Carroll-Burney House (1890)

The house at 90 Central Avenue in East Hartford was built c. 1890. Patrick Garvan had acquired the land in 1871 from Edward Hayden. (It was one of four lots Garvan purchased at the time–the house at 86 Central Avenue would be built c. 1899 on another of the four lots). Joseph E. Carroll, a carpenter and builder, acquired the land and built the house, most likely as a speculation. About 1894, the house was acquired by the Burney sisters, who became its first residents. The house has an L-shaped plan with a tower nestled between the two wings.

Central Christian Church, Danbury (1936)

The origins of Central Christian Church in Danbury go back to 1817, when it established by the Osborne and Wildeman families. It was a founding member of a new denomination, known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which grew out of the religious revival of the early nineteenth century. It is the denomination‘s only church in Connecticut. As related by Rev. E.J. Teagarden, in a contribution to James M. Bailey’s History of Danbury, Conn. (1896):

During the first two years of the life of the church the meetings were held each Lord’s Day at the home of Mr. [Levi] Osborne, situated on the corner of what are now Osborne and Summit streets, but at that time far outside the borough limits. [. . .] In 1819 Mr. Osborne fitted up a room for church purposes in the loft of his weaver’s shop, in the same yard with his house. This room served as a place of meeting for twenty-one years.

[. . .] It was not until the year 1827 that the brotherhood at large became a distinct religious body, known as the Disciples of Christ, or Christian Church; but not until many years later did the church in Danbury adopt the name Disciples of Christ. During the periods mentioned they were known as Osbornites, after the name of Mr. Osborne, who had been the presiding officer and leading spirit from the first.

In 1840, the church began to worship in a new building. According to Teagarden, “This new building stood directly opposite the present site of the New England Hotel, about where the electric-light tower now stands.” In 1853 occurred

the removal of the congregation from White Street to Liberty Street, near Main, their present location. At a cost of $2000 the society purchased a house and lot from the Methodist church, which had vacated it for larger quarters.

In February of 1934, the church on Liberty Street burned down. Two years later, the current church, located at 71 West Street, was dedicated.

Utley-Hubbard House (1830)

The house at 127 Chaplin Street in Chaplin was built c. 1830 (with an ell added c. 1840) for James Russell Utley (1811-1896), a farmer who had a 1,500 acre farm and whose brother, John Kingsbury Utley, lived next door. James R. Utley also served in the state assembly in 1866. In 1938, the Hubbard family moved to the house (also known as the Holt House) and farm from New Britain. After her parents death, Mary MacNaughton Hubbard (called Mollie) lived in the house until 1987. A nature enthusiast, she worked as a scientific illustrator and an academic advisor in the Biology Department at the University of Connecticut. In 1985, Mollie Hubbard donated 38 acres in Chaplin to Joshua’s Trust. The land is known as Hubbard Sanctuary. She also donated land to the Town of Chaplin for its town offices and Edward Garrison Park.

Van Vleck Observatory (1916)

Dedicated in June 1916, Van Vleck Observatory is located at the highest point on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown. It was built to replace Wesleyan’s previous astronomical facilities, which were a tower mounted on a dormitory to serve as an “observatory,” and an astronomy building that was little more than a shed. The new building was funded by Joseph Van Vleck as a memorial to his brother, professor John M. Van Vleck (1833-1912). Professor Van Vleck had already begun planning for the observatory, to which his family had donated more than $25,000 in 1903 to start the fund for its erection, but he died before construction commenced. Henry Bacon, the building‘s architect, designed a number of other buildings for the University, leaving his impact on the Wesleyan campus. Today, the observatory has three onsite telescopes. One of these is a 20″ telescope that recently underwent a restoration in preparation for the Observatory’s 100th anniversary.

Oxford Hotel (1795)

Happy Independence Day! Pictured above is the former Oxford Hotel, at 441 Oxford Road in Oxford. It was built as an inn in 1795 by brothers Daniel and Job Candee, members of an influential Oxford family, to take advantage of the new Oxford Turnpike. Daniel Candee, Oxford’s first postmaster, operated the inn until about 1811, followed by his nephew, David Candee, who was innkeeper until his death in 1851. Frederick Candee then inherited the inn from his father and ran it for about twelve years, during which time he expanded the business to include a general store. In 1865 the business passed through inheritance to David R. Lum and it then had many owners over the years. In 1936 it moved back some thirty feet from the street when Oxford Road was paved with concrete. The hotel was converted into a private residence in 1941 by Eldridge Seeley. He removed the building’s front porches and added additional dormers and the two-story colonnade. In 1950, the building was reopened to the public by James and Dominica DeMaio as a restaurant known as the Oxford House. The restaurant closed in 2011, but the building was renovated in 2013. A new restaurant opened in 2014, but closed in 2016, followed later that year by the opening of the current restaurant.

Charles H. Smith House (1882)

At 53 Pearl Street in Noank is a Victorian house built in 1882. It is known as the Charles H. Smith House. This may be the same Charles H. Smith described in the Legislative History and Souvenir of Connecticut, Vol. VII, 1909-1910:

Charles H. Smith, of Noank, town of Groton. and a native of that town. was born September 10. 1851. He received his education in the public schools of Noank, and 0n November 16, 1872. married Mary E. Potter, who died June 9, 1905. Mr. Smith began the business of boat and yacht building thirtyfive years ago and by industry and honest dealing, built up a large business. About five years ago be disposed of this business to the firm of Smith & Barry. and is now retired. Mr. Smith has always been a staunch Republican, and enjoys the fullest confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. regardless of party affiliations. He is a conservative man and uses his thorough knowledge of public affairs to the best advantage. and his advice is frequently sought in public as well as in private affairs. He has been a member of the General Assembly three terms, in 1891-92, serving as a member of the Committee on Fisheries, in 1895-96, being chairman of the same committee. and this session he was a member of the Committee on Fish and Game.

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