1686Government
The first recorded European settlement in what is now Bridgeton was made by 1686 when Richard Hancock established a sawmill here.
1716Architecture
It derives its name from the original movable bridge that offered the option of regular overland travel on the "King's Highway" across the Cohansey watershed region for the firs...
1776Architecture
One of these is Potter's Tavern, said to have been built in the 1750s, but restored to its appearance in 1776 when it was home to The Plain Dealer, considered New Jersey's first...
1791History
There is also the David Sheppard House (1791), recently restored with assistance from the Garden State Historic Trust and home to the Cousteau Coastal Center of Rutgers Universi...
1795Government
A second is Brearley (Masonic) Lodge, founded by General James Giles in 1795, and still active.
1814Government
Settlers established a pioneer iron-works in 1814.
1815History
1815; second build c.
1816Government
The first Cumberland National Bank building (1816), which was only the second bank chartered in New Jersey, is now part of the Bridgeton Library.
1845Civil Rights
Bridgeton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 3, 1845, from portions of Deerfield Township.
1855Government
1855), administrative home of the Cumberland Nail & Iron Works that established Bridgeton's industrial prowess in the early nineteenth century.
1865Civil Rights
Bridgeton city was incorporated on March 1, 1865, replacing both Bridgeton Township and Cohansey Township.
1899Economy
The largest of these, consisting of pinelands, wetlands and lakes, as well as the original raceway system that provided waterpower to the mills, was formed out of the property o...
1902History
Long considered a recreational area for the region even under ownership by the Iron Works, the property was finally purchased in 1902–1903 by the city and preserved in perpetuit...
1982Government
The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is the largest such district of any municipality in New Jersey.
1983Government
The city was selected in 1983 as one of the initial group of 10 municipalities chosen to participate in the program.
1986Government
Established in January 1986, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023.
1990Government
Bridgeton Main Street Association is the oldest Main Street Association in the state, founded in 1990.
1997Crime
South Woods State Prison, which opened near Bridgeton in 1997, is the largest state prison in New Jersey and provides a range of employment.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the 2020 U.S.
2004Government
In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 66.0% of the vote here (3,044 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W.
2006History
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $31,044 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,41...
2007Crime
City officials opposed a plan announced in 2007 that would move over 1,000 prisoners from Riverfront State Prison in Camden to South Woods.
2008Architecture
Li Calzi Airport, which was located 2.3 miles (3.7 km) south of the central business district of Bridgeton, closed in 2008.
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
The 2010 United States census counted 25,349 people, 6,265 households, and 4,304 families in the city.
2011Government
Based on the results of an ordinance passed in June 2011, Bridgeton's non-partisan elections were shifted from May to November, which took effect with the November 2014 general ...
2015History
== Demographics ==
As of 2015, 32.0% of residents were living in poverty.
2016Military
In 2016, Ardagh Group, Glass – North America became ISO 14001 certified, which recognizes efforts to minimize their impact on the environment, comply with applicable laws and re...
2018Government
In May 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed a law that reinstated the program in these five cities and extended the expiration date in other zones.
2019Architecture
A 2019 report in the Asbury Park Press listed Bridgeton at fifth on its list of the state's ten most dangerous cities.
2020Architecture
As of 2020, Bridgeton had the 13th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey with an equalized rate of 4.598% compared to 3.089% in the county as a whole and a statewide average o...
2021Government
King served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when she was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.
2022Crime
In 2022, based on data from FBI Uniform Crime Reports, Bridgeton had 203 violent crimes, ranked ninth highest among all municipalities in the state.
2025Government
As of 2025, the Mayor is Albert B.
2026History
Kelly, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2026.
2027Military
New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).
2029Architecture
The county's constitutional officers are:
Clerk Celeste Riley (D, Bridgeton, 2029),
Sheriff Michael Donato (R, Bridgeton, 2026) and
Surrogate Rudolph Luisi (R, Vineland, 2028).