Historical Markers in
Mercer County, New Jersey

<br>Route of Washington’s March 17th Century Trenton Timeline 18th Century Trenton Timeline 19th Century Trenton Timeline 200th Birthday of George Washington 20th Century (and later) Trenton Timeline 250th Anniversary of Princeton University 250th Anniversary of Princeton University A Natural Magnet for Native Americans Aaron Burr Abraham Hunt House Albert Einstein Alexander Douglass House on the Move An Historic Crossroad An Historic Site Bainbridge House Battle of Princeton Bear Tavern Road Betsey Stockton Beulah A. Oliphant Bicentennial of General George Washington's Birthday Black Soldiers and Patriots Briar Patch Bridges, Roads, and Railroads of Jacobs Creek British Horses British Light Dragoons Burial Site of those who fell in the Battle of Princeton C. Edward Murray Cadwalader Park Campsite of The Army of Louis XVI, King of France Canals and Railroads – Arteries to the Heart of Industrial Trenton Canals, Trains and Automobiles Capt. James Olden Paxson Capt. Joseph A. Yard Catherine Verducci Ford Changing Landscapes Along Petty's Run Charles Hewitt Church Cemetery Church of the Sacred Heart Colonel John Haslet Colonnade and Gravesite Continental Lane Continental Lane Cooper & Hewitt ….. Iron & Steel Crossing of the Delaware Daniel Budd Bodine Delaware and Bound Brook Railroad Historic District Delaware and Raritan Canal Dorothea Dix Douglass House Dr. John Manners East Windsor Township Civil War Monument Ellarslie Emlen House English Boxwood Plants Europeans at the Falls of the Delaware Ferries across the Delaware Ferry Site Fiddlers Creek History Firemen’s Memorial First High School First Hunterdon County Militia First Presbyterian Churchyard First Professional Basketball Game First Synagogue First Town Hall Fitch’s Shop French Markets Friends Meeting House From Federal City to State Capital From Teacups to Toilets From Trenton to Princeton Front Street Paper Mill Gen. George Washington General Hugh Mercer General Zebulon Montgomery Pike Geography & Historic Landscape of Jacobs Creek George Clymer George Washington White Oak Government House Growth of Government Hamilton Square Honor Roll Headquarters of Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall Henry Phillips House Heritage of Sport Hightstown Hightstown World War II Memorial Historic Downtown Trenton Historic Portico Preservation and Rebuilding Hopewell Academy Hopewell Call To Duty Hopewell Church House of Alexander Douglass Howell Living History Farm Ice, Brewing and Bottles In Loving Memory of Fire Fighters Ira Wells Wood Isaac Harrow’s Plating and Blade Mill Isaac Pearson House Isaac Watson House James Kerney James Taylor Joab Houghton John A. Roebling John Alexander Campbell John Briest John E. Curry Jr. John Fitch Steamboat Dock John Fitch’s Gun Shop John Hart John Moore’s Tavern John O. Raum John Witherspoon Johnson Ferry House Joseph Henry House Joseph Hewes Kelsey Building Lawrence House, 1840 M. Hartley Dodge, Jr. Mahlon Stacy Mahlon Stacy’s Grist Mill Mahlon Stacy’s Gristmill Maidenhead Church Many Meetings During the Revolutionary War March of the Mill Children Marines in the Revolution Martian Landing Site Maybury Hill Mercer Airport Mercer Cemetery at Trenton Mercer County Courthouse Mercer County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Mercer County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Mill Hill Historic District Mill Hill Park Mill Hill Playhouse Mount Zion A.M.E. Church Nassau Hall Nassau Inn – 1756 - 1937 Nathaniel Fitz Randolph Native American Artifacts – Clubs to Prehistory Native Americans Exchange Furs for European Goods New Jersey Patriots Old Barracks Old Barracks Old Barracks Museum Old City Hall Old Eagle Tavern Old Masonic Lodge Building Old Steel Mill Olden House Paul Robeson Pearl Harbor Memorial Extension Pennington Petty's Run Petty's Run Pre-17th Century Trenton Timeline Prelude to Victory Princeton Battle Monument Princeton Speech Princeton University Princeton War Memorial Princeton WW2 Memorial Princeton’s Flag Man Province Line Road Quakers Lead the Settlement of West Jersey Residence of John A. Roebling Retreat and Counterattack – 1776 Reunion Hall Rev. John Rosbrugh Rev. John Witherspoon Revolutionary War Site Revolutionary War Site Richard Stockton Rider College Righting Civil Wrongs and Ensuring Civil Rights Riverview Cemetery Roebling …… Wire Rope and American Bridges Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route of Washington’s March Route Taken by Washington Sgt. John P. Beech Shipping on the Delaware Site of Crossing Site of Moulder’s Battery Site of the Golden Swan Slavery – An “Odious and Disgraceful” Practice South Riverwalk Park Spring House State House Stony Brook Meeting House Taylor Opera House Temple-Ryan Farmhouse The Alexander Douglass House The Archives of the State The Battles of Trenton, Turning Point of the Revolution The British Occupation of New Jersey The Canal Dug By Irishmen The Christmas Night Crossing The Colonial Revival Garden The First Presbyterian Church The First Presbyterian Church of Princeton The Front Garden The Hermitage The Historic District of Titusville The Historic Village of Mount Rose The Horse Chestnut Walk The House Front The King’s Highway The March to Trenton The Mercer Oak The Penitentiary House The President’s House The Princeton Battle Monument The Princeton Bell The Second Battle of Trenton The Second Battle of Trenton The Signing of the Ratification of the Constitution The Site of Washington’s Crossing The Story of Trenton The Swamp Angel The Trenton Steel Works The Trenton War Memorial The Wash House The West Jersey Proprietors Rule The West Wing The World Arrives … Third Ward Civic Association This is Hallowed Ground Thomas Clarke House Town Hall and Jail Trent House Trenton 1790–1834 Trenton Battle Monument Trenton Ferry Trenton Iron Works 1847-1867 Trenton Police Trenton YMCA Trenton’s Early Houses of Worship Twentieth-Century Changes U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon Veterans Memorial Village Store W 3 R Walter Cope, FAIA & John Stewardson, FAIA Warren Street Plaza Washington Crossed the Delaware Washington Crossing Washington Crossing the Delaware Washington Elm Washington’s Crossing Washington’s March to Trenton Washington’s March To Trenton Washington’s Route from Princeton to Morristown Washington’s Spring Washington’s Triumphal Arch Water Power and Industry Watson House Welcome to the Institute Lands West Front Street What happened to the Lenape? Who, What and Where were Sanhickans? William Borrow William Potts Sherman William R. McKean William Trent House William Trent House (NHL) William Trent of Trent’s Town William Young World War I Monument World War II Memorial World War II Memorial Zebulon Pike “The Washington-Rochambeau Historic Route” “The Whole Art, Secret and Mystery of Manufacturing Sturgeon” “Trenton Ready for War …….” “… a Town laid out called Lamberton …” [1773]
The Great Falls of the Passaic River in Paterson, New Jersey, played a key role in the early development of the American industrial revolution. Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, helped to develop the first water-powered cotton spinning mill in Paterson in 1791.
Mercer County, located in central New Jersey, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to colonial times. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, such as the Lenape, who were the first inhabitants of the region. However, European settlement began in the early 17th century when Dutch and Swedish explorers arrived in the area and established trading posts.

