The Raritan Water Power Canal in

Raritan, New Jersey Raritan is a Borough (New Jersey), borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 7,835, its highest decennial census count ever and an ...

was a three-mile long water

power canal A power canal is a canal used for hydraulic power generation, rather than for transport of watercraft. The power canal was a major factor in the Industrial Revolution in New England in the 19th century. Most early power canals were mill races ...

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. 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.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 The Raritan Water Power Canal Historic District was listed on August 27, 2001 with NJHPO ID#3633.

References

Canals in New Jersey Raritan, New Jersey Energy infrastructure completed in 1840 {{NewJersey-transport-stub