Historical Markers in
Union County, New Jersey

A Time To Pause And Remember Abraham Clark American Troops Withdraw Baptist Parsonage Battle of Connecticut Farms Battle of Springfield Battle of The Short Hills Boundary Stone Boxwood Hall Briant Pond Park Caesar Caldwell Parsonage Caldwell’s Home Cannon Ball House Capt. Thomas Clark Carriage House Charles Abbott Harker, Jr. Christopher Columbus Colonel Elias Dayton Colonial Church Colonial Church Connecticut Farms Connecticut Farms Crane Farm and Village Home Site Crane’s Mills Deserted Village of Feltville / Glenside Park Downer Well Cap Drake House Drake House Flag Pole Elizabeth Presbyterian Church Elizabethtown First Presbyterian Church Burial Grounds and Elizabethtown Academy First Presbyterian Church of Connecticut Farms First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth First Site of Princeton University Florence Spearing Randolph Frazee Homestead Gallows Hill Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen General Sir Henry Clinton General von Knyphausen General Winfield Scott George Washington Tulip Poplar Glenn Avenue Here the British Turned Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge Horse Chestnut Tree Horsehead Copper In Remembrance of Abraham Clark Jahn's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor Kenilworth 9/11 Memorial Kenilworth Veterans Memorial Lest We Forget Liberty Hall Liberty Hall Liberty Hall Liberty Hall Marjorie Cranstoun Jefferson Mass Grave of British and Hessian Troops Meeting House Memorial Tree Planted by the Village Improvement Association Men of Westfield Merchants and Drovers Tavern New Providence 9-11 Memorial New Providence Presbyterian Church New Providence United Methodist Cemetery & Memorial Garden New Providence Veterans Memorial Park Old Academy Old Borough Court House Patriotic Dead Patriots and Soldiers of the American Revolution Patriots who fell at Springfield Pearl Harbor Square Peppertown Park Plainfield Garden Club Presbyterian Church in Westfield Property of John Ogden   1680 Purple Heart Memorial Rahway Revolutionary Cannon Revolutionary Cemetery Revolutionary Soldiers Revolutionary War Soldiers Roll of Honor Seven Astronauts Signal Beacon and the “Old Sow” Site of Crane’s Ford Site of the Blue Hills Fort and Camp Spanktown Springfield Stage House Inn Steam Tractor Summit Opera House Summit Playhouse Swift Sure Stage Line Terrill Tavern The Battle of Springfield The Belcher-Ogden Mansion The Blue House The Cannonball House The Country’s Roll of Honor The Jersey Militia and Continental Army The Nathaniel Bonnell House 1682 The Serpentine Path To the memory of Colonel Israel Angell Wagon Shed Wallace Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church Washington’s Headquarters Washington’s Inaugural Bicentennial Westfield Westfield Church “Dolbier House” “Littell Half Way House” “Osborn House” “Terry Well”
The first recorded instance of a submarine attack on a ship occurred off the coast of New Jersey during the American Civil War. On February 17, 1864, the Confederate submarine CSS Hunley attacked and sank the Union ship USS Housatonic near Charleston, South Carolina, while on its way from New Jersey.
New Jersey random facts
Union County, located in New Jersey, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe before being settled by Dutch and English colonists in the late 17th century. During the American Revolution, Union County played a significant role, with several battles and clashes taking place within its borders.

In the early 19th century, Union County experienced rapid industrialization, fueled by the expansion of railroads and the growth of manufacturing. Cities like Elizabeth and Rahway became major centers of industry, attracting immigrants from various European countries. This period of growth also saw the establishment of institutions like Kean University, which provided education and cultural opportunities to the residents of the county.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of suburbanization in Union County, with many wealthy families relocating from the cities to the more spacious and peaceful suburbs. This led to the construction of beautiful residential neighborhoods and the development of a strong middle-class community. Notable landmarks, such as the Union County Courthouse and the Union County Arts Center, were also built during this time.

In recent decades, Union County has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing times. The county has invested in revitalization efforts, focusing on urban redevelopment, preservation of historic sites, and the enhancement of cultural and recreational opportunities. Today, Union County is a vibrant and diverse community, with a strong sense of history and an ongoing commitment to progress and innovation.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Union County, New Jersey.

  • 1664 - Union County is settled by the English and becomes part of the Province of New Jersey.
  • 1683 - Union County is formally established and named after the Union of England and Scotland.
  • 1777 - The Battle of Springfield takes place in Union County during the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1801 - Elizabeth Township separates from Union County to become the independent City of Elizabeth.
  • 1857 - The Rahway Valley Railroad is established, providing transportation and boosting the local economy.
  • 1933 - The Union County Park Commission is created, starting the development of various parks throughout the county.
  • 1975 - The Watchung Reservation becomes an official park, offering recreational opportunities to residents.
  • 1995 - The Union County Performing Arts Center opens in Rahway, becoming a cultural hub for the region.