1955 Map of Raritan

About this map

The North Branch Raritan River and South Branch Raritan River converge here, framing a landscape defined by industrial transitions and established colonial-era settlements. In the mid-1950s, the area remained a critical corridor for transport, with the Central RR of New Jersey, Lehigh Valley RR, and Reading RR all crossing the terrain to serve local depots like the North Branch Depot. A significant industrial relic is the Raritan Water Power Canal (Abandoned), which once diverted the river's energy for local mills. While suburban growth begins to appear near Raritan and Bradley Gardens, the southern reaches remain dominated by the massive U S Military Res (Belle Mead General Depot) and smaller crossroads hamlets such as Woods Tavern and Frankfort. Genealogical details are prominent, including family-named landmarks like Pulaski Road and historic burial grounds like Neshanic Cem.