Eagle Scout Installs Revolutionary War Trail Markers

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Preserving the past in history-rich Somerset County, Chris Solan has developed and installed a trail marker system highlighting the route the French used when passing through Bridgewater on their way to Yorktown in the Revolutionary War. Solan is a Life Scout working on his Eagle Scout project

Scout Solan’s Eagle Scout Project marks the path of French nobleman Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, leader of the only army that marched through Bridgewater during the Revolution.

Solan established a series of trail markers including road-side signage and trail markers, all of which have been approved by the Township of Bridgewater and Somerset County Parks.

The project marks the events on August 29, 1781 when American armies took different routes through Chatham, Springfield, and Scotch Plains while Rochambeau’s force of 5,300 men arrived at Bullion’s Tavern in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. They set up camp for the night, and the next morning began the march through Bridgewater to Somerset Courthouse (now Millstone, New Jersey).

 
Included in the route taken are what is now Washington Valley Road., Adamsville Road., Steele Gap Road, and Foothill Road (at that time known as Pluckemin Road). The march through Bridgewater ended when they passed the Van Veghten House near Adamsville Road, and crossed over the Raritan River to their campsite at Summerset Court House.

Rochambeau's men met up with George Washington's American Army in Princeton and continued their march through Philadelphia and eventually reaching their final destination, Yorktown, on September 15th 1781.

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.