USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > East Haven > History of East Haven > Part 20
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BRIDGES.
The first account of any bridge building is in the year 1644, which was the first in East Haven. In 1644 a bridge was built over Stoney river, on the road to Totoket, by William Andrews, for which he charged the town of New Haven £3 8s. 9d.
GRAND STREET BRIDGE.
The first improvement to present itself in connec- tion with New Haven after the separation was a bridge over the Quinnipiac river at some convenient point for both towns. A committee was appointed to oppose it, but without effect. The people considered the days of ferries were numbered. After due
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deliberation and an agreement with New Haven, the two towns decided to locate the bridge where one has ever since been maintained, at the corner of Quinnipiac street and Grand avenue, now known as Grand street bridge. The bridge was built in 1790-I.
August 29, 1791, the town surveyed a road leading to the new bridge from what is now the Four Corners to North Haven line, now known as North and South Quinnipiac streets. In order to reach New Haven before this, by team, they left Main street at Peat Meadow road, and followed round to the East side, where the reservoir now is, through present Burwell street to Russell street, thence through that rough, crooked road to Fair Haven. Probably this was an old Indian trail, which formed the basis of many of the winding roads in New England. The bridge was opened as a toll bridge. This was very distasteful to the people of the neighboring towns, and others, who absolutely refused to pay toll. Samuel Davenport was appointed to show cause why the people of East Haven should not pay toll to the bridge; after much alterca- tion the remonstrance came to nothing.
A little time after, one very dark rainy night, the toll gates disappeared and were nevermore found. The public benefactor who carted off the gates was generally believed to be a daring young farmer in the neighborhood; no inquiry was made, however, by either town, and the bridge was forever free. The ferries were now abandoned.
TOMLINSON'S BRIDGE.
In 1796 a grant was made by the General Assembly for a bridge at the new or lower ferry, to Enos
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Hemingway, Stephen Woodward and others. This has always been known as Tomlinson's bridge, named from the man who contracted to build it.
"16th Feb. 1797. At a Proprietors' meeting, granted to Enos Hemingway, Stephen Woodward and company, of the bridge, the flats, 187 feet in width, from the landing where the lower Ferry hath lately been kept, running westward to the channel, on which a bridge of 27 feet in width is to be built on the centre, and the remainder for the perpetual use of the com- pany for wharves, stores, &c. so long as the said bridge shall be built and be kept in good repair."
This bridge was built by shareholders and kept as a toll bridge until 1889. Through the strenuous and long-continued efforts of Mr. Alfred Hughes, com- mencing in 1872, it became free January 1, 1889.
SECOND GRAND STREET BRIDGE.
About 1855 the Grand street bridge needed so much repairing it was considered best to contemplate and prepare to erect a new bridge. No definite action was taken until November 24, 1858, when a special town meeting was held and it was voted
"To appoint a Committee to confer with a Committee appointed by the Town of New Haven relative to building a new bridge in Fair Haven. George Hultz, James C. Wood- ward and Samuel T. Andrews were appointed that committee." After viewing different bridges, and obtaining much informa- tion on the subject, they made a lengthy report in favor of Whipple's iron bridge.
May 3, 1860, Special Town-meeting. Voted, "We will build a new bridge in Fair Haven, over Quinnipiac River, to cor- respond with that portion of the bridge to be built by New Haven. Voted, William H. Shipman, Wyllis Hemingway, and Charles A. Bray be and they are hereby authorized a com-
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mittee with full power and authority to contract for, and in the name of the Town of East Haven in connection with New Haven, one of 'Whipple's Iron Bridges.'" (E. H. Town Rec.)
QUINNIPIAC DRAW BRIDGE.
In 1871 agitation commenced respecting building another bridge over Quinnipiac river. May, 1872, the legislature passed an act to build a bridge over Quinni- piac river.
Dec. 5th, 1872. Voted, "That the three Bridge Commission- ers required by the act of the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, passed at its May session 1872, are hereby appointed by ballot, viz: Edward A. Mitchell Ist Commis- sioner, E. Edwin Hall 2nd, and Edwin Granniss 3rd Comm.
