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[Store at the corner of Mill and Radcliffe Streets, 101 and 103, opposite the King George Inn]
A house was built in the federal style by John Bessonett at this site circa 1805. He was the proprietor of the King George Hotel across the street. General Lafayette was entertained at this building September 8, 1824. The store front was added to the building at the corner, housing various businesses including: Nathan Tyler and Jonathan Cone Grocery & Clothing (late 1800s), Curtis Howell Cigars and Pool Room (circa 1914), Spencers’ Carpet and Furniture (circa 1930-1960), Floral Designs flower shop (2002).
Men in this photograph are unidentified. -
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[Fishing along the Delaware River below the Mill Street Wharf]
Primarily caught in this section were shad fish, which laid eggs in the spring. Richard Russel, also known as “Dick Shad,” made a business of buying and selling shad. Russel was a former slave who made a good living by not only selling fish and products, but also operating a taxi service. Russel lived on Market Street. -
[Lock keeper’s house]
Initially believed to be an image of canal lock #1. This was behind the former Grand Theater on Mill Street. The Delaware River is visible in the background.
From Martha Capwell-Fox, National Canal Museum: “If the photo is dated Aug. 20, 1955 that [labeling as Lock #1] cannot be accurate. For one thing, it looks very similar to the two photos we have that we know for sure were taken right after the canal closed.” -
[Image of the Delaware Canal taken from the Forge Bridge at Beaver Street looking toward Washington Street with Grundy Mill in background]
The white structure in the center is the power house and smoke stack, with the seven story Grundy Mill and clock tower. To the right is the Barber & Williamson Radio Factory and Stoneback Lumber. The canal between Beaver and Washington Street has been filled in. -
[Photograph taken from the Mill Street Bridge over the Delaware Canal looking North]
The second lock beyond the tidal lock at the Delaware River is pictured. The lock keeper's house is on the left (red). To the right, across a field is Market Street perpendicular to the canal. In the distance on the right is Leedom’s Mill water tower, and the smokestack and clock tower of the Grundy Mill. -
[“Canal Outlet Lock” at Delaware River, Bristol, PA (later turned into Mill Street parking lot)]
Beyond this lock, there were 24 locks north to Easton, PA, a total of approximately 168 feet elevation difference. The “William Doron” ferry boat, which connected Bristol and Burlington City, NJ, is pictured in the river. -
[Boat “Blue Bell” at two-mile lock, Delaware Lehigh Canal]
The two-mile lock is believed to be the lock between Green Lane and Edgely Road (Lock #4). -
[Sigafoos’ Lock or Lock #1, the first lock after the river inlet gate, part of the Delaware Canal]
The overflow goes into the canal basin. Lock is hidden by trees to right of overflow.
From Martha Capwell-Fox, National Canal Museum: "This is hard to figure, because almost certainly the whole set of waterways through Bristol changed a lot.... It seems likely that the overflow was past the lock, and I would say the lock was right alongside the locktender's house, and just not visible in the photo. On the other hand, the blueprint map, which is hard to date but is most likely a version from the 1930s, shows an overflow BEFORE the lock, dumping from the Canal Basin into the marsh.” -
[Entrance to the inlet lock of the Delaware Canal Basin at Bristol]
Up to 21 canal barges would be tied together and pulled by a tug boat (like this one) down the Delaware River to Philadelphia. The “O” symbol on the barges in this photograph identify them as belonging to the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. -
[Delaware Canal tidal lock [#1] where it meets the Delaware River]
Round symbol on the center barge identifies it as property of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. At this point in the canal, the barges were either emptied or tied together and pulled down toward Philadelphia by tugboats. -
[Believed to be canal lock #3 just above Bath Street]
The house on the left was the lock keeper's house. Beyond this lock was Lock #4, located behind what later became Grundy Towers apartment complex. -
"L. C & N. Co. Basen. [sic] Bristol PA"
Delaware Lehigh Canal Basin where canal boats from Easton, PA ended on the canal in Bristol, PA, before unloading or entering the Delaware River. In the background is the Dorrance Mill [1701] that was at the foot of Pond Street. The canal basin was filled in after the canal closed in the 1930s and later became a parking lot for Mill Street. -
"L.C & N. Co. Lock No. 1 Bristol PA."
This is the tidal outlet lock [aka lock #1] connecting the Delaware Lehigh Canal to the Delaware River. Beyond this lock is the Canal Basin and the Dorrance Mill is visible. Canal operated from 1830 – 1931.
The lock house featured was home to the grandparents of Francis Jason Crum who lived in Bristol until 1966. -
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"L.C & N. Co., Canal Lock No. 4 Bristol PA."
