Sharon Valley Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sharon Valley Historic District
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Valley Tavern, 2008
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jct. of Sharon Valley and Sharon Station Rds., Sharon, Connecticut |
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| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004478 |
| Added to NRHP | September 9, 1982 |
The Sharon Valley Historic District is a special area in Sharon, Connecticut. It's found where Kings Hill, Sharon Valley, and Sharon Station roads meet. This small community grew because of iron mining and factories in the late 1800s. It was the first big industry in Sharon.
Many buildings in the district are from that time. Some are great examples of old architectural styles. You can also see parts of the old factories and three iron bridges. This area became a historic district and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
Exploring Sharon Valley's Location
The Sharon Valley Historic District covers about 110 acres (45 hectares). It mostly follows the three roads that cross in the middle. The area is located between two creeks, Webutuck and Indian Lake.
What You'll See in the District
This area is mostly flat with homes and tall, old trees. These trees are left over from the forests that were here before farms. The main intersection is about one mile (1.6 km) north of CT 343. It's also about 1,000 feet (300 meters) east of the New York state line.
The closest towns are Amenia, New York, to the west and downtown Sharon to the east. Another large historic area, the Coleman Station Historic District, is a short distance northwest.
Buildings and History in the Valley
Most of the buildings that make this a historic district are 19th-century houses. You might also see old barns. The oldest homes are in the Federal style and were built around 1825. The newest ones were built in the early 1900s. Some newer houses are not considered part of the historic period. The land where the old factories and lime kiln once stood is also part of the historic district.
Sharon Valley's Industrial Past
For many years, Sharon's economy was all about farming. Then, in 1825, heavy industry came to Sharon. The first iron furnace was built here. Sharon Valley was a perfect spot for this. It had good water power from the two creeks. There were also plenty of forests for making charcoal, good sand, and limestone nearby. Iron ore was also found near Indian Lake to the north.
The Sharon Valley Iron Company
The Sharon Valley Iron Company (SVI) started with a cold blast furnace. At first, it employed 12 workers. This made it the biggest employer in town by 1850. Over time, they built six houses for their workers and a barn. They also built the Carpenter Gothic office building. Today, this building is known as the Valley Tavern. They probably also ran a lime kiln as a side business.
Hotchkiss and Sons: A Family Business
A few years after SVI started, Asahel Hotchkiss began his malleable iron works. This was located behind his house at 53 Sharon Valley Road. He worked with other local business owners. By 1850, he was also a major employer. The census that year showed he had nine workers. His business made about $25,000 worth of products each year.
His son, Andrew, invented the exploding artillery shell. This weapon was very helpful to the Union Army during the American Civil War. By the time the war started, the Hotchkiss family had moved to a new factory. This factory was at the crossing of Indian Lake Creek and Sharon Valley Road. In 1860, the Hotchkiss & Sons company, along with Jewett Manufacturing, employed 87 people.
Changes and Decline in Industry
SVI switched to hot blast production in 1863. After the Civil War, Hotchkiss moved his business to Bridgeport. The Jewett company stayed in the valley. In 1879, they employed 48 workers.
However, demand for iron products went down later in the century. SVI sold its business in 1898. The lime kiln and furnace closed down around two years later.
Important Historic Buildings and Sites
- Berlin Bridge: This bridge crosses Webutuck Creek on Sharon Station Road. It's a special type of bridge called a lenticular truss bridge. The Berlin Bridge Company built it in 1880. Local people brought it here and put it together. It's the most interesting looking of the three bridges in the district.
- Asahel Hotchkiss House, 53 Sharon Valley Road: This is one of the oldest houses in the district. It was the home of Asahel Hotchkiss, one of the main business owners in the area.
- Lime kiln ruins, Sharon Station Road at Webutuck Creek: You can still see a stone foundation and some blocks here. This is what's left of the old lime kiln. It's one of the few remaining parts of Sharon Valley's old factories.
- Valley Tavern, 34 Sharon Valley Road: This unique Carpenter Gothic house was once the office for the Sharon Valley Iron Company. It's located at the intersection with Sharon Station Road.
- Abel Woods House, 36 Sharon Valley Road: Some local stories say this house was built in 1750. But it was probably built around 1825. People say it has some of the most detailed Federal style interiors in Connecticut.
