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History of New Milford, Connecticut, USA
Journey back in time to New Milford, Connecticut, USA
Explore New Milford, Connecticut, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have New Milford Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

New Milford, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA
With an area of over 60 square miles, New Milford is the largest town in Connecticut.
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New Milford's worst disaster struck in 1902 when the main business section centered on Bank Street was almost completely leveled by the "Great Fire".
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New Milford Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Discover New Milford: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1819 - New Milford
New-Milford is a large and flourishing post town, in the southwestern extremity of the county, 48 miles southwest from Hartford; bounded on the north by Kent, on the east by Washington, Roxbury and Southbury, on the south by Newtown and Brookfield, in Fairfield county, and on the west by New-Fairfield and Sherman. It has an average length of 13 miles and an average breadth of 6 and a half miles, comprising an area of 84 square miles; being one of the largest townships in the State...
A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819
New-Milford is a large and flourishing post town, in the southwestern extremity of the county, 48 miles southwest from Hartford; bounded on the north by Kent, on the east by Washington, Roxbury and Southbury, on the south by Newtown and Brookfield, in Fairfield county, and on the west by New-Fairfield and Sherman. It has an average length of 13 miles and an average breadth of 6 and a half miles, comprising an area of 84 square miles; being one of the largest townships in the State...
A Gazetteer of the States of Connecticut and Rhode-Island: Written with Care and Impartiality, from Original and Authentic Materials : Consisting of Two Parts ... with an Accurate and Improved Map of Each State Authors John Chauncey Pease, John Milton Niles Publisher W.S. Marsh, 1819
1839 - New Milford
New Milford, Connecticut
Litchfield county. This township is hilly and broken, several mountainous ridges extending through it. The soil is much diversified, and where susceptible of cultivation, it is generally good; but on the whole more distinguished for grain than grass. There are, however, large quantities of excellent meadow ground, but the pasturage is, on the whole, not abundant. It is essentially a farming town. For some time after the white people came here, an Indian chief, or sachem, named Werauhamaug, had a palace standing near the Great falls, where he resided. On the inner walls of this palace, (which were of bark with the smooth side inwards,) were pictured every known species of beast, bird, fish and insect, from the largest to the smallest. This was said to have been done by artists whom a friendly prince at a great distance sent to him for that purpose, as Hiram did to Solomon. The town of New Milford was purchased of the Colony of Connecticut by a company of... Read MORE...
New Milford, Connecticut
Litchfield county. This township is hilly and broken, several mountainous ridges extending through it. The soil is much diversified, and where susceptible of cultivation, it is generally good; but on the whole more distinguished for grain than grass. There are, however, large quantities of excellent meadow ground, but the pasturage is, on the whole, not abundant. It is essentially a farming town. For some time after the white people came here, an Indian chief, or sachem, named Werauhamaug, had a palace standing near the Great falls, where he resided. On the inner walls of this palace, (which were of bark with the smooth side inwards,) were pictured every known species of beast, bird, fish and insect, from the largest to the smallest. This was said to have been done by artists whom a friendly prince at a great distance sent to him for that purpose, as Hiram did to Solomon. The town of New Milford was purchased of the Colony of Connecticut by a company of... Read MORE...
1854 - New Milford
New Milford, a flourishing post-village of Litchfield co., Connecticut, on the Housatonic river and railroad, near the intersection of the latter with the former, and 35 miles N. by W. from Bridgeport. It is a beautiful village, with broad streets, containing several churches and a bank. Pop. of the township, 4508.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
New Milford, a flourishing post-village of Litchfield co., Connecticut, on the Housatonic river and railroad, near the intersection of the latter with the former, and 35 miles N. by W. from Bridgeport. It is a beautiful village, with broad streets, containing several churches and a bank. Pop. of the township, 4508.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1860 - FIRE IN NEW-MILFORD, CONN.
Danbury, Conn., Saturday, Nov. 3. There was a large fire in New-Milford last night. It is reported that ten buildings were destroyed, including the Bank, Housatonic House, six stores and two dwellings. The loss is heavy. The fire is still burning.
Danbury, CT., Saturday, Nov. 3. At the fire in New-Milford, fifteen buildings were destroyed, including the Litchfield County Bank and the Housatonic House. Loss, about $35,000, insurance, about $15,000, in the Hartford and New-Haven offices.
New York Times
New York, New York
November 5, 1860
Danbury, Conn., Saturday, Nov. 3. There was a large fire in New-Milford last night. It is reported that ten buildings were destroyed, including the Bank, Housatonic House, six stores and two dwellings. The loss is heavy. The fire is still burning.
