Looking Back: Woods Tavern Welcomed Residents and Travelers for More than a Century

What is now the corner of Amwell Road and Route 206 has played a key role in the township’s history.

The historic Woods Tavern once stood on the Amwell Road site that is now home to The Shoppes at Woods Tavern.

A history, available in the Hillsborough Township Public Library’s historic collection, compiled by the 1947-48 eighth-grade class of what was then Bloomingdale School noted that the tavern—which was also a coach stop and hotel—was at the westerly end of Amwell Road (facing Amwell Road) and was built “somewhere about 1738.” Historians believe its name came from a reference to it as “The Tavern in the Woods.”

Construction of a bridge across the Millstone River in Millstone contributed to the tavern’s success. As the site became a popular stopping spot for farmers taking their products from Hunterdon County and Pennsylvania to the New Brunswick market, it was not unusual to see horse-drawn wagons lined up outside the tavern.

The 1971 “Hillsborough Bicentennial Journal” described the activities at the tavern in this way: “Woods Tavern always had something doing: gamecock fights, music by an itinerant minstrel, dancing or if some roister came over the Sourland Mountains from Trenton to take on all comers, there might be a boxing match.”

Known for it good food and reasonable alcohol, Woods Tavern was kept well-stocked to satisfy the needs of its patrons, including travelers delayed by storms who had to spend the night.

Over the years, the property on which Woods Tavern stood had several owners. One owner, Isaac Bennett, purchased it in 1842 and sold it in 1860 for the sum of $2,800, according to the students’ history.

As travel along Amwell Road started to decline in the 1860s, the tavern dropped its license and was converted to a residence; in later years, it housed several small retail stores and even gas pumps.

But its role in history was not done. In 1872, the property was the site of a campaign speech by Horace Greely, who was running for the presidency against Ulysses S. Grant.

The historic building was destroyed by fire in 1932.

Today, local developer Larken Associates has transformed the site, which had been home to several retail stores for many years.

With a facelift and expansion, it is now a 30,000-square-foot office and retail center that includes Sahara Hair Salon, Hillsborough Pharmacy, J&L Nails, Hillsborough Barber, Benjamin Moore Paint & Decorating Depot, Aloha Mind Math and Heavenly Sweets. They are expected to be joined by Baker’s Treat, L&L Home Carpet, Kumon, Halinka Polish Deli, Lee’s Sushi and 5 Guys Burgers and Fries.