Duck Island, New Jersey
Duck Island, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Lamberton Street in the Duck Island section of Trenton | |
  Duck Island Location of Duck Island in Mercer County Inset: Location of county within the state of New Jersey  Duck Island Duck Island (New Jersey)  Duck Island Duck Island (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 40°11′18″N 74°45′03″W / 40.18833°N 74.75083°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Mercer |
| Township and City | Hamilton and Trenton |
Duck Island is an unincorporated community located along the border of Hamilton Township and the city of Trenton in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.[1][2][3] The community takes its name from Duck Island, which extends southeastward from the community. The city of Trenton provides public docks for fishing in Duck Island.[4]
The "Duck Island Murders"
[edit]Duck Island was frequented as a lovers' lane during the 1930s due to its remoteness and nearness to Trenton. One evening in 1938, a young couple parked at a secluded spot on Duck Island were shot after money was demanded of them. One died at the scene, while the second died the next day. A year later, a second couple parked at Duck Island was shot dead. A botched murder attempt on another young couple parked in a lovers' lane in Tullytown, Pennsylvania, led to the arrest of Clarence Hill in 1942. Motivated by sexual and voyeuristic urges, the serial killer was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for what became known as the "Duck Island Murders".[5][6]
Incinerator
[edit]In 1996, there were plans to build a $260 million trash incinerator on Duck Island, but the proposal was defeated by the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2015.
- ^ Google (January 18, 2015). "Duck Island, New Jersey" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ "City Profile Report: Trenton 250: 1792-2042: A City Master Plan Document" (PDF). City of Trenton. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ "Trenton opens public docks on Duck Island open for first time in two years". The Times. June 29, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
TRENTON — The city's public docks on Duck Island were finally installed this week after weeks of delays attributed to weather. The docks, just off Lamberton Road, are now open to boaters to tie up their vessels on the Delaware River throughout the summer.
- ^ Tomlinson, Gerald (1994). Murdered in Jersey. Rutgers University. pp. 60–62.
- ^ "Soldier Is Held As Jersey Killer. Fort Dix Private in Jail to Await Trial for Murder in Duck Island Cases". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 8, 1944.
Private Clarence Hill, 33 years old, Hamilton Township Negro soldier, was arraigned today in Hamilton Township Police Court on six charges of murder in connection with the six Duck Island 'lover's lane' slayings that occurred in 1938, 1939 and 1940....
- ^ "Board Defeats Incinerator". The New York Times. November 8, 1996. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
The incinerator, planned for Hamilton Township, had been challenged in court by Princeton township and Princeton borough because neither wanted to send waste to the incinerator or pay for its construction.
