Perth Amboy Ferry Slip facts for kids
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Perth Amboy Ferry Slip
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The Perth Amboy Ferry Slip in fall of 2011
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 Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Foot of Smith Street Perth Amboy, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1904 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001773 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 12, 1981 |
The Perth Amboy Ferry Slip is a historic place in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. It's located on the Arthur Kill, a waterway in New Jersey. This slip was once a very important spot for ferry boats. These boats traveled across New York Harbor.
The ferry slip was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1978. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the same year. In 1998, the slip was fixed up to look like it did in 1904. Today, there's a copy of the old ticket office. It is now a small museum.
History of the Ferry Slip
Perth Amboy is a city located where the Raritan River meets the Raritan Bay. This bay is part of the larger Lower New York Bay. Perth Amboy was once the capital of New Jersey. It served as the capital from 1686 until 1776.
Ferry services have been running from this spot since 1684. For a long time, Perth Amboy was a key stop for travelers. People going between New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania would often pass through here. The ferry service helped them cross the water.
A famous businessman named Cornelius Vanderbilt first set up the ferry service. He later became known as "The Commodore." The ferry slip was also used to bring new immigrants from Ellis Island to the mainland. Many of these new arrivals decided to stay and live in Perth Amboy.
Early Ferry Crossings
The native Lenape people helped settlers cross the water as early as 1680. The longest-running ferry service crossed the Arthur Kill to Tottenville, Staten Island. Regular trips began around 1709 or 1719. A person named Christopher Billopp operated this service.
Later, in the late 1800s, steam-powered ferries were introduced. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad ran these ferries until 1943. The Staten Island Railway also connected to the ferry at the Tottenville station.
Modern Era and Closure
In the early days of cars, the ferry was a key link for people traveling to the Jersey Shore. However, its importance decreased after 1928. That's when the Outerbridge Crossing bridge opened. Even so, the ferry continued to operate until October 17, 1963.
Gallery
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Perth Amboy-Tottenville Ferry connected to the Staten Island Railway
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Looking toward the Perth Amboy Ferry Slip in the direction of departure towards Tottenville
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Middlesex County, New Jersey
- New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route
- List of ferries across the Hudson River to New York City
- Gibbons v. Ogden
