Newington Junction

The site of the Newington Junction Railroad Depot where the rail line crosses Willard Ave.
The Willard Homestead at 372 Willard Ave. in the Newington Junction area

Newington Junction is a section of the town of Newington, Connecticut. It is centered at the intersection of Willard Avenue (Route 173) and West Hill Road in the northwestern part of the town, in the area generally just south of the Hartford city line. The name of the area refers to the railroad junction where the railroad line from New Haven meets with the railroad line from Bristol and Waterbury. The development of Newington Junction as a result of the railroad was instrumental in the separation of the town of Newington from its mother town of Wethersfield.

The area is also architecturally significant for the range of styles used in houses built during the period of significance of the area. The neighborhood contains houses with architectural styles from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. For reasons of both historical and architectural significance, a significant portion of the neighborhood has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as historic districts. The architectural centerpiece of Newington Junction is the Willard Homestead and the Newington Junction Railroad Depot located in the center of the neighborhood. Both properties are separately listed on the National Register. Because the central area is now surrounded by incompatible modern structures, the architecturally significant areas of the neighborhood have been grouped into three clusters, each designated as a separate historic district, namely, Newington Junction South, North, and West Historic Districts.

Historic districts

Newington Junction South Historic District

Newington Junction South Historic District
Part of the Newington Junction South Historic District
Location 268--319 Willard Ave., Newington, Connecticut
Area 10 acres (4.0 ha)
Architectural style Late Victorian, Colonial, Gothic Revival
Governing body Local
MPS Newington Junction MRA
NRHP Reference # 86003462[1]
Added to NRHP June 2, 1987

The South district is located along Willard Avenue south of the intersection with West Hill Road (268-319 Willard Avenue). It consists of 9 contributing and 2 non-contributing properties over an area of 10 acres (4.0 ha). The houses here include examples of Late Victorian, Colonial, Gothic Revival styles, showcasing architecture from the period 1800-1924.[2]

Newington Junction North Historic District

Newington Junction North Historic District
Part of the Newington Junction North Historic District
Location 55--108 Willard Ave., Newington, Connecticut
Area 10 acres (4.0 ha)
Architectural style Colonial Revival, Late Victorian, Queen Anne
Governing body Private
MPS Newington Junction MRA
NRHP Reference # 86003465[1]
Added to NRHP June 2, 1987

The North district is located along Willard Avenue north of the intersection with West Hill Road (55-108 Willard Avenue). It consists of 13 contributing and 3 non-contributing properties over an area of 10 acres (40,000 m2). The houses here include examples of Colonial Revival, Late Victorian, and Queen Anne styles, showcasing architecture from the period 1850-1949.

Newington Junction West Historic District

Newington Junction West Historic District
Location 175 and 181--183 Willard Ave. and 269--303 W. Hill Rd., Newington, Connecticut
Area 8 acres (3.2 ha)
Architectural style Colonial Revival, Late Victorian, Colonial
Governing body Private
MPS Newington Junction MRA
NRHP Reference # 86003464[1]
Added to NRHP June 2, 1987

The West district is primarily located along West Hill Road (269-303 West Hill Road) but also includes two additional properties on Willard Avenue near the intersection of Willard Avenue and West Hill Road. The district consists of 13 contributing and 3 non-contributing properties over an area of 8 acres (32,000 m2). The houses include examples of Colonial, Colonial Revival, and Late Victorian styles, showcasing architecture from the period 1650-1949.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
  2. "NRHP nomination for Newington Junction South Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-12-16.

See also

Coordinates: 41°42′52″N 72°44′07″W / 41.7144°N 72.7352°W