Wallingford Center in New Haven County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

The Parade Ground

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 9, 2010

1. The Parade Ground Marker

Inscription. The Parade Ground Few things better symbolize the history and evolution of a New England town than the town green. Set aside as the town "common" in the original 1670 plan of development, Wallingford's town green, or"Parade Ground," is as old as the community itself.
In those early days the community centered round North and South Main Streets. By placing the town common and adjacent meetinghouse here, Puritan founders hoped to symbolize the shared values, goals, idea, and beliefs which had spurred their migration to the New World and which now guided this new community.
During the nineteenth cetury, local industrialists built stately homes along Main Street and a commercial district along Center Street. The town green became a central park for the bustling urban center.
Today those two purposes are united with the town green serving as both a park and a symbol of the community.
Erected by Wallingford Visitors Council
1992

Erected 1992 by Wallingford Visitors Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1670.

Location. 41° 27.24′ N, 72° 49.119′ W. Marker is in Wallingford, Connecticut, in New

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Haven County. It is in Wallingford Center. Marker is on South Main Street, 0.1 miles Prince Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 23 South Main Street, Wallingford CT 06492, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Founders of Wallingford (within shouting distance of this marker); Wallingford World War I Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Wallingford Korean War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Wallingford World War II Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Wallingford (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hon. Abraham Doolittle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lyman Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); Robert Wallace (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wallingford.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 9, 2010

2. The Parade Ground Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,046 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.