Dover and Rockaway Railroad - Creation

Creation

The Central Railroad out of Dover, New Jersey was originally constructed between Dover and Rockaway and designated as the Dover and Rockaway Railroad. It was incorporated in 1880 and opened for traffic in 1881. This small road was built primarily as a connection between the Longwood Valley Railroad, which was controlled by the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Hibernia Mine Railroad which was operated by George Richards. It was organized by George Richards, Columbus Beach, and Henry McFarlan, all from Dover. The Railroad was also built by other men from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts who were interested in the iron mines in the vicinity.

Prior to this time Mayor Richards suggested to the president of Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (formally the Morris and Essex Railroad) Sam Sloan that a spur be built from the DL&W into a part of Dover along the north side of the Rockaway River terminating at the Hibernia mines. It was an area ripe for development. Mr. Sloan turned down the idea, so Mr. Richards wasted no time in negotiating with landowners along what was to become the right-of-way for his railroad.

The primary object of this new railroad and the other railroads and branches was to carry the iron ore to the furnaces at High Bridge and in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania for use with the Pennsylvania ores. George Richards took great satisfaction that the iron would come from New Jersey and the very first rails used were the product of the Dover Iron Works.