Old York Road
Encyclopedia
Old York Road or King's Highway is a roadway that was built in the 18th century to connect Philadelphia
, Pennsylvania
with New York City
, New York
. Through New Jersey it was built along the Raritan (Unami
tribe) "Naraticong Trail". The Swift Sure Stage Coach Line completed the journey between the two cities in two days and cost only a few dollars.
to Philadelphia between 1711 and 1771. Its start (or end) point was at the intersection of Fourth and Vine Streets. A 1960s urban redevelopment project removed most of Old York Road between Vine and Spring Garden Streets, although a remnant remains as the unmarked alley midway between 5th and 4th Streets at Willow Street. North of Spring Garden Street, the Old York Road ran through Lower North Philadelphia along today's Fifth Street.
A section still named Old York Road begins at the intersection of Germantown Avenue and West Westmoreland Street in the Rising Sun/Franklinville
neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The road continues north and runs concurrently with PA 611
at the intersection with North Broad Street
and Oak Lane in the East Oak Lane
neighborhood in North Philadelphia.
Old York Road deviates from PA 611, at the intersection with Easton Road in Willow Grove
where it runs concurrently with PA 263
. North of the Abington Twp.
-Upper Moreland Twp.
border at PA 63
, this section is called York Road, as some sections of the original road deviate, carrying the name Old York Road. This occurs in the village of Hartsville, which sits astride the border of Warminster
and Warwick Twp.
as well as the village of Bridge Valley in Buckingham
, about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of where PA 263/York Road joins US 202. A 7-arch stone bridge, built in 1799, still stands on Old York Road in Bridge Valley, but was only open to pedestrian and bicycle
traffic since that section of road was bypassed by the 4-lane York Road in 1965 until the bridge was closed to foot traffic by a cyclone fence at each end in 2010. The section of PA 263/York Road from Sugar Bottom Rd. to PA 413
in Buckingham Twp. was resurfaced in 2008-09 for the first time since the 1965 widening, and the section through Warwick Twp. is scheduled to be repaved in 2010-11.
In Lahaska
, Old York Road follows US-202 as Lower York Road. Old York Road follows PA 179 into New Hope
, as Bridge Street. It briefly deviates and rejoins PA 179. The road forks ahead, with Ferry Street going southeast and Bridge Street going northeast. Bridge Street carries PA 179 across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge
, into New Jersey. The original bridge was built in 1814 and replaced twice after floods. The newest bridge was built in 1904 and provides the closest route to the original Old York Road.
Ferry Street ends at the location of the first ferry dock of John Wells . In 1719, John Wells was given a license to establish a ferry at this location, two years after he bought the land . The Pennsylvania Assembly eventually gave John Wells sole right to operate a ferry from this spot after Thomas Canby attempted to compete with the service. The small village became known as Well's Ferry. Thomas Canby's son, Benjamin later bought the ferry service from Wells. In 1764, John Coryell, who operated a ferry from New Jersey bought the Pennsylvania ferry service from Benjamin Canby. The village later carried the names of Canby's Ferry and Coryell's Ferry before receiving the name New Hope after a 1790 fire.
. Although this was not the first ferry operated from the New Jersey side, Coryell purchased land here and began operating a ferry service in 1732. The village on the New Jersey began to be known as Coryell's Ferry. The original route followed Main Street to York Street and briefly joined up with NJ 179, the modern Old York Road.
It continues on NJ 179 with three deviations, including one at Mount Airy, before crossing under US 202. NJ 179 ends in Ringoes
and Old York Road continues on the beginning of CR 514
. At Reaville in East Amwell
, Old York Road leaves CR 514 and joins CR 613. CR 613 ends at Pleasant Run Road in Centerville
in Readington
, but Old York Road continues across it and crosses US 202 in Branchburg
.
Centerville was so named because of its position between Philadelphia and New York, which made it a resting place for the coaches, which originally took two days to complete the journey. Old York Road then follows CR 637 across US 202 again and joins CR 567
until Raritan, New Jersey
.
In Raritan, it follows Somerset Street (CR 626) and joins up with Main St (NJ 28) in Somerville
. Old York Road continues to follow East Main Street, which becomes concurrent with CR 533
in Finderne in Bridgewater
.
After going through Bound Brook
, the Old York Road traveled through Middlesex
, Quibbletown (now New Market) in Piscataway
, The Plains
, Scots Plains
, West Fields
and Cranes Ford
.
A ferry left from Elizabethtown Point in Elizabeth
to Holland's Hook (now Port Ivory
) on Staten Island
beginning in 1736 by Adoniah Schuyler. Holland Hook was named for the early settlers, who came from Holland, but later the name evolved to Howland Hook.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
with New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Through New Jersey it was built along the Raritan (Unami
Unami
Unami may refer to:*the Lenape language, or its sublanguage the Unami language*Unami Creek*the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq *the Unami Lodge...
tribe) "Naraticong Trail". The Swift Sure Stage Coach Line completed the journey between the two cities in two days and cost only a few dollars.
