Morris Canal

The Morris Canal opened in Bloomfield in 1831, providing a much needed route for farm produce and manufactured goods. About seven miles of the 173-mile Morris Canal passed through Greater Bloomfield, For the most part, along what are now East Passaic Avenue and John F. Kennedy Drive.

The Morris Canal was once as important to Bloomfield as the Garden State Parkway is today. In Bloomfield, the JFK Parkway mostly follows the old Canal route. The Canal with it's towpath is at right, Daveys Mill Pond is at left, with the Oakes Woolen Mill at far left.The Canal was not a continuous waterway like a river. It was comprised of sections -- to pass from north to south through Bloomfield, a canal boat navigated five canal sections. A waterway that ended a relatively flat 17-mile stretch that originated west of Paterson, and entered Bloomfield near East Passaic Avenue.