Dover and Rockaway Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Dover and Rockaway Railroad was a section of railroad track completed in 1881 connecting Dover
, New Jersey
and Rockaway
. It formed an important link in the developing American railroad system, connecting major trunks to the New York harbor for freight and provided passenger service to central and southern New Jersey.
The Central Railroad out of Dover
, New Jersey
was originally constructed between Dover and Rockaway
and designated as the Dover and Rockaway Railroad. It was incorporated in 1880 and opened for traffic in 1881. This small road was built primarily as a connection between the Longwood Valley Railroad, which was controlled by the Central Railroad of New Jersey
and the Hibernia Mine Railroad
which was operated by George Richards
. It was organized by George Richards, Columbus Beach, and Henry McFarlan, all from Dover. The Railroad was also built by other men from New Jersey
, Pennsylvania
, and Massachusetts
who were interested in the iron mines in the vicinity.
Prior to this time Mayor Richards suggested to the president
of Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
(formally the Morris and Essex Railroad
) Sam Sloan that a spur be built from the DL&W into a part of Dover along the north side of the Rockaway River
terminating at the Hibernia mines
. It was an area ripe for development. Mr. Sloan turned down the idea, so Mr. Richards wasted no time in negotiating with landowners along what was to become the right-of-way for his railroad.
The primary object of this new railroad and the other railroads and branches was to carry the iron ore to the furnaces at High Bridge
and in the Lehigh Valley
in Pennsylvania for use with the Pennsylvania ores. George Richards took great satisfaction that the iron would come from New Jersey and the very first rails used were the product of the Dover Iron Works.
. Prior to this time, the Jersey Central terminated at Port Oram (Wharton
) and a stagecoach ran from the Searing Hotel on North Sussex Street, bringing passengers into and out of Dover over the Union and Washington Turnpikes.
Before any rail connection between Dover and Wharton
and Dover and Hibernia could be accomplished, two major obstacles had to be overcome. A tunnel had to be constructed under the Rockaway Road east of Dover and a very critical "cut" had to be made through solid rock in west Dover above the Mill Pond, adjacent to Clinton Street and what is now the Ayers Chevrolet agency.
, completing a route from High Bridge to Hibernia. The Dover line proved to be a valuable addition since it now formed a fast freight service by connecting with every other trunk line reaching the New York
harbor. Passenger service provided direct connection, without transfer, to points in central and southern New Jersey.
" as about fifty Swedish
immigrants were employed at the eastern end of the "cut" and Irish
immigrants were hired to work the western end. In the meantime, a group of Italian
immigrants worked laying track in the East Dover "meadows". The Swedish labor force was housed in the apartments and hotel buildings on North Sussex Street for the duration of the project.
After this link was completed the "old farm house" building on North Sussex Street was converted into a train station to become the first Dover terminal, which operated there for over fifty years. Once the line was completed to High Bridge, the building was widely used as a departure and arrival station by the people of such towns as Long Valley
, Flanders
, Bartley, and Califon as well as nearby communities such as Rockaway, Wharton, and Hibernia.
Dover, New Jersey
Dover is a town in Morris County, New Jersey on the Rockaway River. Dover is west of New York City and west of Newark, New Jersey. As of the United States Census, 2000, the town's population was 18,188.-Geography:...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and Rockaway
Rockaway, New Jersey
Rockaway is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,438.Rockaway was formed as a borough on June 19, 1894, from portions of Rockaway Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous...
. It formed an important link in the developing American railroad system, connecting major trunks to the New York harbor for freight and provided passenger service to central and southern New Jersey.
Creation
Dover, New Jersey
Dover is a town in Morris County, New Jersey on the Rockaway River. Dover is west of New York City and west of Newark, New Jersey. As of the United States Census, 2000, the town's population was 18,188.-Geography:...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
was originally constructed between Dover and Rockaway
Rockaway, New Jersey
Rockaway is a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,438.Rockaway was formed as a borough on June 19, 1894, from portions of Rockaway Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous...
and designated as the Dover and Rockaway Railroad. It was incorporated in 1880 and opened for traffic in 1881. This small road was built primarily as a connection between the Longwood Valley Railroad, which was controlled by the Central Railroad of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and the Hibernia Mine Railroad
Hibernia Mine Railroad
The Hibernia Mine Railroad was a railroad in Morris County, New Jersey that operated between Hibernia and Rockaway from 1863 to 1946.- History :...
which was operated by George Richards
George Richards
George Richards may refer to:*George Richards *George F. Richards , American religious leader*George Henry Richards , British sea captain...
. It was organized by George Richards, Columbus Beach, and Henry McFarlan, all from Dover. The Railroad was also built by other men from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
who were interested in the iron mines in the vicinity.
