New Haven CT Directory Connecticut, 1874, Part 6

Author: J H Benham
Publication date: 1874
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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cooking, can be accommodated at a mere nominal charge. On this floor is a ladies' dressing room and all the conveniences appertaining to an establish- ment of the kind. The railroad management deserves great credit for the extensive arrangements thus made for the almost gratuitous accommodation of the public. The Grove, the Pavillion, the swings, the salle à manger and the entire grounds, are at the service of the patrons of the Company, the only charge being the moderate fare of thirty cents for the round trip, tickets purchased before leaving the city. For picnics and family parties there is no place that can surpass for desirableness this grove. Almost adjoining the grounds of the Company is the

Seaview House.

This is now the largest sea-side hotel in the vicinity of New Haven, being one hundred feet front, with handsome verandas facing the water, and ca- pable of accommodating from 75 to 100 guests. The house has been greatly enlarged and improved during the past winter. It is the property of George R. Kelsey, Esq., of West Haven, and is leased by him to Mr. R. Dyer, a popular and successful caterer to seaside pleasure seekers. This house imme- diately fronts the most desirable bathing grounds on the beach, and exten- sive accommodations have been made for those who seek the healthful and invigorating exercise of sea-bathing during the summer months. Bathing houses of the most approved description have been constructed on the beach, and bathing dresses for ladies and gentlemen can be had at very rea- sonable charges. Permanent summer boarders can be accommodated at the Seaview, as well as temporary and transient, and the intention of the pro- prietor is to make the charges so reasonable as to prolong the stay rather than hasten the departure of guests. The halls and parlors of the hotel are spacious and handsomely furnished, and Mr. R. M. Dyer, the gentlemanly manager, will serve visitors with every possible attention. The house is rightly named, for it offers as fine a sea view from its ample verandas as can be found at any watering place in the country.

Beach House.

Directly north of the Seaview is the Beach House, which has been recently fitted up for the accommodation of first class boarders and transient guests. The house will accommodate from 40 to 50 guests, who will have every advan- tage of sea bathing enjoyed by those at the Seaview. The rooms are finely furnished ; a heavy double veranda extends around three sides of the house ; bathing houses occupy the beach in front; a large inclosed front yard is tastefully ornamented with shrubbery and flowers, and a peculiarly home- like air invests the whole establishment. Charges are moderate for the fare and accommodations furnished, and the house is generally well filled during the watering season.

Hinman House.

A few rods to the north of where the cars strike the line of the beach, is the Hinman House, owned by Mr. Preston Hinman, who knows how to serve up sea food after the most approved fashion of epicurean eating. He does not take boarders, but can accommodate from ten to fifteen transient guests, who may desire to avail themselves of the advantages of his tables. He has a neat and tasteful Pavillion on the beach, hedged in by growing

BENHAM'S NEW HAVEN CITY DIRECTORY.

shrubbery, where parties can extemporize a dance, enjoy the innocent amuse- ments of the table, drink in the purest of sea breezes, or going to the bathing houses, take an invigorating tumble in the surf that lashes the very steps of this quiet retreat. The view from the large open balcony of the Hinman House, is equally attractive with that from the other hotels on the beach. Mr. Hinman makes a specialty of serving sea food and summer bev- erages to the delight of all who visit his popular house.

SUMMER RESORTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE HARBOR.

Grove House.

The Grove House is in the immediate vicinity of the Light House, and, indeed, was built in consequence of the prohibition by the Government of the keepers of Light Houses becoming also keepers of houses of public entertainment. The situation is a delightful one, at the entrance of the harbor. The house is surrounded by a beautiful grove; the fishing is abundant. There is a ten-pin alley for the recreation of the guests, about thirty of whom can be accommodated by the proprietor. His charges are moderate for board. The house usually opens on the first of June. Tables are erected in the woods for the convenience of picnic parties, who visit the place in large numbers, and who are expected to pay nothing for the use of the tables and grounds. The place has ample accommoda- tions for horses.

