Such a trip is mentioned in an Indian deed transferring lands around Holland Brook to George Willocks, an East and West New Jersey Proprietor.

[2] Readington was first settled by Europeans in the early 18th century by people of Dutch descent, including Emanuel Van Etta, from Esopus, New York, and Adrian Lane, a settler who erected a mill on Holland Brook.

In 1738, the Dutch Reformed Church of North Branch was moved west to Readington Village because of the growing population.

The church's pastor, Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen later helped to form a seminary at the Old Dutch Parsonage in Somerville.

[7][8] The community has seen extensive flooding of Holland Brook a few times in recent years (including during Hurricane Floyd) that has closed the Hillcrest Bridge and damaged nearby houses.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 24, 1991 for its significance in architecture, exploration/settlement and community planning and development.