The Dismal Swamp is a marshy area in Middlesex County in central New Jersey. The marshes border the towns of Edison, South Plainfield, and Metuchen.The Dismal Swamp is a wetland ecosystem located in an urban environment. The swamp covers nearly 650acres with 12acres located in Metuchen with the remaining portion in Edison and South Plainfield. The swamp contains a number of wildlife species, including the endangered loggerhead shrike. There are an estimated 165 different species of birds in the swamp.HistoryThe swamp's geology is part of the Passaic Formation and consists of sedimentary rock composed of red-brown shale.Relics found in the swamp, believed to be from prehistoric times, include stone axes, spear heads, and arrow points indicating that the swamp was inhabited by early man.A vineyard was planted in the southern section of the swamp during the 1700s with subsequent agriculture development during the 1800s.
