Raritan Water Power Canal

The sign marking the Raritan Water Power Canal

The Raritan Water Power Canal in Raritan, New Jersey was a three-mile long water power canal built during the early 1840s to power industries. The canal has been determined to be eligible for the National Register. The canal is included in Duke Island Park, as part of the Somerset County Park System.^[1]

The canal was originally constructed by the Somerset Water Power Company. This company was incorporated on Feb 28, 1840 but went bankrupt. The Raritan Water Power Company was incorporated on March 24, 1863 and took over the canal, head gates, water power, water rights, and franchises.^[2]

References

1. Tomkins Historical Research - Projects
2. Reports of Cases argued and determined in The Court of Chancery, The Prerogative Court, and, on appeal, in The Court of Errors and Appeals, of the State of New Jersey, vol 6, 1871

Coordinates: 40°33′18″N 74°39′35″W / 40.55505°N 74.65978°W