History and Land Use Change: The New Brunswick Copper Mining and Processing Complex, Rutgers University, and Johnson & Johnson

Abstract

This paper is the end result of a historical study of the New Brunswick Copper Mining and Processing Complex, which was formerly sited within what is now the City of New Brunswick in Middlesex County, New Jersey.The New Brunswick Copper Mining and Processing Complex was active during the final decades of the colonial period and included both extractive and water-powered industrial components that were focused within the area bounded on the east by the Raritan River, north by Seminary Place, west by College Avenue, and south by Hamilton Street/Johnson Drive.  This area was redeveloped during the 19^th and 20^th centuries, with the lands formerly utilized for the mining and processing of copper eventually coming to be occupied by Rutgers University and Johnson & Johnson.  The discovery of a mine shaft formerly associated with this early copper mining and processing complex during the demolition of a building within the Johnson & Johnson Corporate Headquarters led to the commissioning of this study by Johnson & Johnson.This paper provides a discussion of the history of the New Brunswick Copper Mining and Processing Complex and of the subsequent changing land uses that ultimately led to the current presence of Rutgers University and Johnson & Johnson.