East Windsor Hill Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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East Windsor Hill Historic District
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The 1788 John Watson House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by the Scantic River, John Fitch Blvd., Sullivan Ave., and the Connecticut River, South Windsor, Connecticut |
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| Area | 535 acres (217 ha) |
| Built | 1633 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001208 |
| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1986 |
The East Windsor Hill Historic District is a special area in the northwest part of South Windsor, Connecticut, United States. It's like a preserved neighborhood where many old buildings from the past are still standing. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, which means it's recognized as an important historical place.
The district stretches along both sides of Main Street, from the Scantic River down to the Edwards Cemetery. It also includes areas west of Main Street, reaching all the way to the Connecticut River, with some properties along Ferry Lane. Just south of this district is another historic area called Windsor Farms Historic District. East Windsor Hill is known for its well-preserved buildings, mostly homes built between about 1700 and 1860, showing traditional local styles.
Exploring East Windsor Hill's Past
The East Windsor Hill area was first settled in 1638 by families who came from Windsor, Connecticut, which is just across the Connecticut River. These two communities became connected by the first ferry service to cross the river. This ferry started in 1648, thanks to a person named John Bissell. The eastern side of the ferry was located at the end of Ferry Lane, near where the Scantic River meets the Connecticut River. You can still see an old ferry tavern house from around 1750 in this area.
For a long time, East Windsor Hill was mostly a farming community. But in the 1830s, a special school called the Theological Institute of Connecticut opened here, which brought more life to the village. Even though the original school buildings are no longer there, you can still find homes where people connected to the institute used to live.
Amazing Old Buildings and Styles
The buildings in East Windsor Hill show many different styles from over 150 years of history. Most of them are homes built in a local, traditional way. Some houses are in the fancy Federal style, which were often built for merchants who traded farm goods from the area.
Many well-known local builders created homes in this village. You can see some beautiful examples of carved doorways, which are a famous feature of homes in the Connecticut River valley. One of the best examples of the Greek Revival style is the grand home of Bennett Tyler, built in 1835. He was the first president of the Theological Institute, and his house is a great example of this elegant architectural style.
