Old Riverton Inn

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Old Riverton Inn
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Location 436 E. River Rd., Barkhamsted, Connecticut
Coordinates 41°57′46″N73°1′1″W / 41.96278°N 73.01694°W / 41.96278; -73.01694 Coordinates: 41°57′46″N73°1′1″W / 41.96278°N 73.01694°W / 41.96278; -73.01694
Area less than one acre
Built 1811 (1811)
Built by Ives,Jesse
Architectural style Federal
Part of Riverton Historic District (#07000419)
NRHP reference # 92000906 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP July 24, 1992
Designated CP May 15, 2007

The Old Riverton Inn is a historic hotel and tavern at 436 East River Road in the Riverton village of Barkhamsted, Connecticut. Built in 1811, it has been in continuous operation as a traveler's accommodation since then. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. [1]

Barkhamsted, Connecticut Town in Connecticut, United States

Barkhamsted is a town in Litchfield County in Connecticut and contains seven villages, West Hill, Mallory, Barkhamsted Center, Center Hill, Washington Hill, Pleasant Valley and Riverton. The population was 3,494 at the 2000 census. The town incorporated in 1779. Barkhamsted was named after Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.

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 Old Riverton Inn occupies a prominent position on the east side of the village of Riverton, standing on the east side of East River Road opposite the bridge across the East Branch Farmington River, the only bridge spanning that river in the immediate vicinity. It is a 2-1/2 story gable-roof wood frame structure, set on a brick foundation exposed on the western (street) side due to the sloping lot, giving it a three-story appearance. The street facade is five bays wide, with the main entrance originally located in the center bay. Due to road widening, the building's 19th-century porch was lost, and the entrance (its original architectural surround preserved) was relocated to the south side. The main facade now has a three-part window topped by a broken pediment in the door's location, and a wide bay window in the basement level. [2]

Farmington River river in the United States of America

The Farmington River is a river, 46.7 miles (75.2 km) in length along its main stem, which is located in northwest Connecticut with major tributaries extending into southwest Massachusetts. Via its longest branch, the Farmington's length increases to 80.4 miles (129.4 km), making it the Connecticut River's longest tributary by a mere 2.3 miles (3.7 km) over the major river directly to its north, the Westfield River. The Farmington River's watershed covers 609 square miles (1,580 km2). The river historically played an important role in small-scale manufacturing in towns along its course, but it is now mainly used for recreation and drinking water. The Farmington River Watershed Association is a non-profit organization for conservation and preservation of this river.

The inn was built about 1811, probably by Jesse Ives, to capitalize on traffic in the area. The bridge across the river was built in 1790, and was the only crossing for miles in either direction. The north-south road was a major route between New Hartford and Massachusetts, and the western road led to Winsted. The village of Riverton also began to assume its own economic importance soon afterward, with the establishment in 1818 of the chair-making factory of Lambert Hitchcock, some of whose buildings survive across the river. The inn survived the village's economic decline after it failed to secure a railroad connection, and has been operated for as a traveler accommodation for all but a twelve-year period in the early 20th century, when it housed migrant workers. [2]

New Hartford, Connecticut Town in Connecticut, United States

New Hartford is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,970 at the 2010 census. The town center is also defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place (CDP). The town is mainly a rural community consisting of farms, homes, and parks. Brodie Park and Ski Sundown are located in New Hartford.

Massachusetts State of the United States of America

Massachusetts, officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It borders on the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, and New York to the west. The state is named after the Massachusett tribe, which once inhabited the east side of the area, and is one of the original thirteen states. The capital of Massachusetts is Boston, which is also the most populous city in New England. Over 80% of Massachusetts's population lives in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, a region influential upon American history, academia, and industry. Originally dependent on agriculture, fishing and trade, Massachusetts was transformed into a manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution. During the 20th century, Massachusetts's economy shifted from manufacturing to services. Modern Massachusetts is a global leader in biotechnology, engineering, higher education, finance, and maritime trade.

Winsted, Connecticut CDP in Connecticut, United States

Winsted is a census-designated place and an incorporated city in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the town of Winchester, Connecticut. The population was 7,321 at the 2000 census.

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.

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