Some historic sites in the watershed are described below.
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME)
The small, concrete masonry church known as Bethel African Methodist Episcopalian Church is a rare, surviving African American institution. It is associated with famous abolitionists, including Harriet Tubman who, in her lifetime (1850–1860), played a significant role in helping over 300 slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad, which had a major “Station” in Greenwich. The original congregation joined the newly chartered AME Church in the early 1800s. Location in Greenwich.
Eagle Manor and Dix Wildlife Management Area
The 785-acre property known as Eagle Manor (a.k.a. Brick House Farm) is an exceptional property located on the Cohansey River in Fairfield Township, Cumberland County. Eagle Manor was built in 1736 by the Sheppards whose family still farm in the area. After many years of negotiating with the property owner, the New Jersey Green Acres Program acquired the property at a cost of $4.8 million in July 2007 and expanded the Dix Wildlife Management Area to 3,400 acres. Location of Eagle Manor. One entrance to Dix WMA.
Greenwich Tea Burning Monument
In the town square of Greenwich on December 22, 1774, young men dressed as Natives broke open a supply of East India tea that was bound for consignment at the port of Philadelphia.
In protest of the heavy British taxes levied on the American colonists, the men burned the tea, mimicking the famous event that had taken place in Boston just a year earlier.
In 1908, the Cumberland County Historical Society erected a monument on the site to commemorate the event. Location.
The Raceway in Bridgton City Park
In the 19th century, the Bridgeton Raceway was constructed in order to provide water power to the mills in the area, such as Cumberland County Nail & Iron Works, the first factory to form in Bridgeton (1815). The Raceway is an earthen structure originally created as a mill race, but began to be used recreationally, even under continued ownership of the Iron Works. The Raceway became a popular spot for ladies, gentlemen, and families to row boats and canoe.
The Iron Works owned the land through which The Raceway flows until 1899. The land was purchased by the City of Bridgeton in 1902–3, becoming forever preserved as today’s Bridgeton City Park.
Included in the park are Mary Elmer Lake, Sunset Lake, East Lake, and of course, the Raceway, which still flows through City Park, meandering through the beloved Cohanzick Zoo. Location of the Raceway in the Cohanzick Zoo.
