Naugatuck in New Haven County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Naugatuck
These lands were settled in 1702 by Samuel Hickox, Jr. of Mattatuck, now called Waterbury. Eight years later he began operation of a fulling mill, the first of many and diverse industries to follow. The earliest school was built in 1731 and the first meeting house, or church, was erected in 1781. As Salem Society, the area remained tied to Waterbury until 1844, when its first governing body was elected by the freemen at the initial town meeting on The Green. In 1893 the borough charter was approved by the General Assembly. This charter incorporating the Town and Borough, was ratified by freemen’s vote in 1895. Over the years, products manufactured in Naugatuck have found area, national, and world-wide markets. They include rubber footwear, synthetic rubber, plastics, chemical products, iron castings, candy, cutlery, clocks, metal stampings, buttons, cosmetic cases, household hardware, fabricated glass components, and aircraft instruments.
Inventions and patents of Charles Goodyear were instrumental in pioneer operations of Uniroyal, Incorporated. Several prominent buildings in the downtown area were designed and executed at the turn of the 20th century under supervision by the famed architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White, including the Congregational Church, Salem School, Hillside School, and the Whittemore Memorial Library, as well as the drinking fountain on The Green. In the 1700’s and up to the mid-1800’s Naugatuck had several stagecoach stops on the New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford line. These stops included the Collins Hotel, which was located on New Haven Road near the Bethany town line; the Beecher Tavern, which stood at North Water and Church Streets; and the Porter Inn, now located on Woodbine Street. The coming of the railroads at mid-century soon ended stagecoach travel here, as it did in other parts of the State and the Nation.
Erected 1980 by Borough of Naugatuck, Naugatuck Historical Society, Connecticut Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1702.
Location. 41° 29.447′ N, 73° 3.327′ W. Marker is in Naugatuck, Connecticut, in New Haven County. Marker is at the intersection of Church Street and Division Street, on the right when traveling south on Church Street. Located in the The Town Green. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Naugatuck CT 06770, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Naugatuck Veterans Monument (here, next to this marker); Naugatuck Soldiers' Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Naugatuck Great War Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Legion Post No 17 World War II Memorial (about 600 feet away); United States Rubber Employees World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rubber Shoe Employees World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rubber Glove Employees World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Beacon Falls Veterans Monument (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naugatuck.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,220 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2009, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.