A Short History of Princeton's Rowing Facilities

Princeton Crew in the 1800's

The Initial Crews
The crews of the 1870's and 1880's rowed on the Delaware & Raritan Canal out of boathouses on the south and the north sides of the canal.
(See Photo Directly Below)

Princeton's First Boathouse and the 1875 University Crew Members of the six-man crew in 1875, left to right, were: B. Nicoll 1877 (stroke), F. Biddle 1875 (five), G. D. Parmly 1876 (four), R. J. Hall 1875 (three), W. B. Van Lennep (two), B. Hall 1875 (spare), and J. S. Ely 1877 (bow). B. Hall was a substitute, and the crew that raced at Saratoga in 1875 was composed of the other six. Cornell won this regatta, and Princeton did not cross the line as Parmly fainted and fell over in the shell. In 1874, Princeton had placed 8th in a time of 18 m. 38 s. Parmly vindicated himself in 1876 as captain and went on to coach the Princeton crews. Seeley G. Mudd Library Archives - Please do not copy without express permission

The Original Boathouse

The original boathouse was located, of course, on the canal. The opening exercises were contemporaneously described in the spring of 1874:

The exercises began at 3:30 in the afternoon, at which hour the temporary seats in the boat house were well filled by ladies and gentlemen from New York, and the standing room was occupied by as many students as were able to obtain admission.

Mr. Marquand, the President of the P. U. B. C. [Princeton University Boating Club], in an informal speech introduced to the audience Mr. Harris, who spoke briefly of College athletic sports, of boating in particular. He was followed by Mr. W. A. Butler, Jr., of '[18]76, who read a somewhat humorous address on the boating affairs of the College. His remarks with the exception of certain misstatements regarding former attempts at boating on the part of Princeton, and certain florid passages, were exceedingly appropriate. Dr. McCosh closed the exercises with a few pertinent remarks.

The Freshmen and University crews then rowed past in front of the boat house, and the assemblage dispersed. We need say nothing of Mr. Bonner's liberal contributions to all the athletic interest of Princeton, nor of his modesty in not appearing at the opening of the boat house which owes its existence to his munificence. Mr. R. H. Robertson deserves the thanks of the college for his generous present of the plans. The boat house is 70 feet long by 36 broad and has a wash room and dressing rooms attached. There are racks for the accommodation of twenty boats.
Olla-podrida, July 1874, p. 40.

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