Sept. 11th, 1873. The Commissioners appointed reported concurrent action with the City of New Haven, in locating said bridge, and have prepared plans &c. for the building of the same, so that the City of New Haven and Town of East Haven can enter contracts for building said Bridge. There- fore resolved that Edward A. Mitchell, E. Edwin Hall and Edwin Granniss are appointed a Committee on the part of the Town of East Haven to jointly contract with the City of New Haven for the construction of said Bridge." (E. H. Town Rec.)
Proceedings were not rapid, but the work was com- menced, and October 4, 1875, the selectmen were authorized and empowered to borrow money on the credit of the town, such sums to complete the new Quinnipiac bridge and approaches. The bridge was completed in 1876, and bonds issued.
DYKE BRIDGE, FARM RIVER.
March 18th, 1876: Voted, "That the sum of $2,250 be appropriated to pay for East Haven's portion of said bridge, and approaches. The Selectmen are instructed and authorized to lay out and work the highway leading from
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the plains road to said bridge, and assess benefits and damages. Voted to pay E. Ellsworth Thompson $200 to satisfy his claim of damages." (E. H. Town Rec.)
STONE ARCH BRIDGE.
July 25, 1876. At a special town meeting the con- dition of the stone arch bridge was taken into con- sideration, and a committee appointed by the chair, consisting of Alfred Hughes, Willet Hemingway and Timothy Andrews, to consider what was best to be done.
July 31, 1876, Alfred Hughes, chairman of the com- mittee, reported that it was the unanimous opinion, that there was no other way but to rebuild the bridge. It was in a very dangerous condition, the sand had washed out five feet under the abutment, and that it hung shelving with danger of falling any day.
Voted, "The Selectmen be authorized and instructed to build a bridge, with 28 ft. in the clear, the foundation to go down to solid rock. The work to be done as soon as possible, also given power to contract and receive proposals for the same." (E. H. Town Rec.)
LEWIS BRIDGE.
Oct. 7th, 1878. Voted, "The Selectmen cooperate with New Haven in building a new bridge at Lewis Bridge, and a sum not to exceed $2000. be appropriated." (E. H. Town Rec.)
EAST HAVEN RIVER DRAW BRIDGE.
May 23rd, 1904. Voted, "The Selectmen to cooperate with the Selectmen of Branford in building the bridge at East Haven River."
As this bridge was ordered by the United States Government, there was no other way than to comply with the demand.
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The village of Fair Haven grew very fast after the bridge was built, and within a few years had a large trade with the surrounding towns, and was a very busy place. Horace R. Hotchkiss had one of the largest and best stores for dry goods and groceries in the county, and carried on an extensive trade. The town had shared its municipal offices and honors with the village equally. It was the custom to alternate the representative to the legislature with each part of the town, and village, but the seat of government was at the center of the town.
About the year 1840, the daughter, like many another precocious one, concluded it was time for the mother to resign the reins of government into the hands of the daughter. Accordingly a town meeting was called to remove the seat to Fair Haven. This caused a tremendous buzzing in the hive, and everyone was at white heat with spread wings. So sure were the Fair Haveners of success, that they brought with them a set of colors and a band of music, concealed in a wagon. The old town arose, and shaking her locks, roared forth a healthy No! So the Fair Haveners went home a sadder but a wiser people and thus saved their colors and music for a better occa- sion. This experiment was never tried again. In 1857 the town was divided into two voting districts: East Haven was First District and Fair Haven was Second District. This was for general elections, but all busi- ness and special town meetings were held in East Haven.
TOWN HALLS.
Until 1841 East Haven had no place for miscel- laneous public gatherings. The first town meeting
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History of East Haven.
was held in the Stone Church, but that was an extra occasion, and dignified with a sermon by its pastor. There is no account that this was repeated. According to Episcopal rules, their churches being consecrated can only be opened for religious purposes.
Previous to 1841, town meetings were held at pri- vate houses. While Josiah Bradley was the "Squire of the town" they were held in his house, in a very large old room, said to have been used as a meeting place before the first meetinghouse was built in 1706. The site of the house is where the Bailey house now stands. Afterwards, town meetings were held in the unused bar room of the old Gurdon Bradley tavern, in the center of the town, subsequently the home of Mr. Ruel Andrews. He was a man much in public affairs and so opened his house for the good of the public. The town did not see its way to aid in the matter, so a few public-spirited men concluded to remedy the want by building a town hall by stock- holders at $15 per share. Not that they expected it to be a paying investment, but for a public conve- nience, as some of the younger men declared they would not vote in "Aunt Molly Gurdon's kitchen" any longer. It was a proud day for East Haven when the first town meeting was held in the town hall in 1842.
