East Brunswick, NJ

East Brunswick is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 21,836,[9][10] reflecting an increase of 1,527 (+11.4%) from the 20,721 counted in the 2000 Census.[11]

East Brunswick was founded as a town by George Washington in 1792 and incorporated as a borough on April 10, 1894. The borough derives its name from East Braintree Township,[12] which was named for one of the five townships that constituted Middlesex County at the time of its formation.[13] The area now comprising East Brunswick was originally part of Raritan Township and included what are now Hillsborough Township and South River Township.

The first European settler in what would become East Brunswick was Nicholas Longworth who built a home on what is now known as Longworth Avenue around 1760.[14] By 1800 there were several farms and small businesses located along what is now Route 18. In 1802 James McCrea established one of the first stores in town near where Route 18 meets Route 27. McCrea's store served as both a general store and post office until 1830 when it became Post Office No. 2.[15][16][17][18]

In 1825 John Stevens opened Stevens' Hotel which would become one of East Brunswick's most popular attractions for over 150 years.[19][20][21] The hotel served as both a boarding house for travelers passing through town and an inn where farmers could rest after their long journey to market. In 1870 Joseph Dickson opened Dickson's Department Store which became one of East Brunswick's largest businesses[22]. Dickson's Department Store remained open until 1971 when it was closed due to competition from larger chain stores located outside of town[23].