Historic Buildings of Connecticut

Exploring the Nutmeg State One Building at a Time

Mansard

Thomaston Opera House (1884)

The Thomaston Opera House was built in 1884 by the town of Thomaston as a multi-purpose building to serve as both town hall and theater. The stylistically eclectic structure was designed by architect Robert Hill. Granite for the building came from the Plymouth Granite Quarry in town and the bricks were made at the Seth Thomas Brick Factory. In the 1930s, the Opera House became a movie theater, but was little used in later years until eventually the building was closed for fire code violations in 1963. The Thomaston Opera House Commission worked to raise money to save the condemned landmark building from demolition. It was restored and rededicated in 1968. In recent years, the nonprofit group running the Opera House fell into debt and operations ceased in 2010. As of 2012, the Opera House will reopen under the management of the Landmark Community Theater Company.

25 Prospect Street, New London (1838)

The house at 25 Prospect Street in New London is a notable early example of the work of Lewis Crandall, a carpenter and builder. Built in 1838-1839, the Greek Revival house has a French Second Empire tower, added later.

Charles H. Russell Block (1882)

The Charles H. Russell Block, 374-384 Atlantic Street in Bridgeport, is a four-unit block of row houses built in 1882. Based on circumstantial evidence, the building has been attributed to the architectural firm of Palliser, Palliser & Company. The block is part of a planned development of working-class housing, innovatively designed by the Pallisers on land owned by P.T. Barnum.

George W. Fuller House (1875)

At 96 Webster Street in Hartford is a house in the Italian Villa style with a prominent Second Empire-style Mansard-roofed tower. The house, which has been significantly enlarged, has lost most of its original detailing and has unattractive modern siding, but still has a commanding presence. It was built around 1875 for George W. Fuller, who had a store that sold trunks and luggage.

William and George Gould House (1875)

William and George Gould were prolific builders in Bridgeport who constructed the renouned George Hotel and St. Mary’s By The Sea Church (neither of which remains standing today). The brothers lived in a double house they built at 119–121 Seabright Avenue in Black Rock in 1875. George sold his north half to Hugo Keller in 1901 and William sold his south half to Joseph Smith about 1906.

Henry Magill House (1861)

The Henry Magill House, at 390 Palisado Avenue in Windsor, is a brick French Second Empire style residence, built for Henry Magill, a farmer, in 1861.

William H. Barns House (1852)

Dates given for the William H. Barns House, at 17 Granite Street in New London, vary widely, including 1850, 1852, 1865 and 1875. Perhaps the house was built in the 1850s in the Italianate style, with the Second Empire mansard roof being added later. The Colonial Revival front entrance is probably also a later alteration. The house also has unusual flush board walls. William H. Barns, son of Acors Barns, succeeded his father as president of the National Bank of Commerce, serving from 1862 to 1866. He was also involved in the founding of other banks.