Hadlyme Ferry Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hadlyme Ferry Historic District
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 150, 151, 158, 159, 162-1, 162-2 Ferry Rd. and ferry slip, Hadlyme, Lyme, Connecticut |
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| Area | 11.5 acres (4.7 ha) |
| Architectural style | Federal, Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001444 |
| Added to NRHP | December 21, 1994 |
The Hadlyme Ferry Historic District is a special area in Lyme, Connecticut. It has old buildings connected to the Chester–Hadlyme Ferry. This district is found at the eastern end of the ferry route across the Connecticut River. People have used ferries here since at least 1769! The district includes six old houses built in the late 1700s or early 1800s. It also has the spot where the ferry docks. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
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Exploring the Hadlyme Ferry District
For a long time, there were no bridges over the lower Connecticut River. This was true until the early 1900s. Because of this, ferry services were super important. They helped people and goods move across the river. Ferries also created busy centers for trade and business.
History of the Ferry Service
The first official permission to run a ferry here was given in 1769. It went to Jonathan Warner. But some old papers suggest a ferry might have been running even earlier, around the 1690s! Imagine how long people have been crossing the river at this spot.
The oldest building in the district was built in 1760. It's a classic Georgian style house. This style was popular when King George ruled England. Later, a fancy Federal style entrance was added. This was in the late 1700s or early 1800s.
What You'll See in the District
The Hadlyme Ferry Historic District starts at the ferry dock. It goes up Connecticut Route 148 (Ferry Road) to where it meets Geer Hill Road. The land slopes up quite steeply from the river. This means there wasn't much space to build. The famous Gillette Castle State Park is just north of the district.
All six houses in the district were built before 1820. They show either the Federal or Colonial Georgian style. One of the buildings might have even been a shop back in the day!
Historic Homes and Sites
Here are some of the important buildings and places in the district:
- Samuel Brooks House, 151 Ferry Road: Built around 1760. It looks Colonial but has a beautiful Federal style doorway.
- Isaac Spenser House, 162-1 Ferry Road: Built in 1790. It's also Colonial in shape with five window bays. It has a Federal style doorway with a special fan-shaped window called a fanlight.
- William Spencer House: Built in 1805.
- 159 Ferry Road: Built around 1800. This house has a gable-front, meaning the pointed roof end faces the street.
- Comstock House, 150 Ferry Road: Built around 1820. This is a later Federal style house. It also has a fanlight in its tympanum (the space above a doorway).
- Ferry House, 162-2 Ferry Road: Built around 1780.
- Ferry slip site: This is the actual spot where the ferry docks.
There are also some newer buildings in the district. These include four garages from the early 1900s. There are also other small buildings linked to the ferry. It's interesting to note that the ferry's path itself is not part of the historic district. The modern ferry is seen as a temporary visitor to the historic views.
