The Cranford Canoe Club is one of the oldest canoe clubs in the United States and a community landmark known as part of Cranford, New Jersey's historic fabric and identity for over 100 years. The current canoe club, while not the first, is the last surviving canoe club on the Rahway River.
Cranford was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden, Springfield, Union and Westfield. Since the Rahway River is a fabric of the community there has always been an interest in water sports on the river. Cranford's nickname is the "Venice of New Jersey".[1] due to the canoeists paddling along the Rahway River Parkway that meanders through the township.
The Cranford Canoe Club has gone through numerous private owners and is now owned by the Township of Cranford. While no longer a "club", the facility is located at 250 Springfield Avenue and the corner of Orange Avenue. There are maps that show another Cranford Canoe Club across the street in 1922. Various dates originate the Canoe Club in 1908 and 1907 while other documents date the club ba ck to 1886.
- ^ "New York Times". New York Times. March 8, 1992.