Historic Boonton Stone Arch reopens over Rockaway River after $700K restoration

BOONTON — The ironworks are long gone, but a final remnant of the 18th-century industry that built this Morris County town has been restored and repurposed as a portion of a planned nature trail.

After years of planning, construction and obtaining almost $700,000 in grants to pay for it all, a ribbon-cutting was held Monday at the Arch Bridge, a stone structure that spans a Rockaway River gorge, not far from the wide waterfall at the entrance of Grace Lord Park.

Mayor James Lynch called upon the family of former Councilmember Edina Renfro-Michel, the driving force behind the project, to help inaugurate the pedestrian bridge. Renfro-Michael died last year from breast cancer at age 53.

"It's been a long time coming," said her husband, Michael Michel, as he stood with his children, Ian and Faith.

Built in 1866, the stone arch span is the last physical remnant of Boonton's thriving iron manufacturing industry, which continued into the early 20th century. Hidden from clear view of Main Street, which parallels the river, the bridge and park trails are a popular destination for hiking and respite from the busy world just steps away.

In the late 1870’s the Boonton ironworks site was donated to the town as a public park in memory of John Couper Lord’s daughter, Grace Lord Nicoll. But the bridge fell into disrepair, forcing its closure and dividing one end of the park from the other.

Renfro and other town officials worked to obtain three grants from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund totaling almost $370,000 to fund the preservation plan, design work and, ultimately, construction. A $320,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust completed the funding.

History of the Boonton Stone Arch Bridge

"The bridge was constructed as an aqueduct to carry piped water from a pond to the Boonton Ironworks to ensure fire protection," the New Jersey Historic Trust explains on a webpage devoted to the Ironworks. "It is the single remaining intact portion of the industrial complex that evolved in Boonton in the years after the opening of the Morris Canal. "

The new bridge preserves the stone arch, but adds a sturdy steel frame and concrete walkway on top that reconnects the park trail.

Michel took a moment to compose himself after the bridge was opened, thinking of when his family moved to Boonton 20 years ago and "instantly fell in love with it."

"It's such an eclectic little town," Michel said. "[Edina] loved Boonton, and the Rockaway River is one of the best-kept secrets in this town. If they could do to the rest of the park what they did with this bridge, it would be something where people would come specifically for this."

The mayor added that future plans include connecting the trail downriver to the nearby Boonton Reservoir, where plans are being finalized to build a walking trail around the 700-acre water source for Jersey City.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com

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