City of Lambertville
Lambertville is located on the Delaware River in the southwestern portion of the county. During the 1700's, the City was named after various operators of ferries across the river to Pennsylvania, ultimately becoming known as Coryell's Ferry, after Emanuel Coryell who owned the Ferry. Coryell's Ferry was the western terminus of the New Jersey portion of the York Road (which is now known as Route 202) connecting New York and Philadelphia. The City was named Lambertville in 1814 when the post office was established and honored the Honorable John Lambert, a local resident and United States Senator.
The Delaware River and the Delaware/Raritan Canal were instrumental in the posterity of Lambertville. In June 1834, the opening of the canal was celebrated with a barge ride from Trenton to Lambertville. The canal's completion was not without hardship. 4000 Irish immigrants were hired to dig the canal with pick and shovel. During the construction an epidemic of Cholera broke out and dozens of men were buried along the banks of the canal and the Delaware River.
After nearly 40 years as a defeating operation, the canal was taken over by the State. In 1974 the canal became a State Park administered by the Delaware/Raritan Canal Commission.
Lambertville is known for its many galleries, antique shops and restaurants. This contributes to a sense that Lambertville continues to be a small American City. Perhaps the most notable fact in Lambertville that the new growth has not replaced the old community charm. Here, where industry thrived before much of the nation had broken ground, we can find country atmosphere mixed with city convenience and sophistication.
The 225 anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth occurred in 2003. In 1778 General George Washington crossed the Delaware from Pennsylvania into Lambertville with 10,000 men. The soldiers stopped at the "Ferry House" (now a Japanese Restaurant) to drink from the well there. Washington and his officials were entertained by the Holcombe family at the home now owned by the Clossen Family - Homestead Market.
