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

Thompson-Gaston Building

52-58 West Main Street

— c. 1891 —

Thompson-Gaston Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 2, 2026

1. Thompson-Gaston Building Marker

Inscription.
Built by Senator Lewis Thompson, this building once housed the post office and Gaston's Department Store. Architect Frank Bodine also designed the Somerville train station. The Romanesque building is noted for its rusticated brownstone, segmental arches, swags, faces and bays and rounded tower.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 40° 34.127′ N, 74° 36.8′ W. Marker is in Somerville, New Jersey, in Somerset County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (New Jersey Route 28) and Maple Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52 W Main St, Somerville NJ 08876, 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 walking distance of this marker: Former Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Ruth St. Denis (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Second Reformed Church (about 500 feet away); Former Second National Bank (about 500 feet away); Somerset County 9/11 Memorial and Clock Tower (about 500 feet away); Somerset County Court House Green (about 700 feet away); Fourth New Jersey Infantry Appreciation to Somerville (about 800 feet away); 150 West Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerville.

The Thompson-Gaston Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 2, 2026

2. The Thompson-Gaston Building

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 2, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.