Sourland Mountain
| Sourland Mountain | |
|---|---|
A ledge containing argillite hornfels visible on the east flank of Sourland Mountain in Hillsborough Twp.
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Northernmost peak |
| Elevation | 568 ft (173 m) |
| Coordinates | 40°28′44.95″N 74°42′39.53″W / 40.4791528°N 74.7109806°WCoordinates: 40°28′44.95″N 74°42′39.53″W / 40.4791528°N 74.7109806°W |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 17 mi (27 km) north–south |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | New Jersey |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Triassic/Jurassic |
| Type of rock | intrusive igneous, extrusive igneous and trap rock |
Sourland Mountain is a 17 miles (27 km) long ridge in central New Jersey, extending from the Delaware River at Lambertville to the western end of Hillsborough Township near the community of Neshanic, through Montgomery Township and into Hopewell Township in Mercer County. It comprises the largest contiguous forest in Central Jersey, nearly 90 square miles (233 km2) in area. The highest point is only 568 feet (173 m) above sea level, but the way it rises steeply from the surrounding farmland has earned it the title of 'mountain'. The ridge itself sits within a larger area of rough terrain called The Sourlands.
The origin of the name Sourland is unclear and a few theories exist. It could be derived from the term “sorrel-land” which describes the sorrel (reddish-brown) colored soils encountered by the pioneering German farmers, or German immigrants from the Sauerland region simply anglicized the name of their home region. Another possible source for the name is from 17th century Dutch settlers who referred to the region as "sauer landt" because the region was clearly not suitable for farming. To this day, the area remains relatively undeveloped - besides being unsuitable for farming, the hard igneous rock, nonporous clay soils, steep slopes and perched wetlands create groundwater conditions which make the area difficult for drilling wells and installing septic systems.
Before the arrival of Europeans, Sourland Mountain was inhabited by Unami speaking Lenape, in particular the Musconetcongs. However, settlements and farms along the mountain seem to have been restricted to river valleys due to the poor, rocky soils upslope. There is evidence indicating the Delaware River likely supported at least one such Lenape settlement at the southern foot of the mountain around present-day Lambertville, New Jersey.
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Wikipedia