The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-03-23
For TIE RECORD
SWANS GREER.

IN the early settlement Of the country a
saw mill was erected upon Swans Creek. The
location Of the dam was 4 short distance be-
low George .Banchotf' 8 slaughter house, On
the land Of the late Patrick Colligan and the
site Of the mill and race leading the water
from the pond n The mill. were plainly traced
when the present water pipes were laid. The
present remains Of dam now visible Ii Of
modern CONSTRUCTION, say 1885.
The name given to the creek was not from
the classic birds of that name, but from an
elderly negro 10 squatted on the bank q
the stream and made an effort TO cultivate the
land and further improve it BY planting an
orchard.
A resident not having much faith in the
land or the old negro's foresight, said, Swan.
there is no use of your planting an orchard
You will never get any apples from IT, And
this commendable answer was given, . Well.
IL never get any apples, somebody else viii"
This comes to us from the painstaking labors
of Rev. P. A. Stnddiford, d. D., in tracing
the early history Of this section, Of which we
may soon expect to see in print full detail Of
Interesting facts Of early local history.
1t is not to be expected that DR.. S,uddiford
or the writer of the history of Hunterdon and
Somerset counties will treat of Swans Creek
as an important drainage or sewer outlet for
the city of Lambertville, and there is no inn
propriety in showing the important points
aud the advantages there are in utilizing this
creek to make the city clearly, healthy and
attractive.
Although our citizens know the creek well,
it may aid in considering the subject of drain
age to commence at the river and follow the
stream to beyond the city limits and give the
general features.
At the river stone culvert and timber
aqueduct for the canal feeder and the connect
ed railroad spans the creek. resting upon tim
Der foundations, sunk below the ordinary low
water line of the river. Thence up to the
bridge on Union street. the shore line on the
north side, along the property of the Lam
bertville Paper Manufacturing Company. is
protected by wall; the south side of the
stream is unprotected. Between Union aud
Main streets there are very rough and irregu-
lar walls, also between Main and Franklin
streets and from Franklin street to the two
bridges on the Brunswick turnpike there is a
rude attempt to secure the shores of the creek
on both sides by walls.
From the foundations of the canal and rail-
road structures, up stream. to near the
&C Hook !" bridges. where the solid rock is
fonnd in the bed of the stream, there is some
ten feet RISE and the bed Of the creek is stone
and gravel, which are brought down from the
hills by every freshet, aud are gradually and
slowly filling up the creek.
When water is abundant quito stream
shows ia the bed Of the creek, but in times, 81
drought the bed of the stream is almost dry
and without current, aud whatsoever gets into
the creek channel remains until removed by a
heavy rain, and during the Summer months it
is an unsightly, disapreeable and unhealthy
drainage outlet for large area of the city.
To walk up the creek, from the culvert to
the eas,elly boundary line Of the city. along
Swan street, on the south side Of the creek
there will be found discharging into the creek,
or the channel of the creek. the refuse and
waste Of the Lalnberiyille Paper Manufaciur-
ing Compauy's extensive works, such as dirty
water, steam, chlorine, and other chemicals,
the wash and drainage Of Union street, Main
street, Franklin street, with their connecting
side streets, Que carpet weaving and dyeing
establishment, three slaughter houses, the gas
works, one canning establishment, twenty
eight privies, three stables, an extensive gro
Gerry store, fourteen pig pens, and the general
n 4 .HN