Wheeler Block (Colchester, Connecticut) facts for kids
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Wheeler Block
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 40 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architect | Williams, William A. |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Part of | Colchester Village Historic District (ID94000254) |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000312 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 16, 1993 |
| Designated CP | April 4, 1994 |
The Wheeler Block, also known as the Old Town Hall and the former Ransom School, is a historic building in Colchester, Connecticut. It was built in 1872 and is a great example of Second Empire architecture. This building has been used for many different things over the years, from shops to a school and even the town hall! It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 1993, because of its important history.
Exploring the Wheeler Block's Story
The Wheeler Block is located right in the center of Colchester village. It faces the town green on Norwich Avenue. This building is two and a half stories tall and made of wood. It's built in the Second Empire style, which means it has a special type of roof called a mansard roof. This roof has a unique shape with a steep lower part and a flatter upper part.
The building also has decorative brackets under its roofline. You can see dormer windows on the roof, which have rounded tops. A porch with turned railings and square posts runs across the front of the building. Inside, the building was changed a lot in the 1930s. This was when it became the town hall.
How the Wheeler Block Was Used
The Wheeler Block was built in 1872 by Joshua Wheeler. He was a local merchant and a member of the Masons. The Masons are a very old social group.
- Early Days: When it was first built, the ground floor of the Wheeler Block had shops. The upper floor was used by the local Masonic lodge. This lodge was started in 1781. It was the first Masonic lodge east of the Connecticut River in the state. The Masons were a big part of the town's social life. They used the building's upper floor until 1970.
- Becoming a School: In 1910, Joshua Wheeler's daughter, Emeline Ransom, gave the building to the town. The town then used it as a schoolhouse. Many children in Colchester went to school here! It served as a school until 1936.
- Serving as Town Hall: After being a school, the building became the town hall. This means it was where the town's government worked. It was used as the town hall until 1991. The Wheeler Block has truly played many important roles in Colchester's history!
