National Register of Historic Places

Walnut Hill District

New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut
Listed
September 1, 1975
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
75001936

About this property

The Walnut Hill District in New Britain, Connecticut, is a historic district that primarily showcases residential architecture reflecting the city's growth as an industrial hub from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century. The district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, is bordered by Walnut Hill Park, New Britain General Hospital, and the streets of West Main, Main, Arch, and Hart. New Britain was a primarily agricultural community and part of Berlin and Farmington until its separate incorporation in 1850. Its industrial history began with small metalworking shops that grew in size and scope, until it was one of the leading centers of tool manufacture in the country. The Walnut Hill neighborhood is sandwiched between the city's downtown and Walnut Hill Park, which was originally built out as a water supply reservoir, but was converted into a public park in the 1860s. Architecturally, the district is diverse, featuring homes built between 1840 and 1930. Most of these are wood-frame structures, similar in size and scale, creating a cohesive neighborhood feel despite varying architectural styles. The Italianate style is the most prevalent, particularly from the 1850s and 1860s, reflecting the city's industrial boom during that period. A notable example is the David Nelson Camp House at 9 Camp Street, a fine representation of Italianate architecture. The district's boundaries are carefully drawn to maintain its residential character, excluding commercial areas along West Main, Main, and Arch Streets, as well as larger apartment buildings. However, significant structures like the Lutheran Church and the state armory on Arch Street, along with the 1881 state normal school buildings on Hillside Place, are included within the district. In total, the district includes 145 structures of historic significance, making it a key area for understanding the architectural and industrial history of New Britain. National Register of Historic Places listings in Hartford County, Connecticut

Location

New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut
41.66323, -72.78949

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Walnut Hill Park
Listed
0 mi
Masonic Temple
Industrial
0.2 mi
Sloper-Wesoly House
Industrial
0.3 mi
West End Historic District
Listed
0.3 mi
South Congregational Church
Industrial
0.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Walnut Hill District listed on the National Register?

Walnut Hill District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 1, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Walnut Hill District?

Walnut Hill District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Walnut Hill District?

The period of significance for Walnut Hill District is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Walnut Hill District?

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