Bridgewater in Somerset County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hobbstown

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2024

1. Hobbstown Marker

Inscription. Hobbstown, founded in 1920 by Rev. Amos Hobbs, General Hobbs and Robert Hobbs as a haven from racism. The Hobbs brothers purchased land in Bridgewater seeking freedom of self-expression and economic opportunity. They built homesteads, businesses, a ballfield, and established Macedonia Baptist Church. The Hobbs brothers, with family and friends, created a vibrant, supportive community for generations.

1920-2020 centennial
MCR 18-08-20-2018

Erected by Hobbs Family Union, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 40° 35.367′ N, 74° 36.517′ W. Marker is in Bridgewater, New Jersey, in Somerset County. It is on North Bridge Street north of Vogt Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 N Bridge St, Bridgewater NJ 08807, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey,

specifically in Central Jersey,

in Greater Princeton,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Prince Rodgers (approx. ¼ mile away); Bridgewater Township Historic Monument (approx. 0.9 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of St. Thomas A.M.E. Zion Parsonage

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(approx. 1.2 miles away); Jacob Vosseller House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Washington’s Route from Princeton to Morristown (approx. 1.4 miles away); Fireman's Museum (approx. 1.4 miles away); West End Building (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bridgewater.

Also see . . . N.J. has too many unoriginal town names. This new one honors a unique past. The collection of streets that run from Prince Rodgers Avenue to Hoagland Court make up the Hobbstown section of Bridgewater named after the Hobbs family, who first settled the area in 1920. Family members have lived in the neighborhood ever since. (Olivia Rizzo, NJ Advance Media, Aug. 18, 2019) (Submitted on October 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2024

2. Hobbstown Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 591 times since then and 171 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.