Watertown History Page by Charlie Crowell

Watertown History Page by Charlie Crowell History of Watertown CT

For our friends in Bethlehem, here’s a clipping from October 10, 1889 about a three ton meteorite(?) recovered from a sw...
01/04/2026

For our friends in Bethlehem, here’s a clipping from October 10, 1889 about a three ton meteorite(?) recovered from a swamp.

This appeared in the WATERBURY AMERICAN.

In 1923, the WATERBURY SUNDAY REPUBLICAN ran another story about another Bethlehem meteorite. See the comments for a link to that story.


In August of 1889, authorities raided an Oakville “house of ill-repute”, arresting four women. All were transferred to t...
01/03/2026

In August of 1889, authorities raided an Oakville “house of ill-repute”, arresting four women. All were transferred to the county jail in Litchfield to await trial.

(WATERBURY AMERICAN)

Here’s an evening view of Watertown’s remarkable former Town Hall. Built in 1894, this classic structure is nothing shor...
01/03/2026

Here’s an evening view of Watertown’s remarkable former Town Hall. Built in 1894, this classic structure is nothing short of a historic treasure.

Throughout the first half of its life in particular, this building was far more than a home for town offices.

The upstairs was Watertown’s auditorium and was used for performances of every imaginable type. Traveling acts and even old-time medicine shows were put on here.

Early silent movies were played here as well, but also vaudeville acts, plays, concerts, demonstrations and lectures.

Taft School used the upstairs for years until the school built its own facilities.

President William H. Taft’s sons Robert and Charlie performed upstairs during their years as Taft School students.

Before there was a high school gymnasium, the upstairs was used for Watertown High School basketball games. Locals crowded in elbow to elbow to catch the action.

It was here that decisions were made that affect everyday life in the community as town meetings by the hundreds were held within these walls.

Court hearings were held here too. Many early traffic violators and small-time offenders found themselves brought before the judge, often being fined a few dollars “plus court costs”.

More serious criminals were sent to Litchfield for trial.

This is where couples came to get marriage licenses and this is where everyone gathered to celebrate the end of WWI.

The basement was, of course, home to the police department for decades.

This was, to put it mildly, the very center of Watertown life for our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

And the building's "Colonial Revival Richardsonian Romanesque" architectural style makes it a one-of-a-kind historic standout.

No longer Watertown’s Town Hall and now in private hands, the building’s future is still undetermined.

(2011 photo)

Even before automobiles came into existence, Pin Shop Hill was a treacherous spot. This WATERBURY AMERICAN clipping from...
01/03/2026

Even before automobiles came into existence, Pin Shop Hill was a treacherous spot. This WATERBURY AMERICAN clipping from September 13, 1889 tells the story.

Pin Shop Hill (also known as “Post Office Hill” back when the Oakville Post Office was at the top of the hill) continues to be a challenge for drivers today, especially when the road is wet or icey.

WATERBURY AMERICAN September 28, 1889.Henry E Judd (1826–1903)
01/03/2026

WATERBURY AMERICAN September 28, 1889.

Henry E Judd (1826–1903)

This is a Christmas card sent to my father and uncle from my great-great-grandmother Jane Van Rensselaer (b. 1848).On th...
12/24/2025

This is a Christmas card sent to my father and uncle from my great-great-grandmother Jane Van Rensselaer (b. 1848).

On the back she wrote:

“Schuyler and Livingston Crowell, whatever you wish for yourselves, I wish for you now and always. Very Merry Christmas, Grandmother Jane."

The card isn't dated but it was probably from the late 1920s.

Jane died on October 26, 1935 at age 87.

And on that personal note, I wish you all “whatever you wish for” and a Very Merry Christmas.

See you in ‘26.

Christmas in Watertown, 1891, as told by the Watertown correspondent to the Waterbury American. The “branch” mentioned h...
12/24/2025

Christmas in Watertown, 1891, as told by the Watertown correspondent to the Waterbury American. The “branch” mentioned here was the railroad line between Watertown and Waterbury.

(WATERBURY AMERICAN, Dec. 21, 1891)

Couple photos I took of the house at 666 Main Street. (July 2010 and Jan. 2011). Today the site is a parking lot.
12/18/2025

Couple photos I took of the house at 666 Main Street. (July 2010 and Jan. 2011). Today the site is a parking lot.

Here’s an interesting view of the Warren House. This huge structure stood on the corner of DeForest Street and Woodbury ...
12/15/2025

Here’s an interesting view of the Warren House. This huge structure stood on the corner of DeForest Street and Woodbury Road. Today, the site is Taft School’s side lawn.

Note to large sign on the building. Most photographs don’t show the sign because they were taken from the front, or taken after the hotel closed and the sign had been removed.

Built in 1866-67 to accommodate 100 guests, there were times when 150 guest were staying there.

The Warren House was a seasonal operation. Waterbury newspapers often reported when the last guests left (usually in September) and the hotel closed.

But during the off-season, locals would often use its ballroom for special events.

Many times, after a heavy snow and a day of sleighing thoughout Litchfield County, scores of cold sleighers would arrive at the Warren House to warm up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a “splendid” dinner.

The hotel's popularity started declining after only a decade or so and sometimes the building sat largely unused.

In 1893, Horace Taft (brother of the future president) leased the building and moved his all-boys prep school into the spacious but deteriorating resort.

