Experience 300 Years of Norwich History
The primary goal of this website is to educate the public about Norwich, Connecticut’s rich heritage and history spanning the 300-year period from 1659 to 1959. The site offers quick and easy access to an extensive collection of media, focusing on Norwich’s historical events, places, and other interesting tidbits.
This site is entirely free of charge
IconicNorwich.org features over 3,000 concise articles and numerous historical maps of Norwich. The articles are organized into more than 30 categories. The Bibliography connects you to thousands of historical web-based links from Norwich. Several quizzes, prepared presentations, and crossword puzzles are provided to enhance the learning environment.
You are invited to add or contribute to new or existing placemarks by filling out the form in the “Contribute Article” section.
Recent Updates to IconicNorwich.org
Posted a major to the Bibliography: Click Here
Updated the “Find Articles” search tables: Click Here
Added Book: Norwich History Never Gets Old: Click Here
Updated: 1803 Map of Norwich: Click Here
Added St. Patrick’s Cathedral Pamphlet: Click Here
1956 Fire at Taftville’s Sacred Heart
Norwich History … It Never Gets Old
On April 29, 1956, a fire broke the hearts of Taftville residents. It was on a Sunday, at the 8 o’clock Mass. The Reverend Henri Laurion smelled smoke, as did most of the parishioners at Sacred Heart that morning. He turned on the altar and announced to the congregation that they should leave the church in an orderly manner because it was on fire.
The thick fog that morning made for an eerie sight as the people left the church. Several in the congregation were volunteer firemen, and with the firehouse just a block up Merchants Avenue, they ran to sound the alarm and get the firefighting equipment. What followed was the greatest demonstration of volunteerism ever seen in Taftville.
Volunteer firemen arrived quickly from everywhere. The following, in no particular order, joined Taftville at the scene: Yantic, East Great Plain, Occum, Jewett City, Lisbon, Willimantic, Sub Base, Groton Borough, Konomoc (New London), Montville, Mohegan, Joseph Perkins, Central, Baltic, Laurel Hill, Poquetanuck, Preston City, Pachaug, Voluntown, Bozrah, Andover, Columbia, South Windham, North Windham, Eagleville, and Mansfield. In all, more than 200 firefighters responded with approximately 30 pieces of equipment from 26 companies.
There was little need for a powerful, “Unified Command” structure for these brave, dedicated firefighters and firefighting companies. Decentralized fire companies have protected Norwich citizens for more than 250 years.
You can learn about several historic Norwich fires by clicking the links below:
1956 Taftville Sacred Heart, 1950 & 1876 -Almshouse Fires, and the 1909 – Shannon Building Fire.
Click HERE, to read previous “Norwich History … It Never Gets Old,” articles.
1956 – Fire at Sacred Heart
1950 & 1876 – Almshouse Fires
New “Norwich HIstory … It Never Gets Old,”
articles are posted here on Fridays
An historical fiction novel by Bob Dees about Norwich's 1850s Gold Mining Co.
Click On Image To Learn More
The IconicNorwich.org website was designed, developed, and is maintained by Bob Dees