Hanover, Connecticut facts for kids
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Hanover is a small village located in Sprague, which is part of New London County in Connecticut, United States. It's a quiet place with a small population. The main road, Hanover Road, connects to other important routes like Route 138 and Route 14. Another road, Salt Rock Road, leads to Route 97.
The Little River flows through the eastern part of Hanover. The biggest body of water here is the Hanover Reservoir. In the heart of the village, you can find some very old houses. Some of these homes are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ZIP Code for Hanover is 06350.
Contents
Hanover's Early Days
Hanover is the oldest settlement in the town of Sprague. It was settled long before Sprague even became a town.
Forming a Community
In 1760, people living in Hanover wanted to create their own church community. They asked the government, called the General Assembly, for permission. In 1761, their request was approved. This allowed them to form an "ecclesiastical society," which was a group focused on church matters.
The First Church
The Hanover Congregational Church was officially started in 1766. Two years later, in 1768, Reverend Andrew Lee became its first pastor. His old house can still be seen today on "Lee's Hill." Later, in 1860, the Hanover society became part of the town of Lisbon, Connecticut. But just one year later, in 1861, Hanover became part of the newly formed town of Sprague.
Mills and Industry in Hanover
The Little River was very important to Hanover's growth. The Mohegan people, who lived here first, called it the Appaquag.
Powering the Mills
This river provided power for many different kinds of mills. There were mills for grinding grain, cutting wood, and making silk, wool, paper, and rubber. The most famous of these was the Allen Woolen Company. This mill used water from the Hanover Reservoir to power its machines. The reservoir also supplied drinking water to the village homes.
Important Mill Owners
Ethan Allen, one of the early owners of the woolen mill, had a house that still stands on Main Street in Hanover. He was named after a famous hero of the Revolutionary War. When Sprague became a town in 1861, Ethan Allen was chosen as its first leader, known as the First Selectman.
In 1899, Angus Park took over the company and changed its name to Airlie Mills. After he passed away in 1929, his son, William G. Park, ran the company. Later, Angus Park's grandson, also named Angus Park, took over. Sadly, the mill burned down in 1975 and was never rebuilt. The homes of the elder Angus Park and William Park are still on Main Street, close to Ethan Allen's house.
Famous People from Hanover
Many interesting people have lived in Hanover over the years.
Leaders and Artists
- Rev. Andrew Lee: He was the first pastor of the Congregational Church.
- Ethan Allen: He owned a mill and was the first leader of Sprague.
- Angus Park: He started the Airlie Mills company.
- Francis J. Foley: He became a judge in the Connecticut Superior Court.
- Leo Connellan: He was named the State Poet Laureate, a special honor for a poet.
- Lucy Baker: She was a talented artist.
- Glenn Alan Cheney: He is a writer and translator.
- Carol Dunn: She was the Warden of York Correctional Institution and also an artist.
