Nichols Farms Historic District
Encyclopedia
According to Stratford land records, Abraham Nichols purchased several old farms and large parcels of land in 1696. Nichols exchanged his land for 22 acre (0.08903092 km²) of Lt. Joseph Judson
s old farm which had a barn
on it, 54 acre (0.21853044 km²) or half the land owned by Jeremiah Judson, and 19 acre (0.07689034 km²) of land from Benjamin Curtiss. These transactions are described in the land records as being located at or near the Old farm, Judson's farm's or Lt. Joseph Judson farm. Furthermore, in 1699, Lt. Ebenezer Curtiss recorded 15 acre (0.0607029 km²) of land from the three-mile division that was bounded west with Lt. Joseph Judson's farm, now belonging to Abraham Nichols. This deed confirms that Nichols purchased Judson's old farm, established in 1658, and was not the first to settle the area.
In 1704, Nichols purchased Reverend Zachariah Walker's entire farm which was 36 acre (0.14568696 km²) in size. In 1708, Nichols bought 5 acre (0.0202343 km²) known as Mischa Hill Meadow from Joseph Fairchild and in 1715 he added 1 acre (0.00404686 km²) from Captain John Hawley. These three large farms when combined with Nichols own division land and other parcels, totaled around 285 acres (1.2 km²) of land. Some of the old farms, about 54 acre (0.21853044 km²), remain as open space today.
), and was laid out or completed to the south side of Mischa Hill in December 1696. The highway was laid out to the south side of Mischa Hill and at Zachariah Curtiss
, his land, and at Captain's Farm. Captain's farm was the first farm as you entered the village, at Hawley Lane, and was owned by Captain John Hawley at the time. This portion of Route 108 is considered to be the third oldest documented highway in Connecticut.
was built directly through the original Nichols Farms center in the late 1930s and displaced the old Nichols Store which was razed and the Trinity Church which was moved. The large 5' by 6' natural stepping stone was the only item saved from the Nichols Store and was relocated to the front of the Ephraim Hawley House
.
, Nichols Avenue
and Shelton Road. These buildings were a part of the original district proposed by the Trumbull Historic District Study Committee for Nichols Farms in May 1976. The Ephraim Hawley House
, Zachariah Curtiss House
and barn (built before 1721), the summer home of American folklorist Will Geer
and a home of helicopter
inventor Igor Sikorsky
were excluded. A subsequent Historic Building Survey, completed in 2010, has recommended these properties be added to increase the existing historic district.
Joseph Judson
Joseph Judson was a Connecticut settler, local official and militia officer....
s old farm which had a barn
Barn
A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house livestock or to store farming vehicles and equipment...
on it, 54 acre (0.21853044 km²) or half the land owned by Jeremiah Judson, and 19 acre (0.07689034 km²) of land from Benjamin Curtiss. These transactions are described in the land records as being located at or near the Old farm, Judson's farm's or Lt. Joseph Judson farm. Furthermore, in 1699, Lt. Ebenezer Curtiss recorded 15 acre (0.0607029 km²) of land from the three-mile division that was bounded west with Lt. Joseph Judson's farm, now belonging to Abraham Nichols. This deed confirms that Nichols purchased Judson's old farm, established in 1658, and was not the first to settle the area.
In 1704, Nichols purchased Reverend Zachariah Walker's entire farm which was 36 acre (0.14568696 km²) in size. In 1708, Nichols bought 5 acre (0.0202343 km²) known as Mischa Hill Meadow from Joseph Fairchild and in 1715 he added 1 acre (0.00404686 km²) from Captain John Hawley. These three large farms when combined with Nichols own division land and other parcels, totaled around 285 acres (1.2 km²) of land. Some of the old farms, about 54 acre (0.21853044 km²), remain as open space today.
Farm Highway
The highway linking Nichols Farms to Stratford, three miles (5 km) to the south, was first called the Farm Highway, presently called Nichols Avenue or (Route 108Connecticut Route 108
Route 108 in the U.S. state of Connecticut, also called Huntington Turnpike and Nichols Avenue, is a two-lane state highway that runs northerly from US 1, Boston Post Road in Stratford, through Trumbull, to Route 110 in downtown Shelton...
), and was laid out or completed to the south side of Mischa Hill in December 1696. The highway was laid out to the south side of Mischa Hill and at Zachariah Curtiss
Zachariah Curtiss House
The Zachariah Curtiss Houses are located in New England, and are Colonial American wooden post-and-beam timber frame farm houses. The older house of the two was built by Zachariah I around 1686 and the second house was built by his son Zachariah II around 1721 in the Georgian architectural style...
