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flag  History of West Haven, Connecticut, USA

Journey back in time to West Haven, Connecticut, USA

Visit West Haven, Connecticut, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.

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West Haven, Connecticut, USA - The Green Showing old and new Christ Church, West Haven, Conn.

West Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Incorporated as a town in 1922 and a city in 1961, West Haven is Connecticut's youngest city despite being one of the state's oldest settlements.

Constructed in the late 19th century, West Haven's Savin Rock Park was known as "Connecticut's Coney Island" before closing in 1966.


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There is MUCH more to discover about West Haven, Connecticut, USA. Read on!

West Haven Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

The Green Showing old and new Christ Church, West Haven, Conn.
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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The Green Showing old and new Christ Church, West Haven, Conn.
Savin Rock Theatre, Savin Rock, Conn.
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Savin Rock Theatre, Savin Rock, Conn.
New Haven, Conn., White City, Savin Rock
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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New Haven, Conn., White City, Savin Rock

"Savin Rock was an American amusement park in West Haven, Connecticut. It was previously called The White City. The park included a number of roller coasters, other rides and numerous funhouses.

The amusement park was established in the 1870s after entrepreneur George Kelsey extended the trolley lines and built a 1,500-foot pier at the end of Beach Street to accommodate a ferry service. Kelsey built the nearby Seaview Hotel, with rooms for up to 150 guests.

...In 1903 carnival rides were added and the area was officially opened as an amusement park called the White City...

By 1919, the park, now called Savin Rock Amusement Park, was attracting 1.2 million visitors each year...

Inside the White City was a movie theater, The Orpheum Theater, which was open all year round was owned by Doc Dewaltop from 1913 until it was destroyed by a fire in 1921...

The park was finally closed in 1966."

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Savin Rock, Moonlight Scene, West Haven, Conn.
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Savin Rock, Moonlight Scene, West Haven, Conn.
Airdome Theatre, White City, Savin Rock, Conn.
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Airdome Theatre, White City, Savin Rock, Conn.
Osborn Ave., Woody Crest, West Haven, Conn.
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Osborn Ave., Woody Crest, West Haven, Conn.
The
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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The "Colonnade" Savin Rock, Conn.
The White City, 1903
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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The White City, 1903
Savin Rock Bathing Scene
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Savin Rock Bathing Scene
Jack's Hotel, Savin Rock
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Jack's Hotel, Savin Rock
Chute the Chutes
White City
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Chute the Chutes
White City
West Haven Buckle Co.
museumofcthistory.org

Founded in Cromwell in 1843, moved to West Haven in
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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West Haven Buckle Co.
museumofcthistory.org

Founded in Cromwell in 1843, moved to West Haven in 1850, the West Haven Buckle Company went out of business in 1993. During the Civil War, the company made buckles for Union Army troops.
Christ Episcopal Church
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Christ Episcopal Church
Town Hall
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Town Hall
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Congregational Church and World War I Memorial, West Haven, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org
West Haven, Connecticut, USA

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Congregational Church and World War I Memorial, West Haven, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

Discover West Haven: History, News, Travel, and Stories

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1869 - Mr and Mrs Tom Thumb
Commodore Nutt and Minne Warren were married on Thursday, at the residence of Tom Thumb's mother, (Mrs. Stratton,) at West Haven, Conn. Tom Thumb and his pretty little wife, once Miss Lavina Warren, the sister of the bride, acted as groomsman and bridesmaid.
genealogybank.com
Critic-Record
Washington, D.C.
June 22, 1869

Read more about Charles Sherwood STRATTON photo of ancestor
1888 - Confessed to Heavy Forgeries
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 11. - Henry G. Hotchkiss, of West Haven, a hardware manufacturer, has been arrested charged with forging checks upon the Yale National Bank of New Haven to the amount of $20,000. He confessed his guilt, and was locked up. The forgeries extended over three years. The Yale Bank lost about $60,000 a year ago by the E. S. Wheeler & Co. swindle, and curtailed its dividend. The present loss has created considerable comment in.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
October 13, 1888
1889 - Fire
A church and five business buildings were destroyed by fire at West Haven, Conn., on the 27th.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 30, 1889
1893 - INCENDIARY FIRES IN WEST HAVEN. The Fire Department of the Town Was Kept Busy for Several Hours.
NEW-HAVEN, Conn., Dec. 29. - Two incendiary fires in West Haven to-night kept the Fire Department busy for several hours. The first consumed a barn owned by the late George Kelsey. By extinguishing a lively blaze the firemen prevented imminent destruction to adjacent buildings.

