CHOOSE A Notable PLace
In addition to the Norwich Notable Places described in this section of the Iconic Norwich website, there are 36 Norwich based, nationally recognized National Register of Historic Places. A description of these can be accessed by clicking on the button below.
Breed Hall (1860-1970)
John Breed was the Mayor of Norwich in the early 1840s. He was a successful hardware merchant and Frances Manwaring Caulkins said of him “Mr. Breed had himself become so identified with the city, that he seemed a part of it, … always present at its public meetings, always interested in the passing discussions, and always firm and downright in his positions”.
Breed Hall was located on Washington Square, conveniently near the heart of Norwich. John Breed designed the building such that it could be used for lectures, concerts and other large assemblies. Breed Hall was opened in February 1860. His design concept was an absolute success. The building was used for over 100 years for purposes ranging from Civil War meetings to screening films.
The Civil War began in the spring of 1861. Only a year after Breed Hall opened, the Governor of Connecticut, William A. Buckingham (also a citizen of Norwich), issued a call for volunteers to fill Connecticut’s quota for soldiers. On Saturday evening, April 20, 1861, a meeting was held at Breed Hall where eloquent speeches were made and patriotic resolutions carried. At the same time the galleries and adjoining offices were occupied by women busily employed in making garments for Norwich’s volunteer soldiers. The work did not cease upon the Sabbath. Labor and prayer went together throughout the day.
Four years later, on the morning of April 10, 1865, the news of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender reached Norwich. It was a day of great rejoicing. Mayor J. Lloyd Greene ordered ringing of bells and the firing of guns. At noon a jubilee meeting was held at Breed Hall. The event featured tumult and noise, but with earnest expressions of gratitude and praise. Cheering addresses were made, prayers were offered, and hymns were sung in Breed Hall.
The next year, when the remains of the Norwich soldiers who died in dreary captivity at Andersonville were returned by George W. Smith, commemorative services were held at Breed Hall.
For many years, Breed Hall was also used as a theater. In the October 1, 1909 issue of the Norwich Bulletin the “What Is Going On Tonight” column announced that “Moving Pictures and Illustrated Songs” would be at the Breed Theater. Later in column, it notes :
“Again the Breed Theater comes to the front with one of the finest feature motion pictures seen here this season and the fascinating and mystical’ title of “Comata, the Sioux”, serves but to increase the interest which is manifested in the picturesque silent drama. Aside from the educational value and scenic splendor of the picture, the very thrilling and touching story of the forsaken bride … “.
An October 1921 advertisement in the Norwich Bulletin for the 1920 film, “The County Fair” is shown below.
THE COUNTY FAIR
In October of 1921, the businesses of the town of Norwich went all out to be associated with the local premier of the 1920 film “The County Fair”. The degree to which the local community identified with the characters and moral of the homey film, in which a kindly but aged New England woman who can’t pay the mortgage on her farm is saved by the victory of her horse in a race at the county fair, is evidenced by this full page of advertising, with the film showing at its center. Each local business has associated itself with some counterpart in the cast or in settings central to the plot of the movie.
Excerpt from “The County Fair Film (1920) in Norwich Connecticut“, by Christine Gauvreau
Several years later, in 1928, the first talking movie played in Eastern Connecticut, Al Jolson’s “The Jazz Singer” was shown at the Breed Theater.
The Breed Theater burned down in 1970.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, (pp 655,657,677,692), by Frances Manwaring Calkins
“Civil War Photos Shed Light on History”, (03/27/2011), by James Craven
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Breed Hall” in the SEARCH box.
Broadway (Davis) Theater 1906-1942
Located on Broadway at the corner of Willow Street. The Davis Theatre was opened by 1906. By 1926 it had been renamed Broadway Theater. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. It was closed around 1942 and was demolished around 1950.
Acknowledgements
“Broadway Theater”, CinemaTreasures.org
Franklin Square
Franklin Square, formerly known as Centennial Square, is located at the heart of downtown Norwich. The square has changed dramatically over the years, however it has always been a transportation hub and a gathering spot.
The picture of Franklin Square, shown on the left, is a stylized image of how the square appeared in 1937. Note how neat and clean the automobiles and buildings are, and, how few people are present.
*Place cursor over image to magnify
Franklin Square was almost always abuzz with activity. On September 21, 1859 the grand parade for Norwich’s 200th Jubilee formed at 8:00 am formed there. The artist’s viewpoint of the procession, shown in the engraving on the left, is a couple of blocks away from Franklin Square.
The parade was HUGE! There were 10 divisions, (i.e. large groups of people marching in the parade), each led by a prominent Norwichian. The procession, which began at 10:00 am, meandered from Franklin Square through town. Its final destination was Chelsea Parade.
*Place cursor over image to magnify
The first electric street cars began running from Franklin Square to Greeneville in 1892. The photo, shown on the left, was taken during circa 1900.
In addition to the electric street cars, one can see horses pulling carts on Franklin Street and the drinking fountain behind the lead street car. Electric poles line the street on the left side and the Columbia House is in the background, on the right side.
