History of Norwich, New York, USA

1836 - Norwich
Norwich, formed from Jericho and Union, as part of Tioga county, 19th Jan. 1793; area since much reduced by the abstraction of other towns; surface hilly, on the E. and W. with a broad vale running S. through the town, in which meanders the Chenango river, bordered by fertile and highly cultivated flats; the hills, where not still heavily timbered, are covered with grazing farms. More than half the town is under cultivation. Norwich, N. Norwich, White's Store, and King's Settlement are post offices. Norwich, the shire village, finely situated, upon a neck of land formed by the Canasawacta creek and the river, and on the Chenango canal, 100 miles W. from Albany, 245, from New York, and 332, from Washington City, surrounded by a highly fertile and well cultivated country; incorporated 17th April, 1816; contains the courthouse, jail, and county offices, 1 Episcopal. 1 congregationalist, 1 Baptist, and I Methodist, churches, an academy, a seminary for females, 2 printing offices, each... Read MORE...

1854 - Norwich
Norwich, a post-village, capital of Chenango county, New York, is situated in Norwich township, on the Chenango river and canal, 50 miles S. S. W. from Utica. It contains churches of 4 or 6 denominations, a bank, 2 newspaper offices, and several mills and factories. Population of the township, 3615; of the village, estimated at 2000.
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.

1869 - Norwich
NORWICH was formed from Union (Broome Co.) and Jericho, (now Bainbridge,) January 19, 1793, and named from Norwich, Conn. Pharsalia, Plymouth and Preston were taken off in 1806; New Berlin and a part of Columbus in 1807, and North Norwich in 1849. A part of Preston was annexed in 1808, and a part of the same town was taken off in 1820. It is the central town upon the east border of the County. The surface consists of two high rolling ridges, separated by the valley of the Chenango River. The highest summits are about 500 feet above the valleys. The Ohenango River flows south through the western part, and receives the Canasawacta Creek and Mineral Spring Brook from the west, and Thompson, Ransford and Johnson Creeks from the east. Unadilia River forms the eastern boundary. The soil upon the up lands is a shaly and gravelly loam and in the valleys a gravelly loam and alluvium.

Norwich (p. v.) is delightfully situated upon the Chenango River, in the north-west part of the town, and... Read MORE...

1886 - FARM ANIMALS. Thorough Feeding the Most Economical Policy That Can Be Pursued.
During the recent meeting of the New York Dairymen's Association, Mr. Terry, of Norwich, N.Y., made an elaborate address on the subject of farm animals, which will be read with interest by dairymen and farmers everywhere. We have space only for the following leading points:

During the first cold storms in the fall many a mortgage is put upon our choicest cows. All stock should be sheltered early and during all cold, stormy weather. Give them light, warm and well-ventilated stables. No farmer can afford to feed his stock out in the field on the ground. In winter always feed in the barn and with a liberal hand.

Sometimes during the warm spring days I turn my stock into a dry field and feed them a little hay. I am convinced there is nothing gained by so doing, and I fear it is often done at a loss. If you ever have watched the stock of the enterprising farmer whose animals were well wintered you will find them to show the good effects through the summer season.

The labor and... Read MORE...

1890 - THIRTY DEAD. The Chenango County Poor House Calamity.
Later Returns From the Scene of the Disaster More Than Double the Number of Victims Fierce Battles With Wandering Lunatics - One Man Shot.
{Special to the Eagle.}
NORWICH, N. Y., May 9.
Later reports from the scene of the Chenango County Poorhouse fire indicate at least thirty people perished in the flames. Keeper MAINWARING, who was so completely dazed by the shock of the calamity, estimates the loss of property at $30,000 and the loss of lives at thirty.

The coroner holds an inquest to-day at this place over the remains of thirteen partially burned dead bodies. Two lunatics were captured late last night on Church Hill after a long and desperate fight. They had armed themselves with pickaxes and the sheriff was obliged to shoot one of them before they could be secured. The sickening stench of the burning bodies is very apparent in the neighborhood of the burned building. The origin of the fire is known to have been as follows: The pauper woman with the pipe in her dress who... Read MORE...