The wider water area beyond the lock is the site of Bristol’s elementary school (1999). -
[Canal Barge, “Walter Leedom” photographed on canal near Bristol]
The canal operated between Bristol and Easton from 1827-1931. -
[Lock # 2 house, last lock before the canal basin and tidal lock]
Lock is hidden behind trees to the right. -
"Canal Basin Bristol, PA 1953"
Lock tender’s house at Lock #2 behind Mill Street. Was the lock just before the canal basin, which was the end of the canal. -
[Delaware Canal overflow falls behind what used to be the Grand Theater building in Bristol]
Also shown is the lock keeper's house at Lock #2, the first lock past the tidal lock and exit to the Delaware River. The overflow water went into the tidal marsh and the river. -
[Lock tender’s house at Lock # 2, located just beyond the overflow falls behind the former Grand Theater Building at Mill Street]
To the left was the canal basin which was eventually filled and turned into the Mill Street Parking lot. -
[A flooded Bristol Wharf at the end of Mill Street]
This was likely part of a large flood that took place in 1955 when there was a hurricane and the following storms caused the Delaware River to flood over its banks. -
[Ice on the Delaware River at the Mill Street Wharf]
The large poles on each side of the wharf were tying steamboats that travelled from Trenton to Philadelphia with stops at Bordentown, NJ, Bristol, PA, and Burlington, NJ. On the left, is the ferry boat dock which connected Burlington, NJ and Bristol, PA until 1931 when the Burlington Bristol Bridge was opened. The boat at the dock is the William E. Doron ferry. -
Postcard: "A 2798 Silver Brook Bridge, Bristol, Pa."
Inscription on front reads: "A fine trip up river. Have had lunch and now going to take trolley to Club for supper. Mildred."
Back of postcard reads: "Miss B. Anderson, 3331 Powelton Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania." Stamped Bristol, September 4. -
"Delaware River Bristol PA."
The tallest building is the Elks Lodge at Radcliffe and Walnut Street. The building was still under construction at the time of this photograph and finished in 1911. To the right of the Elks building is the Blackwood house (double story porches), which later became the home of the Bristol Free Library when it was reorganized in 1916 (before it moved to Dorrance and Radcliffe Street). The Blackwood house has since been removed. On the far right, is the Bristol Water Works building which was first opened in 1874. The tall stand pipe helped with water pressure. The tower to the left of the photo with windows is part of the Dorrance house built in 1863. -
[Tugboats at the Mill Street Wharf, Bristol Borough]
Sewell’s Point on left and Reedy Point on right. Both from Wilmington, Delaware.
Taken Tuesday, February 3, 1987, 4:30 PM. -
Postcard: "Steamer 'Twilight' and Ferry Boat 'Wm. E. Doran', Bristol, Pa."
The “Twilight” sank up the river in 1901.
Inscription on back of postcard reads: "Dear Mom and Pop. Having a lovely time alright. X X Arthur." Addressed to "Mrs. Wm. Starr, 2929 N. 7th St. Phila." Stamped Bristol, May 29, 1910. -
Postcard: "'William E. Doron' the Ferry Boat plying between Burlington, N.J. and Bristol, Pa."
Archive has 3 copies of this postcard.
One copy has inscription that reads: "My Dear Olivia, I was very pleased to receive your postals, I have been away but found them when I got home. I hope you are having a nice time and are better. Mrs. Watson." Addressed to "Miss Olivia Highland, Summit Hill, Pa. White St. c/o John Sharp." Stamped September 2, 1909.
Second copy reads: "Lizzie I would ask you send me my suit but I hate to bother you how is mother. Lizzie we are all well hoping you all are the same. I have a bad cold its very cold [down]. I wish I had my coat suit [illegible] with me. How are the children are they well let me know how Lizzie is if she is in the hospital yet. Give me all the news. [illegible]. Anna." Addressed to "Mrs. Lizzie Grow 16 Alter St. Hazleton, Pa." Stamped Bristol May 5, 1912. -
"Ferry Plying between Burlington, N.J., and Bristol, Pa."
The "William E. Doron" operated between Burlington, NJ and Bristol, PA until Mr. William Doron retired on February 25, 1930 and later died that same year. The Burlington-Bristol Bridge opened in 1931.
Charles Kock and Morrison Keich provided passenger service on a launch named “Sea Gull.” The "William E. Doron" sank at sea off Virginia. -
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[Bristol Wharf in 1970, before the development of Lions Park and the Gazebo]
At this time, Samuel Clift Street (formerly Water Street) extended to Market Street from Mill Street. -
[“William E. Doron” ferry boat in its berth at Bristol between Mill and Market Streets]
The ferry connected Bristol, PA and Burlington, NJ until 1930. William Doron stopped his service February 25, 1930 and died later that same year. Two Bristol men, Charles Kock and Morrison Keich, owners of the “Sea Gull” boat continued to provide passenger services for some time after until the bridge opened. The “William E. Doron” sank at sea off Virginia. -
[The William E. Doron steam powered ferry boat]
This ferry crossed the Delaware River from Bristol to Burlington, carrying vehicles and people. It was named for its owner, who lived in Bristol. In the summer it also brought people to Burlington Island where there was an amusement park called Island Beach. The ferry stopped operation in 1930 when its owner retired and died that same year. -
[“William E. Doron” ferry boat in its berth at Bristol between Mill and Market Streets, below Radcliffe Street]
The ferry connected Bristol, PA and Burlington, NJ until 1930. William Doron stopped his service February 25, 1930 and died later that same year. Two Bristol men, Charles Kock and Morrison Keich, owners of the “Sea Gull” boat continued to provide passenger services for some time after until the bridge opened. The “William E. Doron” sank at sea off Virginia. -
"Paddle boat docked at Bristol Wharf, in front of King George II."
