A bird's-eye view of Essex, CT, published by O. H. Bailey in 1881. The town of Essex includes the two villages of Centerbrook and Ivoryton.
Today, some people call Essex "The Pearl Harbor" of the War of 1812, one of the few American towns to be attacked by a foreign power. During the war, when the area was still called by its Indian name, Pettipague, prominent Essex shipbuilder, Captain Richard Hayden, caught the attention of the British when he advertised his newly completed 315 ton sharp schooner, the "Black Prince", suggesting it would make an ideal privateer. The British launched a raid on Essex on April 8, 1814. The economic losses were among the largest sustained during the war, resulting in the loss of 28 vessels. It was after this raid that the village of Pettipague changed its name to Essex. A ceremony is held in Essex each May since 1964, commemorating the "Burning of the Ships".
As the building of wooden ships faded, Comstock Cheney & Co., producing piano keys and ivory products grew to become one of the largest producers of ivory and piano keys in the United States. The village of Ivoryton became the economic center of Essex.
Charming inset illustrations of notable buildings include:
Miner & Co's. Store M. B. Hall's Store Connecticut Valley Manufacturing Co., Augers & Bits Comstock Cheney & Co., Ivory Goods Manufactories Rose Brothers Store & Post Office, Ivoryton Comstock Cheney & Co's. Piano Key Manufactory N. Hayden, Undertaking Hardware Manufactory S. W. & W. D. Ingersoll's Store Essex Landing & S. Boat Store House, W. H. Parmelee & Co. Groceries J. E. Redfield's Tap and Die Manufactory J. E. Knowles Book & Stationery Store G. F. Buckingham's Store & Residence Complete reference list below.
Features numbered references to the following locations: 1. The Comstock Cheney & Co's. Piano Key Factory 2. The Comstock Cheney & Co's. Ivory Factory 3. Rose Brothers, General Merchandise & Post Office 4. G. E. Buckingham, Boot & Shoe Store & Residence 5. Centerbrook Manufacturing Co., Augers, Bits & c. 6. E. Kelsey Ivory Factory 7. Congregational Church, Centerbrook 8. Congregational Church 9. Methodist Church 10. Episcopal Church 11. Baptist Church 12. Hills Academy 13. Town Hall 14. F. Starkey's Sons, Groceries, Hardware & Carpets, & c. 15. Miner & Co., Groceries, Crockery & c., Odd Fellows Hall 16. S. W. & W. U. Ingersoll, Clothing, Dry Goods, Carpets, & c. 17. M. B. Hall, Watches, Jewelry, Pianos, Organs & c. 18. Union House, S. M. Morley, Proprietor 19. John Halliday, & Co., Drugs, Medicines & c. 20. J. R. Post, & Co., Meat Market & Provisions 21. Saybrook National Bank of Essex 22. Saybrook Savings Bank 23. J. E. Knowles, News Dealer & Stationer 24. G. W. Banning, Groceries & Provisions 25. G. H. Post, Stoves, Tinware & c. 26. N. Hayden, Dry & Fancy Goods 27. T. S. Hayden, Groceries & Provisions 28. F. Starkey's Sons, Groceries & Provisions 29. F. Starkey's Sons, Dry Goods 30. Jos. Harrington, Griswold House 31. W. P. Parmelee & Co., Groceries & c., Steamboat Store House 32. W. C. Hough & Co., Wadding Manufactory 33. J. E. Redfield, Tap & Die Manufactory 34. G. Conklin, Block & Spar Manufacturer 35. W. N. Robbins, Rope, Cordage, & c. 36. T. N. Dickinson, Ready Made Clothing 37. S. Tyler, Groceries & Provisions 38. C. H. Pratt, Boot & Shoe Store 39. F. W. Williams, Boot & Shoe Store 40. G. W. Swan, Furniture & Undertaking 41. David Andrews, Groceries & c. 42. N. Hayden, Manufacturer of Undertakers Hardware 43. Tiley & Pratt, Manufactory of Bone Goods 44. Sail Loft & Boat Shop 45. E. W. Pratt & Co. Blacksmiths 46. J. Minke, Boots & Shoes 47. F. G. Dickinson, Store and Masonic Hall |