Hightstown and East Windsor (Postcard History)

By: Richard Harlan Pratt

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Synopsis: Located in the easternmost pocket of Mercer County, New Jersey, Hightstown traces its beginnings to 1747, when John Hight bought an 80-acre parcel alongside Rocky Brook. He built a gristmill there, abutting the road that became Main Street. The mill attracted other small enterprises, including a dry goods store, two taverns, a blacksmith shop, and sawmill. With the rise of the steam engine, the town grew to become a thriving transportation hub. As this community evolved into a contemporary downtown corridor, the farms and homes spread across what is today both the borough and East Windsor Township. The advent of the automobile, retirement of the rail line, and construction of the New Jersey Turnpike challenged Hightstown's role as a destination. With a recently established historic district and strong downtown association, the town is enjoying a rebirth as a treasure of America's past and present.