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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
EGG HARBOR CITY, 17.8 miles (63 alt., 3,478 pop.), a compact community of small homes and small industries, is a noted wine-making and
grape-juice center surrounded by vineyards. There is a tantalizing odor
when the wine presses are at work. John F. Wild in 1858 discovered that
the soil and climate here were adapted to grape culture. The place had
been founded eight years before by German immigrants who sought refuge
from the Native American or Know-Nothing party; but its prosperity
dates from Wild's experiments, which attracted many wine-grape growers
from Germany. The industry experienced another boom after the Civil
War with the influx of Italian growers. The vineyards, individually
owned, are in most cases operated by the second and third generations of
these families. American Renault wines, pressed from grapes of local
growers and aged in old stone vaults, have become popular despite pres-
sure from competing California districts.
Egg Harbor City was named in anticipation of a proposed canal to connect it with Gloucester Furnace and the Mullica River, 6 miles northeast.
The canal was never dug, and the only maritime flavor of the community
is its name. Near the center of the town are the buildings and FAIR
GROUNDS of the Atlantic County Agricultural Society. The fair, with outstanding poultry exhibits, has long been an annual event in early Septem-ber.
At 18.2 miles are the junctions with State 50 (see Tour 34) and an improved road (see Tour 23A).
Northwest of Egg Harbor City the highway runs through many fruit
farms, including patches of raspberries and blackberries.
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