numichan: Bound Brook, NJ

Bound Brook 1681

Our Town History

Bound Brook is the oldest community in Somerset County. The land was purchased on May 4, 1681 from two Lenni Lenape Indians by the Governor of New Jersey, Captain Phillip Carteret and eight English Proprietors.

The borough was incorporated in 1891, and has grown from a few scattered settlers to more than 10,000 residents.

Bound Brook played an active part in Colonial history. On Palm Sunday, April 13, 1777, General Benjamin Lincoln and a small band of Americans were attacked by a much larger force of British troops under Lord Cornwallis.

The Americans had to retreat and lost 30 men in the Battle of Bound Brook. It has become a recent tradition to reenact this battle complete with firing cannon and musket volleys.

In the winter of 1778-1779, George Washington and his troops camped at Middlebrook Heights and the first American flag was flown at that location. We read the Declaration of Independence every Fourth of July in commemoration.

Bound Brook grew from a stage stopover to a major transportation hub with train service and is at a crossroad of major highways.

We are truly a melting pot community. The first settlers were Scottish Covenanters seeking religious freedom, followed by Dutch and other Northern Europeans. Early in the twentieth century, Italians and Poles came to work in the woolen mills and in recent years, immigrants have come from many Spanish speaking countries and Far Eastern nations.

Bound Brook with its rich, proud history and plans for future redevelopment is a vital community and wonderful place to raise a family.