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History of South Amboy, New Jersey, USA
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Explore South Amboy, New Jersey, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have South Amboy Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

South Amboy, Middlesex, NJ
When settled by Europeans in 1684, the city was named New Perth in honor of James Drummond, Earl of Perth, one of the associates of a company of Scottish proprietaries. The Algonquian language name was corrupted to Ambo, or Point Amboy, and eventually a combination of the native and colonial names was used.
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Discover South Amboy: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1854 - South Amboy
South Amboy, a post-village in South Am- boy township, Middlesex county. New Jersey, on the S. side of Raritan bay, at the mouth of Raritan river, 27 miles S. W. from New York. The Camden and Amboy railroad terminates here, and connects with the New York steamboats. The village contains an academy and a manufactory of stone ware. Population of the township, 2266.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
South Amboy, a post-village in South Am- boy township, Middlesex county. New Jersey, on the S. side of Raritan bay, at the mouth of Raritan river, 27 miles S. W. from New York. The Camden and Amboy railroad terminates here, and connects with the New York steamboats. The village contains an academy and a manufactory of stone ware. Population of the township, 2266.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1895 - South Amboy
South Amboy, a post-village in South Amboy town ship, Middlesex co., N.J., on Raritan Bay, at the mouth of Raritan River, 27 miles S.W. of New York, 61 miles N.E. of Camden, and about 10 miles E. of New Brunswick. It is a terminus of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, in connection with which steamboats ply between this place and New York. It contains the Stevensdale Institute, 6 churches, a newspaper office, a machine-shop, and a pottery.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
South Amboy, a post-village in South Amboy town ship, Middlesex co., N.J., on Raritan Bay, at the mouth of Raritan River, 27 miles S.W. of New York, 61 miles N.E. of Camden, and about 10 miles E. of New Brunswick. It is a terminus of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, in connection with which steamboats ply between this place and New York. It contains the Stevensdale Institute, 6 churches, a newspaper office, a machine-shop, and a pottery.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1896 - STUCK AND KILLED A Freight Brakeman Lost His Life on the Rail.
Special to The Inquirer.
EASTON, July 24. — John Reaper, a Lehigh Valley freight brakeman, of Phillipsburg, met with an accident at South Amboy, N. J., yesterday afternoon which resulted in his death an hour later. The crew of Reaper’s train were drilling cars. Reaper’s train were drilling cars. Reaper stood close to the west-bound track and was struck by passenger train No. 23, due here at 3:30, and hurled some distance.
His skull was crushed. He was removed to the Metuchen depot, where he died. The remains were brought to Phillipsburg later last evening. Reaper was 25 years old and is survived by his wife, to whom he had been married only about a year. He was a native of High Bridge, N. J.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 25, 1896
Special to The Inquirer.
EASTON, July 24. — John Reaper, a Lehigh Valley freight brakeman, of Phillipsburg, met with an accident at South Amboy, N. J., yesterday afternoon which resulted in his death an hour later. The crew of Reaper’s train were drilling cars. Reaper’s train were drilling cars. Reaper stood close to the west-bound track and was struck by passenger train No. 23, due here at 3:30, and hurled some distance.
His skull was crushed. He was removed to the Metuchen depot, where he died. The remains were brought to Phillipsburg later last evening. Reaper was 25 years old and is survived by his wife, to whom he had been married only about a year. He was a native of High Bridge, N. J.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 25, 1896
1906
South Amboy, a banking post-borough in South Am- boy township (with which it is coextensive), Middlesex co., N.J., on Raritan Bar, at the mouth of the Raritan River, 27 miles SW. of New York, on the Pennsylvania and other railroads. It is connected by bridge with Perth Amboy, has manufactures of pottery, asphaltum, and day product*, and is a shipping point for coal. Pop. in 1900, 6349.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
South Amboy, a banking post-borough in South Am- boy township (with which it is coextensive), Middlesex co., N.J., on Raritan Bar, at the mouth of the Raritan River, 27 miles SW. of New York, on the Pennsylvania and other railroads. It is connected by bridge with Perth Amboy, has manufactures of pottery, asphaltum, and day product*, and is a shipping point for coal. Pop. in 1900, 6349.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906
1950 - FIRE FLARES AFTER SOUTH AMBOY BLAST.
