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Perth Amboy Ferry Slip facts for kids

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Perth Amboy Ferry Slip
PerthAmboyFerrySlip.jpg
The Perth Amboy Ferry Slip in fall of 2011
Perth Amboy Ferry Slip is located in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Perth Amboy Ferry Slip
Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Perth Amboy Ferry Slip is located in New Jersey
Perth Amboy Ferry Slip
Location in New Jersey
Perth Amboy Ferry Slip is located in the United States
Perth Amboy Ferry Slip
Location in the United States
Location Foot of Smith Street
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Built 1904
NRHP reference No. 78001773
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
Added to NRHP January 12, 1981

The Perth Amboy Ferry Slip, located on Arthur Kill in Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States, was once a vital ferry slip for boats in New York Harbor. It was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The ferry slip was restored in 1998 to its 1904 appearance. A replica of the ticket office has been constructed and is used as a small museum.

History

Perth Amboy is located at the mouth of the Raritan River at the Raritan Bay, an arm of the Lower New York Bay. Perth Amboy served as the capital from 1686 until 1776. In 1684, it became the capital of East Jersey and remained so after the union of East and West Jersey in 1702, becoming an alternate colonial capital with Burlington until 1776. Ferry service at the site dates back to 1684. During the colonial era and for a long thereafter, Perth Amboy was an important way-station for travel between New York City and Philadelphia. The slip was later used to transport newly arrived immigrants from Ellis Island, many of whom remained in the town.

The native Lenape provided crossings to settlers as early as 1680. The longest-running ferry service crossed the Arthur Kill to Tottenville, Staten Island, with regular service beginning in 1709 or 1719 operated by Christopher Billopp. Steam service was introduced late 19th century by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and ran until 1943, and was served by the Staten Island Railway at the Tottenville station. In the early motoring age the ferry was an important link for travelers to the Jersey Shore It became less important with the 1928 opening of the Outerbridge Crossing, but continued operating until October 17, 1963.

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