Before the burning barn was abandoned a general alarm called the department to the newly-erected Town Hall, which has just been completed at a cost of about $25,000, and which was ready for occupancy with the new year. The flames started in a closet on the ground floor and spread rapidly. The two lower floors were ruined, though the walls of the structure are thought to be still available. The furnished rooms of the Selectmen and borough officers were gutted, and the building will have to be refurnished throughout.

To-night the Burgesses offered a liberal reward for the detection of the guilty parties. More than half a dozen fires of the incendiary origin have created havoc in the town within six months,... Read MORE...

1895 - West Haven
West Ha'ven, a post-borough in Orange township, New Haven co., Conn., on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, 23 miles S.W. of New Haven, and 1 mile from Long Island Sound. It has 3 churches, the Oak Hill Seminary, a newspaper office, and manufactures of buckles, keys, and matches. Pop, about 2500.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1900 - THE DEADLY BICYCLE. Young Aaronson Nearly Killed by a Train in North Haven.
William Aronson, 18 years old, of West Haven, narrowly escaped being killed at a railroad crossing in North Haven late on Saturday afternoon. He was trying to cross the track at the depot in front of the passenger train bound from Springfield to this city. His bicycle had nearly cleared the track, but the rear wheel was struck by the locomotive and the rider was hurled to the ground with great force. The wheel was wrecked. The train was stopped and the injured man was taken aboard, he having informed the conductor that he lived in West Haven. He was taken to West Haven on the train and carried to the home of his parents. Dr. Bartlett was called and remained with him nearly all Saturday night. Yesterday morning the physician decided that it would be better for Aaronson to go to the New Haven Hospital, and he was taken there.

His spine is injured and the pevic bones badly strained. He may recover.
The New Haven Evening Register
New Haven, Connecticut
July 16, 1900
1906
Orange, a post-township (town) of New Haven co., Conn., borders on Long Island Sound and is bounded on the W. by the Housatonic River. Orange village is about 6 miles WSW. of New Haven, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R. The town contains the borough of West Haven. Total pop. in 1900, 6995.

West Haven, a borough of New Haven co., Conn on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., adjacent to New Haven, from which it is separated by the West River. It has manufactures of buckles, pianos, safes, etc. Savin Rock, a popular resort, is in this borough. Pop. in 1900, 5427. The post-station is New Haven.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906


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1931 - June 19 - 1st photoelectric cell installed commercially West Haven Ct

historyorb.com
June 19, 1931


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2023 - There are plenty of places to go and things to do in West Haven. Here's a list to get you started:
Bradley Point Park: Start your West Haven adventure at Bradley Point Park. This waterfront park offers stunning views of Long Island Sound and is a great spot for picnicking, flying kites, or taking a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk. There's also a touching Veterans Walk of Honor, which pays tribute to local veterans.

Savin Rock Beach: West Haven is known for its beautiful beaches, and Savin Rock Beach is one of the favorites. It's perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or simply relaxing by the shore. The nearby Savin Rock Amusement Park adds a touch of nostalgia and is worth a visit during the summer months.

The Boardwalk: Take a walk along the West Haven Boardwalk, which stretches for over a mile and provides scenic views of the coastline. It's an ideal spot for a morning jog, a leisurely bike ride, or a sunset stroll.

West Haven Veterans Museum and Learning Center: If you're interested in history, this museum is a must-visit. It houses an impressive collection of military ... Read MORE...

Discover Your Roots: West Haven Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in West Haven, Connecticut, USA

We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in West Haven.

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male ancestorDaniel THOMAS (13 February 1644, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (Westville) - February 1694, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorSamuel SMITH (4 December 1651, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (Westville) - 18 September 1726, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorNathan SMITH (27 December 1656, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (Westville) - 11 June 1726, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorSamuel HUMPHREVILLE (1675, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (Westville) - 30 March 1748, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorJonas MERWIN (1746, - 23 January 1831, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)
female ancestorDinah SMITH (31 October 1760, West Haven, Connecticut, USA - 23 November 1839, Southbury, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorSamuel TROWBRIDGE (22 December 1761, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (Westville) - 21 July 1827, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorDaniel HODGE (1764, - 18 January 1832, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)
male ancestorNathaniel BEECHER (1767, West Haven, Connecticut, USA - 27 March 1827, Southbury, Connecticut, USA)

Ancestors buried in West Haven - Cemeteries in West Haven, Connecticut, USA

St. Lawrence Cemetery

Genealogy Resources for West Haven

Connecticut Newspapers

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Updated: 9/17/2023 11:51:24 AM