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The Bridge That Saved a Nation: Historic New Bridge Landing

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” — Thomas Paine, The American Crisis

On November 20, 1776, the American Revolution almost ended before it truly began.

British and Hessian troops had just scaled the Palisades, chasing George Washington’s retreating army out of Fort Lee. With the Hudson River to their backs and the enemy closing in, the Continental Army was trapped. Their only escape route was a narrow wooden span over the Hackensack River known as the New Bridge.

Washington and his troops crossed the bridge just in time, narrowly avoiding capture. Thomas Paine, marching with the exhausted soldiers, immortalized this moment as the “times that try men’s souls.” Today, the bridge is gone (replaced by an 1889 swing bridge), but the site remains a testament to resilience.

This is Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, New Jersey.

The Zabriskie-Steuben House

Standing guard over the river is the Steuben House, a stunning example of Bergen Dutch sandstone architecture.

• Origins: The oldest section (five rooms) was built in 1752 by Jan Zabriskie. By 1765, his thriving trade allowed him to expand the home into a 12-room mansion with a gambrel roof and seven fireplaces.
• The Revolution: Jan Zabriskie was a Loyalist. When the war turned, he fled to New York, and his estate was confiscated by the Patriots. It served as a military headquarters throughout the war, hosting General Washington for 16 days in 1780.
• The Gift: After the war, a grateful State of New Jersey gifted the confiscated estate to Baron von Steuben, the Prussian drillmaster who trained the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Although Steuben eventually sold it back to the Zabriskie family to pay his debts, the house still bears his name.

A Village Assembled

In the 20th century, the site became a sanctuary for endangered historic homes. The Steuben House was joined by two other rescued structures, creating a “village” of Dutch colonial architecture.

1. The Campbell-Christie House

• The Tavern: Originally built in New Milford in 1774 by Jacob Campbell, this house operated as a tavern and general store.
• The Tank Inventor: In the late 19th century, it was the birthplace of J. Walter Christie, the “Father of the Modern Tank,” whose suspension systems revolutionized armored warfare in WWII.
• The Rescue: Threatened with demolition, the 200-ton stone house was lifted off its foundation and moved to New Bridge Landing in September 1977. Today, it serves as the visitor center and gift shop.

2. The Demarest House

• The Cottage: Built in 1794 for miller John Paulson, this two-room sandstone cottage is a perfect example of modest Dutch living.
• The Move: The Demarest Family Association saved the house in 1939. It was dismantled stone-by-stone and reconstructed at New Bridge Landing in 1955. It features a unique two-door facade and authentic period furnishings.

The Bridge Itself

While the original wooden “New Bridge” of 1776 is long gone, the river is spanned by an 1889 Swing Bridge. This iron truss bridge is the oldest highway swing bridge in New Jersey and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Though it no longer opens for boat traffic, it connects the site to the history of the river that once drove the local economy.

The Site Today

Historic New Bridge Landing has faced its own battles in recent years, particularly with flooding from the Hackensack River. The Steuben House suffered damage during Nor’easters in 2007 and Hurricane Ida in 2021.

Despite these challenges, the Bergen County Historical Society keeps the site alive. They host regular events, reenactments, and tavern nights (often serving cider and donuts in the Campbell-Christie House) to raise funds for restoration and a planned new museum building.

If You Visit

• Location: 1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661.
• Best Time to Go: The site is most active during special events (like the “Retreat to Victory” reenactment in November or “Christmas at the Bridge” in December).
• Access: The grounds are generally open to pedestrians, but building interiors are open only during scheduled events.

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For More Information

Bergen County Historical Society (www.bergencountyhistory.org)