East Brunswick Township, New Jersey
Population: 43,598
Located in Middlesex County
One of the fastest growing suburban areas in central Middlesex County is East Brunswick Township. Located inland south of the Raritan River, it runs parallel to the South River on its easterly and southern side and is bordered by the Farrington Lake on its westerly side.
The earliest arrivals of white men to this area during the sixteenth century were people of Scottish, English, Dutch and German origin. For reasons of economic, religion or adventure, the new settlers endeavored to establish a different way of life in this area. The first settlers made their land deals directly with the Indians. Several of the first landowners were Thomas Lawrence, Cornelius Longfield, David Mudie and John and Asher Bissett. Since the most suitable form of transportation was by way of water, the original pioneers established themselves adjacent to the river routes. The first settlement in the northern area of East Brunswick Township was the vast plantation and home of Thomas Lawrence along the stream that now bears his name. Farther south, nestled in the southern area of the township is the location of the current Historic District of Old Bridge. It is bordered on two sides by the South River, by Chestnut Hill Cemetery on the north and by Route 18 and Old Bridge Turnpike on the west. Due to its favorable geographical position, located on the navigable part of the South River, it attracted settlers as early as 1685. The village of Old Bridge, in East Brunswick Township, became the center of an industrious community of people whose lives were representative of the 18th and 19th centuries in Middlesex County. The third important area in East Brunswick Township developed around the Riva Avenue section. The earliest plantation owner in this section was the DeHart family. This prolific family had arrived from Holland, then moved to New England, Princeton and eventually spread to South Brunswick and North Brunswick. The location of the current Bicentennial Park in East Brunswick Township is on the precise location where the homestead of Abraham DeHart was situated. These widely separated settlements represent the perimeter of the present community of East Brunswick Township. However, the original lands also included the villages now known as Helmetta, South River, Spotswood and Milltown. All were part of the larger area of North Brunswick and Monroe. In 1860 the Township of East Brunswick Township withdrew from North Brunswick and was formally incorporated. Between 1870-1908 the other communities withdrew from East Brunswick Township, except what is now Old Bridge Historic District. The growth of industry in the 19th Century East Brunswick Township was facilitated by an abundance of raw material-such as fresh fruits and vegetables, wood for building ships, firewood, clay for pottery and bricks; proximity to large markets north in New York and south in Philadelphia; and relatively inexpensive transportation-boat, stage-coaches and the earliest railroads. These factors were important to the stimulation of other related industrial and commercial enterprises, such as wood sawing mills, fanning and snuff mills, a distillery, docks, warehouses, and shipbuilding. Combined with its active economic life, the community of East Brunswick Township flourished with educational and cultural activity. One of the first public schools and a highly respected private educational institution, Miss Conover's School, was located in the Old Bride section during the early part of the 19th Century. In addition, a number of artists and authors of international repute, among others, the noted painter, James Crawford Thom and author of childrens books, Henrietta Christian Wright, resided in the Historic District. The first library in East Brunswick Township was established on Main Street. For more than a century East Brunswick Township was governed by the township committee type of government. In 1965 the township voted a convert to the Mayor-Council form of government. Today, East Brunswick Township stands as an example of the evolution of a number of small disparate communities into a major municipal complex with more than 40,000 residents. The Township includes eight elementary schools, a middle school, a junior high school and a high school. Attendance at twenty-four houses of worship accounts for a great diversity of religious preferences. The new Public Library dedicated in 1976 is a fine example of an all-encompassing library facility serving the needs of a growing community. It has been designated as an area library for southern Middlesex County. In addition, the township maintains approximately 137 miles of roads, and has developed 14 areas into community parks and one forest area. There are also facilities for golf, tennis, soccer and other sports. More recently, the area has been culturally enriched by the creation of the East Brunswick Township Museum located in the Historic District and dedicated to preserving the heritage and culture of the area; and Playhouse 22, which has become the permanent residence of the East Brunswick Township Community players. East Brunswick Township now faces the greatest challenge in its history. Rampant development emphasizes the need to preserve those historic landmarks which best exemplify our heritage. The East Brunswick Township Historical Society has devoted itself to the task and has succeeded in placing the Historic District of Old Bridge on the New Jersey State Register (September, 1975) and on the National Register (June, 1977). It is the first township in Middlesex County to have received this distinction. Find homes for sale in East Brunswick Township New Jersey
|
East Brunswick Township's Premier Real Estate Agent
Janice & Bill PardunJanice - Broker & SalespersonBill - Salesperson NJAR Circle of Excellence 1994-2005 Presidents Elite Club NJAR Distinguished Sales Club Specializing in Active Adult Communities Levinson Associates Realtors
Also visit: Cranbury Township, Helmetta, Jamesburg, Milltown, Monroe & North Brunswick |