Mill Street wharf at Bristol, PA. Steam boat landing connecting Bristol to Philadelphia and other locations in NJ. The King George II Inn is visible in the background, built in 1765 on the foundation of the original inn from 1681. -
Postcard: "Water Front, Bristol, PA."
Stamped on back of postcard: "M. D. Weagley, 121 Mulberry St. Bristol, Pa." -
[The Delaware River looking toward Burlington, NJ from the Mill Street Parking lot]
This was prior to the placement of the monuments at the Lions Park. The automobile in the foreground was that of William Grow, whose family donated the photograph. -
"Ice Gorge on the Delaware River at Bristol, Pa., --Feb. 14, 1881"
Elwood Doron, and later his son, William, operated a ferry to Burlington, NJ until 1930 (this is the boat featured in this photograph). Elwood lived from 1827-1890, William lived from 1852-1930. -
[The “Columbia” steamboat]
Built in Wilmington, Delaware, by Harlan & Hollingsworth Company. This was one of the larger steamboats on the upper Delaware River. The “Columbia” was operating in 1911 when Doron Green mentioned it in his book “History of Bristol” published that year. The photographer, William Hay, died in 1908, therefore the photograph must date prior to 1908. -
"Steamer Springfield, Bristol, PA"
Steamer Springfield in the Delaware River, Bristol, PA. -
"Ferry Plying between Burlington N. J., and Bristol, Pa."
The “William E. Doron” ferry operated between Bristol and Burlington until Mr. Doron retired, February 25, 1930 and died a few months later. -
Postcard: "The 'William E. Doron,' Bristol-Burlington Ferry"
The “William E. Doron” ferry operated between Bristol and Burlington until Mr. Doron retired February 25, 1930 and died a few months later.
Inscription on back of postcard reads: "Dear Catherine-- Thought you'd like to see this photo of an old friend. It is one of 69 Bucks Co. views reprinted of our Card Club. We have 3 granddaughters with us past 2 weeks. Love, [Bud]." Addressed to "Mrs. Catherine [Schiffey], [Neuffet] Nursing Home, Bensalem Blvd., Bensalem, PA 19020." -
Postcard: "The Upper Delaware River Transportation Co. Boat 'Bristol' at Bristol, Pa."
Inscription on front reads: "This is our boat."
Addressed to "Miss Anna Grow, 298 Alter St., Hazleton, Pa." Stamped Bristol, August 15, 1908. -
"Burlington, New Jersey"
The Upper Delaware River Transportation Co. boat “Bristol” at Bristol PA. Ticket costs were about $0.10. -
[The ferry “Elwood Doron” at Bristol]
Elwood Doron lived from 1827-1890. His son William inherited the business. William’s boat was called the “William E. Doron” and William lived from 1852-1930. Elwood appears to be the central figure in this photograph. The Burlington Bristol Bridge opened in 1931 and replaced all ferry service. -
[The Steamboat “Burlington”, which was previously named the “John A. Warner”]
This boat was built for Captain Jonathan Cone at the cost of $60,000 and ran between Philadelphia and Trenton. The boat transported troops and army supplies during the Civil War. Captain Cone also had several other ships built on the river. Captain Joseph Quicksall, who lived at 242 Wood Street, was captain of this boat for many years. He lived from 1841-1913. He and his son Fred were in the hardware and furniture business on Mill Street. His son became a minister and left the business. -
"Steamer at Burlington Island, between Burlington, N. J. and Bristol, PA."
Steamboat “Trenton” passing between Bristol and Burlington Island. During the first two decades of the 20th century, the island had an amusement park called “Island Beach” which attracted thousands of patrons during the warmer seasons. -
[View of Burlington Island from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]
The amusement park on the island burned in 1934. This was followed by people building “summer homes” on the island. These homes did not have proper water and sewage systems. By the 1970s, the City of Burlington had closed the island to summer dwellers and the houses were removed. -
[Tugboat along the Delaware River, view from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]
This image was taken behind the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. When Fairless Steel Company opened near Morrisville in the 1950s, large ships brought products for the steel industry and tug boats were needed to help with the docking of the ships. They dredged the river channel to 45 feet in depth. -
[Cargo ship passing along the Delaware River, view from the back grounds of the Grundy Library]
This image was taken behind the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA. When Fairless Steel Company opened near Morrisville in the 1950s, large ships brought products for the steel industry and tug boats were needed to help with the docking of the ships. They dredged the river channel to 45 feet in depth.