Mantua Creek facts for kids
Mantua Creek is a tributary (a smaller stream that flows into a larger one) of the Delaware River. It is located in Mantua Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey in the United States.
Mantua Creek starts near Glassboro. It flows northwest for about 18.6 miles (29.9 kilometers). It reaches the Delaware River at the Port of Paulsboro in Paulsboro. This spot is across from the Philadelphia International Airport.
The name Mantua Creek comes from a Native American word, "Manta." This word means "frog." The creek got its name because many frogs lived there. They made a very loud "chorus" sound. Mantua Creek and its two main smaller streams, Edwards Run and Chestnut Branch, drain over 50 square miles (130 square kilometers) of Gloucester County.
History of Mantua Creek
Early people settled along Mantua Creek a long time ago. The Lenape Native Americans lived there first. They used the creek for travel and found lots of fish and animals.
Later, early European settlers also used the creek for transportation. They built saw mills and grist mills along the creek. These mills helped process wood and grain. This encouraged people to build farms in the flat areas near the creek.
Carpenter's Landing
Carpenter's Landing was an important settlement in the 1600s. It was a trading spot located where larger boats called sloops could travel up Mantua Creek.
In the 1860s, Carpenter's Landing was a busy place. People traded lumber and cordwood there. It had a tavern, two stores, 30 homes, and a Methodist church. The landing might have been named after a boat builder named Carpenter. Or it could be named after Edward Carpenter. He owned a glass factory nearby in 1786.
Challenges at the Bridge
A railroad swing bridge over Mantua Creek has had some issues. This bridge is located at 39°50′05″N 75°14′12″W / 39.8346°N 75.23665°W.
In 2009 and 2012, freight trains had accidents there. In November 2012, a serious accident happened. Some rail cars fell into the creek. Something from the cars spilled into the water. Officials from the Coast Guard said that the creek's strong tides made the cleanup very difficult and slow.
