1905 Map of Raritan

About this map

Schooleys Mountain and the prominent ridges of the Watchung Mountains define the northern New Jersey interior during a period of significant industrial and transit development. The Morris Canal threads through the landscape alongside the Morris and Essex Railroad, illustrating the shift from water-based transport to heavy rail. This 1905 edition, based on earlier late-19th-century surveys, shows the region before the sprawl of the modern metropolitan area, preserving the layout of agricultural villages like White House Sta, Pottersville, and Oldwick (New Germantown). To the north, the Picatinny Arsenal stands as a notable federal presence, while recreational hubs at Lake Hopatcong and Budd Lake are already established. The convergence of the South Branch Raritan River and the North Branch Raritan River highlights the natural drainage patterns that dictated early mill placement and town sites like High Bridge.