Millstone Valley Scenic Byway
Places to Visit
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Bridgetender's House at Blackwell's Mill (NJ)
The Bridgetender's canal house historic site lies at Blackwell's Mills along Canal Road. The site is an access point to the Six Mile Run Area as well as the canal, towpath and river. Many annual events are held at the canal house.
Location: On Canal Road south of Millstone, NJ
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The Delaware & Raritan Canal was begun in 1830 and was built across the center, or “waist,” of the state to facilitate the transportation between Philadelphia and New York. For nearly a century, the 66-mile D&R Canal was one of America’s busiest navigation canals.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Runs parallel to the entire length of the byway. Access to the canal towpath and various locks is available at Kinston, Blackwell’s Mill, Griggstown, and East Millstone, plus additional small parking areas located in between.
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East Millstone Historic District (NJ)
Among the many buildings part of the East Millstone Historic District, crossing the Millstone River into East Millstone, the first building one encounters is the Bridgetender's House, followed by the Van Liew Homestead, also known as the Franklin Inn.
Location: At Amwell Rd. and the Delaware & Raritan Canal
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Griggstown Historic District (NJ)
The Griggstown Historic District covers a 5-mile stretch of Canal Road and 68 principle structures including the Bridgetender's station and barracks associated with the Canal era.
Location: Vicinity of Griggstown Causeway
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The park here includes the Millstone River, the canal, the Kingston Locktender’s House, the Tollhouse, the Kingston Basin, Lock #8, and the bridge that replaced Swing Bridge #16.
Location: Near the intersection of Route 27 with River Road
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Kingston Mill Historic District (NJ)
In 1798, the four-arch stone bridge over the Millstone River was rebuilt. During the Revolution, an earlier wooden bridge had been destroyed by Continental troops who hoped to delay the British retreat from Princeton. John and Jacob Gulick rebuilt a mill in Kingston. South Brunswick, Franklin and Montgomery townships were formed in 1798, which laced the mill, the two inns and about 20 houses in three different townships.
Location: Route 27 crossing the Millstone River
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Millstone Historic District (NJ)
Millstone’s origins reach back to the mid-18th century, when it served as the county seat from the Old Somerset Courthouse. The Historic District includes several key sites including the Van Doren Farm and the Old Millstone Forge.
Location: On Millstone River Road in Millstone, NJ.
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The Millstone River shaped the movement of troops during the revolutionary war, and the canal allowed for later navigation. Today recreational activities, such as kayaking, lie among the river's uses.
Location: New Jersey
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Founded in 1675, this city features both historic and contemporary charm.
Location: Central New Jersey
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River Road Historic District (NJ)
The D&R Canal encouraged farming area along the River Road. A bridge was built at a 1746 mill site on River Road that connected across the Millstone River to the D&R Canal in 1834. The combination of the bridge and the canal allowed faster transport for taking produce to markets. Farms prospered by the 1860s, sharing in a boom in local farming created by the Civil War. The farms still exist today and make up the core of the River Road Historic District.
Location: Millstone River Rd. from Hillsborough Rd. to Van Horne Rd., Hillsborough and Montgomery Townships, Griggstown
