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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
BOUND BROOK, 20.6 miles (68 alt., 7,372 pop.), has important paint
and chemical factories. Wide streets with old houses recall the town of
Revolutionary times. To the north are Middlebrook Ridge and Washington's Chimney Rock lookout (see Tour 2). Bound Brook lies along the
Raritan River, pathway of early settlers prior to 1664. The river front is
now occupied by three trunk railroads, all known as "anthracite roads,"
linking the Pennsylvania mines with the coast.
The SITE OF A BRITISH RAID is marked by a boulder at Main and East
Sts. Near it stood a blockhouse garrisoned by 500 of Washington's troops.
On April 13, 1777, a British force of 4,000 under Cornwallis surprised
the sleeping Continentals. Most of the garrison fled to the mountains but
100 were killed or captured.
Left from Bound Brook over the Raritan River bridge on an improved road to
SOUTH BOUND BROOK, 0.5 mile (68 alt., 1,763 pop.), an industrial town that
has grown from a village in which Baron von Steuben was stationed in 1778-9.
The road parallels the towpath of the deserted DELAWARE AND RARITAN CANAL
(R), to ZAREPHATH, 3 m.., a small community founded by the Pillar of Fire, a
religious sect. The society was formed in 1901 by Mrs. Alma White, a Methodist
minister's wife, and named for the pillar of fire in Exodus that led the Israelites
through the wilderness. The national headquarters and publishing plant were moved
in 1908 from Denver to Zarephath, the name of the Biblical village where the
widow fed Elijah. At 75, Mrs. White is the prophet of her faith, Bishop of her
church and chief stockholder in a religious corporation having 43 temples from
London to San Francisco.
The community is situated on an island between the river and the canal where
workmen keep the attractively landscaped grounds in excellent condition. Drab
three- and four-story structures cluster around the rambling Victorian ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. In a four-story cement-block building, loo students attend classes
of the preparatory school, the Bible Seminary, and the Alma White College. The
people who walk the graveled paths do not suggest the "Holy jumper" designation
that nearby inhabitants have applied to their ecstatic worship. The men wear farmers' overalls, while the women are dressed in straight black dresses and the girls
in blue ones, with white starched collars and cuffs.
Members of the colony farm the 1.5-mile stretch of land that lines the county
road in return for a bed and meatless meals at a communal table. Supplemented by
donations, the income from the farm supports the corporation's varied activities.
Alma White makes inspirational talks over the corporation's private broadcasting
station, WAWZ. She is the editor of Pillar of Fire, the society's weekly magazine,
which advertises Jerusalem, by Alma White; Looking Back from Beulah, by Alma
White; Why I Do Not Eat Meat, by Alma White; Demons and Tongues, by Alma
White; and The Story of My Life, by Alma White.
West of Bound Brook State 28 runs through a peaceful dairying country. The Watchung Mts. recede in a broad curve to the northwest.
At 23 m. (L) is the SITE OF A CAMP where part of the Continental
Army spent a wretched winter in log huts, with little fuel and food, during the winter of 1778-9. From the crossroad here Washington marched
southward in August, 1781, on his way to Yorktown.
At the western end of the campsite State 28 follows Union Ave., then
turns sharply L. to Main St. in Somerville.
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