Early History of New Britain ~ The Railroad ~ Historical narrative courtesy of “New Britain, Connecticut, 1850-1950,” Page 15. This is the main entrance to the railroad station on Church Street in New Britain, circa 1900. Passengers boarded trains through the back doors of the station. “In 1839 a railroad was built between Hartford and New Haven. The population of New Britain at that time was only about fifteen hundred and there was no prospect of this little parish becoming an important city. It was decided it was not worth while to have the line come through here, and most of the farmers were just as well pleased. They said it would only frighten the sheep and turn their wool black. The nearest station was a mile and a half away at the Newington crossing. From there trains used to go to Hartford in about forty minutes. The cars had no springs and were built with seats along the sides. The first railroad to actually go through New Britain was constructed in 1850 when the Providence, Hartford and Fishkill line was built. The New Britain branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford was built in 1869.”
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:33:59 +0000
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