South Britain Historic District

The South Britain Historic District in Southbury, Connecticut, United States, is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[1] It represents the central portion of South Britain, an unincorporated village. The district is bordered by the Pomperaug River on the west. Water-powered mills, supplied by water from a South Britain Water Power Company reservoir, were the impetus for early development.

South Britain Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
The Congregational church
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Location	E. Flat Hill, Hawkins, Library, and Middle Rds., and 497--864 S. Britain Rd., Southbury, Connecticut
Coordinates	41°28′9″N 73°15′3″W
Architect	Clark, Zephania; Monumental Bronze Co.
Architectural style	Greek Revival, Colonial
NRHP reference No.	87000125[1]
Added to NRHP	February 12, 1987

The village rivalled nearby Southbury Center. It was seat of Southbury, Connecticut town government until 1964.[2]^:23

In 1987, the district included 46 contributing structures and 22 non-contributing ones.[2]

Contributing properties in the district include:

• B.C. Bradley House, 497 South Britain Road, from 1802 or earlier by assessor records, with cottage and shed of similar age
• H. Curtis House, 584-586 South Britain Road, of Colonial era, probably the oldest house in the district.[2]^:8
• Miss H. E. and S. E. Canfield House, 524 South Britain Road, a Georgian style twin-chimney central-hall house "with Adamesque detail in its portico and cornice" from 1802 or earlier (see accompanying photo 2)[2]^{:8, 14}
• George Smith House, 605 South Britain Road, a Greek Revival house, c. 1835, with cabin and garage from mid 1900s[2]^:16
• Benjamin Downs House, 657 South Britain Road, a brick Greek Revival with marble dressing, from 1770 by assessor records[2]^{:8, 17}
• Mrs. B. Chatfield House, 24 Hawkins Road, a brick Greek Revival, from 1850 (see photo 12)[2]^:8
• Congregational Church, 683 South Britain Road, from 1825. Federal style with later Gothic window. (See photo 15)[2]^{:9, 18}
• Methodist Church, "an austere example of the Greek Revival style", from 1832, in deteriorated condition in 1986. (See photos 15 and 18)[2]^:9
• Town Hall, an 1873-built Italianate style building (see photo 10)[2]^:9

Also included in the district is a steel-span bridge from 1939.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in New Haven County, Connecticut

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. David F. Ransom and John Herzan (May 6, 1986). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: South Britain Historic District". National Park Service. and Accompanying 23 photos, from 1986