Historical Markers in
Essex County, New Jersey

102nd Cavalry -The Essex Troop 150th Anniversary of Belleville 40-46 Church Street 45 Church Street Plaza 647 Bloomfield Avenue Access Granted All Wars Memorial American Delaying Action Ancient Native American Trail Angelo Del Rossi Anniversary of the Victory at Yorktown Anthony Olef Anthony Thompson Archie Callahan Asher Brown Durand Baldwin Court Battle of Springfield Belleville Avenue Church Belleville Copper Rolling Mill Belleville First Fire House Belleville Reformed Church Cemetery Black Maria Replica Blacksmith Shop – Building 7 Bloomfield Centennial War Memorial Branch Brook Park Branch Brook Park Branch Brook Park Historic Site Cavalry Scout Stable Site Centre Street Bridge Chemistry Laboratory Christ Church Episcopal Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus Cranetown David Burnet Davis Homestead Dewey Joseph Sherbo, III Dispatch Rider of the American Revolution Donald T. Dust Home Edison Cement Slab Edison’s Home, Glenmont Electrical Innovation Elisha Boudinot and General Lafayette First Constitution of the Province of New Jersey First Fire House in Caldwell First Meeting of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church First Primary School First School Safety Patrol in America First Settlers of Newark Forest Hill Forest Hill Historic District Garage German Presbyterian Church Glenmont Greenhouse and Barn Griffith Piano Company Hampton House Henry Svehla Monument Hillside School War Memorial Historic Plane Tree Historic Site Historic Site-Grace Church House of John Plume James Ricalton Japanese Stone Lanterns John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy Joseph A. Pocchio Joseph Bloomfield Josiah Hornblower Karr/Milburn House Kingsland Manor Lafayette Headquarters Last British Thrust into New Jersey Lest We Forget Lincoln Post Memorial Line of March of Washington’s Army Llewellyn Park Llewellyn Park Gatehouse Madison Building Making Movies Metallurgical Laboratory Mina Miller Edison Morris Canal Mount Pleasant Cemetery Newark & Washington Park in the 19th Century Newark Covenant Newark Female Charitable Society Nutley Revolutionary Soldiers Old Burying Ground Orange Civil War Monument Orange Korean Conflict Monument Orange Korean War Memorial Orange Vietnam Monument Orange World War I Memorial Orange World War II Memorial Paper Mill Playhouse Pattern Shop Penn Station Perfect Vehicles 1988-90 Peter Francisco Philip Kearny Plume House Rev. James Caldwell Revolutionary War Dead Revolutionary War Soldiers and Patriots Memorial Revolutionary War Soldiers Monument Saint Lucy's Church School Number One Second Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive Seth Boyden Seth Boyden Site of American Bronze Powder Mfg. Co. Site of Col. Thomas Cadmus House Soldiers of the Revolution St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral St. Peter's Church Station Square Stephen N. Adubato, Sr. Sports Complex Sydenham House The 19th Century Italianate Town House The Battle of Second River The Black Maria The Bloomfield Avenue School The Brick Store The Courtyard The Crane Building The Dutch Church The Estate Staff The First Academy in Newark The Laboratory Complex The Main Gate The Rutgers Bridge The Truck of the First Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive. The Truck of the Second Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive. The Wars of America This Liberty Pole Thomas A. Edison Industries Thomas Edison Statue Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory To the Memory of Those Who Served Tory Corner Training Place Trinity Church Victory Vreeland House Washington Passed Beneath this Tower Washington Rock Washington’s Temporary Headquarters William Hayes Ward Home “Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us” “Old First”
In 1933, New Jersey became the first state in the United States to pass a law allowing drivers to make a right turn on a red light, under certain conditions.
Essex County, located in the northeastern part of New Jersey, has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to colonial times. The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe before Dutch and English settlers arrived in the 17th century. In 1666, Newark, now the county seat, was established as a Puritan settlement and quickly grew into a major trading hub and industrial center.

During the American Revolution, Essex County played a significant role. The Battle of Connecticut Farms took place in present-day Union, one of the municipalities within Essex County, where American forces successfully defended against British attacks in 1780. The county was also home to other prominent Revolutionary War events, such as the construction of forts to protect the region.

In the 19th century, Essex County experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization. The advent of the railroad and the burgeoning textile industry brought prosperity to cities like Newark and East Orange. The county became a center of manufacturing and commerce, attracting immigrants from various parts of Europe. This diversity contributed to the cultural richness that still characterizes the area today.

In the 20th century, Essex County faced many challenges as urban decay and economic decline gripped the region. However, efforts to revitalize the county have been ongoing, with extensive redevelopment projects, urban renewal initiatives, and the improvement of transportation infrastructure. Today, Essex County is a vibrant and culturally diverse community that is home to a variety of industries, educational institutions, and recreational opportunities, making it a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work, and visit.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Essex County, New Jersey.

  • 1666: Essex County, NJ is founded as one of the original four counties in East Jersey.
  • 1682: Newark is established as the county seat.
  • 1739: The first courthouse in Newark is built.
  • 1776-1782: Essex County experiences significant Revolutionary War activity, including the Battle of Connecticut Farms and the Burning of Springfield.
  • 1837: The Morris and Essex Railroad is completed, connecting Essex County to New York City.
  • 1862: Princeton Theological Seminary relocates to East Orange, bringing educational and cultural influence.
  • 1895: The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, one of the largest cathedrals in the United States, is completed in Newark.
  • 1920s: Essex County becomes a hub of roaring industrial activity, with growth in manufacturing and commerce.
  • 1930: The Art Deco-style Newark City Hall is constructed.
  • 1967: The Newark riots, a period of civil unrest, occur in response to long-standing racial tensions.
  • 1999: The iconic Prudential Center, an arena and multi-purpose venue, opens in Newark.