The "Falls of the Delaware," also known as Scudders Falls, are rapids located on the Delaware River near the City of Trenton and Ewing Township in Mercer County, New Jersey, along with the Borough of Morrisville and Falls Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This area is characterized by a shallow, fast-moving section of the river with an approximate 8-foot drop, where the river intersects the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line. These rapids marked the upstream limit for larger boats and the head of the tide, making the area a vital hub for trade, transportation, and early settlement.
Historically, the Falls of the Delaware were significant to both the Lenni Lenape people and European colonists, influencing the development of the towns mentioned above. The falls served as a natural crossing point and a source of power for mills. The site also held strategic importance during the American Revolution, particularly near Washington's crossing in 1776.
The Lenni Lenape, also known as the Delaware Indians, called this area Sankhikan, meaning "at the rapids" or "place of the flintstone". For the Lenape, Sankhikan was a crucial cultural, economic, and strategic site long before European settlement. They used the falls as a central point for fishing, trade, and travel, benefiting from its natural features as a crossing point and a resource-rich area. The Lenape's interactions with early European settlers greatly influenced the region's colonial growth, though this was followed by land loss and displacement. The strategic and economic importance of the falls, initially established by Lenape practices, continued through the colonial and revolutionary periods. Today, the Lenape's legacy at the falls is acknowledged through historical records, place names, and ongoing efforts to honor their contributions.
Currently, these falls are preserved as parkland and are popular among whitewater enthusiasts, featuring historical landmarks. The Falls of the Delaware are distinct from larger waterfalls found in the Delaware Water Gap, such as Raymondskill or Dingmans Falls.