Mr. Taft later bought the building. It served the school for 36 years until he had it demolished in 1929.

The wrecking crew carried away some of the structure, then knocked the rest into the cellar and lit it on fire. The inferno could be seen for miles around and attracted a large crowd of curious onlookers.

It was an unfortunate end to the magnificent, one-of-a-kind Victorian masterpiece.

It was reported that some older Watertown residents were around long enough to have witnessed the construction of the Warren House, and then its demolition 62 years later.

I posted this Evergreen Cemetery picture here 13 years ago and got a wonderful, detailed look at the life of Margaret Hy...
11/11/2025

I posted this Evergreen Cemetery picture here 13 years ago and got a wonderful, detailed look at the life of Margaret Hyde’s life from her neice Cindy Lavin Rodgers Perry as follows:

“Aunt Margaret was the daughter of my grandpa, Charles Edward Butterfield and his first wife Mabel Fairfield (her sister was Betty Weidemier). Mabel died of Spanish Influenza in 1919 and Grandpa married my Grandma Butterfield (Mae Lavin) in 1922 and had 4 more girls... hence the 6 Butterfield girls..They lived at 25 Prospect Street since the beginning (my Great grandfather Lavin built it for the newlyweds and the little girls). Aunt Margaret graduated from WHS in 1936 and Pembroke in 1940 and then enlisted in the army. She served in Iceland among many other duty stations and was on active duty for 12 years. I believe she was in the supply/logistics field. She served during WWIl and Korea. Once the AF was born in 48..she transfeed to that branch because of her love of flying..She often flew with my great Uncle Tom Butterfield in his private plane in the 20s and 30s..She married Jay Hyde (fellow soldier) and had my cousin Judy and then was divorced shortly afterward.. At that time, women had to be discharged if they had children so she had to leave the military. She became a teacher after her service in Southbury for 30 years..retiring there and then relocated to NY when she became ill where she died. She is listed in the Military Women's Memorial in Arlington (which can be accessed) which has her military career and anecdotes..Aunt Margaret also entered my Naval career information into the Memorial as I am the only female grandchild who served on active duty (LCDR - Navy). Aunt Margaret loved the military and was one of the most patriotic people I knew ..she loved this country and God help anyone who did not stand (at attention) when the national anthem was being played.including on TV.”

In days of old (before automobiles), hitching post were everywhere and whenever you stopped, you would use one to tie up...
11/11/2025

In days of old (before automobiles), hitching post were everywhere and whenever you stopped, you would use one to tie up your horse. Hitching posts came in an endless variety of materials and styles from a simple wood post to elaborate, decorative cast iron versions. Seen here is a granite hitching post still on duty on North Street.

2012 Photo

ARMED WATERTOWN MEN JOIN SEARCH FOR MURDERER OF YOUNG MORRIS GIRLIn early 1886, Calvert Randall bought a farm in the tow...
11/10/2025

ARMED WATERTOWN MEN JOIN SEARCH FOR MURDERER OF YOUNG MORRIS GIRL

In early 1886, Calvert Randall bought a farm in the town of Morris, just north of Watertown. Randall had a 16 year old daughter, Mattie, who, by all accounts was adorable. She was called the prettiest girl in town and enjoyed great popularity in Morris and beyond.

Working at the farm at the time it was purchased was a 35 year old farmhand, Charles Lockwood. Lockwood's reputation was good and the former owner of the farm spoke highly of him so he was kept on. Only problem was he became infatuated with Mattie.

The girl, however, wanted no part of his attention or advances and complained to her father. She asked that he be fired. The father chose not to dismiss Lockwood and work continued on the farm.

On July 22, Lockwood showed up at the house and told Mattie her father had asked that she help him in the field some distance away. Mattie agreed and went to get ready. Lockwood then disappeared.

Not far from the house, as Mattie was walking in an isolated place to meet her father, Lockwood confronted her. He was carrying her father's shotgun.

No one knows exactly what happened next but it appears Mattie was on her knees begging for her life when Lockwood shot her ex*****on style in the chest, killing her instantly. Lockwood then dragged her body into some nearby brush.

Mattie's father heard the shotgun blast but it was nothing unusual out in the country. He didn't think anything of it until the family realized the Mattie was missing. Within hours, the lifeless body of the "belle of Morris" was discovered. There was no sign of a struggle and no injuries other than the gunshot wound.

Word spread rapidly of the murder and the search began for Lockwood who had disappeared. From the surrounding towns of Watertown, Thomaston, Waterbury, Litchfield, Torrington and others, 1500 armed men poured in to aid in the search. Area factories shut down so employees could join the search.

For days, the men combed the area as women served food and coffee on the Randall's front lawn.

Mattie's sad funeral came and went. She was buried in Bridgewater in a family plot.

After three more days passed, the men felt they had searched nearly everywhere. There was talk of bringing in bloodhounds but it was decided to re-search one particular area of thick brush and tall trees that had not been searched as thoroughly as everywhere else.

It was there that the body of Charles Lockwood was found hanging from a tree. His body was still warm.

The body was cut down and laid out in a nearby field. The 1500 searchers all took turns viewing the body. It was then turned over to the medical examiner. Lockwood had escaped the law but paid the price for his deed.

The story was reported nationwide and some newspapers suggested Lockwood had been lynched but that was convincingly proven not to be the case.

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Watertown, CT
06795

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