Doing Business on the Morris Canal

Joe Macasek
Doing Business on the Morris Canal

Doing Business on the Morris Canal The Morris Canal crossed the northern part of New Jersey connecting New York Harbor at Jersey City with the Delaware River at Phillipsburg. Completed in 1831, this 102-mile long canal was built across the rugged North Jersey Highlands to transport anthracite coal from the mines in Pennsylvania to the growing New York market. In this presentation we will use original documents: maps, letters, drawing and report, to explain how the canal worked. We will learn who built the canal’s famous inclined planes, how tolls were collected, who built the canal boats, and how much boatmen and plane tenders were paid. Even if you are a Morris Canal fan, you are sure to learn something new.

Mr. Macasek has had a life-long interest in local New Jersey history and industrial archeology and has pursued this interest on both personal and leadership levels. He is the author of the Guide to the Morris Canal in Morris County. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in design from the Pratt Institute and is a self-employed graphic designer with over 30 years of experience. His design work can be seen in such history projects as the Copper Mill Visitor Center in Chester, the Morris Canal lock restoration project in Hugh Force Park in Wharton, and the Red Mill in Clinton. Historic Leadership – President of the Canal Society of New Jersey – President of the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archeology – Morris County Heritage Commission – Executive Committee, New Jersey Transportation and Planning Authority Morris Canal Working Group – Waterloo Village Strategic Planning Committee – Director of Communications, Friends of Historic Speedwell