Leaving the city either by the way of Fair Haven, or Tomlinson's Bridge, a charming drive of five or six miles can be found by skirting the harbor on the road which leads to the Light House. The view from the different hills you pass, commands the entire basin in which the town of New Haven lies, as well as a fine water prospect of the Harbor and Sound. About a mile from the city the highest eminence on the left is Fort Wooster, which was built in 1814 by the spontaneous efforts of citizens of New Haven, aided by large companies of men from the neighboring towns, to repel an anticipated attack from the British fleet which held possession of the Sound. The fort was never garrisoned, and indeed, was only designed for use as earthworks in some temporary emergency. The view from Fort Wooster will amply repay the slight labor of the ascent. A hundred or two yards north of the entrance to the fort, lies the ancient Indian burying ground. Nothing remains to indicate the place, except the slight depressions in the turf which mark the graves of the once powerful Quinnipiacks. Bodies have occasionally been dug up by the curious. They are found buried in a reclining position, facing the rising sun, at the depth of only three or four feet from the surface. Wampum, beads and hatchets, are found to have sometimes been buried with the dead. A mile or more below Fort Wooster, on the water, lies Fort Hale, belonging to the United States. During the war of 1812 it was garrisoned by a few men, but it ceused to be regarded as having any value for military purposes many years before the emergencies of the present civil war called the attention of the government to the necessity of providing adequate protection for the most important seaport of Connecticut. The old Fort has been demolished, and strong earthworks have now been completed.

BENHAM'S NEW HAVEN CITY DIRECTORY.

Two or three graceful villa residences on this road will attract the . attention of the stranger. The first belongs to the family of the late William K. Townsend, Esq., and is beautifully situated on the left of the road, abont two and a half miles from the city. The other two are at Morris' Cove, below Fort Hale. The first belongs to J. Albert Lum, Esq., and the next is the summer residence of C. Maverick Parker, Esq., of New York. The Morris House, at the Cove, is in the habit of receiving a few visitors in the summer months. Accommodations for a limited number can usually be found in several of the other private houses in the vicinity.

Nettleton's Cove House.

On the eastern shore of New Haven harbor is a gracefully curved beach, of two miles or more in length, known as Morris' Cove. No part of the sea shore between New York and Newport is more open to the sea breezes than this beautiful cove, or possesses superior facilities for bathing or boating. The long stretch of white, sandy beach immediately in front of and contiguous to the house, protected by the curvature of the shore from all danger from breakers or tidal currents, make the Cove House one of the most desirable summer resorts on the Connecticut coast. The House accommodates about seventy-five guests, and has quite a reputation for the excellence of its table. The proprietor prefers to entertain families for the season, and spares no pains to make the Cove House attractive. His address is George D. Nettleton, Fair Haven. His usual charge to his guests is from twelve to fourteen dollars per week The Cove House is one of the few places on the coast where bathing can be enjoyed at all stages of the tide.

South End.

This spot was selected by Government early in the present century, for the erection of a Light House, greatly needed here, as a guide to mariners. The first building, erected in 1804, was a small affair, and gave place, in 1846, to the present edifice, seventy-three feet in height. It is furnished with a stationary light, and the place is also supplied with a fog bell.

The Light House keeper, Mr. Elizur Thompson, is prohibited from keeping a house of public entertainment, but he is obliging enough to part with two or three rooms to visitors, who can provide themselves in other ways with board. It is a retired and pleasant place for two or three small families who need quiet and the benefit of sea air.

The Light House.

This neck was originally sold for five barrels of pork. It is now the quiet resort for picnic parties from city and country. South End can be reached either by passing through East Haven, or by leaving the road to the Light House, where it turns off directly to the water, apparently through a farm yard, and keeping on to the left.

This house has recently changed owners. The proprietors will receive into their house twenty or twenty-five persons, who do not expect Fifth Avenue accommodations. The fishing here is superior, rock black fish being in great abundance, and the bathing places on the long, fine beach, excellent and safe. It may be well for picnic parties who resort to South End,

BENHAM'S NEW HAVEN CITY DIRECTORY.

to know that the use of the grounds, tables, well of water, &c., can hardly compensate the proprietor for his expense and trouble in making it an agree- able resort for pleasure seekers. His charge is $1 for a table, which will accommodate from twenty to twenty-five persons.

The Shore Line Railway, or a carriage road through the center of East Haven, will carry pleasure seekers to several popular sea side houses of entertainment.

Double Beach.