South Amboy, N. J., (AP) - About twenty tons of phosphorus smoldered and flared on the waterfront last night as an aftermath of the South Amboy munitions disaster in which the official death toll is fixed at 27.
State Police Superintendent CHARLES SCHOEFFEL said the phosphorus was contained in about fifty drums on the grounds of the blast-shattered American Agricultural Chemical Company, right next to the spot where four munitions laden barges blew into the sky Friday night.
SCHOEFFEL said there was no danger to South Amboy from the fire and it would be allowed to burn itself out overnight. He said the blaze began at about 1:45 p.m. (EDT) out of control.
Land mines thrown among the tanks of phosphorus by the first explosion began popping, requiring Army and state policemen to keep clear the isolated area of the fire. Police counted 47 minor explosions as the afternoon wore on.
The bodies of only four of the 27 have been recovered. The rest disappeared in the funnel of... Read MORE...
South Amboy, N. J., (AP) - About twenty tons of phosphorus smoldered and flared on the waterfront last night as an aftermath of the South Amboy munitions disaster in which the official death toll is fixed at 27.
State Police Superintendent CHARLES SCHOEFFEL said the phosphorus was contained in about fifty drums on the grounds of the blast-shattered American Agricultural Chemical Company, right next to the spot where four munitions laden barges blew into the sky Friday night.
SCHOEFFEL said there was no danger to South Amboy from the fire and it would be allowed to burn itself out overnight. He said the blaze began at about 1:45 p.m. (EDT) out of control.
Land mines thrown among the tanks of phosphorus by the first explosion began popping, requiring Army and state policemen to keep clear the isolated area of the fire. Police counted 47 minor explosions as the afternoon wore on.
The bodies of only four of the 27 have been recovered. The rest disappeared in the funnel of... Read MORE...
2023 - Here's a list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in South Amboy:
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park:
Enjoy a leisurely stroll or a relaxing afternoon in this scenic waterfront park. It's a great spot for picnics, jogging, or simply soaking in the beautiful views of Raritan Bay.
Cheesequake State Park:
Just a short drive away, Cheesequake State Park offers hiking trails, fishing, and even camping. It's a fantastic place to connect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle.
Old Bridge Waterfront Park:
Another waterfront gem, this park offers a serene environment with walking paths and benches, making it a perfect spot for some quiet reflection or a peaceful evening by the water.
South Amboy YMCA:
Stay active and healthy by checking out the programs and facilities at the local YMCA. Whether it's swimming, working out, or joining a fitness class, it's a great way to stay fit and meet new people.
LaPlaya:
Craving some delicious seafood? LaPlaya is a popular spot known for its fresh seafood dishes. It's a cozy restaurant with a... Read MORE...
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park:
Enjoy a leisurely stroll or a relaxing afternoon in this scenic waterfront park. It's a great spot for picnics, jogging, or simply soaking in the beautiful views of Raritan Bay.
Cheesequake State Park:
Just a short drive away, Cheesequake State Park offers hiking trails, fishing, and even camping. It's a fantastic place to connect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle.
Old Bridge Waterfront Park:
Another waterfront gem, this park offers a serene environment with walking paths and benches, making it a perfect spot for some quiet reflection or a peaceful evening by the water.
South Amboy YMCA:
Stay active and healthy by checking out the programs and facilities at the local YMCA. Whether it's swimming, working out, or joining a fitness class, it's a great way to stay fit and meet new people.
LaPlaya:
Craving some delicious seafood? LaPlaya is a popular spot known for its fresh seafood dishes. It's a cozy restaurant with a... Read MORE...
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