National Register of Historic Places

Middlebrook Encampment Site

Bound Brook, Somerset County, New Jersey
Listed
July 2, 1975
Type
Site
Period
Listed
Ref No.
75001160

About this property

The First Middlebrook encampment refers to the spring encampment of the Continental Army, commanded by General George Washington, during the American War for Independence near the Middle Brook in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey (between Martinsville and Bound Brook) in 1777. The second, longer winter cantonment took place in 1778–1779, from December 1 to mid-June. A cantonment is a protracted quartering of an army in a specific location, typically for the duration of the winter. A portion of the first encampment site, known as the Washington Camp Ground, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 3, 1975. The Campground is located in Martinsville, a section of Bridgewater Township. The Middlebrook Encampment site includes part of the ridge of the First Watchung Mountain. Its position provided a natural fortress not only protecting the Continental Army but also overlooking the plains towards New Brunswick, where the British forces were stationed in 1777. A surviving earthen redoubt believed to date to the 1777 encampment is also located on the mountain within Washington Valley Park. The strategic strength of the army's position on the Watchung or Blue Mountain ridge contributed ultimately to the success of the Continental Army by lengthening the war and wearying the British forces during both of the army's stays.

Location

Bound Brook, Somerset County, New Jersey

Categories

HISTORIC - NON-ABORIGINALMILITARY
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Middlebrook Encampment Site

This page lists Middlebrook Encampment Site. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Middlebrook Encampment Site report
Or see a real report first

Questions about this property

When was Middlebrook Encampment Site listed on the National Register?

Middlebrook Encampment Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 2, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Middlebrook Encampment Site?

Middlebrook Encampment Site is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Middlebrook Encampment Site?

The period of significance for Middlebrook Encampment Site is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Middlebrook Encampment Site?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Middlebrook Encampment Site will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Somerset County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Somerset County.

Explore SomersetCounty ›

More historic places in New Jersey

Browse all historic places in New Jersey.

View New Jerseyhistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

New Jersey history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

New Jerseyhistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Middlebrook Encampment Site will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report