In 1779, New Jersey established a system of 23 alarm posts to alert local militia to assemble at predetermined locations. In Old Bridge, a hill west of Higgins Road served as one of these signal posts. Although the exact nature of the signal system is unknown, this elevated site is believed to have been used to send signals to the Patriots about enemy troops moving from Raritan Bay toward Cranberry, now known as Cranbury. Local families have referred to the site as Signal Hill for generations, and from the hill there is an unobstructed view of Raritan Bay and Staten Island. The system was said to be so efficient that when the British fleet left Raritan Bay on its way to Philadelphia, the alarm reached Philadelphia before the fleet arrived.