soon the beautiful square looked like a mushroom city in some mining district of the West. They named it “Shanty Town,” and for several months business was transacted there.
After the fire, streets were improved, and the system of drainage was extended. Stores were enlarged—some to double their former size—their business increased, and in less than two years no trace of the terrible catastrophe was visible.
The town was rebuilt of brick, iron, and stone, more beautiful and substantial than before. The three hotels, which had been of wood, were replaced by much larger buildings of brick. On the site of that famous hostelry, the New England Hotel, now stands the magnificent United Bank Building, one of the best equipped banking establishments in Western Connecticut. The National Bank occupies one side, and the Savings Bank the other side of this structure, while in the second story are handsome, commodious offices.
The railroad station was partly burned, but was soon renovated, and at that point in the town great changes are now in progress. A new freight depot is being erected and more tracks are being laid. In the near future, a new passenger station is to be built, and other improvements will be made.
The population of the town is increasing, being estimated at the present time as fifty-five hundred inhabitants. A Board of Trade was organized many years ago. A commercial club now occupies the fine rooms over the new Post Office. The Town Court was established in 1901, and Postmaster George H. Jackson was appointed the first judge. J. Edwin Hungerford succeeded him, and J. Butler Merwin is the present incumbent. The wooden bridges that spanned the Housatonic, and were at times swept away by floods, have given place to graceful iron structures, which are above the reach of high water. The town possesses an excellent telephone system. The facilities for supplying all the needs of the inhabitants are adequate. In a word, to quote Newell Calhoun, “Wealth, learning, and religion have their abiding places here, and have helped to make this village the resting place of the weary, and the working place of the industrious.”
THE STORY OF NEW MILFORD TOLD IN CHRONOLOGICAL EPITOME
Contributed by Russell B. Noble and Minot S. Giddings
1702. Indian Deed to the Proprietors of New Milford was given, signed by fourteen Indians. Consideration, Sixty pounds current money of the Colony of Connecticut, and twenty pounds in goods.
There were 109 proprietors who owned Rights.