The striking 14-story Art Deco building at 140 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport was built in 1928 as the Hotel Beach. Named for Francis E. Beach, the local merchant who owned the land on which it was constructed, the name was changed within a year to the Hotel Barnum, named after P. T. Barnum. The hotel has an interesting terraced profile and is an Art Deco design, with eclectic elements, including English brickwork, Egyptian detailing and an Italian palazzo front. The building was designed by the firm of Thomas, Martin and Fitzpatrick and was lauded in the press upon its construction for bringing a “cosmopolitan” style to the city. In later years it was a residential hotel and then became an apartment building known as the Barnum House.
Great info, thanks! One of our favorite Connecticut hotels is Spa at Norwich Inn. It’s really nice and immersed in great scenery.
Amazingly so the hotel still stands today.I remember it having a coffee shop in the front if I am thinking correctly.MY how times change things.BPT.has seen so many changes.
RICH SATTANNI/AUTHOR/HISTORIAN/BPT.CT.
Scammell was hired to design it China sets in 1928. Emil Schnepf was the designer.
Is there now or was there ever an Barnum Arcade under the Barnum Hotel-possibly in the late 60’s to early 70’s?
I was born in 1940 and there was a Barnum Arcade on Main St towards John St. when I was a kid. If I remember correctly there was a jewelry store there where I bought my first engagement ring in 1959.
I remember the arcade – I used to go there as a kid with my parents in the late 1950’s / early 1960’s. There was barber shop in the arcade (where I used to get my hair cut) and a cocktail lounge (I used to like the pink elephants that were painted on the walls there). Does anyone remember a toy store nearby named “Blinn’s”?
The Arcade was across the street and the back entrance to Howland’s ? was there and quite a few shops. there was a nice mens clothing store and a formal ladies shop also. And a furrier near by. I think I remember dining there as well. I had my wedding at the Barnum Hotel in 1963.It was very formal and elegant at that time. And I definitely remember Blinns!!!!
Wonderful info guys!
My family grew in the area in the thirties and i wander if she is still there what is her purpose and her ‘Name”,thanks, Jack
When the facility became the Barnum Hotel in 1929, the management hired the American Hotel Company to install a new accounting system and my father was sent as the field auditor to make the change. He and his new bride stayed at an apartment on nearby Coleman Street, and I was born at Bridgeport Hospital that June. Thank you for the great reminder of my family history.
In doing family research, I have learned my great grandfather worked at this hotel in 1941, when he filled out his military registration card, at age 62. I’m so glad to see a nice photo from far away! Thank you
Does anyone know when the Hotel Barnum closed before becoming apartments? I have a lamp from the Hotel that my grandfather acquired when it closed. He served as Vice-President of Goodwill Industries around that time and the lamp was acquired in the clean-up and donations. I would like to have this little bit of knowledge for my records and can not seem to find anything in internet searches.
I had a shoe shine box assigned to me by the PAL (Police Athletic League) along with a license for my location. That location was on Fairfield Avenue outside of the Barnum Hotel. That was in 1957=1959.
I worked at the Barnum Hotel in @ 1958. I staffed both the ice cream shop and the lounge which then served a rather sophisticated menu including carved to order roasts. The ice cream shop was often visited by a local women’s softball team—the Raybestos(sp?) Brakettes(sp?). I remember them as being friendly and great tippers!!! The ice cream shop and Pink Flamingo Lounge were on opposite sides of the entrance to the Barnum Arcade
“Blinns” was a very successful toy store.
Hope this helps, Mr. Sattanni.
I AM from the eastside/east end…i left BPT. in 67…for military service…USMC which became a career..every time i visited just driving around broke my heart…as years passed i along with my daughter of around 9 at the time went to visit my mother in Seymour..on the way home to Williamsburg va…i drove through east bpt..to show her my grade school Holy Rosary and high school..Kolbe….she looked at me like i was from another world,then i realized she grew up in the suburbs every place we lived…..We owned a tuxedo and custom tailors on artic st..Guerras. i have to admit unless she could have seen BPT.when it prospered i most likely would have thought the same.All the old homes were well kept with front garden flowers..all the businesses were neat,,,My uncle a BPT. historical .painter of BPT said to me everything must change thats the way of the world Lou Trapasso RIP….ANYWAY i visit what remaining friends and family i have left there every few years…but now i understand why the all moved to the valley. PS i enlisted with 5 of my friends in 67…of that one died in Rvn one was badly wounded,,,the rest of us never moved back,,,3 of us are USMC lifers…
I just found out my grandmother worked as a barmaid here in the 50s. I wish there were photos of the inside!
It kind of resembles the Baker Hotel in Texas.