1853 Train Accident on the New London,
Willimantic & Palmer Line
The New London, Willimantic & Palmer Railroad (NLW&P) was was the first railroad to provide a direct rail line between Norwich and New London. Prior to 1848 travelers had to take a steamship from Chelsea Harbor to the mouth of the Thames.
In general, passengers and freight was transported quickly and safely. However, on March 17, 1853 the train ran off the rails. Wood-engraving from the Illustrated News, April 16, 1853. The accident occurred about two miles south of the city of Norwich on March 17, 1853. A locomotive on the New London, Willimantic & Palmer Railroad ran off the track and ran into a house, detaching the kitchen and buttery. A woman inside the house was injured but no one was killed. An article Illustrated News 04/16/1853 magazine states:
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“I send you enclosed a rough sketch of a very singular railroad accident, which occurred on the 17th of the prior month, on the N.L. P. & Willimantic Railroad, about two miles below the city of Norwich Connecticut. The road winds along by the side of the beautiful river Thames, and the spot where the accident took place is one of the most romantic that could be imagined.”
“As you can see by the drawing, a short curve is taken between the house and the ridge on the left. The train was under full headway – running too fast, detaching itself from the cars, and cut through and into the house on the right, tearing away.”
Acknowledgements
Wikipedia
Railway & Locomotive Historical Society
JSTOR
1869 Railroad Bridge Accident
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Acknowledgements
Wikipedia
Railway & Locomotive Historical Society
JSTOR
1876 Almshouse Fire
Norwich has made provision for poor and/or mentally disabled people for hundreds of years. Throughout New England, prior to 1800, poorhouses frequently settled near adjacent farms where paupers could labor to raise their own food, care for animals, and contribute to their welfare and upkeep as much as possible. These farms were commonly called “poor farms” the extent and locations of which varied widely from town to town.
From 1790-1800 Norwich citizens in need of these services were sent to the Hazen Farm in Baltic. The town of Norwich provided funds for residents at the farm, however, due to its location far away from the hub of Norwich, the costs were high.
In 1800 a more cost-effective poor house, located on Washington Street near the heart of Norwich proper, was established. The facility, the first Almshouse in Norwich, put into service in 1800. However, as the city prospered, successful merchants, bankers, manufactures and sea captains who owned mansions on Washington Street forced the poor farm to move to a more suitable location.
In 1819 a new Almshouse was built on the west side of the Yantic River, near the present-day Estelle Cohen Dog Park on Asylum Street. Over the years, both poor and mentally disabled were cared for in the facility.
The Almshouse was rebuilt and the new facility, as appeared in 1898, is shown on the left. Upon the opening of the Norwich State Hospital for the Insane in October 1904 the mentally disturbed residents from the Almshouse were moved to the Hospital.
The Almshouse was ultimately abandoned, sold and was destroyed by fire in 1956.
Acknowledgements
“Alms House Conflagration 1876”, by Beryl Fishbone, 11/14/2016
Almshouse, 1898 on Asylum Street ~ Facebook ~ Curated by Dave Oat
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Almshouse” in the SEARCH box.
FLOOD OF 1876
Two weeks after the Almshouse fire, in late March 1876, Norwich suffered a flood that caused widespread damage and loss of life.
Heavy rains, over an extended period, filled the reservoirs along the Yantic, Quinebaug, and Shetucket Rivers. The first notice that Norwich citizens heard was the alarm of the city hall bell. The bell was a summons for assistance to clear the warehouses on the riverfront, as the immense volumes of water discharged from the three rivers. The water level of the Thames rose above the wharves and serious destruction of property resulted throughout much of downtown Norwich.
Thankfully, the Greeneville Dam held despite twelve feet of water flowing over it. The Taftville Dam also held with ten feet of water flowing over its rollway. The most serious damage was done to the Baltic Dam. Its bulkhead washed away and the dam was undermined.
Seven people died and the loss was estimated at $500,000 ($12,000,000 in today’s dollars). The Norwich & Worcester sections of the New York and New England Railroad, and the New London Northern Railroad was badly washed out in several places.
Acknowledgements
Hartford Daily Courant 03/27/1876
Connecticut Historical Society
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “flood” in the SEARCH box.