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One hundred pounds of trade goods was the price paid to the Lenape Indians in 1681 for the land where Bound Brook now stands. The town slowly took shape and by the time of the Revolutionary War, it had grown to 35 families. Toll roads, railroads, canals, industry, and commerce all began to evolve in Bound Brook which by 1891, had an established town government, as well as a swelling population and economy. Along with this tremendous growth, a library, a hospital, schools, churches, and hundreds of homes were built to accommodate the ever-increasing number of residents. Sadly, however, natural disaster tended to disrupt what was normally a prosperous but quiet life in Bound Brook. When the Raritan River flooded nearly every year, it caused severe damage to the center of town. In 1881, a disastrous fire destroyed all the buildings in one Main Street block. In 1896, flooding caused the lime at the L.D. Cook lumberyard to ignite by spontaneous combustion. Fortunately, after each disaster Bound Brook survived and rebuilt, emerging stronger and more united. Its history, people, and spirit have made Bound Brook one of the best places to live in New Jersey and have
made Bound Brook an inspiring and unforgettable book.
