Morris Canal & Boonton Ironworks

Morris County Historical Society is pleased to partner with local historians and history organizations to present a Morris County Walking Tour Series that celebrates the area’s rich and diverse past. From April through October, join us for nearly 40 guided walking tours that explore almost two dozen communities throughout Morris County, with topics ranging from unique historic districts, downtowns, and neighborhoods to local industries that shaped the landscape, and the individuals who left a lasting impact.

The story of Boonton’s growth from a small iron making village to large industrial town involves real estate speculation, venture capital, and insider information and would fit right into today’s headlines. It started in 1831 when the New Jersey Iron Company brought cutting-edge technology to a spot where abundant waterpower and the newly completed Morris Canal would make it possible to build what would become one of Morris County’s largest industrial complexes employing as many as 600 workers. On this tour we will walk the entire site and see the remains of the ironworks, a Morris Canal Inclined Plane, the bases of two anthracite blast furnaces and the oldest workers houses in town. The tour will include a walk along Main Street and a visit to the Boonton Historical Society & Museum. The tour will begin at the Boonton Historical Society and Museum.