History of Bristol, Connecticut, USA

1785 - (Bristol, CT) - Originally an agricultural village called New Cambridge, the town was incorporated in 1785 and given the name Bristol.

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ bristol/

1819 - Bristol
Bristol, a post town in the south west part of the county, 16 miles from Hartford, and 28 from New-Haven, bounded on the north by Burlington, on the east by Farmington, on the south by Southington and Wolcott, and on the wast by Plymouth, in Litchfield county. The township is five & a half miles in length, from north to south, and five in breadth, from east to west, comprising an area of about 27 square miles. The surface is uneven and hilly, and the soil is a gravelly loam, and considerably fertile; it produces all kinds of grain, grass and fruit, common to this region. Its forests consist of oak, chesnut, and other deciduous trees, common to the county. The geological structure o the town consists of granite and micaceous schistus. Iron and Copper have been discovered, but have been neglected. The town is watered by the north and south branches of the Poquaback, a small stream which discharges its waters in to the Farmington or Tunxis river...
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 - Bristol
Bristol, Connecticut
Hartford county. This town was taken from Farmington in 1785. It is watered by some streams which flow into Farmington river, and there are found within its limits iron and copper ores, and granite. The copper mine is very rich and productive, and will probably become a source of great wealth. "The surface of the town is uneven and hilly, and the soil is a gravelly loam, and considerably fertile, producing all kinds of grain, grass and fruit, common to this region. This is a manufacturing town, and the inhabitants are distinguished for their enterprize and industry. There are at present sixteen clock factories in which nearly 100,000 brass and wooden clocks have been manufactured in a single year. The manufacture of buttons is also carried on in this place." Bristol is 16 miles W. by S. from Hartford, and 28 N. from New Haven. Population, 1830, 1,707; 1837, about 2,500.
The New England Gazetteer containing descriptions of all the states, counties and towns in New England: also descriptions of the principal mountains, rivers lakes, capes, bays, harbors, islands and fashionable resorts within that territory. By John Hayward, author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, &c. &c. Boston: John Hayward. Boyd & White, Concord, N.H. 1839

1846 - Lake Compounce opens as an amusement park in Bristol, CT.

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ bristol/

1854 - Bristol
Bristol, a post-township of Hartford county, Connecticut, about 15 miles 8. W. of Hartford. Population, 2882. Bristol, a post-village in the above town ship, on the line of the Hartford and Fishkill railroad, about 15 miles S. W. by W. from Hartford. It is celebrated for its extensive manufacture of clocks and buttons. There is in the vicinity an important copper mine.
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.

1859
BRISTOL, a township of Hartford co., in the state of Connecticut, 17 m. SW of Hartford. It is hilly, and is watered by branches of Farmington river. Its soil is tolerably fertile, but this town is chiefly distinguished for its manufactures. Pop. 2,109.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1870 - They make three Yankee clocks every minute during working hours at Bristol, Conn.


St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 30, 1870

1878 - The Rev. J. D. Gillihand, the Rector of Trinity Church (Protestant Episcopal) at Bristol, Conn., the other day, astonished his congregation
by sending them a letter announcing his resignation of his pastorate and his intention of joining the Roman Catholic Church. Not the slightest intimation of such a step had previously been given to the church or even to his family.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
September 28, 1878

1887 - A FATAL EXPLOSION
Three Men Killed, Two Wounded, and a Building Set on Fire.

E. C. WILSDON left his japan oven, at SESSIONS & SONS foundry, Bristol, Conn., in the room where a dozen men and boys were at work, to go to his dinner. He had but just gone out when the oven exploded with fearful violence, instantly killing one man and two boys, lacerating two others and setting the building on fire. It was some time before the flames were subdued, and then there were dragged forth the charred remains of the three victims. They are:

JOHN SHANE, aged thirty-one;
BURT CLEVELAND, aged eighteen; and
WILLIE YOUNG, aged fifteen.

The wounded are DANIEL GRIFFIN and WILLIAM PONNIER. No reason can be assigned for the accident. The explosion drew hundreds to the scene and the excitement was great, particularly before it was learned how many victims there were in the flames.
The Cranbury Press
New Jersey
October 28, 1887

1895 - Bristol
Bristol, a post-village of Hartford co., Conn., in Bristol township, on the Hartford, Providence & Fishkill Railroad, 18 miles W.S.W. of Hartford, and 15 miles N.N.E, of Waterbury. It has 2 banks, several foundries and machine-shops, and manufactures of clocks and water wheels. Two weekly newspapers are published here. Copper is found in the township. Pop, about, 3500; of the township in 1880, 5347; in 1890, 7382.
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

1896 - DUMPED INTO A RIVER. Men Working on a Bridge Engulfed by a Raging Torrent.
Eleven Out of Twenty Reported to Be Drowned.
Carried Down Pequabuck River and Lost In the Darkness.

Bristol, Conn., Feb. 7 - A most appalling disaster occurred here shortly after 9 o'clock last night, in which 20 workmen were precipitated into Pequabuck river from the East Bristol bridge, and 11 of them are probably drowned.

Yesterday afternoon the structure was found to be shaky, and the 4:42 train on the New England road had a narrow escape from wreck as it crossed on the way to Hartford.

For some time the bridge had been looked upon with suspicion, and at the present time a new bridge was in process of erection, and was almost completed. It was close alongside the bridge which was carried away.

The fierce storm which swept over the state played havoc with New England bridges, and the swollen waters of the Pequabuck river threatened to carry the bridge away. At 5 o'clock a special wrecking train with 40 men left East Hartford and were put to work on the new bridge which ... Read MORE...

1907 - Three Killed in Automobile Collision
An automobile containing a party of five persons from Bristol, Conn., collided with the New York-Pittsfield express at Ashley Falls crossing, and three of the party were killed and the other two probably fatally injured.
The Clinton Mirror
Clinton, Iowa
August 24, 1907

1911 - Bristol, CT incorporated as a city

connecticuthistory.org/ towns-page/ bristol/

1916
Bristol, a banking post-borough of Hartford co., Conn., in Bristol township (town), on the New York, New Haven and Hartford R., 17 miles WSW. of Hartford. It has foundries and machine-shops and manufactures of clocks, table-ware, water-wheels, brass goods, engines, etc. Pop. in 1900, 6268 ; of the town, 9643.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Bristol has something for everyone. Let's dive into some of the best places to go and things to do in Bristol:
1. ESPN Headquarters:

What: Take a tour of the ESPN campus, the world-renowned sports network. While public access is limited, you can still explore the exterior and take photos.

Why: Perfect for sports fans, it's a chance to be close to the heart of the sports media world.

2. Lake Compounce:

What: Experience one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the United States.

Why: From thrilling rides to water attractions, Lake Compounce is a family-friendly destination with something for all ages.

3. Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center:

What: A hands-on children's museum fostering creativity and exploration.

Why: Ideal for families with young kids, it's an interactive space that makes learning fun.

4. Bristol Historical Society:

What: Discover the rich history of Bristol through exhibits and artifacts.

Why: If you're interested in local history, this is the place to explore Bristol's past.

5. Page Park:

What: A beautiful... Read MORE...