In the late 17th century, the land that is now Mercer County was part of Burlington County. However, in 1838, Mercer County was formed and named after General Hugh Mercer, an American Revolutionary War hero. Initially, Mercer County included many towns and villages that are now part of other counties. Over time, the county's boundaries changed, and it eventually settled into its present shape.

During the American Revolution, Mercer County played a significant role. The Battle of Trenton, a crucial turning point in the war, took place here in December 1776. General George Washington and his troops launched a surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries, resulting in a victory for the Continental Army. This event boosted the morale of the revolutionaries and inspired future military successes.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Mercer County experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization. Trenton, the county seat and capital of New Jersey, became known for its manufacturing and agricultural industries. The city was a prominent center for ceramics and pottery production, with the iconic Trenton Pottery being created. Notable industries also included ironworks, steel production, and textiles. Today, Mercer County continues to be an important economic hub, combining urban development with suburban and rural areas.

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

  • Original Native American tribes inhabit the area that is now Mercer County.
  • 1678 - European settlers begin to arrive in the region.
  • 1714 - Mercer County is established as part of Burlington County.
  • 1739 - Princeton is founded and becomes a prominent educational and cultural center in the county.
  • 1758 - Trenton is officially incorporated as a town.
  • 1800 - Mercer County is formed as a separate entity from Burlington County.
  • 1837 - Mercer County's courthouse is constructed in Trenton.
  • 1860s - The region experiences industrial growth with the development of manufacturing and transportation industries.
  • 1915 - Mercer County Park is established and becomes a popular recreational area.
  • 1957 - Mercer County Community College is founded.
  • 1970s - Mercer County's economy shifts towards services and education as manufacturing declines.
  • 1990 - The New Jersey State House in Trenton is added to the National Register of Historic Places.