Cedar Bridge Tavern
Cedar Bridge Tavern | |
 Cedar Bridge Tavern, Barnegat Township, New Jersey | |
    | |
| Location | 200 Old Halfway Road, Barnegat Township, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°47′00″N 74°21′38″W / 39.7833°N 74.3605°W |
| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | ca. 1740 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000586[1] |
| Added to NRHP | August 7, 2013 |
The Cedar Bridge Tavern is a historic building located in the New Jersey Pine Barrens in Barnegat Township. It was built around 1740 and is believed to be the oldest intact bar in the United States. It is located at the site of the last skirmish of the American Revolutionary War. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
History[edit]
The Affair at Cedar Bridge or the Battle of Cedar Bridge[edit]
While the Siege of Yorktown and surrender by Cornwallis is considered the last major conflict on American soil during the American Revolution, dozens of small engagements and skirmishes took place up to the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The last conflict took place on the Jersey Shore in 1782.
On December 27, 1782, forces for the new republic led by Captains Richard Shreve and Edward Thomas were informed that notorious Loyalist John Bacon was in the vicinity of the tavern. They engaged Bacon and his Loyalist bandits (known now as "Refugees") at Cedar Bridge. A brief exchange of gunfire took place, and Bacon and his men were able to escape. One Patriot was killed, and four were wounded. Four Loyalists were wounded, including Bacon.[2]
Historic site[edit]
According to a 1981 survey by preservationists working with the New Jersey Office of Cultural and Environmental Services, the Cedar Bridge Tavern was estimated to have been built around 1740 close to a stage coach route between Camden and the Jersey Shore. The wood-sided tavern with the long front porch has served as a hotel, restaurant and bar for travelers. Ocean County purchased the property from its last owner, Rudolf Koenig, in 2008 for $120,000. The structure still sits on dirt road and is surrounded by pine trees.[3] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 7, 2013.[4] Ocean County is spending $2.2 million to refurbish and develop the site, including building a caretaker's cottage and an outdoor classroom facility.[5]
Historical reenactment[edit]
The "Affair at Cedar Bridge" is reenacted each year on December 17.
References[edit]
- ^ "National Register Information System – (#13000586)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- ^ New Jersey Gazette, January 8, 1783.
- ^ Heyboer, Kelly. "NJ's oldest rest stop?: Monmouth U. students digging up history at Cedar Bridge Tavern", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Accessed May 8, 2016.
- ^ Cedar Bridge Tavern, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed May 8, 2016.
- ^ Larsen, Erik. Ocean County to develop Cedar Bridge Tavern in Barnegat. Asbury Park Press February 24, 2016. http://www.atlanticbb.net/front_controller.php/news/read/category/State/article/asbury_park_press-ocean_county_to_develop_cedar_bridge_tavern_in_bar-tca Accessed April 23, 2017
- Farner, Thomas P. New Jersey in History: Fighting to Be Heard. Down the Shore Pub., January 1, 1996.
- Historic Pen Company. Accessed May 8, 2016.
External links[edit]
- Cedar Bridge Tavern, U.S. National Register of Historic Places - NPS Document
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. NJ-41, "Cedar Bridge Tavern, Cedar Bridge, Ocean County, NJ", 4 photos, 19 measured drawings, 6 data pages
- Barnegat Township, New Jersey
- National Register of Historic Places in Ocean County, New Jersey
- Historic American Buildings Survey in New Jersey
- Buildings and structures completed in 1740
- Taverns in New Jersey
- Taverns in the American Revolution
- New Jersey in the American Revolution
- Drinking establishments on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey
- Battles of the American Revolutionary War in New Jersey
- American Revolution on the National Register of Historic Places
- Conflicts in 1782