History of Norwich, Connecticut, USA

Journey back in time to Norwich, Connecticut, USA

(Norwichtown) (Yantic) (Greeneville) (Occum) (Taftville)

• 
  Monument - Founder's Cemetery, Post Gager Burial Ground, Norwich, New London, Connecticut -- The thirty-five original proprietors of Norwich, Connecticut were:
  
  Thomas Adgate, Richard Edgerton, Maj. John Mason, Robert Allyn, John Elderkin, Dr.... Read MORE...
  
  Photo taken by us
  
• Norwich justice
  The penalties at this time (first half of 18th century) were :
  
  For drunkenness, a fine, (5s. to 10s.,) or to sit in the stocks a couple of hours. ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1720 Flood
  Sept. 4, 1720. " The flood raised Norwich river to a prodigious height; stacks of hay floated down ; it carried away the bridge by the meeting house a...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1722 - Clever Indian in Norwich
  An Indian being found drunk, was brought before Mr. Justice Bushnell, and sentenced according to the statute, namely, to pay a fine of ten shillings, ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• In the freshet of February, 1727, four of the town bridges were swept away, and among them was this which crossed the Shetucket.
  
  History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession by the Indians to the Year 1866 Author Frances Manwaring Caulkins Publisher By H.P. Haven, 1874
  
  
• 1729 Flood (Norwich)
  The Boston News-Letter notices an extraordinary flood of the Shetucket at Norwich, 28th of February, 1729. The warehouses at the Landing were much inj...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1729 Norwich town common established
  In 1729, the proprietors agree, vote, and grant, "that the Plain in the Town Platt, called the meeting house, plain, with all the contents and extent ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1730 - Norwich Rattlesnakes
  1730. Voted, that whosoever shall kill a rattlesnake within this township at any time within one year ensuing, except in the three summer months, and ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1737 Flood (Norwich)
  A thaw and freshet of unusual power and rapidity of action occurred Jan. 16, 1737. The Shetucket above its outlet being impeded by a solid bed of ice,...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• In 1751 (Norwich) the selectmen were empowered to prosecute with vigor all who should sell or convey land to strangers, and all sales of this kind were declared null and void.
  Orders were given likewise that no strangers should remain in the town without the public consent, and this consent seems to have been very cautiously...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1764 - Leffingwell's Bridge completed (Norwich)
  June 20, 1764. " Leffingwell's Bridge over Shetacket river at Norwich Landing it completed. It is 124 feet in length, and 28 feet above the water. Not...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1767 - 240 Acadians leave Norwich for Quebec
  Norwich, as well as other towns in Connecticut, was taxed with the support of a certain number of the French Neutrals, a harmless and much-abused peop...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• In 1773, the first Newspaper was established in Norwich.
  The proprietors and printers were Alexander Robertson, James Robertson, and John Trumbull, under the firm of Robertsons & Trumbull. It had a flourishi...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1784 - Norwich Incorporated as a City
  This was part of the area known as Mohegin. Several men from Saybrook began a settlement in 1659 and obtained a deed from Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegan...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1784 Flood (Norwich)
  Jan. 8, 1784, was distinguished by a yet greater and more sweeping freshet, which affected both the Yantic and the Shetucket. Several mills and bridge...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1789 Flood (Norwich)
  The year 1789 was marked by a June freshet. For two days, the 10th and 11th of the month, the rains were continuous and flood-like, causing a rapid ri...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1792 - First turnpike road company, New London to Norwich, incorporated.
  After the American Revolution, Connecticut granted franchises for the building of ‘toll’ roads or turnpikes, and in 1792 the first turnpike in Connect...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1795 - First insurance company incorporated as the Mutual Assurance Company of the City of Norwich.
  ...This great fire of 1793 quickened public opinion in regard to the benefits to be derived from insurance. Within twenty days after the catastrophe, ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1796 - The Norwich Courier was founded by Thomas Hubbard, November 30, 1796
  The original Norwich Courier was 18 x 11 inches in size, with four pages. February 12, 1817, Theophilus R. Martin joined with Mr. Hubbard in printing ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1797 Flood (Norwich)
  Jan. 29, 1797, was marked by a peculiar freshet resulting from a January thaw. The smaller rivers were broken up, and heavy blocks of ice sweeping dow...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• The annual Thanksgiving was a day of great hilarity, although its time- honored essential characteristic was a sermon. A peculiar adjunct of this festival in Norwich was a barrel bonfire.
  A lofty pole was erected, around which a pyramid of old barrels was arranged, — large at the platform, but a single barrel well tarred forming the ape...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1807 Flood and Fire (Norwich)
  After the present century came in, the first great flood was in 1807. The rivers began to break up on Saturday night, Feb. 7th. The cracking of the va...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1819 - Norwich
  Norwich, a wealthy commercial post town, and the semi-seat of justice of the county, is situated at the head of navigation, on the Thames or Pequot ri...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1823 Flood (Norwich)
  A remarkable freshet occurred on the 6th of March, 1823, which was caused by a rain of twenty four hours continuance falling upon a deep snow. Six bri...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1835 Flood (Norwich)
  March 11, 1835, ushered in a freshet similar to that of 1823. the water rising twelve or fifteen feet. The walls, sheds, and small buildings along the...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1854 - Norwich
  Norwich, a city and semi-capital of New London county, Connecticut, at the head of navigation on the Thames river, where it receives the Yantic, 13 mi...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1854 Floods (Norwich)
  Feb. 8, 1854, most of the wharves were submerged by the breaking up of the ice, and the basements of buildings near the river filled with water. Centr...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  Free Academy Buildings
  
