1888 Map of New Brunswick

About this map

The Raritan River and South River define the industrial and transit-oriented character of this late-nineteenth-century landscape. To the north, the city of New Brunswick and Highland Park are centers of gravity, while the southeastern corner is marked by the Monmouth Battle Ground, offering a clear view of the area's Revolutionary War geography before modern suburban expansion. This survey reveals a dense network of nineteenth-century transportation, including the Camden and Amboy Railroad and specialized lines like Edgar's Clay R. R. and Fireproof Building Co's R. R., which speak to the region's prominent clay and manufacturing industries. Small nineteenth-century hamlets such as Old Bridge, Jamesburgh, and Spotswood dot the interior, connected by early roads and local rail stops like Adams Station and Hoffman Station. Near the center, the State Reform School is a notable landmark amidst the winding courses of Lawrence Brook and Matchaponix Brook.