Neshanic is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Hillsborough Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located near the South Branch Raritan River. As of the 2020 census, Neshanic had a population of 854. The Neshanic Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
History
The name comes from a tribe of the Raritan tribe of Lenape Native Americans who lived along the river. The settlement began in 1750 by Dutch farmers, with a church, grist mill and school, as well as a tavern owned by John Bennett, which was a focus of the community. The first mill was built by Bergen Huff around 1770. There was also a tannery which supplied leather to the people of the village as well as to nearby New Brunswick. At one time the area surrounding the Shirk farm and extending along the Sourland Mountains was the largest peach producing region in the state.
Historic district
The Neshanic Historic District is a historic district encompassing the village. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 1, 1979 for its significance in settlement and religion. It includes 23 contributing buildings.