Lambertville, with a population of around 4,000 is supposedly one of the smallest cities in the U.S. It is unclear what justifies its claim to be a city. In the U.K. by contrast, a place can only be called a city by royal proclamation and typically it would have a large population and a cathedral. Lambertville is really a village but it does have five active churches of different denominations dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, built before there were distractions like TV.
The area was originally settled by the Lenape, centered mainly in the Delaware River valley. The river’s name was Lenapewimittuk, meaning the largest river in this part of the country. The Lenape tribe lived in villages along the banks and tributaries. It is estimated that there were 10,000 to 12,000 tribe members living in 30 to 50 communities. The women farmed mainly corn, squash and beans, while the men hunted and fished (shad, when in season).
The location by the Delaware River is certainly an important reason for the original settlement. Water from the river was initially a major source of power. There were also a number locally available raw materials such as wood from the forests, grain from the bountiful countryside, coal from the earth and abundant stone from what became quarries.
During the Industrial Revolution era, industry flourished, including milling of grain and feed, as well as manufacture of silk, paper, rubber products and pottery.
In the 1830s, canals on both sides of the Delaware were built with great effort by mainly Irish immigrants, many of whom died of cholera. When the canals were completed, raw materials and merchandise were transported in long barges, pulled by mules walking along parallel towpaths. At one time, 3,000 mule-drawn boats plied the canals. Their progress was slow. The canals included 23 locks due to a 165-foot drop in the river from beginning to end. Commercial use of the canals ended in 1931. The areas they cover were later designated as national parks, today popular with walkers and cyclists.
Parallel to the canals, railway lines were built, starting in 1832. By 1855, 109 miles of railway lines were completed. Between them, the canals and railroads employed thousands of workers to maintain and run them. Also, many locomotives were produced and serviced locally.
In the 1920s, with the construction of paved roads on both sides of the Delaware River, the canals and railways no longer carried freight traffic.
Today, it is hard to believe that Lambertville was at one time an important industrial city, although some remaining fine old buildings provide evidence that it was more than a small residential area.
Life in Lambertville is normally peaceful but, in 2021, Hurricane Ida attacked. Some 70% of the homes sustained some damage. Neighbors pulled together to help in an impressive way. A community center named Fisherman’s Mark collected food, blankets and clothes for the needy. People opened their homes to those who suddenly had nowhere to live. It was a most impressive tribute to the generous spirit of this small “city.”
As a reminder that we are in the Garden State, there are many farm stands in the area. One big surprise has been the abundance of restaurants in the area, some really first class. We have sampled over 50 of them. Other discoveries include a first-rate spa and the lovely walks along the towpaths on either side of the river.
After living in Manhattan with access to some of the nation’s finest medical facilities and doctors, we have found to our delight that health care in this area is great. From the local Phillips Barber Medical Center to the Hunterdon County Hospital in Flemington, the doctors and medical staff have been outstanding.
Cultural activities have been richer than we expected. We have a wonderful free library where local writers groups meet monthly. Lambertville has attracted many fine artists and antique stores. The ACME theater shows a wide variety of art films. We have been able to attend a number of Concordia classical concerts nearby. We have sometimes missed Broadway and the Lincoln Center, but we have many fine memories of those venues, while returning to Manhattan has become a hassle — with the heavy traffic and noise.
In conclusion, we have been very happy with our move to the banks of the Delaware River. We were not fully informed about what to expect, but we have certainly been well rewarded with what we have found.
John Seidler moved to Lambertville in 2021.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
