Norfolk Historic District

Last updated
Norfolk Historic District
LOC 20216v.jpg
USA Connecticut location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location US 44 and CT 272, Norfolk, Connecticut
Area 90 acres (36 ha)
Architect Multiple
Architectural style Late Victorian
NRHP reference # 79003749 [1]
Added to NRHP October 15, 1979

The Norfolk Historic District encompasses the historic civic and commercial center of Norfolk, Connecticut. Centered around a triangular green at the junction of United States Route 44 and Connecticut Route 272, it is a well-preserved late 19th to early 20th-century town center, with a number of architecturally distinctive buildings and structures. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. [1]

Norfolk, Connecticut Town in Connecticut, United States

Norfolk is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,787 at the 2010 census. The urban center of the town is the Norfolk census-designated place, with a population of 553 at the 2010 census.

Connecticut Route 272 highway in Connecticut

Route 272 is a state highway in northwestern Connecticut running from Torrington to the Massachusetts state line in Norfolk.

National Register of Historic Places federal list of historic sites in the United States

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance. A property listed in the National Register, or located within a National Register Historic District, may qualify for tax incentives derived from the total value of expenses incurred preserving the property.

Contents

Description and history

The town of Norfolk was incorporated in 1758. Early growth was due in part to industry that developed on the Blackberry River near the town center, of which no significant traces remain. Its main period of growth began with the arrival in 1871 of the railroad, which led to the town's growth as a summer resort, marketed for its high elevation and fresh air. The town center benefited architecturally from the philanthropic activities of the interrelated Robbins-Battell-Stoeckel families, who contributed churches, civic buildings, and memorials to the town center. The major element of the town center, the former Stoeckel estate, is now home to the Yale Music School's summer programs. [2]

The historic district covers about 90 acres (36 ha), most of which consists of the Stoeckel estate, located west of the town green. The triangular town green is the district's main focal point, with two churches (one early 19th century Federal style, the other later Romanesque) facing it from the west, the Norfolk Public Library (a handsome Shingle style building designed by George Keller in 1888) facing it from the north, and mainly older homes facing it from the east. At its southern tip is a memorial fountain designed by architect Stanford White. North of the green is a small business district, also included in the historic district. Several buildings in this area were designed by the noted New York architect Alfredo S.G. Taylor, who summered in Norfolk. [2]

The Norfolk Library (Connecticut) library in Norfolk, Connecticut, USA

The Norfolk Library, also known as Eldridge Memorial Library, is a library at 9 Greenwoods Road East in Norfolk, Connecticut. The Norfolk Library is a private charitable organization, but the facility is open to the general public. Designed by architect George Keller in 1888, and greatly expanded by Keller in 1911, it is an outstanding example of Shingle Style architecture. The building is a contributing property in the Norfolk Historic District.

George Keller (architect) American architect

George Keller, was an American architect and engineer. He enjoyed a diverse and successful career, and was sought for his designs of bridges, houses, monuments, and various commercial and public buildings. Keller's most famous projects, however, are the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Hartford, Connecticut, and the James A. Garfield Memorial in Cleveland, Ohio.

Stanford White architect

Stanford White was an American architect. He was also a partner in the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, the frontrunner among Beaux-Arts firms. He designed many houses for the rich as well as numerous public, institutional, and religious buildings. His design principles embodied the "American Renaissance".

See also

National Register of Historic Places listings in Litchfield County, Connecticut Wikimedia list article

This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

Related Research Articles

New Haven Green park in New Haven, Connecticut

The New Haven Green is a 16-acre (65,000 m2) privately owned park and recreation area located in the downtown district of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It comprises the central square of the nine-square settlement plan of the original Puritan colonists in New Haven, and was designed and surveyed by colonist John Brockett. Today the Green is bordered by the modern paved roads of College, Chapel, Church, and Elm streets. Temple Street bisects the Green into upper (northwest) and lower (southeast) halves.

Main Street Historic District (Cromwell, Connecticut) historic district in Cromwell, Connecticut, United States

The Main Street Historic District in Cromwell, Connecticut is roughly bounded by Nooks Hill Rd., Prospect Hill Rd., Wall and West Sts. and New Ln., and Stevens Ln. and Main St.

Pasadena Civic Center District

The Pasadena Civic Center District is the civic center of and a historic district in Pasadena, California. The district is roughly bounded by Walnut and Green Streets and Raymond and Euclid Avenues.