The house at this headland has lately passed into the hands of Albert Ney, Esq., and is a pleasant resort for citizens of New Haven. Under the superintendence of this gentleman, so long and favorably known to our citizens, it cannot fail to become one of the favorite resorts of pleasure seekers. Its distance is only an easy hour's drive,-seven miles from the city,-or it can be reached by rail, the traveler stopping at Branford Depot, from which a carriage will convey him a distance of two miles, to the Beach. From seventy to seventy-five persons can find accommodations at the house. A bowling alley, trotting course, boating, billiards, fishing, bathing, are and among the means of recreation provided for its guests.

Branford Point.

Is an agreeable and well kept house. The proprietor, Mr. D. M. King, has room for one hundred and forty guests. All the conveniences for passing the time pleasantly usually found at such places, are furnished at the Point, and the house may safely be recommended to strangers. For several seasons past the proprietor has run an omnibus daily to and from the city.

Indian Neck.

Two large boarding houses on the Sound are also reached from the Branford depot. Indian Neck, two miles from the depot, has accommo- dations for forty persons. The proprietor is Mr. Lynde Frisbie.

Montowese House.

This is a new house at Indian Neck, about two miles from the Branford depot, and is kept by Mr. William Bryan, formerly of this city. It is a first class hotel, complete in all its appointments, and will accommodate about two hundred guests. Indian Neck has long been a favorite resort for seaside visitors, and its reputation is not likely to suffer under the management of so popular a caterer as Mr. Bryan.

Pine Orchard.

Four miles from the depot, is a pleasant boarding house, where Mr. Truman Sheldon receives from forty to fifty guests.

Stony Creek.

This quiet resort, twelve miles from New Haven, is only a quarter of a mile from the Stony Creek depot, on the Shore Line Railway. The fishing here is admirable, and the gigantic oysters and clams taken in the vicinity, have made the name of the place famous among those who are careful about the quality of their shell fish. A pleasant bowling alley

and billiard room, a comfortable yacht, &c., are provided for the fifty guests, to whom, during the season, the proprietor, Mr. Wm. Foot devotes his attention.

The Brainerd House

Is a very pleasant and popular summer resort, and the first public house that is reached from the Stony Creek depot. The house is in complete or- der, and contains twenty-five large and airy rooms, with fine views in every direction. The outlook. from its double balconies, in the direction of Thimble Islands, is a magnificent one. Mr. J. W. Brainerd, the popular proprietor, and his excellent lady, give every attention to guests, and while his fare is admirable, his charges are exceedingly reasonable. This house has won, under its present management, an enviable reputation among seaside visitors.

The Indian Point House.

This house, which is kept by Mr. Nathan C. Frink, the proprietor, is one of the most beautifully situated places on the Sound, the Point being an ex- tended curve into the bay, and commanding a fine view of Thimble Is- lands and the surrounding scenery. The house will accommodate about 50 guests, who can have excellent bathing advantages, and the best of sailing and row boats for excursions to and among the Islands. The fishing grounds here are numerous, and generally reward those seeking piscatorial sports with ample returns for their toil. Many of the islands of this charming and picturesque group, have been occupied by beautiful summer residences, and a public house has been recently erected on "Pot Island " by Mr. Barnes, for the accommodation of visitors, and another on " Money Island," by Mr. Charles Lindsley of this city. The Indian Point House is less than half a mile from the depot at Stony Creek, on the Shore Line Railroad, and about twelve miles from New Haven.

Linden Point Cottage.

This is a small but exceedingly neat cottage-house built by Mr. Barnes, the proprietor of the Point, for the accommodation of seaside pleasure-seek- ers, and is reached from Indian Point by a foot-bridge constructed across the small inlet separating the two Points. It is usually rented during the summer for the use of one or more families, and makes a delightful seaside residence.

Sawsonuck House.