Jan. 10th, 1866. Voted, "That Bradley Pardee and Charles A. Bray be and are hereby appointed as a Committee to pur- chase in the name and behalf of the Town of East Haven the Town Hall property, so called. Provided it can be secured on reasonable and judicious terms." (E. H. Town Rec.)
The property was secured to the town.
April 30, 1864, Deacon Ruel Andrews passed away, in the 18th year of his town clerkship. He was a man
MAIN STREET.
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General Affairs.
of unusual enterprise, industry and integrity, holding the higher offices of church and town. East Haven had only two town clerks in the 58 preceding years. At the next annual town meeting, Charles A. Bray was chosen town clerk. Mr. Bray's residence and business were in Fair Haven, so of course the town records had to be removed there. This caused a twinge of regret to the older men of the center, but as it was a square deal, and Mr. Bray was popular in both sections of the town, the ripple on the surface soon smoothed out, and all went harmoniously along to the end. East Haven still held the supremacy. The next most important event was the annexation of the western part of the town to New Haven, in 1882, when the ancient and more modern archives of the town were carted back to the center for all time.
CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO ANNEXATION.
We have now seen that between the years of 1860 and 1880 East Haven had built, either in part or wholly, five bridges; some were very expensive, par- ticularly Quinnipiac draw bridge.
During the Civil War, East Haven kept up her quota of men to the full, and was liberal to her soldiers. The extra war debt and extensive bridge building brought the town very heavily in debt. Some parts of the town desired more improvements than the town felt justified in making under the existing circumstances. After much deliberation between the two towns, a decision was reached, whereby New Haven would assume and pay East Haven's debt* pro- vided the western portion was annexed to New Haven,
* The whole indebtedness was over $200,000.
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History of East Haven.
thereby giving New Haven the control of the harbor, and waterfront (of which East Haven owned the lion's share), also other considerations favorable to East Haven residents in the western part.
At this time, Dwight W. Tuttle, afterwards state senator, was East Haven's representative in the legis- lature. He introduced this bill in the House of Representatives, and it was referred to the Committee on Cities and Boroughs, which reported adversely. Whereupon the town of East Haven immediately called a special town meeting, April 11, 1881. An overwhelming number was present, so much so that a motion was made to adjourn to the street for lack of room. The house was divided, resulting in 286 votes in the affirmative and one in the negative.
Voted, "The proceedings of the meeting signed by the Chairman, and certified to by the Clerk of the Town, with the seal of the Town affixed, and that one copy be trans- mitted to the President of the Senate, and one to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one each, to the Chair- man on the part of the Senate and House, of the Committee on Cities and Boroughs. Voted, A Committee of five be appointed to report the result of this meeting to the Legislature now in session, viz: Hiram Jacobs, George H. Townsend, Leander F. Richmond, H. H. Strong and A. L. Chamberlain, also Dr. H. E. Stone be added." (E. H. Town Rec.)
ANNEXATION OF THE WESTERN PART OF EAST HAVEN TO THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN.
A special Town Meeting of the Electors of the Town of East Haven was held first Monday of May, 1881, for the purpose of voting upon the acceptance of an act of the General Assembly of this State passed at the January session of 1881, providing for the annexing of the Western part of the Town of East Haven to the Town of New Haven, and for the division of the property of said Town, and the pay-
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ment of its indebtedness, and certain other matters, more particularly referred to in said act, and reference is here made to said act for more particular description of its provisions.
By the terms of said act, before its takes effect, it must be approved by the Electors of the Town of East Haven, in the manner therein provided.
The Electors of the Town of East Haven, living in that part to be annexed to the Town of New Haven, by the provisions of said act, will meet and vote in the Engine House of the Borough of Fair Haven, East. Those living in the remaining portion of said East Haven will meet in the Town Hall, in East Haven Center. The meeting will be open at each place at 6 o'clock in the morning; the vote will be by ballot, the polls will be open at six o'clock A. M. and close at one o'clock P. M. Ballots with the word "Yes" will be counted' in favor of the acceptance of said act; those with the word "No" against the acceptance of said act.
