Perth Amboy, Historic port city in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Perth Amboy sits on the southern shore of Raritan Bay in northern Middlesex County, covering several miles of coastline. The city contains older residential blocks inland, a harbor area with docks and warehouses, and parks along the water.
The settlement received its royal charter in 1718 and served as capital of the Province of New Jersey starting in 1686. This role ended in 1776 with the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, when British colonial administration dissolved.
The name joins the Scottish city of Perth with the English market town of Amboy from the 17th century, reflecting early colonial connections. Along the waterfront, street names and architectural elements still recall the era when European settlers and traders established their posts here.
Visitors can walk along the waterfront promenade and enjoy bay views, while downtown shops are reachable on foot. Certified merchants under the Urban Enterprise Zone program offer reduced sales tax rates, making shopping more affordable.
City Hall became the first location where a state legislature ratified the Bill of Rights in 1789, marking a key moment in American constitutional history. The ferry slip, registered as a National Historic Place in 1978, connected passengers to New York City by water routes well into the 20th century.
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