This new House is only a few minutes' walk from the Indian Point House, and is situated on Fine Point, famous in the history of that section for its mammoth oysters. It is reached by a fine carriage road in a three minutes' drive from the depot, and from its elevated grounds and shady groves the visitor can enjoy the best of sea breezes, and the most charming of views. The place is named after the celebrated Indian Chief, Sawsonuck, under whom the famous Montowese held his rule and sway of the tribes found here by the first settlers of Connecticut. It was the great "oyster point" of the Indians, as appears from the depth of oyster shells now underlying the soil, and was visited by them from far and near during the sum- mer months. The House here is kept by Mr. Eben J. Coe, whom everybody knows as "Uncle Eben," and whose tables are supplied with the finest

BENHAM'S NEW HAVEN CITY DIRECTORY.

oysters, clams, lobsters and sea fish to be found on the line of the Sound. Mr. Coe also keep's the Springfield House, still nearer the depot, and has rooms for both permanent and transient boarders. His house on the Point commands a splendid view of the Sound and the Thimble Island group. Boats are furnished for fishing and pleasure excursions among the Islands at a reasonable charge. Directly in front of his new house a curious fact is presented for ethnological and antiquarian inquiry, in the discovery of hun- dreds if not thousands of brick imbedded about three feet deep in the oys- ter shells which were evidently employed in some sort of structure built there at some period " whereof the memory of man runneth not back to the date." The brick are very hard and of irregular sizes, and instead of mor- tar, they seem to have been layed in a kind of cement which time has made harder than the brick themselves. There is said to be no tradition in the history of the town accounting for the appearance of these brick, and no clay beds in the vicinity from which they could have been made. It is a matter of curious inquiry and research therefore, to learn how they orig. . inated and by whom they were used. The brick are very dark in color as well as hard, and no two of them seem to be cast in the same mould. They differ not only in length, but in width, thickness and color. It is the opinion of the persons finding them, that the deposit of oyster shells covering the brick is due to the Indians, and not to white men.

Guilford Point,

Fifteen miles from New Haven, is a headland on the Sound, two miles east from Sachem's Head. The Guilford depot of the Shore Line Railway, is little more than half a mile distant, where eight trains stop daily-four from New Haven and four from New London. "The Pavilion " is a very quiet and highly respectable hotel, largely patronized by many families from New York, Hartford, &c., who are in the habit, year after year, of making the Point their summer home. The house is very pleasantly sit- uated on a beautiful lawn, fronting the Sound. It has accommodations for about one hundred guests. The usual conveniences are found here for fish- ing, bathing, rowing, sailing, bowling &c. The shell fish taken at the Point are said to be the finest on the Atlantic coast. The proprietor is at all times during the season prepared to entertain parties from New Haven, or else- where, with dinner or supper.

DRIVES AROUND NEW HAVEN.

West Haven.

The vicinity of New Haven abounds in fine drives. Beginning on the west side of the harbor, West Haven is a beautiful village, about three miles from the city, very much like an English village in appearance, with its rural green and venerable trees. It is a place of some historic interest, in con- nection with the landing here of the British troops, under command of Gens. Tryon and Garth, during the revolutionary war. Early on the morning of July 5th, 1779, two English men-of-war, with forty-eight tenders, trans- ports, &c., entered the harbor. At sunrise, about one-half of their land

BENHAM'S NEW HAVEN CITY DIRECTORY.

force (1,500 men), under the command of Gen. Garth, landed at Savin Rock beach, the officers making their temporary headquarters at the old Kimberly house (still standing), about half way between West Haven vil- age and the place of landing. The troops were mustered on West Haven Green, and commenced their march for New Haven. Soon after the ad- vance, skirmishing occurred between the enemy and our own people. Ad- jutant Campbell was killed while ascending Milford Hill. The tradition among the old people of the vicinity is, that he was shot by a lad by the name of Johnson, who, taking an old fashioned musket, and creeping among the whortleberry bushes growing on the side of the hill. lay down to ob- serve what was going on. An officer on horseback soon after appeared ascending the hill, in advance of a small squad of men, when the lad shot at him, and saw him fall from his horse. Campbell was carried into the house of the mother of the boy, where he soon after died of his wound. He is buried in a field, still called " Campbell's. Lot, " about 300 feet north of the road leading to Milford. A low stone, with the name "CAMPBELL, 1779, " in the south-west corner of the field, marks his grave.

West Haven is reached by two roads; one the old road through Alling- town, and the other from the City Point road, across the new bridge, built in 1861 at the mouth of West River. A very pleasant drive is found by crossing the new bridge, passing the West Haven Green, and down to Savin Rock. The return drive to the city by West Bridge, will carry the stranger past the Catholic Cemetery, the State Hospital, St. John's Church, &c.