Danbury, CT., Saturday, Nov. 3. At the fire in New-Milford, fifteen buildings were destroyed, including the Litchfield County Bank and the Housatonic House. Loss, about $35,000, insurance, about $15,000, in the Hartford and New-Haven offices.
New York Times
New York, New York
November 5, 1860
1893 - Fire
NEW-MILFORD, Conn., Oct. 30. - A large barn in Washington, owned by William Wadsworth of New York, was burned last night, with a ton of tobacco, farming tools, and hay. Loss, $3,000; building insured, contents uninsured.
The New York Times
New York, New York
October 31, 1893
NEW-MILFORD, Conn., Oct. 30. - A large barn in Washington, owned by William Wadsworth of New York, was burned last night, with a ton of tobacco, farming tools, and hay. Loss, $3,000; building insured, contents uninsured.
The New York Times
New York, New York
October 31, 1893
1895 - New Milford
New Mil'ford, a handsome post-village in New Milford township, Litchfield co, Conn., on the Housatonic River, near the mouth of the Aspetuck, and on the Housatonic Railroad, 14 miles N. of Danbury, and 35 miles N. by W. of Bridgeport. It has 4 or 5 churches, a high school, a national bank, l other bank, a newspaper office, 5 tobacco warehouses or factories, and manufactures of buttons, hats, boots, and paper, Pop. of the township in 1890, 3917.
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
New Mil'ford, a handsome post-village in New Milford township, Litchfield co, Conn., on the Housatonic River, near the mouth of the Aspetuck, and on the Housatonic Railroad, 14 miles N. of Danbury, and 35 miles N. by W. of Bridgeport. It has 4 or 5 churches, a high school, a national bank, l other bank, a newspaper office, 5 tobacco warehouses or factories, and manufactures of buttons, hats, boots, and paper, Pop. of the township in 1890, 3917.
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
1902 - FIRE AT NEW MILFORD, CT.
Fire of an unknown origin, which started about 7 o'clock last night, completely destroyed the main building of the Bridgeport wood finishing company's plant at New Milford, Ct. Owing to the high wind which fanned the flames and the limited fire-fighting apparatus, it was impossible to make any headway against the fire, and all attention was turned to saving adjoining buildings. A bucket brigade was the means of saving the near-by buildings, except a small office, which was burned. It is estimated that the loss will reach $100,000.
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
February 4, 1902
Fire of an unknown origin, which started about 7 o'clock last night, completely destroyed the main building of the Bridgeport wood finishing company's plant at New Milford, Ct. Owing to the high wind which fanned the flames and the limited fire-fighting apparatus, it was impossible to make any headway against the fire, and all attention was turned to saving adjoining buildings. A bucket brigade was the means of saving the near-by buildings, except a small office, which was burned. It is estimated that the loss will reach $100,000.
Springfield Republican
Springfield, Massachusetts
February 4, 1902
1902 - WRECK AT NEW MILFORD.
Train Breaks and Causes Rear End Collision - One Man Killed.
NEW MILFORD, Conn., March 20. - The midnight freight from New Haven to Pittsfield, which goes through here at 1 o'clock was badly wrecked by a rear end collision, caused by the train breaking in two parts a short distance below the station here.
Joshlin Hogan Camp, the head brakeman, whose home is at 685 Chapel street, New Haven, was killed. Two cars were badly smashed a number of others derailed and the engine was derailed but not seriously injured.
Just how the accident happened is not known. The engine and two first cars of the train became separated from the rear section which was quite long. Camp went ahead from the engine to a switch which he was going to set so that the engine and two cars could pass on it.
Before the switch was set the rear end come crashing into the forward part shoving the engine and cars ahead. The engine crushed Camp. His right arm was cut completely off, his head cut off and his body... Read MORE...
Train Breaks and Causes Rear End Collision - One Man Killed.
NEW MILFORD, Conn., March 20. - The midnight freight from New Haven to Pittsfield, which goes through here at 1 o'clock was badly wrecked by a rear end collision, caused by the train breaking in two parts a short distance below the station here.
Joshlin Hogan Camp, the head brakeman, whose home is at 685 Chapel street, New Haven, was killed. Two cars were badly smashed a number of others derailed and the engine was derailed but not seriously injured.
Just how the accident happened is not known. The engine and two first cars of the train became separated from the rear section which was quite long. Camp went ahead from the engine to a switch which he was going to set so that the engine and two cars could pass on it.
Before the switch was set the rear end come crashing into the forward part shoving the engine and cars ahead. The engine crushed Camp. His right arm was cut completely off, his head cut off and his body... Read MORE...
1902 - FIRE AT INGLESIDE SCHOOL.
NEW MILFORD, Conn., Dec. 21. - Fire to-day in Ingleside School, a large and fashionable seminary for girls, conducted by Mrs. William D. Black, caused damage estimated at $40,000.
