Old Saybrook South Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Saybrook South Green
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Old Boston Post Rd., Pennywise Lane, Main St., Old Saybrook, Connecticut |
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| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Early Republic, and Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001984 |
| Added to NRHP | September 3, 1976 |
The Old Saybrook South Green is a special historic area in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It covers about 20-acre (8.1 ha) and includes a historic town green and nearby streets. This area was first set up in the 1630s. Many buildings around the green were built between 1760 and 1900. They show how important the town was as a port and shipbuilding center. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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Discovering the Old Saybrook South Green
This historic district is a place where you can see a lot of history. It's like a time capsule showing how people lived and worked long ago. The area is shaped roughly like a triangle. It is bordered by Main Street, Old Boston Post Road, and Pennywise Lane.
How Old Saybrook Began
Old Saybrook was started in 1635. It was a Puritan English colony. The first settlement was on a piece of land called Saybrook Neck. This land separated North Cove from Long Island Sound. The Connecticut River was on the west side.
Growing as a Town
The colony grew and became very successful. It was known for building ships and trading by sea. Over time, the main part of the town moved west. It settled where the town center is today, on the west side of the cove.
The Town Green's Story
The town green was created around 1760. Soon, many large and beautiful houses were built around it. These homes belonged to successful business people and important politicians. The area continued to do well economically into the late 1800s. The buildings you see today show this rich history.
Important Buildings to See
There are several very old and famous buildings in the district:
- The Gen. William Hart House was built around 1767. It is the oldest building here. It is also listed separately on the National Register.
- The Humphrey Pratt Tavern from about 1785 is another important building.
- The James Pharmacy is also individually listed on the National Register.
There are also important buildings that are not homes:
- The Grace Episcopal Church was built in 1872. It has a Gothic Revival style.
- The Masonic Hall was built around 1830. It has a Greek Revival style.
