George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River
George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River occurred on the night of December 25–26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack organized by George Washington against Hessian forces, whic ...
on the night of December 25–26, 1776 in the
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of t ...
. This daring maneuver led to victory in the
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton was a small but pivotal American Revolutionary War battle on the morning of December 26, 1776, in Trenton, New Jersey. After General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton the previous night, ...
and altered the course of the war. The site, a
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places liste ...
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Washington Crossing is an unincorporated village located in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. Formerly known as "Taylorsville," it is most famous for George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on the nigh ...
, north of
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. It was the capital of the United States from November 1 to December 24, 1784. and
Description and history
The Washington's Crossing site is located north of
Yardley, Pennsylvania
Yardley is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Yardley borders the Delaware River and Ewing, New Jersey to its east and Lower Makefield Township to its north, west, and south. The United States Post Office assigns many addresses in Lower ...
and
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital city of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. It was the capital of the United States from November 1 to December 24, 1784.Washington Crossing Bridge
Washington Crossing Bridge (officially the Washington Crossing Toll Supported Bridge) is a truss bridge spanning the Delaware River that connects Washington Crossing, Hopewell Township in Mercer County, New Jersey with Washington Crossing, Up ...
spanning the river.
Pennsylvania side
Washington Crossing Historic Park encapsulates the crossing site on the Pennsylvania side. Covering about , it includes the actual embarkation site for the main crossing, and a 19th-century inn set on the foundation of an 18th-century inn that was present at the time of the crossing. A memorial marker indicates the site of the crossing. The park also includes a detached unit north of the crossing site, where
Bowman's Hill Tower
Bowman's Hill Tower, (also known as Bowman's Tower), is a stone tower located in Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The tower ...
grist mill
A gristmill (also: grist mill, corn mill, flour mill, feed mill or feedmill) grinds cereal grain into flour and middlings. The term can refer to either the grinding mechanism or the building that holds it. Grist is grain that has been separat ...
that served the army are located.
New Jersey side
Washington Crossing State Park includes the New Jersey side of the crossing site. It is at over much larger than the Pennsylvania park, including a broader array of recreational amenities, including a visitors center, nature center, astronomical observatory, campground, and open-air theater. Elements specifically relating to the crossing including the Johnson Ferry House and a stretch of the original roadway traversed by the army.
See also
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List of National Historic Landmarks in New Jersey
This is a List of National Historic Landmarks in New Jersey and other landmarks of equivalent landmark status in the state. The United States National Historic Landmark (NHL) program is operated under the auspices of the National Park Service, an ...
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List of National Historic Landmarks in Pennsylvania
This is a List of National Historic Landmarks in Pennsylvania. There are 169 in the state. Listed in the tables below are the 102 NHLs outside Philadelphia. For the 67 within Philadelphia, see List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia ...