The first bridge over the Cohansey River was erected at Commerce Street in 1716 and the village became known as Cohansey Bridge.  The road leading to this bridge passed down Broad Street to a point opposite the present site of the Cumberland County jail and turned north to climb down the hill toward the bridge.  Without a doubt this road, part of the King's Highway, was an important colonial route linking Trenton, Haddonfield, Woodbury, Salem, Greenwich, our own community, and Cape May.

In 1749, Cohansey Bridge became the county seat and has remained so to this day.  About 1763, the citizens of Cohansey Bridge purchased a bell for the Court House by public subscription and in 1776 it called the people to the reading of the Declaration of Independence and the burning of King George's coat of arms.  This same "Liberty Bell" has been preserved and can be seen in the lobby of the Court House.

At the outset of the American Revolution, most of the local citizens were in favor of breaking away from the British and voiced their opinion in the Plain Dealer (the first New Jersey newspaper), which was written and posted in Potter's Tavern on Broad Street.  This historic meeting place has been restored to its 1776 appearance by the Bridgeton Historical Commission, and certified as a national landmark.  Many of the men who called for liberty at the tavern became officers in the Revolution.  It is also interesting to note that the citizens built and equipped a ship here which was used in the Revolutionary War.

Although George Washington never slept in Bridgeton, General Lafayette did visit here many years after the war was over. Cohansey Bridge became known as Bridge Town about 1765 and carried this name until 1816.  The first bank opened then and inadvertently spelled the name Bridgeton on its printed matter.  Tradition says it was less expensive to change the name of the community rather than pay for new printing.
 

The period of our nation's young years was a time of great growth and many fine buildings were erected in Bridgeton.   The flowering of neo-classical architecture in the late 1700's and the early 1800's and the resulting examples in our town can be compared favorably with any of America's finest.  Among our proudest buildings from this period are the General Giles house, erected in 1791, and the Old Broad Street Church, built in the following year.  The finest plantation style house is the one built on East Commerce Street by Jeremiah Buck in 1808.  Although somewhat later, the Dr. William Elmer house, built on West Commerce Street in 1834 is a proud relic believed to have been designed by the same architect credited with the bell tower on Independence Hall.
 

The Industrial Revolution came to Bridgeton in 1814 when the Raceway was dug and used to power machines in what came to be known as the Cumberland Nail and Iron Works.  The nail mill was one of South Jersey's largest industries until it closed in the 1890's because the wire nail displaced the wrought iron cut nail.  Wisely, the city fathers purchased the extensive wooded property with its lakes and streams and it became our well-known and deeply appreciated city park.  The Nail House Museum in the park preserves many artifacts from the early industry.

The glass industry began here in 1834 and grew during the last century to include several dozen glass houses.  Examples of their products are highly prized by collectors today.  Their total yearly production, however, can easily be equaled by one day's production in our two modern glass plants.  

The Civil War was a national crisis but Bridgeton rose to the occasion by sending more soldiers per capita than any other town in the Union excepting one.  Many veterans of this tragic war rest in the northwest corner of the Old Broad Street Cemetery. At the close of the Civil War, Bridgeton was a township, but many of the returning veterans had traveled widely and had seen the benefits derived from being an incorporated city.  In 1865, the incorporation act was carried out and Bridgeton entered into another period of growth.

Many individuals with Bridgeton origin have served in high positions in the state and federal government.  Dr. Jonathan Elmer was a member of the United States Senate from 1789 to 1791, and beginning in 1776, held several terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.  From 1801 to 1806, Dr. Ebenezer Elmer was a member of congress.

There have also been many members of the State Legislature native to Bridgeton from early times to the present.  Three men who became governor lived in or near Bridgeton were Richard Howell, Joseph Bloomfield, and Elias P. Seeley.

Bridgeton is indeed a community which spans every phase of American history and can be proud of its past.  With a deep respect for its heritage, our city continues to grow and be part of the mainstream of American life.