Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site
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Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site
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| Area | 10.2 acres (4.1 ha) |
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| NRHP Reference # | 08000180 |
| NJRHP # | 4769 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 14, 2008 |
| Designated NJRHP | January 17, 2008 |
The Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site in Pluckemin, New Jersey, at the southern section of Bedminster Township, New Jersey, holds historic American Revolutionary War importance as the Continental Army's artillery winter cantonment during the winter of 1778–79. Nestled on the western side of the Second Watchung Mountain just to the North of the village of Pluckemin. The significance to the site recognize it as the birthplace of the American military academy, 24 years prior to the founding of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Other terms used to reference the site include the Pluckemin Artillery Park, The Pluckemin Military Academy, and The Pluckemin Artillery Encampment. The Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment site is currently not accessible to the public. There are no buildings, no trails, and it is left as an overgrown wooded area. The only place for visitors to learn about the cantonment site is at the Vanderveer/Knox House & Museum, just to the north and west of the site on Route 202/206 Southbound in Bedminster Township, New Jersey.
The Pluckemin Cantonment was the artillery portion of what was known in 1778 as the Middlebrook encampment referring to the seasonal encampment of the Continental Army during the American War for Independence near Middle Brook in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey (between Martinsville and Bound Brook). The site includes part of the ridge of the First Watchung Mountain. Its position provided a natural fortress not only protecting the Continental Army, but also overlooking the plains towards New Brunswick where the British forces were stationed in 1777. The strategic strength of the position contributed ultimately to the success of the Continental Army.
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