Moving To Bridgeton, PA? Information
Bridgeton Twp.
Located in the northeast quadrant of Bucks County, Bridgeton Township was named for the old arch and truss wood covered bridge that once spanned the Delaware River between the village of Upper Black Eddy and Milford, NJ. Part of neighboring Nockamixon Township until 1890, Bridgeton is best known for its extensive riverfront, sheer rock cliffs, its many creeks and streams, state game lands and numerous regional and local parks. It is a small municipality, with 6.5 square miles of land and a population of under 1500.
The section of Delaware River that flows along Bridgeton's shores is designated by the federal government as "Wild and Scenic," and is considered a national treasure. The Delaware River, by the way, is the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States.
Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are popular pastimes for the area's many visitors, as well as for residents.
While the river itself draws people to Bridgeton, its river and canal fronts are equally impressive. At the boundary of Nockamixon and Bridgeton, there is a 3-mile formation of 500 ft. high crescent-shaped cliffs, called Narrowsville by locals and is sometimes referred to as the Pennsylvania Palisades. Legend has it that at one time buildings near the cliff did not receive direct sunlight for weeks at a time during the winter months due to the height of the cliffs and the density of the trees. In the 1930s, blasting for the then- new canal removed a great deal of those sun-blocking rocks and trees, though enough remain today to create breathtaking vistas.
As in most of Bucks County, tiny hamlets sprang up at the crossroads in the early years of its population. Narrows Creek, where Bridgeton and Nockamixon meet, was one such settlement. Today, it's home to the Indian Rock Inn (circa 1812), a popular restaurant and bed & breakfast that offers banquet and party facilities, live music, art shows and other events. Their promotional material states, "Because of the extreme geography of our location, the view from your room is unique among the inns of Bucks County. Every room comes with a river view that is striking in any season."
Another popular bed & breakfast is the Bridgeton House on the Delaware, which is the only bed & breakfast in the County situated directly on the Delaware River. Located in the village of Upper Black Eddy next to the bridge to Milford - a newer metal bridge that replaced the old covered bridge which was swept away in a flood in 1903 - Bridgeton House was built in 1836 and has served as a general store, bakery, pool hall, real estate office and apartments. In 1981, its current owners restored the building uncovering vintage fireplaces and original floorboards. Today it is a popular overnight destination for honeymooners and other seeking a romantic Bucks County experience.
Upper Black Eddy was a busy place in the mid 19th century, with 40 homes, two inns and rafts on the river transporting lumber to mills downstream
Nearby is another Bridgeton village with the quaint name of Ruppletown, once the home of canal boatmen and their families. The hamlet had its own school until 1902.
One of Bridgeton Township's most popular assets is the Ringing Rocks Park & Campground. Located on the eastern side of the Township, Ringing Rocks is the site of the unusual geological formation that gives the park its name. Large and small rocks, when struck with a hammer, give off strange metallic sounds. In geologic terms, the park has a diabase boulder field, one of the largest in the eastern States. The boulder field formed during an ice age 10,000 to 1.8 million years ago. That those ancient boulders are what are now called the ringing rocks.
Though many people don't realize it, the entire length of the Delaware Canal is a State Park. There are nearly four miles of the canal within Bridgeton Township, representing significant historic, scenic, recreational and natural resources. The canal towpath is a National Recreational Trail and is popular with walkers, serious hikers, bikers and sometimes people on horses or cross-country skis.
With a population of only 1500, Bridgeton does not have a large number of homes to begin with, so at any given time, few are on the market. In the last four years, 37 homes were sold ranging in price from $180,000 to $775,000. Eleven of the 37 properties were over 75 years and include Cape Cods, farmhouses, Victorian-style and arts & crafts style homes. They are constructed of clapboard, brick, stone and stucco with a few remaining barns. Eleven other homes were between 50 and 75 years old, eight were between 25 and 50 years old and seven were newer than 25 years including ranch, bungalow, log and contemporary styles. The last time a home sold for over $1M was in 2006, and the sale price was $1,050,000.
Currently there is one new development under construction in Bridgeton Township. The Estates at Ringing Rocks offers six four-acre to 10+acre wooded home sites with mature trees offering privacy. They start in the mid $600,000s.
Children from Bridgeton Township attend the Palisades School District, which has three elementary schools, a middle school and high school.
Some area children attend the River Valley Waldorf School which offers a curriculum based on ongoing study and insights into the children and their stages of development. In addition to traditional academic subjects, at this school "students engage in a wide range of other studies including foreign languages, handwork, physical education, eurythmy and the full spectrum of arts with an aim toward social responsibility and healing the earth."