Downtown Norwich Historic District
Norwich was settled by English colonists in the 17th century, and its first wharf was built in 1684. It developed rapidly as a shipping port, with economic activity focused near the waterfront at the confluence of the Shetucket, Yantic, and Thames Rivers. The downtown developed as a linear area just north of the main port area, Main Street forming an east–west axis. The oldest surviving commercial building dates to 1742, and the oldest house to 1745. A major fire in the downtown in 1793 encouraged a shift to brick construction, but growth was squelched by the economic blockades associated with the War of 1812. The downtown's architecture is consequently dominated by Greek Revival and late 19th and early 20th century architecture, which was built when the city was an important point for the transshipment of goods by either rail or ship. By this time, the city's economy had diversified to include banking, textiles, and other water-powered industry. The downtown area includes many intact 18th and 19th-century buildings centered on the now-picturesque harbor.
See also
- Neighborhoods of Norwich, Connecticut
- National Register of Historic Places listings in New London County, Connecticut
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Plummer, Dale S. (June 13, 1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Downtown Norwich Historic District". National Park Service. With accompanying photos
- ^ Neighborhoods Archived 2011-07-27 at the Wayback Machine, Norwich Community Development Corporation website, accessed December 11, 2009