Pennsylvania
Old York Road was laid out from New HopeNew Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
to Philadelphia between 1711 and 1771. Its start (or end) point was at the intersection of Fourth and Vine Streets. A 1960s urban redevelopment project removed most of Old York Road between Vine and Spring Garden Streets, although a remnant remains as the unmarked alley midway between 5th and 4th Streets at Willow Street. North of Spring Garden Street, the Old York Road ran through Lower North Philadelphia along today's Fifth Street.
A section still named Old York Road begins at the intersection of Germantown Avenue and West Westmoreland Street in the Rising Sun/Franklinville
Franklinville, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Franklinville is a neighborhood of North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the City Planning Commission, the boundaries of Franklinville are roughly a triangle bounded by West Sedgley Avenue, North Broad Street, and West Hunting Park Avenue....
neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The road continues north and runs concurrently with PA 611
Pennsylvania Route 611
Pennsylvania Route 611 is a major state highway in Pennsylvania, United States, running from Interstate 95 south of downtown Philadelphia north to Interstate 380 in Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania in The Poconos....
at the intersection with North Broad Street
Broad Street (Philadelphia)
Broad Street is a major arterial street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is nearly 13 miles long.It is Pennsylvania Route 611 along its entire length with the exception of its northernmost part between Old York Road and Pennsylvania Route 309 and the southernmost part south of Interstate 95...
and Oak Lane in the East Oak Lane
East Oak Lane, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
East Oak Lane is a neighborhood in the upper Northern section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Many of the houses in the neighborhood are large single homes or twins built at a later period than much of central North Philadelphia...
neighborhood in North Philadelphia.
Old York Road deviates from PA 611, at the intersection with Easton Road in Willow Grove
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Willow Grove is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. A community in Philadelphia's northern suburbs, the population was 15,726 at the 2010 census. It is located in Abington Township and Upper Moreland Township...
where it runs concurrently with PA 263
Pennsylvania Route 263
Pennsylvania Route 263 is a north–south state highway located in southeast Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at PA 611 in Willow Grove, Montgomery County. The northern terminus is at PA 32 in Centre Bridge, Bucks County on the banks of the Delaware River near the Centre...
. North of the Abington Twp.
Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Abington Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 55,310 in as of the 2010 census.Abington Township is one of Montgomery County's oldest communities dating back to before 1700 and being incorporated in 1704. It is home to some of the county's...
-Upper Moreland Twp.
Upper Moreland Township, Pennsylvania
Upper Moreland Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 24,015 at the 2010 census. Upper Moreland Township is primarily a residential community with distinctive neighborhoods that are complemented by several thriving business, industrial, and...
border at PA 63
Pennsylvania Route 63
Pennsylvania Route 63 is a long state highway located in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. The western terminus of the route is at PA 29 in Green Lane, Montgomery County. The eastern terminus is at Interstate 95 in Bensalem Township, Bucks County...
, this section is called York Road, as some sections of the original road deviate, carrying the name Old York Road. This occurs in the village of Hartsville, which sits astride the border of Warminster
Warminster Township, Pennsylvania
Warminster Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 32,682 at the 2010 census.The town was named for the town of Warminster in Wiltshire, England.-Geography:...
and Warwick Twp.
Warwick Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Warwick Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,437 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.1 square miles , all of it land. It is drained by the Delaware River via the...
as well as the village of Bridge Valley in Buckingham
Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Buckingham Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 20,075 at the 2010 census. Buckingham takes its name from Buckingham in Buckinghamshire known as Bucks County in England...
, about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of where PA 263/York Road joins US 202. A 7-arch stone bridge, built in 1799, still stands on Old York Road in Bridge Valley, but was only open to pedestrian and bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
traffic since that section of road was bypassed by the 4-lane York Road in 1965 until the bridge was closed to foot traffic by a cyclone fence at each end in 2010. The section of PA 263/York Road from Sugar Bottom Rd. to PA 413
Pennsylvania Route 413
Pennsylvania Route 413 is a long, north–south state highway running from the PA/NJ state line on the Burlington-Bristol Bridge to PA 611 in Bedminster Township in Bucks County...
in Buckingham Twp. was resurfaced in 2008-09 for the first time since the 1965 widening, and the section through Warwick Twp. is scheduled to be repaved in 2010-11.
In Lahaska
Lahaska, Pennsylvania
Lahaska is an unincorporated community in central Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies just east of Buckingham and west of New Hope on Route 202. Lahaska is home to one of the most popular shopping areas in the region, Peddler's Village, as well as Buckingham Friends School, a...
, Old York Road follows US-202 as Lower York Road. Old York Road follows PA 179 into New Hope
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
, as Bridge Street. It briefly deviates and rejoins PA 179. The road forks ahead, with Ferry Street going southeast and Bridge Street going northeast. Bridge Street carries PA 179 across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge
New Hope-Lambertville Bridge
The New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, officially called the New Hope-Lambertville Toll Supported Bridge, is a six-span, -long bridge spanning the Delaware River that connects the city of Lambertville in Hunterdon County, New Jersey with the borough of New Hope in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The current...
, into New Jersey. The original bridge was built in 1814 and replaced twice after floods. The newest bridge was built in 1904 and provides the closest route to the original Old York Road.
Ferry Street ends at the location of the first ferry dock of John Wells . In 1719, John Wells was given a license to establish a ferry at this location, two years after he bought the land . The Pennsylvania Assembly eventually gave John Wells sole right to operate a ferry from this spot after Thomas Canby attempted to compete with the service. The small village became known as Well's Ferry. Thomas Canby's son, Benjamin later bought the ferry service from Wells. In 1764, John Coryell, who operated a ferry from New Jersey bought the Pennsylvania ferry service from Benjamin Canby. The village later carried the names of Canby's Ferry and Coryell's Ferry before receiving the name New Hope after a 1790 fire.
New Jersey
Old York Road began at Coryell's Ferry, which was on Emanuel Coryell's property between Church Street and Swan Creek (for which Swan Street is named) in LambertvilleLambertville, New Jersey
Lambertville is a city in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 3,906.Lambertville was originally incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1849, from portions of West Amwell Township...
. Although this was not the first ferry operated from the New Jersey side, Coryell purchased land here and began operating a ferry service in 1732. The village on the New Jersey began to be known as Coryell's Ferry. The original route followed Main Street to York Street and briefly joined up with NJ 179, the modern Old York Road.
It continues on NJ 179 with three deviations, including one at Mount Airy, before crossing under US 202. NJ 179 ends in Ringoes
Ringoes, New Jersey
Ringoes is an unincorporated area located within East Amwell Township, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The community is served by the United States Postal Service as ZIP Code 08551. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 08551 was 5,082.-History:Ringoes is...
and Old York Road continues on the beginning of CR 514
County Route 514 (New Jersey)
County Route 514 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from US 202 in East Amwell Township to Bayway Avenue in Elizabeth...
. At Reaville in East Amwell
East Amwell Township, New Jersey
-History:During the American Revolutionary War, a small but important skirmish occurred in East Amwell when local militia under Capt. John Schenck ambushed a party of British dragoons near Larison's Corner...
, Old York Road leaves CR 514 and joins CR 613. CR 613 ends at Pleasant Run Road in Centerville
Centerville, New Jersey
Centerville was a hamlet in Readington Township, New Jersey along Campbell's Brook and Old York Road. Centerville grew up because of a tavern that marked the halfway point on the long Swift Sure Stage Line route from New York to Philadelphia. The hamlet had a school, a store, a post office, a...
in Readington
Readington Township, New Jersey
Readington Township is a Township located in the easternmost portion of Hunterdon County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,126...
, but Old York Road continues across it and crosses US 202 in Branchburg
Branchburg Township, New Jersey
Branchburg Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,459....
.
Centerville was so named because of its position between Philadelphia and New York, which made it a resting place for the coaches, which originally took two days to complete the journey. Old York Road then follows CR 637 across US 202 again and joins CR 567
County Route 567 (New Jersey)
County Route 567, abbreviated CR 567, is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Amwell Road in Hillsborough Township to Union Avenue in Raritan Borough.-Route description:...
until Raritan, New Jersey
Raritan, New Jersey
Raritan is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 6,881.-Geography:Raritan is located at ....
.
In Raritan, it follows Somerset Street (CR 626) and joins up with Main St (NJ 28) in Somerville
Somerville, New Jersey
Somerville is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,098. It is the county seat of Somerset County....
. Old York Road continues to follow East Main Street, which becomes concurrent with CR 533
County Route 533 (New Jersey)
County Route 533 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from the White Horse Circle, in Hamilton Township to County Route 527 in Bound Brook. Route 533 shares a major concurrency with U.S...
in Finderne in Bridgewater
Bridgewater Township, New Jersey
Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. , the township population was 44,464.Bridgewater Township was originally created by Royal Charter on April 4, 1749, from portions of the Northern precinct, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of...
.
After going through Bound Brook
Bound Brook, New Jersey
Bound Brook is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. At the United States 2010 Census, the population was 10,402.Bound Brook was originally incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 24, 1869, within portions of Bridgewater Township...
, the Old York Road traveled through Middlesex
Middlesex, New Jersey
Middlesex is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 13,635.Middlesex was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1913, from portions of Piscataway Township, based on the results...
, Quibbletown (now New Market) in Piscataway
Piscataway Township, New Jersey
The township consists of the following historic villages and areas: New Market, known as Quibbletown in the 18th Century, Randolphville, Fieldville and North Stelton...
, The Plains
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
, Scots Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
, West Fields
Westfield, New Jersey
Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 30,316. The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract....
and Cranes Ford
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
.
A ferry left from Elizabethtown Point in Elizabeth
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
to Holland's Hook (now Port Ivory
Port Ivory, Staten Island
Port Ivory is a coastal area situated in the northwestern corner of Staten Island, New York City, New York, United States. It is located on Newark Bay near the entrances the Kill van Kull to the west and Arthur Kill to the east....
) on Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
beginning in 1736 by Adoniah Schuyler. Holland Hook was named for the early settlers, who came from Holland, but later the name evolved to Howland Hook.
External links
- Old York Road Historical Society (Covers the history of the Pennsylvania portion, which goes from Philadelphia to New Hope.)