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A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%26R_Canal_Trail#Feeder_Canal_Towpath.2FRail-trail feeder canal] was built starting near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenchtown,_New_Jersey Frenchtown] to supply water to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trenton,_New_Jersey Trenton], the highest elevation on the canal. From the completion of the feeder canal, it also was used to carry cargo boats. The feeder canal was soon expanded to allow coal barges from [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] canals into the system.<ref name="D&RC" /> | A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%26R_Canal_Trail#Feeder_Canal_Towpath.2FRail-trail feeder canal] was built starting near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenchtown,_New_Jersey Frenchtown] to supply water to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trenton,_New_Jersey Trenton], the highest elevation on the canal. From the completion of the feeder canal, it also was used to carry cargo boats. The feeder canal was soon expanded to allow coal barges from [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] canals into the system.<ref name="D&RC" /> | ||
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barge Barges] were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse-drawn_boat drawn by horses] on a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towpath towpath] until around 1843, when steam powered barges were introduced. The peak usage years on the canal were the 1860s and 1870s when 80 percent of the cargo was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal coal] on the way to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York City].<ref name="D&RC" /> | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barge Barges] were [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse-drawn_boat drawn by horses] on a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towpath towpath] paved with crushed stone until around 1843, when steam powered barges were introduced. The peak usage years on the canal were the 1860s and 1870s when 80 percent of the cargo was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal coal] on the way to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York City].<ref name="D&RC" /> | ||
In 1830 construction of a railroad was started in the same area as the canal. To prevent competition of the canal and railroad from driving each other out of business the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_New_Jersey_Railroad_and_Canal_Company two concerns were eventually merged]. In 1855 tracks also were laid near the feeder canal known as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belvidere_Delaware_Railroad Belvidere-Delaware Railroad]. In time the faster railroads took business from the canal. The last profitable year for the canal was 1892. However, the D&R Canal remained open until 1932. Following its closure to cargo traffic it was turned into one of [[New Jersey|New Jersey]]'s most beloved [http://www.dandrcanal.com/park_index.html parks].<ref name="D&RC" /> | In 1830 construction of a railroad was started in the same area as the canal. To prevent competition of the canal and railroad from driving each other out of business the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_New_Jersey_Railroad_and_Canal_Company two concerns were eventually merged]. In 1855 tracks also were laid near the feeder canal known as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belvidere_Delaware_Railroad Belvidere-Delaware Railroad]. In time the faster railroads took business from the canal. The last profitable year for the canal was 1892. However, the D&R Canal remained open until 1932. Following its closure to cargo traffic it was turned into one of [[New Jersey|New Jersey]]'s most beloved [http://www.dandrcanal.com/park_index.html parks].<ref name="D&RC" /> | ||
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=== Canal Route === | === Canal Route === | ||