*Place cursor over image to magnify
This is a 1907 photo of the workers who paved Franklin Square with cobblestones.
*Place cursor over image to magnify
As with many things in life, there were also some unfortunate events that occurred in and around Franklin Square. Over the years fires, floods and accidents happened in and around the square.
1915 : An overturned firetruck in Franklin Square with many curious bystanders
*Place cursor over images to magnify
September 21, 1938 : Capt. Howell of the Salvation Army lending a hand on flooded Franklin Square after hurricane
Franklin Square has a long and rich history. There have been countless visitors, businesses, and events that have taken place here throughout the years. This placemark presents only a short summary of several events.
Acknowledgements
“Historically Speaking: Norwichtown Was Original Center of Norwich”, (04/07/2019), by Richard Curland
“The Faith Jennings Collection”, 1997, by Faith Jennings and Bill Stanley, and multiple other Fair Use images
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Franklin Square” in the SEARCH box.
Greeneville Dam
1833 Map of Greenville
*Place cursor over image to magnify & see detailsThe development of hydropower in Norwich evolved due to the availability of an abundant supply of water flowing over falls. Local industry was able to cut its costs by taking advantage of this efficient method of producing power.
In 1826, William P. Greene purchased land on both sides of the Shetucket River with the intent of development. He conveyed the land to the Norwich Water Power Company, which was incorporated in 1828. Mr. Greene was the largest shareholder of this newly formed company. He also oversaw the development of the area known today as Greeneville. Several years later, in 1842, William P. Greene was elected as Norwich’s Mayor.
James Baldwin began construction of the dam in 1829, about 1,200 feet upstream of the present-day Greeneville Dam. By 1832, two cotton mills, a paper mill, and several smaller industries had been established. The mills utilized the dam for waterpower and the labor force of the Greeneville for production.
The dam and canals were completed in 1833. The canal, almost a mile long, provided enough power to energize between 40-50 thousand spindles for the local cotton industries.
The Greeneville Dam, as seen in 1908
*Place cursor over image to magnifyIn 1880 Hiram Cook became the president of the Norwich Water Power Company. Cook, also an engineer, designed a new dam as a major component of the company’s 1882 rebuilding project,
The new dam was located 1,200 feet downstream from the 1833 dam. Cook’s design provided greatly improved flow of water into the canal. Also, by abandoning some 1,200 feet of canal, the company also proportionately eliminated problems associated with long headraces, such as retarded flow, water seepage, upkeep, and ice formation. The dam, completed in 1882, was 399 feet across and cost $60,000 (about $1,5000,000 in today’s $)
Building the Greeneville Dam
Unfortunately, a disastrous flood occurred in 1886 that washed away 68 feet of the central portion of the recently constructed, 1882, dam. The rubble masonry with granite coping was repaired utilizing wood cribbing filled with stone, similar to the now existing dam.
By 1915 the timbers of the 1886 cribbing had deteriorated and several other aspects of the dam were in need of substantial repair. Upon the completed modifications, the dam provided a greatly improved flow of water into the canal.
It is believed that the photo depicts the building of the 1882 dam.
Greeneville Dam as seen in 2013
*Place cursor over image to magnify
The record does not explicitly indicate why the Norwich Water Power Company decided to replace the 1882 dam. It was still intact and it served as the cofferdam for the construction of the present structure. It successfully diverted nearly all the flow of the river into the canal in the summer months.
In 1915, Charles E. Chandler & Shepard B. Palmer designed a plan to reconstruct the 1882 dam. Despite a high cost, the new design offered several advantages. The project reduced the length of the canal and improved the flow of water, thereby better meeting the needs of the numerous manufacturers who had located their factories along the company’s canal. The project was completed in 1915.
Acknowledgements
Greeneville Dam History, pp 44-47, by Norwich Public Utilities
Norwich Water Power Company, HAER No. CT-147, by National Park Service
Greeneville Dam, Norwich Connecticut Postcard, 1908, Public Domain
Bill Kinney
Norwich Ct. Pictures, USA
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Greeneville Dam” in the SEARCH box.
Jesse Brown Tavern
In the early part of the Revolutionary War Jesse Brown was in the service of Connecticut as an express agent and confidential messenger. He participated in the Revolution by serving as the Governor’s Post. In September 1777, he brought news of the British Occupation of Philadelphia. The next month, he carried the news of the Second Continental Congress (in session at York Town, Pennsylvania) to Norwich.
After the war, in 1790, Brown operated a tavern in Norwich (shown on the left). It was said that his establishment was famous for its good dinners. In August 1797 President John Adams and his wife Abigail were guests at Jesse Brown’s Tavern.
He became a stage contractor and established lines between Boston and New York via Providence and Norwich. The communication with Boston was three times a week, the stage arriving on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. The stage coach also ran to Hartford and New Haven.
Acknowledgements
“Reminiscences of Bean Hill”, (1896), pp 441-451 by Burrell W. Hyde
“Old Houses of the Ancient Town of Norwich, 1600-1800”, 1895, page 365, by Mary Elizabeth Perkins
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Jesse Brown” in the SEARCH box.