History Walk in the North End

History Walk in the North End

The public is invited to a free history walk on Sunday, February 19, at 1:00 p.m., starting at the rear parking lot of the 8th District office, 18 Main Street, Manchester. We’ll explore the Union Village Historic District, listed on the National Register in 2002, recognizing one of Manchester’s early industrial areas. The Union Cotton Mill was established in 1794 by Samuel Pitkin, using water power from the Hockanum River. The mills were located west of Union Street, below the huge dam at Union Pond. As with other mill areas, worker housing was provided, and many examples of these houses are part of the district. The cotton mills closed about 1900, and nothing remains of the bricks and stone near the river. We will visit the former Bon Ami factory, famous for its soap products, and the unique railroad display upstairs. We’ll walk about one and half miles round trip in the historic district, and see what remains after Urban Renewal in the 1960s brought about the demolition of the main business area, including the railroad depot, restaurants, grocery, hardware, variety stores, professional offices and a pharmacy. Rain or shine, but extreme weather cancels. This is one of the 23 bicentennial walks in 2023, celebrating Manchester’s 200^th birthday. More about the bicentennial: https://www.manchesterct.gov/Activities-Events/Manchester-Bicentennial

 

 

 

 

When

Location

18 Main Street, 06042, View Map