The D&R Canal 1830-1932 (from the archives of the NJ Public Broadcasting Authority)

A close look at the history of the once vitally important D & R Canal (Delaware & Raritan), built in 1830 and shut down to commercial traffic in 1932. The canal continues to be a historical and recreational gem. Narrated by Jean Shepherd. The documentary was produced in 1974 by the "Crossroads 76" production company. It was in the archives of the NJ Public Broadcasting Authority where it was digitized for preservation.

[@sillig1763]

Somehow happened upon this, watched the first couple minutes, when I was shocked to see an old familiar name: Jean Shepherd. Wow! I used to listen to him on WOR radio every night in high school, which would have been 1968-1971 or so. What an amazing storyteller and author, and a great American voice. Does an excellent job here, of course. Thanks for posting this hidden gem!

[@geralderdek282]

My dad lived in millstone. Born in 1915 he told me he remembers the last of the pleasure boats cruising the canal at east millstone. He said the ladies loungig on deck would wave to him! And you couldn't of had a better narrator than good ole Jean Shepard from wor radio and of couse A christmas Story! YOULL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT KID!😅😂

[@JerseyRV]

We kayak and bike along the canal several times each year. Truly a New Jersey gem.

[@hambp003]

Thank you for this gem!

[@michael7324]

I live down the road from New Brunswick and its funny to see the "Abandoned" rt18 bridge. Its now a major thoroughfare.

[@jhhvacplumbing1944]

Me too , I was born 1980 and cant even imagined rt 18 stopping in new Brunswick lol.

[@MegaBait1616]

@@jhhvacplumbing1944 , lol, it was and also stopped going over the GS Parkway........be well.

[@kenharbin3440]

Great video. I grew up swimming, fishing and canoeing the canal. I would have been 8 or 9 when this was filmed. I remember the abandoned barges, silted and decaying but we always had to board them and press our luck. Thanks for posting.

[@jessicalefebvre9683]

I grew up a quick minute walk from the canal in Stockton.

[@MegaBait1616]

Excellent Video.... this is when NJ wasn't Woke n was Great.........thank you n Be Well..

[@charliegrs]

Lol shutup with your "woke" bullshit you fuckin confederate

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Awesome

[@twicken]

Hi, Joel, my father, Cliff Crawford, was the Director & Producer. May I ask how "Crossroads 76" was involved?

[@jfdowshen23]

I'm sorry, Tina. It was kind of a coincidence that I found this documentary while I was looking for something similar supposedly produced by Ken Burns' organization. That apparently doesn't exist, but I was steered to NJ Public Broadcasting who, fortunately, had archived this wonderful film. I don't have any additional information about the work, but you should be proud (as we are thankful) that your father produced such an important and unique piece of art for the ages.

[@twicken]

@@jfdowshen23 I am. I actually have a DVD master (not sure if it was made from the VHS tapes - scary! - or the original film) and was watching it recently. I grew up on the canal as I was with my father when he was filming (or playing with some of the children who lived in the lock houses to stay out from underfoot ;) ). I was just hoping to get the erroneous production information in the Video description corrected.
Thanks for the response and the kind words!