1895 - Norwich
Norwich, a post-village, capital of Chenango co, N.Y., in Norwich township, in a valley on the Chenango River and the Chenango Canal, 41 miles N.N.E. of Binghamton, 54 miles S. by W. of Utica, and 216 miles N.W. of New York. It is on the New York & Oswego Midland Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. It is also the S.E. terminus of the Auburn Branch of the former road. It contains a handsome stone court-house, 8 churches, the Norwich Academy, 2 national banks, a graded school, 2 newspaper offices, a piano-factory, 1 or 2 blast furnaces, a manufactory of hammers, a brewery, a tannery, a foundry, a machine-shop, and several carriage-factories. Pop. 4279; of the township, 5935.
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

1906
Norwich, a banking post-village, capital of Chenango co., N.Y., in Norwich township (town), in a valley on the Chenango River, 42 miles NNE. of Binghamton, on the New York, Ontario and Western and the Lackawanna Rs. It has railroad-shops, blast-furnaces, a manufactory of hammers, foundry, machine-shop, carriage-factories, furniture-works, etc. Pop. in 1900, 5766 ; of the town, 7004.
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 - $100,000 NORWICH FIRE DESTROYS 5 BUILDINGS; DAMAGES BANK BLOCK. FLAMES SWEEP BUSINESS SECTION - SUPREME COURT JUSTICE GLADDING LOSES VALUABLE LIBRARY - BUT HALF OF LOSS COVERED BY INSURANCE.
Norwich, Feb. 5. - Fire which started in the H. S. STARK 5 and 10-cent store in Broad street at 3 o'clock this morning destroyed that and four other wooden structures at a loss of $100,000. A brick block occupied by the Chenango National Bank was seriously damaged.
Among the firms whose property was destroyed are W. H. GRIFFIN, book store; MRS. J. J. BIXBY, E. GRAY, grocery store, and R. H. CHANDLEUR, jewelry shop.

Supreme Court Justice ALBERT F. GLADDING, who occupied offices in the brick building, lost a valuable library.

The insurance on all the property destroyed is said to cover less than half of the loss.

The firemen have been unable to learn definitely the origin of the conflagration, which will go down as one of the most disastrous in the history of Norwich.

Tonight two streams of water are being played on the ruins, which guards are watching the stubbornly smoldering mass to prevent the flames breaking out afresh or a flying spark from kindling another... Read MORE...

1913 - BOY HIT BY CAKE OF ICE HAS LOCKJAW
Norwich, Sept. 23. - Walter Tansey, aged 17 years, who was almost fatally injured while at work at the W. R. C. Home near his home at Oxford, just below here during the afternoon of July 10th, when he was struck on the head by a 200-pound cake of ice, is now seriously [ineligible] at his home with lock-jaw. His illness is a result of the accident in July, it is said.

Young Tansey was at work in the pit of the ice house of the W. R. C. Home on July 10th when a 200-pound cake of ice slipped out from above him and fell, striking him on the head and knocking him unconscious. It was thought at the time that the injury would prove fatal but it did not. His recovery from his present illness is not at all certain. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tansey, well known residents of Oxford. His brother, Thomas Tansey, Jr., was killed by a New York Central train at Utica in August 1912.
Syracuse Herald
Syracuse, New York
September 23, 1913

2023 - Here's a list of some of the best places to go and things to do in Norwich:
Chenango County Historical Society:

Immerse yourself in the local history by visiting the Chenango County Historical Society. The museum showcases artifacts, documents, and exhibits that highlight the rich history of the region. It's a great starting point to understand Norwich's roots.

Guernsey Memorial Library:

If you're a bookworm or just appreciate quiet spaces, the Guernsey Memorial Library is a must-visit. It's not just about books; the library often hosts community events, lectures, and book clubs, making it a hub for local intellectual and social activities.

Norwich Fire Department Museum:

For those interested in firefighting history, the Norwich Fire Department Museum offers a fascinating collection of vintage firefighting equipment and memorabilia. It's a unique and informative experience for visitors of all ages.

Canasawacta Country Club:

Golf enthusiasts can spend a day at the Canasawacta Country Club. The well-maintained course provides a scenic and... Read MORE...