Settled along the banks of the Delaware River in 1705, Lambertville hasn't changed much since the 1800s. It once had a ferry, and still has numerous stone farmhouses , Federal-style row homes and covered bridges. Known as "The Antique Capital of New Jersey," Lambertville offers collectors a large number of establishments that sell antiques from the 18th century to 1950s modern.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal figured prominently in the early history of Lambertville . Four thousand Irish immigrants dug the canal with pick and shovel, and dozens died during construction when a cholera epidemic ensued. The canal opened in June 1834 , but never really succeeded as a commercial enterprise. In 1974 the canal became a state park, which includes 19th-century bridges, bridge-tender houses, past and present locks, cobblestone spillways and hand-built stone-arched culverts.
Lambertville is also the home of James Marshal, the man credited with starting the Gold Rush after discovering gold at Sutters Mill in California. His former home is open for tours. Another landmark is the 1812 Lambertville House, once a stagecoach stop serving U.S. presidents and other dignitaries, as well as business leaders traveling between Philadelphia and New York. This 26-room inn and numerous other historic B &Bs provide ideal lodging for those who come to Lambertville for the annual two-day Shad Festival. The festival began 19 years ago to celebrate the return of shad to the Delaware River--signifying that the river was clean once again.
Coryell Street Victorian
In the course of three centuries Lambertville has seen its fortunes rise and fall --and rise again, thanks in part to the efforts of homeowners who have dedicated themselves to conserve at least a portion of the city's past. By the beginning of the 20th century the citizens had become wealthy, and their homes reflected their good fortune. But disasters both natural and manmade--devastating floods, a failing economy and the ravages of the Great Depression--contributed to a reversal of that fortune, and eventually the town fell victim to neglect.
Enter the preservationists. Whether intentionally or not, individuals who bought the neglected homes from Lambertville's better days found themselves becoming not only restorationists but also detectives, peeling away the layers of history as they sought to return their purchases to their days of glory.
Two such homeowners, Lou Toboz and Ron Walker, bought a Victorian house in 1993 and have let the house itself tell them what it needs. Working tirelessly to right the wrongs inflicted by previous owners, the pair have rediscovered the home's hidden features and brought light back into its long-dark rooms. In return they have been rewarded with a home that reflects the glories of its past while looking forward to a bright future.
Resources Lambertville Historical Society
Lambertville Historical Society
Phone: 609-397-1326
Guests David Greaves
Contrator / Owner, Wooden's Home Improvement
Phone: 609-397-3433
Also in this Episode
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