Memorial Square District

The Memorial Square District encompasses the historic heart of the Memorial Square neighborhood of Springfield, Massachusetts. Arrayed around the Memorial Square at the junction of Main and Plainfield Streets are seven buildings of architectural and/or historic significance, including the Memorial Church, and the former Memorial Square Branch Library, now a Greek cultural center. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Ehrick Kensett Rossiter was an American architect known for the country homes he designed.

Putnam Hill Historic District

The Putnam Hill Historic District encompasses a former town center of Greenwich, Connecticut. Located on United States Route 1 between Millbank Avenue and Old Church Road, the district includes the churches of two historic congregations, a former tavern, and a collection of fine mid-Victorian residential architecture. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Old Saybrook South Green

The Old Saybrook South Green is a 20-acre (8.1 ha) historic district that encompasses the historic town green and nearby streets in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Established in the 1630s, most of the buildings arrayed around the green were built between 1760 and 1900, and reflect the prosperity of the town, which was a major port and shipbuilding center. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Rockwell House (Norfolk, Connecticut)

The Frederick W. Rockwell House is a historic house on the west side of Laurel Way in Norfolk, Connecticut. Built in 1927 to a design by Alfredo S.G. Taylor, it is a finely detailed example of Adamesque Federal Revival architecture. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 for its association with the architect.

Dennis Hill State Park

Dennis Hill State Park is a public recreation area located in the town of Norfolk, Connecticut, that was once the estate of Dr. Frederick Shepard Dennis. The state park offers hiking, picnicking, and scenic views. It is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Suffield Historic District

The Suffield Historic District is a historic district encompassing the Main Street stretch of the town center of Suffield, Connecticut. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is part of a larger local historic district. It runs along North and South Main Street from Muddy Brook to north of Mapleton Avenue, and includes a diversity of 18th through early 20th-century architecture.

Sharon Historic District (Sharon, Connecticut)

The Sharon Historic District encompasses the historic civic center of Sharon, Connecticut. Centered around a mile-long town green are an array of public civic and religious buildings, as well as residences from the 18th to 20th centuries. The area south of the green on South Main Street is lined with country houses developed or improved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, representing one of the highest concentrations of Colonial Revival estates in the state. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Washington Green Historic District

The Washington Green Historic District encompasses the historic village green of the town of Washington, Connecticut, and much of the surrounding village center. It extends mainly along Kirby and Woodbury Roads, and includes a diverse collection of architecture from the 18th to early 20th centuries. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

World War I Memorial (Norfolk, Connecticut) war memorial in Norfolk, Connecticut

The World War I Memorial of Norfolk, Connecticut stands at the corner of Greenwoods Road West and North Street in the town's village center. The Rustic style memorial was built in 1921 to a design by New York City architect Alfredo S.G. Taylor. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for its association with the architect.

New Milford Center Historic District

The New Milford Center Historic District encompasses much of the traditional civic and commercial heart of New Milford, Connecticut.

Robbins Stoeckel House

The Robbins Stoeckel House is a historic house on Litchfield Road in Norfolk, Connecticut. Built in 1907, it is a distinctive design of the architect Alfredo S.G. Taylor, featuring some of his signature elements. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Watertown Center Historic District

The Watertown Center Historic District encompasses the historic village center of Watertown, Connecticut. It exhibits architectural and historic changes from the early 1700s into the 20th century. It is roughly bounded by Main, Warren, North, Woodbury, Woodruff, and Academy Hill Roads, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Broad Street Green Historic District historic district in Windsor, Connecticut

The Broad Street Green Historic District encompasses the historic late-19th century town center of Windsor, Connecticut. It is centered around the Broad Street Green, a public park extending on the east side of Broad Street between Union and Batchelder Streets, and includes a diversity of architecture spanning much of the town's long history. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Brown Tavern

The Brown Tavern is a historic house and public accommodation at George Washington Turnpike and Connecticut Route 4 in Burlington, Connecticut. Probably built in the early 19th century, it is a fine example of Federal period architecture, its design tentatively credited to New Haven architect David Hoadley. Now managed by the local historical society, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

North Branford Center Historic District

The North Branford Center Historic District encompasses the historic town center of North Branford, Connecticut. Centered at the junction of North Street and Foxon Road, it has been the center of the town's civic and religious life since the early 18th century. The district includes the town hall, library, Congregational Church, and residential architecture dating to the early days. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

References