  The Norwich Free Academy (NFA), founded in 1854 and in operation since 1856, is a coeducational independent school for students between the 9th and 12th grade. Located in Norwich, Connecticut, the Academy serves as the... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 1857 Flood
  The 9th and 10th of February, 1857, were marked by a freshet which might be called the Half-century Flood, as occurring so near the anniversary of tha...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  Two Hundredth Anniversary, 1859
  Postcard
  
•  1861 - Norwich, Conn., April 14. - The excitement produced by the war news was never equalled here. All our people are read to uphold the Government, and hundreds are ready to enlist.
  
  genealogybank.com
  Philadelphia Inquirer
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  April 15, 1861
  
  
• 1865 Norwich - " A copperhead snake three feet long was killed by two young men in the woods near this city, May 21, 1865."
  
  History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession by the Indians to the Year 1866 Author Frances Manwaring Caulkins Publisher By H.P. Haven, 1874
  
  
• 
  The Mill, Yantic, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  The Yantic River provided an attractive opportunity for water-powered mills and served as the site of mill village established by Captain Erastus Williams. The history of the village began when... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Taftville Mill, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  Ponemah Mills in Norwich once boasted the largest textile mill in the world under one roof. The mill buildings were constructed near a dam along the west bank of the Shetucket River. The... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Hopkin's & Allen's Factory
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  Hopkins & Allen Arms Company was an American firearms manufacturing company based in Norwich, Connecticut, that was founded in 1868 by Charles W. Allen, Charles A. Converse, Horace Briggs, Samuel... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Ponemah Mills
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  Ponemah Mills, in operation by 1871 was one of of the largest textile mills in the United States for many years. The large original buildings were started in April 1866 and began operation November 16, 1871.... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Court House
  
  In 1869, the Connecticut General Assembly passed an act giving the town of Norwich and the county of New London power to combine to erect a building for town, city and county purposes. This building would include a courthouse and... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  New London and Norwich
  Picturesque America... Oliver Bell Bunce, William Cullen Bryant
  New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1872-1874.
  Artwork
  
• 
  St. Patrick's Church, 1906
  
  ...The cornerstone of the church was laid on July 13, 1873; parishioners paid ten cents a week to finance the construction. St. Patrick's parish was incorporated in 1878. The formal opening and dedication for the new... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Home of the late David A. Wells
  Postcard
  
•  1883 - A FAMOUS HOSTELRY BURNED. - THE BRASE BULL INN IN CONNECTICUT DESTROYED BY FIRE.
  NORWICH, Conn., Dec. 23 - The oldest house in Windham County, a large wood colored edifice of the "lean to" period, which greatly antedated the revolu...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  Slater Memorial Hall, 1906
  
  The J. F. Slater Memorial Museum, also known as Slater Memorial Museum, is an historic building and art museum on the grounds of the Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Connecticut, built in 1885 and dedicated in... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
•  1887 - NORWICH, Conn., March 16. - St. Patrick's Catholic Church was damaged to the extent of $10,000 by fire to-day.
  The building cost $250,000, and is insured for $52,000. The fire was caused by a careless altar boy dropping a coal from the censer.
  Dallas Morning News
  Dallas, Texas
  March 17, 1887
  
  
•  1888 - NO END OF FUN. How the Norwich, Conn., Boys Celebrate Thanksgiving.
  They Go About the Town Gathering Barrels, and Then After the Turkey is Eaten What a Thanksgiving Bonfire They Have.
  
  ROAST turkey and fixin's!
  
  Ph...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  Thanksgiving Barrel Burning, Norwich, Conn.
  Painesville Telegraph
  Painesville, Lake County, Ohio
  Nov 29, 1888
  
•  1889 - A SACRIFICE TO MAMMON. Coroner Park's Idea of New Freight Cars Should be Constricted.
  NORWICH, Conn., July 2. - Coroner Park has filed another unique verdict in the case of John Pender of New London, a brakeman, who met his death by fal...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  Depot
  Postcard
  
• 
  East Main St. looking West
  Postcard
  
• 
  Corner Main and Shetucket Streets
  Postcard
  
• 
  Norwich Savings Society's Building
  
  The Norwich Savings Society, the second oldest savings bank in Connecticut, was founded in 1824. The Norwich Savings Society building, at 162-4 Main Street, in downtown Norwich, was built between 1893 and 1895,... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 1895 - Norwich
  Nor'wich, a city of Connecticut, and semi-capital of New London co., is finely situated on the Thames River, here formed by the confluence of the Shet...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  Washington Street looking North
  Postcard
  
• 
  Central Fire Station
  Postcard
  
• 
  Ossawn Mills Co., Norwich, Conn., 1898
  Manufacturers of Bicycle Lacing Cord and Dress Guard Nets, Crown Hangers, Franklin Hooks, Brass and Steel Picture Hooks, Picture Wire, Shade Cords, Solid Braided Cords, Clothes-lines, Chalk-lines, Picture and... Read MORE...
  
  Advertisement
  
• 
  Bird's Eye View from Laurel Hill, Norwich, Conn.
  Postcard
  
• 
  Preston Bridge, Shetucket River, Norwich, Conn.
  Postcard
  
• 
  First Baptist Church
  Postcard
  
• 
  View on Broadway
  Postcard
  
• 
  Franklin Square
  Postcard
  
• 
  Norwich, Conn.
  Postcard
  
• 
  Masonic Temple, 1905
  Postcard
  
• 1906
  Norwich, a city, semi-capital of New London co., Conn., finely situated on the Thames River, here formed by the confluence of the Shetucket and the Ya...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  Mill and Cottages, Yantic, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  Captain Erastus Williams renamed West Farm and called in Yantic. This name was derived from the Mohegan Indian origin, “Yantick,” meaning Little River. Williams built the Yantic Mill, the... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Broadway School House
  Postcard
  
• 
  Broadway Theatre
  Postcard
  
• 
  Municipal Gas and Electric Plant, 1909
  Postcard
  
• 
  View of Yantic, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Norwich Inn Equestrians
  Postcard
  
• 
  Broadway North from Broad St.
  Postcard
  
• 
  Broadway from Shannon Building
  
  In 1909, a massive fire destroyed the original Shannon Building in downtown Norwich. It was a large commercial and apartment building, built in 1892 by a local Irish businessman and real estate developer named James ... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Falls and Canon on Yantic River
  Postcard
  
• 
  View of the Harbor, 1910
  Postcard
  
• 
  Taftville Mill, 1910
  Postcard
  
• 
  Trinity Episcopal Church
  Postcard
  
• 
  Velvet Mill
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Hubbard Paper Mill
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  James Lanman Hubbard (1832-1890), a wealthy paper manufacturer and director of the Thames National Bank. His sister Marianna was married to the manufacturer John Fox Slater... historicbuildingsct.com
  Postcard
  
• 
  Mill, Occum, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  Another mill village, Occum, developed along the Shetucket River and took its name from Samson Occom. A member of the Mohegan Tribe, Occom – whose name was often misspelled as Occum and Alcom – became a... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Mill & Village, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Haile Club Tally-Ho
  Postcard
  
•  1913 - BOAT TRAIN WRECKED.
  One Woman Badly Injured in Accident Near Norwich.
  
  Special to The New York Times.
  
  NEW LONDON, Conn., Sept. 13. - Central Vermont train running fr...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 
  West Side Paper Mill
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Edgemere Hall, Wa-Wog Camps
  Postcard
  
• 
  Bird's Eye View by Night, Greenville, Norwich, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  William P. Greene incorporated his Water Power Company in 1828 in order to bring waters from the Shetucket River into manufacturing use. norwichbulletin.com
  Postcard
  
• 
  Bulkhead, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Falls and Mills from Indian Leap
  Postcard
  
• 
  Davis Theatre, 1920s
  
  Located on Broadway at the corner of Willow Street. The Davis Theatre was opened by 1906. By 1926 it had been re-named Broadway Theatre. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. It was closed around... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  The Lake, looking North, Mohegan Park
  Postcard
  
• 
  Main Street from Shetucket Street
  Postcard
  
• 
  Thos. Lamb with S. Crane, Nurseryman, Great Plain
  Advertisement
  
• 
  Women's Shack, Tuberculosis Sanatorium
  Postcard
  
• 
  Mill and Village, Occum, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Mill No. 2, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Ponemah Mills, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Yantic Woolen Mill, Yantic, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Mill No. 4, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Taftville, Conn. from Tower of Mill
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Mill No. 1, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Norwich Ave., Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Rear of Mills, Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Views of Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Wet Wash
  Taftville, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  U.S. Finishing Company, "GREENVILLE," Norwich, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  Greeneville was an industrial village built in the vicinity of the Quinebaug Company's textile mill around the time of the Civil War (~1840 and onward). This mill was... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Post Office and B.P.O. Elks, No. 430
  Postcard
  
• 
  American THERMOS Bottle Company
  museumofcthistory.org
  
  The plant was the primary factory where Thermos brand vacuum flask bottles were manufactured from 1913 to 1984. The plant is historically significant to its connection to the Thermos Company... Read MORE...
  
  Postcard
  
• 
  Universalist Church
  Postcard
  
• 
  Shetucket Co. Cotton Mill, "Greenville," Norwich, Conn.
  museumofcthistory.org
  Postcard
  
• 
  Plaque in memory of Benedict Arnold family - Old Burying Grounds, Norwich, New London, Connecticut.
  Photo taken by us
  
• 1967 - March 5 - WEDN TV channel 53 in Norwich, CT (PBS) begins broadcasting
  
  historyorb.com
  
  
• 
  Home of Samuel Huntington, Washington Street, Norwich, New London, Connecticut
  Photo taken by us