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HISTORIC MILLTOWN, NJ
The Kuhlthau Historical District, on Washington Avenue |
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Home/ Railroad Feed&coal Co Weighing Station1850Barn Bird Store/More History Maps Contacts |
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The Raritan River Railroad |
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Click here for the picture of an illustrated Raritan River Railroad stock certificate (ca.1890) The picture shows the earliest locomotive on the railroad..
Built in 1888 and parallel to the Raritan River, the 12.6 miles of the Raritan River Railroad link New Brunswick to South Amboy. From South Amboy, trains could then reach New York City or Philadelphia by the Pennsylvania Railroad. During World War One, the Raritan River Railroad contributed to the patriotic effort by transporting more than 9000 troops. It still carries freight twice a day. |
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View of the 30-foot trestle. The Kuhlthau district, not visible, is on the right. The Lawrence brook is flowing away from the photographer. |
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In the proximity of the Kuhlthau district, but on the other side of Washington avenue, stands the picturesque freight station (ca. 1900). It is privately owned |
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In 1913 the main line included the following stations, from East to West:
South Amboy (Pennsylvania Railroad)
Bergen Hills,
Roberts,
Suchs,
Sayvelle Jct.,
Parlin,
Edgars,
Vandeventers,
South River,
Serviss Jct.,
Milltown,
New Brunswick. |
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The Raritan River Railroad is certainly the railroad that best represents Middlesex County; it is connected to the national railroad network, but is located entirely within Middlesex County boundaries. The new county park which includes the Kulthau district, is the only Middlesex County Park along the Raritan River Railroad. |
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The Kuhlthau district in Milltown is also unique in that it shows the 19th Century interaction between two worlds, the farming world and the railroad world. More than 100 years ago, and thanks to newly deployed railroads, agricultural products could reach nearby cities; likewise, manufactured goods could reach small rural communities like Milltown.
The Kuhlthau Feed & Coal Company was active in those exchanges. Here, transactions were made; outgoing goods could be weighed or stored; they were carried to the nearby freight station, before being loaded onto the trains. Incoming goods followed a similarpath, in the reverse direction
New Brunswick, even New York City, could benefit from Middlesex County agricultural products. This type of interaction was an important factor in the economic growth of Middlesex county. |
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