Congregational Church of New Canaan (1843)

The first meeting house of the Congregational Church of Canaan Parish was built in 1732-1733 in New Canaan on Church Hill (known as God’s Acre because of the burying ground one located on the hill, until the graves were later moved elsewhere). A second, larger meeting house was built in 1750-1752. Canaan Parish was incorporated as the Town of New Canaan in 1801. After the second church building was damaged by a lightning strike, it was replaced by the current church, completed in 1843. The church was incorporated as the Congregational Church of New Canaan in 1902.

Alfred Alford House (1838)

The Alfred Alford House is a brick Greek Revival-style residence, built c. 1834-1838 and located at 3 Main Street in Riverton.  Alfred Alford was the brother of Abra Alford, who was the partner of famous chairmaker Lambert Hitchcock, and of Eunice Alford, who married Hitchcock.  The Alford brothers continued the manufacture of chairs in Riverton after Hitchcock moved to Unionville in 1842.  Alfred Alford’s company also produced wood planes.

Thomas Clarkson House (1850)

The Thomas Clarkson House, at 212 Huntington Street in Shelton, is a later Greek Revival house, built c. 1830-1850. According to the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the Huntington Center Historic District, the Clarkson House is essentially a Colonial half-house form with a shallow hipped roof. In addition, the doorway probably once had a traditional Greek Revival-style wide frieze and cornice, but this part of the entablature was later removed.

Sterling Bradley House (1835)

Sterling Bradley was a well-known citizen in nineteenth-century Hamden, who served as a selectman in 1832, 1833 and 1834. In 1829, he inherited the second of two houses built by his father, Amasa Bradley, on Whitney Avenue in the Mount Carmel section of town. As described in The Connecticut Quarterly, Vol. IV, No. 4 (1898):

Sterling Bradley, a life-long resident of Hamden, became the sole proprietor of the Cheshire turnpike during the latter part of the time when toll was collected. His stalwart form was a familiar figure, usually accompanied by a team of unusually fine oxen. At one period his home became the country tavern that furnished refreshment to the throngs of people that traveled over his road.

As described by John H. Dickerman in the Colonial History of the Parish of Mount Carmel (1904):

Sterling Bradley, whose houses and barns still stand as he built them on the old colonial highway, afterward the turnpike, was an early promoter of choice cattle. His Durham stock long held precedence in the town, and his name became proverbial as associated with fine oxen. It was the custom at the County fair to award a liberal premium to the most numerous and best team of oxen exhibited by any town within the county. The team started at or near the home of Sterling Bradley and continued to augment as it proceeded through the town until one hundred and twenty-five yoke of oxen were gathered in the “round up” on New Haven Green. Mount Carmel always carried home the banner of victory when an effort was made to get out its full quota.

While continuing to operate the tavern in the house built by his father, Sterling Bradley built a new house, around 1835, across the street, at 3997 Whitney Avenue.

Avery Lamb House (1841)

Prospect Street in New London is notable for being a well-preserved example of a mid-nineteenth century streetscape, with houses in the Greek Revival style predominating. Sabin Smith laid out Prospect Street in 1837 and then proceeded to sell his holdings. In 1841, Avery Lamb, a cooper, hired builder Lewis Crandall to build two houses, at nos. 16 and 20. Lamb sold the former, but the latter, 20 Prospect Street, became his own house. (Note: the sign on the house itself displays a date of 1836.) (more…)

Former Methodist Church, Essex (1849)

At the corner of Prospect and Main Streets in Essex is a former Methodist church, built in 1849. The Methodists had earlier used a smaller building, also located on Prospect Street, that had been built in 1827. The 1849 church was used until the Methodist Society disbanded, at which time it was given to the Essex Fire Engine Company in 1945. When the existing firehouse was enlarged rather than being moved into the former church, ownership of the building reverted to the town. It was sold to Verplex Realty Company in 1949 and used as a warehouse for many years. The building was later sold again and was eventually converted into a residence. The original steeple has been replaced by a much shorter cupola with glass walls.