Prior to this time Mayor Richards suggested to the president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company was a railroad connecting Pennsylvania's Lackawanna Valley, rich in anthracite coal, to Hoboken, New Jersey, , Buffalo and Oswego, New York...
(formally the Morris and Essex Railroad
Morris and Essex Railroad
The Morris and Essex Railroad was a railroad across northern New Jersey, later part of the main line of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.-History:...
) Sam Sloan that a spur be built from the DL&W into a part of Dover along the north side of the Rockaway River
Rockaway River
The Rockaway River is a tributary of the Passaic River, approximately 35 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The upper course of the river flows through a wooded mountainous valley, whereas the lower course flows through the populated New Jersey suburbs and former industrial...
terminating at the Hibernia mines
Hibernia mines
The Hibernia mines are a series of iron mines in northern New Jersey, worked from pre-Revolutionary times until 1916. An exploratory shaft was drilled in the 1950s but was not worked, and the shafts and adit were partly or totally sealed in 1972 and 1989....
. It was an area ripe for development. Mr. Sloan turned down the idea, so Mr. Richards wasted no time in negotiating with landowners along what was to become the right-of-way for his railroad.
The primary object of this new railroad and the other railroads and branches was to carry the iron ore to the furnaces at High Bridge
High Bridge, New Jersey
High Bridge is a borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 3,648.-History:...
and in the Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and...
in Pennsylvania for use with the Pennsylvania ores. George Richards took great satisfaction that the iron would come from New Jersey and the very first rails used were the product of the Dover Iron Works.
Major obstacles
Along with the consolidation of many similar small railroads at the time, the Dover and Rockaway was almost immediately consolidated with the New Jersey Central High Bridge BranchHigh Bridge Branch
The High Bridge Branch was a branch line of the Central Railroad of New Jersey that started in High Bridge, New Jersey at a connection with the CNJ main line and continued north to iron-ore mines in Morris County...
. Prior to this time, the Jersey Central terminated at Port Oram (Wharton
Wharton, New Jersey
Wharton is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 6,298.What is now Wharton was originally incorporated as the borough of Port Oram by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on June 26, 1895, from portions of Randolph...
) and a stagecoach ran from the Searing Hotel on North Sussex Street, bringing passengers into and out of Dover over the Union and Washington Turnpikes.
Before any rail connection between Dover and Wharton
Wharton, New Jersey
Wharton is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 6,298.What is now Wharton was originally incorporated as the borough of Port Oram by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on June 26, 1895, from portions of Randolph...
and Dover and Hibernia could be accomplished, two major obstacles had to be overcome. A tunnel had to be constructed under the Rockaway Road east of Dover and a very critical "cut" had to be made through solid rock in west Dover above the Mill Pond, adjacent to Clinton Street and what is now the Ayers Chevrolet agency.
Inaugural run
On December 22, 1880 Mayor Richards headed a group that made the first trip from Dover to Hibernia. On April 7, 1881 an inspection run was made over the entire line and the Dover-Rockaway Railroad was soon leased to the Central Railroad of New JerseyCentral Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey , commonly known as the Jersey Central Lines or CNJ, was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s, lasting until 1976 when it was absorbed into Conrail with the other bankrupt railroads of the Northeastern United States...
, completing a route from High Bridge to Hibernia. The Dover line proved to be a valuable addition since it now formed a fast freight service by connecting with every other trunk line reaching the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
harbor. Passenger service provided direct connection, without transfer, to points in central and southern New Jersey.
Dover and diversity
This project perhaps contributed to Dover's "Melting PotMelting pot
The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, the different elements "melting together" into a harmonious whole with a common culture...
" as about fifty Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
immigrants were employed at the eastern end of the "cut" and Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
immigrants were hired to work the western end. In the meantime, a group of Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
immigrants worked laying track in the East Dover "meadows". The Swedish labor force was housed in the apartments and hotel buildings on North Sussex Street for the duration of the project.
After this link was completed the "old farm house" building on North Sussex Street was converted into a train station to become the first Dover terminal, which operated there for over fifty years. Once the line was completed to High Bridge, the building was widely used as a departure and arrival station by the people of such towns as Long Valley
Long Valley, New Jersey
Long Valley is an unincorporated area located within Washington Township, in Morris County, New Jersey. Known as German Valley since its foundation during the colonial era, the community was renamed in response to anti-German sentiment during World War I...
, Flanders
Flanders, New Jersey
Flanders is an unincorporated area located in Mount Olive Township and parts of Roxbury Township, in southwest Morris County, New Jersey, United States. Flanders is served by the United States Postal Service as ZIP Code 07836....
, Bartley, and Califon as well as nearby communities such as Rockaway, Wharton, and Hibernia.