South Glastonbury Historic District facts for kids
|
South Glastonbury Historic District
|
|
The South Glastonbury Library, a former church building
|
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | High, Hopewell, Main and Water Sts.; also 999-1417 and 1032-1420 Main St., 6,7 Chestnut Hill Rd., Glastonbury, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 75 acres (30 ha) (1984 size) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Colonial, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000250 (original) 09000343 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1984 |
| Boundary increase | September 24, 2009 |
The South Glastonbury Historic District is a special area in Glastonbury, Connecticut, United States. It's like a protected neighborhood where many old and important buildings are kept safe. This district includes the historic village center of South Glastonbury. People first started living here way back in the 1600s!
This area was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's recognized as a place with important history. Later, in 2009, the district was made even bigger. It now includes more properties along Main Street, reaching all the way to Chestnut Hill Road. Locals often call this cool historic spot SoG.
Contents
Exploring South Glastonbury's Past
How the Village Began
In the 1600s, the flat lands near the river in South Glastonbury were used as farms. These farms belonged to people from Wethersfield, which was one of Connecticut's very first settlements. By the late 1600s, enough people lived in the area that Glastonbury became its own town in 1693.
At that time, the Rocky Hill–Glastonbury ferry was the only way to cross the river between Glastonbury and Rocky Hill. High Street, which goes east from the ferry, is actually the oldest road in Glastonbury! South Glastonbury grew into the town's first main village. This growth was helped by mills built on Roaring Brook. These mills ground grain and cut wood.
Growth and Change Over Time
Over time, more industries came to South Glastonbury. In the 1800s, textile mills, which made cloth, and other factories opened. This made the village grow even more. However, by the early 1900s, many of these industries had closed down or were not doing as well.
Important Buildings in the District
The heart of the village looks a bit like a triangle. It includes parts of Main, High, and Water Streets. In this area, there are 83 buildings that help tell the story of the past. These are called "contributing resources" because they add to the historic feel of the district.
One interesting building is the public library. It used to be a Methodist Church built in 1828. There's also a house at 120 High Street that dates back to around 1740. Another cool building is St. Augustine's Church, built around 1878. It has a special style called Carpenter Gothic.
The oldest building still standing in the district is the Tryon House at 879 Main Street, built around 1731. Also, one building in the district was already famous before the district was created. This is the Welles-Shipman-Ward House. It's a beautiful Georgian-style house built around 1755.
Modern Life in South Glastonbury
South Glastonbury is not just about history; it's also a place where people live today. For example, Nayaug Elementary School opened here in August 2007. This shows how the area continues to grow and change while still honoring its past.
Images for kids
-
The South Glastonbury Library, a former church building