Westville.

A longer and more retired drive may be found by passing on the West side of the river, through Allingtown to the Derby road, and so into the city ; or, it may be protracted by continuing on the road to Westville, over the high ground which commands a fine view of New Haven, passing the residence of Donald G. Mitchell, Esq., late U. S. Consul to Venice, author of " Reveries of a Bachelor, " &c. The village of Westville is picturesquely situated at the foot of West Rock. and is a thriving manufacturing commu- nity. As you rise the hill from Westville, passing into the city, the emi- nence on the left indicates the place where entrenchments, traces of which are still visible, were thrown up by the Americans, to resist the advance of Gen. Garth. A spirited contest here ensued, in which numbers were wounded, and a few killed on each side.

Maltby Park.

In 1861 the Fair Haven Water Company was chartered by the General As- sembly of the State. The company was soon after duly organized, and after prospecting for some time for the best source of water supply, they finally purchased the large tract of land, now known as " Maltby Park, " and com- menced the location of their reservoirs therein, at a distance of about two miles from New Haven, and about four from Fair Haven. It was ascer- tained that the capacity of the streams lying to the north of the Derby road, with the natural advantages of storing the water flowing in them, and the extensive system of water shed naturally tributary thereto, would fur- nish an ample supply of pure mountain water for all domestic, mechanical, and fire purposes in Fair Haven, with an average head of about two hun-

BENHAM'S NEW HAVEN CITY DIRECTORY.

dred feet, taking the several reservoirs to be constructed. In developing the resources of these streams, the company soon became satisfied that an abundance of water could be procured, not only for the use of Fair Haven, but the entire city of New Haven, by means of these streams and those available even at a higher elevation on West Rock. They accordingly_ap- plied to the Legislature for permission to supply New Haven as well as Fair Haven, and finally, in 1867, obtained the right to lay their pipes in any of the streets of New Haven, on condition that the same should be approved by the legal voters residing therein. The charter of the company, as thus amended, was approved by the vote taken, and the mains of the company have been laid into the western part of the city.

Three large reservoirs, or more properly "lakes," have been constructed in Maltby Park, containing about four hundred million gallons of water, and the grounds have been laid out into charming and romantic drives, so that it is really one of the most attractive localities in the vicinity of our city. The company has also constructed a large lake, called " Lake Wintergreen," on the northeastern slope of West Rock, covering something over sixty acres, and having an elevation of 240 feet. The capacity of this lake is about four hundred million gallons, and it is estimated that the amount of annual overflow is fully equal to twice the capacity of the lake. With the whole system of reservoirs completed, there will be eight lakes in Maltby Park, with a capacity of about seven hundred million gallons, and four on the West Rock slope with a capacity of over two thousand million gallons of water, and covering altogether, both systems, over four hundred and sixty acres of land. The company are sanguine of their ultimate success, and they have certainly demonstrated that their efforts thus far are anything but utopian.

Hamilton Park

Was opened to the public by a few public-spirited proprietors, in the year 1859. Previous to that time, New Haven possessed no appropriate place for agricultural fairs, or for other objects needing accommodations for a large concourse of people. The grounds have been handsomely arranged, a fine course for trotting laid out, and convenient buildings for visitors erected. The ground within the course has been excavated for a skating pond in winter, which is filled by a steam pump, from the water of the river which bounds the ground on the west. Arrangements have recently been made, by which the attractions of the place have been largely increased. The ground inclosed for the Park is about forty acres.

West Rock

Furnishes the most extensive view to be obtained of New Haven and its vicinity. The City Horse Cars run during the day to Westville bridge, from which point visitors will find it a half hour's walk to the summit of the Rock. About half a mile north, is the celebrated

Judge's Cave.

It consists of huge boulders, apparently thrown together by some convul- sion of nature. There were formerly three of the larger stones, each rising to a height of fifteen or twenty feet, with openings a few feet wide between their bases. Some years since the center was struck by lightning, which

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New Haven CT Directory Connecticut, 1874, Part 6

Author: J H Benham Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: J H Benham
Publication date: 1874
Publisher:
Number of Pages: