Rail Trail. There was also the Raritan River Rail Road, which traveled west to New Brunswick.
This marker is dedicated to two South Amboy firemen, Newcomb and Anadmec, that died while serving the community. The area to the east is marsh that has been filled in and is now known as "The New" South Amboy. This marker is at the point where The Old South Amboy and New South Amboy meet.
This cache is certified Central Jersey!