The servants were the only persons in the building when the fire broke out, the students and instructors of the seminary being away on their Christmas vacations. Mrs. Black, who conducts the school, was in New York. Over 100 students are registered at the school, and the damage to the articles in their rooms cannot be estimated.
The loss on the building is covered by insurance.
The New York Times
New York, New York
December 22, 1902
NEW MILFORD, Conn., Dec. 21. - Fire to-day in Ingleside School, a large and fashionable seminary for girls, conducted by Mrs. William D. Black, caused damage estimated at $40,000.
The servants were the only persons in the building when the fire broke out, the students and instructors of the seminary being away on their Christmas vacations. Mrs. Black, who conducts the school, was in New York. Over 100 students are registered at the school, and the damage to the articles in their rooms cannot be estimated.
The loss on the building is covered by insurance.
The New York Times
New York, New York
December 22, 1902
1906
New Milford, a banking post-village in New Milford township (town), Litchfield co., Conn., on the Housatonic River, near the mouth of the Aspetuck and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 14 miles N. of Danbury. It has manufactures of hats, lime, pottery, trucks, and furniture, and an important tobacco-industry. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4804.
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
New Milford, a banking post-village in New Milford township (town), Litchfield co., Conn., on the Housatonic River, near the mouth of the Aspetuck and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 14 miles N. of Danbury. It has manufactures of hats, lime, pottery, trucks, and furniture, and an important tobacco-industry. Pop. of the town in 1900, 4804.
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
1911 - TORNADO HITS CONNECTICUT.
Uproots Trees, Wrecks Houses, and Destroys Crops Near New Milford.
NEW MILFORD, Conn., Aug. 28. - A tornado swept through a section three miles long and a quarter of a mile wide here late today, uprooting trees, blowing roofs from houses, and leveling crops. The damage has not been estimated, but it will be large.
On the farm of Walter Leavenworth hundreds of apple trees were uprooted, and twelve oak and hickory trees, some three feet in diameter, were blown out of the ground. A hay wagon was carried through the air a distance of 100 feet and landed unbroken in the middle of a tobacco field.
The highways are impassable tonight because of the debris of farm buildings and trees.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 29, 1911
Uproots Trees, Wrecks Houses, and Destroys Crops Near New Milford.
NEW MILFORD, Conn., Aug. 28. - A tornado swept through a section three miles long and a quarter of a mile wide here late today, uprooting trees, blowing roofs from houses, and leveling crops. The damage has not been estimated, but it will be large.
On the farm of Walter Leavenworth hundreds of apple trees were uprooted, and twelve oak and hickory trees, some three feet in diameter, were blown out of the ground. A hay wagon was carried through the air a distance of 100 feet and landed unbroken in the middle of a tobacco field.
The highways are impassable tonight because of the debris of farm buildings and trees.
The New York Times
New York, New York
August 29, 1911
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around New Milford:
Lover's Leap State Park:
Take a hike through this picturesque state park that offers stunning views of the Housatonic River and Lover's Leap Bridge.
Ideal for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful escape.
New Milford Village Center:
Explore the quaint downtown area with its charming shops, cafes, and historic architecture.
Check out the local boutiques for unique finds and enjoy a meal at one of the cozy restaurants.
Bridgewater Village Store:
Visit this historic store that dates back to 1899. It's a great spot to grab some local goods and experience a piece of the town's history.
Harrybrooke Park and Harden House Museum:
Stroll through the beautiful grounds of Harrybrooke Park and visit the Harden House Museum to learn about the town's history.
Mine Hill Preserve:
Explore the Mine Hill Preserve, a former mining site turned into a nature reserve. The trails offer a mix of history and natural beauty.
Hopkins Vineyard:
If you enjoy wine, visit ... Read MORE...
Lover's Leap State Park:
Take a hike through this picturesque state park that offers stunning views of the Housatonic River and Lover's Leap Bridge.
Ideal for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful escape.
New Milford Village Center:
Explore the quaint downtown area with its charming shops, cafes, and historic architecture.
Check out the local boutiques for unique finds and enjoy a meal at one of the cozy restaurants.
Bridgewater Village Store:
Visit this historic store that dates back to 1899. It's a great spot to grab some local goods and experience a piece of the town's history.
Harrybrooke Park and Harden House Museum:
Stroll through the beautiful grounds of Harrybrooke Park and visit the Harden House Museum to learn about the town's history.
Mine Hill Preserve:
Explore the Mine Hill Preserve, a former mining site turned into a nature reserve. The trails offer a mix of history and natural beauty.
Hopkins Vineyard:
If you enjoy wine, visit ... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: New Milford Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in New Milford, Connecticut, USA
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