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The Township of Washington
was incorporated on February 28, 1849. The Township was originally
a portion of Greenwich Township, one of the original
divisions of Sussex County. In 1754, Mansfield
Township was created out of Greenwich, and on February 28,
1849, Washington Township was created out of
Mansfield Township. Small settlements developed within the
Township and many have retained their identity. The Borough of
Washington was removed in 1868, leaving the present
boundaries.
Development of inland
transportation routes aided in the settlement of communities
within Washington Township during the first half of the 19th
century. The Morris Turnpike (then Route 24, presently
Route 57), a toll road between Morristown and
Phillipsburg, was built through Washington Township in 1806.
In 1832, the Morris Canal was built through the Township,
giving rise to the town of Port Colden and aiding the
growth of the tiny hamlet of Bowerstown. The canal carried
mule-drawn barges between Phillipsburg and Jersey City
loaded with coal and other cargo.
The railroads eventually
out-performed the slow moving canal boats. During the mid-19th
century, the Township was traversed by the main line of the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
(then Warren Railroad), and the Central
Railroad of New Jersey (Morris and
Essex Railroad). |