The part proposed to be annexed to the Town of New Haven is described as follows. All that part of the Town of East Haven, lying westerly of a line commencing on the dividing line between the Town of North Haven and East Haven, at a point 1600 feet east of the East side of North Quinnipiac Street, where said street crosses said dividing line, thence running southerly in a straight line to a point three hundred feet due East of the south side of Hill St., where said Hill Street intersects with East Street, thence running Southerly in a straight line to a point on the main road running East and West from New Haven through East Haven Center, 400 ft. East of the East side of a road running North and Sotuh where said North and South road intersects said East and West road near the house of Dana A. Bradley, thence in a Southerly direction to the junction of Mile Creek with Morris Creek, thence Southerly following the center of Morris Creek to its mouth, thence in a due South- erly line to the Southern boundary of the State.
HUDSON B. FORBES - Selectmen SAMUEL CHIDSEY of the Town of
JOHN CHESTER BRADLEY East Haven.
Dated at East Haven
Apr. 25th, 1881.
.
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"Pursuant to the above call, a special Town Meeting of the Electors of the Town of East Haven was held on Monday May 2nd 1881, for the purpose of deciding by Ballot, the rati- fication, or rejection of House Bill No. 334 passed at the session of the General Assembly, January term 1881, to which reference is made for particulars, the result of the meetings named in the two other places specified in said bill, is as follows :
Whole number of votes cast in that portion of the Town, not to be annexed to the Town of New Haven. .. 132
Vote in favor of Annexation
123
Opposed to Annexation. 9
Report of the result certified to by
JONATHAN DUDLEY (Moderator).
Vote in that portion of the Town to be annexed to the Town of New Haven :
Whole number of votes cast.
386
Vote in favor of Annexation.
301
Opposed to Annexation.
85
Report of result certified to by
MARTIN ALLEN (Moderator).
Received and recorded
May 2nd, 1881
By A. L. CHAMBERLAIN,
Town Clerk.
(E. H. Town Rec.)
East Haven was now free from debt, with no costly bridges to maintain and many long and expensive roads taken off her hands. There was no annoying rivalry of any part of the town, as Foxon and South End were always loyal to the old town. True she had lost about one-third of her territory, but that was the most expensive part to manage, and she still had the full use of all the roads and bridges without expense. There was nothing now for her to do but
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settle down to the march of improvement, and keep abreast of the times, which the foregoing history proves she has done with a will.
In 1889 a water tank was located at the northwest corner of the public square.
June 1, 1892, the whole center of the town was stirred as it never was before, when the store of C. C. Kirkham and the town hall were burned to the ground by an incendiary. Fortunately the safes with the records were saved. An occasional barn in different localities had been burned before, with greater or smaller loss.
June 25, 1892, a special town meeting was held in the basement of the Congregational chapel.
Voted, "To appropriate from the Town Treasury a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of building the Town Hall." Voted, "If desirable to build said building of suitable size for use as a Public School building, as well as Town Hall." "To appoint a Committee composed of taxpayers and property" owners to superintend building the same." Voted, "To lay a tax to cover the expense of the same." Adjourned to July 16th, 1892.
"The report of the Committee appointed, accepted and Com- mittee discharged with thanks." Voted, "The Selectmen pro- cure estimates and plans of a building, to be used as Town Hall. Dimension 35 x 50 ft." Adjourned to July 30, 1892.
Voted, "The Selectmen procure plans and specifications and bids, and cause to be erected a building to be used as a Town Hall, without basement, on the same foundation as the old one. Cost not to exceed $2000."
August 13th, 1892, a special town meeting was held and former vote of $2,000 was rescinded, and a vote of $3,000 was passed. Same dimensions. After several special town meetings, pro and con, were held,
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it was definitely decided at a meeting held October 3, 1892, that a town hall should be built.
Voted, "That a committee of three be appointed to superin- tend the erection of a Town Hall." Voted, "That Henry T. Thompson, Albert Forbes, and H. Walter Chidsey, be appointed that Committee." Voted, "That the Committee be instructed not to exceed the sum of $3000 in building said Town Hall. To give the contract to lowest bidder." Voted, "That that person to whom the contract is awarded be instructed by said Committee to proceed immediately and finish the Building as soon as possible. Voted, "That the Selectmen are hereby instructed to borrow, on the credit of the Town the amount sufficient to complete the Town Hall."
Thus the second town hall was erected and finished.
