West Goshen Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Goshen Historic District
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Postcard depicting a schoolhouse in West Goshen (1911 postmark)
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by CT 4, Beach, Mill and Milton Sts., and Thompson Rd., Goshen, Connecticut |
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| Area | 29 acres (12 ha) |
| Built | 1790 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal, Vernacular Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000982 |
| Added to NRHP | October 23, 1987 |
The West Goshen Historic District is a special area in the village of West Goshen, located in Goshen, Connecticut. It's like a preserved snapshot of an old industrial village from the early 1800s. This district includes twenty important buildings that show how people lived and worked long ago. Most of these buildings are found along Connecticut Route 4. This historic district was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, recognizing its importance.
Contents
Discovering West Goshen's Past
The village of West Goshen is west of Goshen's main center. For a long time, it was quite isolated. Things changed around 1770 when the Sharon Turnpike, now known as Connecticut Route 4, was built. This road helped the area grow.
Early Mills and Water Power
Even before the road, people saw the potential for power from the local rivers. As early as the 1740s, there were mills here. A gristmill ground grain, and a sawmill cut wood. These mills used the power of flowing water to operate their machinery.
Growth of an Industrial Village
A big change happened in 1810 when a woolen mill was built. Goshen had many sheep, so this mill was perfect for processing their wool. To support the mill, homes were built for the workers. Soon, a small village quickly grew around the factory. The West Goshen Store, built in 1814, is one example of the new buildings from this busy time.
Changes Over Time
The village started to decline around the time of the American Civil War. This was because factories began using new types of power instead of water power. The old water-powered mills became less important.
Exploring the Historic District
The West Goshen Historic District covers about 29 acres. It stretches along Route 4, between Beach Street and Thompson Road. A part of the Marshepaug River flows through the area. This is where the old mills once stood, though only their foundations remain today.
Buildings and Architecture
Most of the buildings in the district are homes. They were built in the early 1800s. Many show the Federal or Greek Revival styles. These styles were very popular at the time. Some buildings are even older, and a few date to the 1880s.
Important Non-Residential Buildings
Besides homes, there are other interesting buildings. The former West Goshen Store, located at 330 Route 4, is one. Another is a former carding mill at 331 Route 4, which was built in 1818. These buildings help us understand the village's history.
