Scotch Plains

Scotch Plains, a Township in Union County, NJ with a population of nearly 25,000 residents encompasses just over 9 square miles at the base of the Watchung Reservation. Many residents commute to Newark, New York City and other job centers via convenient rail, road and bus. 

Scotch Plains has extensive recreation opportunities, along with a vibrant business community, places of worship, a YMCA, many banks, restaurants, professional service providers and shops, serving the latest generation of a bustling, multi-ethnic community. Schools in Scotch Plains are top-notch.

The area was first settled in 1684 and has a rich history with many Revolutionary War landmarks still standing.

The native people living in this area were the Raritans, of the Leni Lenape branch of the Delawares. They lived in a large wigwam village near what is now the Shackamaxon Golf Course and in the Ash Brook Golf Course area.

The first white man in the region was probably Verrazano in 1524, but the land was first claimed by the Dutch in 1609 as a result of Henry Hudson's explorations. Captain John Baker bought the region from the Indians before 1684 paying one cent for every 10 acres.

The Stage House Inn was erected in 1737 by John Sutton as a hotel. When the stage coach arrived at the inn with mail, a miniature cannon was shot off, and townspeople came by to pick up their mail.