EAST HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The burning of the town hall was a very convincing argument that the town needed some protection in case of such disasters. Therefore in the first call for a special town meeting the following was inserted, viz .: "To locate one or more hydrants for fire purposes." This was the foundation and first step taken for a fire department in East Haven. The people realized the situation, and acted with promptness.
June 25th, 1892. Voted, "A Committee of three citizens be appointed to inquire the cost of one or more hydrants, to be located in the center of the Town, also ascertain the cost of 500 feet of hose, and a hose carriage. The Committee were Wm. H. Robinson, Frank M. Sperry and H. Walter Chidsey." July 26th, 1892. Adjourned town meeting. Voted, "To accept the report of the Committee appointed." Voted, "The Select- men be authorized and instructed to locate hydrants, and to procure 500 ft. hose and a hose carriage within 30 days."
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General Affairs.
The people did not propose to be caught napping again, for November 26, 1893, "The Selectmen bought 200 ft. additional hose." October 2, 1899, "The Selectmen were to purchase two extension ladders for fire purposes." There was no regular organized fire department but a kind of mutual agreement and Mr. Isaac Hagaman was made the chief and Charles Ger- rish foreman. Things proceeded under this arrange- ment for several years when the young men decided to form a regular organization, and place themselves under the regulations of the State Firemen's Associa- tion. Previous to this time, the fire apparatus had been kept in an addition to the town hall, built for the purpose. March 1, 1901, a special town meeting was held when it was voted,
"That the Selectmen be authorized to buy a suitable lot, for a Hose House." Voted, "That the Selectmen borrow money necessary to pay for said lot." Voted, "That they are authorized to provide means for the erection of a suitable building on said lot, when purchased." Voted, "That the Selectmen borrow $2000 to build a suitable house."
March 14, 1901, at an adjourned special town meeting "A motion was made that the vote authorizing the Selectmen to purchase a lot for Hose Co. Building be reconsidered." Voted, "The vote to be taken by ballot, which resulted as follows: Yes 27. No 57. Motion to reconsider lost." Motion "to reconsider vote authorizing the Selectmen to borrow $2000 to erect a building for the Hose Co. ballot taken, result : Yes 31. No 50. Motion lost." (E. H. Town Rec.)
Oct. 6th, 1902. Voted, "The Selectmen be instructed to pur- chase 250 ft. additional Hose for use of Fire Department."
The lot was purchased and house erected-a two- story building and finished basement, cost nearly $3,000. It is a volunteer company belonging to the
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Connecticut State Firemen's Association, and has between 35 and 40 members.
As matters now stand the town owns the land and building, with 950 feet of hose, two extension ladders and hose carriage. The volunteers are called the C. C. Kirkham Fire Hose Company. They have pro- vided themselves with the hook and ladder and chemi- cal apparatus, at a cost of about $750. They have fur- nished the basement with some gymnastic implements, and the second story as a club room, for social purposes. The first story is occupied with the fire property of town and company. The first chief under the organization was Frank W. Willoughby. The pres- ent chief is Harry B. Page [1907]. The town is very favorably situated for a comparatively inexpensive fire equipment, as the force of the water from the lake will throw a stream, one and one-half inch pipe dia- meter, from 80 to 90 feet, no engine being needed. The chief expense of the fire department is the water rate to the water company, which is by no means a charitable institution. Hydrants have been located all over the center and radiating streets, until protection seems ample. Certainly there is no organization of men more entitled to the gratitude and hearty apprecia- tion of the community than the volunteer firemen. No class of men give evidence of greater disinterested benevolence, kindness, sympathy and willing coopera- tion, in times of distress, than they. When the cry of fire is heard, all else is forgotten but the one idea of help and rescue, save the consciousness of doing one's best, without reward, like a brave true man to his brother in distress. Besides, there is no greater
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defence against incendiarism, than an effective fire department.
TELEPHONE COMPANY.
In 1899 the people of the town, realizing the con- venience of the telephone system, organized a town telephone company, with a substantial working capital; at the present time it has about seventy-five subscribers. Some, however, had previously availed themselves of the service of the Southern New England Telephone Company, and did not change to the town company. The local line commenced in quite a novel way, by the Kirkham brothers establishing a line between their respective residences. The idea was readily taken up by others and a company was formed, with George C. Kirkham president and Herbert C. Nickerson secretary and treasurer.
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