History Sourland Mountain

early farmers had contend mountain s boulder strewn slopes.

before arrival of europeans, sourland mountain inhabited unami speaking lenape, in particular musconetcongs. however, settlements , farms along mountain seem have been restricted river valleys due poor, rocky soils upslope. there evidence indicating delaware river supported @ least 1 such lenape settlement @ southern foot of mountain around present-day lambertville, new jersey.

in 18th , 19th century, mountain’s many streams heavily exploited energy source various mills. @ same time, sourland mountain became valuable source of lumber. however, time of civil war, of forests had covered mountain had been depleted. in place of these forests, farms sprang along more managed parts of mountain, , rural villages formed. rock quarries , local pottery industry started around time.

by end of 19th century, sourland mountain supported thriving peach farming industry. blight before start of new century, wells statewide shift industrial economy, crippled agriculture on mountain. rural villages disappeared, , new forests began grow on abandoned farmland. pre-20th century industry able survive modern era rock quarrying –the mountain’s trap rock crushed , used build railroad beds , roads throughout region.

for first half of 20th century, sourland mountain remained remote part of new jersey, few connections nearby metropolitan areas. changed in 1940s when new road construction made mountain more accessible, allowing suburbia begin invading valleys , slopes. today mountain acts watershed surrounding communities, while @ same time providing recreational opportunities central new jersey.