In the nineteenth century the
Delaware Bay was a significant source of
oysters. Multiple railroads were built to
Maurice River to gain access to this trade. The first such railroad to reach the river was the
Bridgeton and Port Norris Railroad, which was funded by local interests and opened in 1872. The
Central Railroad of New Jersey took control in 1887 and reorganized the company as the
Cumberland and Maurice River Railroad. The
West Jersey Railroad responded by incorporating the Maurice River Railroad on June 7, 1887. The company's line ran , starting from the West Jersey's main line at
Manumuskin, New Jersey and proceeding along the east side of the Maurice River. The line was completed in November 1887, and the company was merged into the West Jersey Railroad on December 31. == Notes ==