Geographic Area
Sayreville is located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on the south bank of the Raritan River, 5 miles southwest of the Raritan Bay. Raritan River was a major water transport route for Lenni-Lenape Indians before the arrival of the Europeans. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the river became a major transportation artery in the Northeast. The abundance and quality of the clay beds along the shore of the Raritan River were recognized early and played a significant role in the local and national economy. The ease of transport, first by water, then by rail, enabled businesses to transfer their products to major markets in the East.