, his land, and at Captain's Farm. Captain's farm was the first farm as you entered the village, at Hawley Lane, and was owned by Captain John Hawley at the time. This portion of Route 108 is considered to be the third oldest documented highway in Connecticut.
Merritt Parkway
The Merritt ParkwayMerritt Parkway
The Merritt Parkway is a historic limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the...
was built directly through the original Nichols Farms center in the late 1930s and displaced the old Nichols Store which was razed and the Trinity Church which was moved. The large 5' by 6' natural stepping stone was the only item saved from the Nichols Store and was relocated to the front of the Ephraim Hawley House
Ephraim Hawley House
The Ephraim Hawley House, located in New England, is a Colonial American wooden post-and-beam timber-frame farm house built between 1670 and 1690...
.
Nichols Green
The green in Nichols Farms, known as Nichols Green or N.I.A. Green, is owned and maintained by a private trust called the Nichols Improvement Association, established in 1889 to beautify and improve Nichols Farms.- A memorial to those residents who fought in World Wars I and II is located on the south end of the green.
- An 80' tall pine flagpole brought through the Panama CanalPanama CanalThe Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
from Washington was erected on the green in 1932. This pine pole replaced an earlier 115' chestnut flagpole erected on July 4, 1892 that carried a 25' by 15' flag and was believed by some to be the highest flag flown in the state at the time.
- Another well known landmark near the green is the Bunny Fountain. The fountain, was a gift from the Peet family to the citizens of Nichols in 1895. The fountain was moved from its original location at the intersection of Huntington Turnpike and Shelton Road to the intersection of Huntington Turnpike and Unity Road in 1931 after being damaged by a car. It was moved to its present location and restored in the spring of 1971 and underwent restoration again in 1992.
- An old grinding stone from the 1826 Fairchild (Paper) Mill is placed at the south end of the green. The mill was located at a place commonly called the Falls of the Pequonnock RiverPequonnock RiverThe Pequonnock River is a waterway in eastern Fairfield County, Connecticut, flowing through the city of Bridgeport. The river has a penchant for flooding, particularly in spring since the removal of a retention dam in Trumbull in the 1950s. There seems to be a sharp difference of opinion among...
beginning in 1674, at present it is the town boundary with Bridgeport called Fairchild Park.
- A piece of the original 1940 Merritt ParkwayMerritt ParkwayThe Merritt Parkway is a historic limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the...
bridge that was built over Route 108 is on the green. The concrete ornament is a likeness of the town of Trumbull official seal. The bridge was demolished in 1979 when the interchange was updated.
Properties excluded
State officials excluded 78 buildings from the initial district that were located on Huntington TurnpikeConnecticut Route 108
Route 108 in the U.S. state of Connecticut, also called Huntington Turnpike and Nichols Avenue, is a two-lane state highway that runs northerly from US 1, Boston Post Road in Stratford, through Trumbull, to Route 110 in downtown Shelton...
, Nichols Avenue
Connecticut Route 108
Route 108 in the U.S. state of Connecticut, also called Huntington Turnpike and Nichols Avenue, is a two-lane state highway that runs northerly from US 1, Boston Post Road in Stratford, through Trumbull, to Route 110 in downtown Shelton...
and Shelton Road. These buildings were a part of the original district proposed by the Trumbull Historic District Study Committee for Nichols Farms in May 1976. The Ephraim Hawley House
Ephraim Hawley House
The Ephraim Hawley House, located in New England, is a Colonial American wooden post-and-beam timber-frame farm house built between 1670 and 1690...
, Zachariah Curtiss House
Zachariah Curtiss House
The Zachariah Curtiss Houses are located in New England, and are Colonial American wooden post-and-beam timber frame farm houses. The older house of the two was built by Zachariah I around 1686 and the second house was built by his son Zachariah II around 1721 in the Georgian architectural style...
and barn (built before 1721), the summer home of American folklorist Will Geer
Will Geer
Will Geer was an American actor and social activist. His original name was William Aughe Ghere. He is remembered for his portrayal of Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the 1970s TV series, The Waltons....
and a home of helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
inventor Igor Sikorsky
Igor Sikorsky
Igor Sikorsky , born Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky was a Russian American pioneer of aviation in both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft...
were excluded. A subsequent Historic Building Survey, completed in 2010, has recommended these properties be added to increase the existing historic district.