East Haddam Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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East Haddam Historic District
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The Nathan Hale Schoolhouse
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | CT 149, Broom, Norwich, Creamery, Lumberyard, and Landing Hill Rds., East Haddam, Connecticut |
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| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001273 |
| Added to NRHP | April 29, 1983 |
The East Haddam Historic District is a special area in East Haddam, Connecticut. It covers about 110-acre (45 ha) of land. This district shows how two old settlements, called Upper Landing and Lower Landing, grew over time. These settlements were started in the 1700s on the east side of the Connecticut River.
The district is long and narrow, following Route 149. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's a place recognized for its important history. You can see many different building styles from the 1700s and 1800s here. The district also includes important town buildings and the famous Goodspeed Opera House. There are also two monuments, one for Nathan Hale and another for General Joseph Spencer, plus a park and a cemetery.
A Look Back in Time
East Haddam was first settled in 1685. It was originally part of another town called Haddam. In 1695, ferry boats started crossing the river here. This helped the area grow.
How the Landings Grew
The Upper and Lower Landings first grew separately. But over time, they joined together to form one long village. This happened because the land to the east was very steep, which made it hard to build in that direction.
Both landings were very busy until the American Civil War (1861-1865). They were important centers for trade with places like the East and West Indies. This means ships brought goods from far away to these landings.
Changes After the War
After the Civil War, the landings became less important for trade. This was because railroads became the main way to move goods. The railroad tracks were built on the west side of the river, away from the landings.
Today, the southern landing is more popular for tourists. It's where the East Haddam Bridge is now located. This area also has the main shops and businesses of the village.
Images for kids
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The Nathan Hale Schoolhouse, a historic building in the district.
