Former Prospect Library, Prospect

Former Prospect Library, Prospect – Jerry Dougherty

Prospect, in New Haven County, is located in southwestern Connecticut near Waterbury. Formerly Columbia Parrish, Prospect was incorporated in 1827 and was formed from the neighboring towns of Waterbury and Cheshire. Located at the highest elevation in New Haven County, the town is named for the views it provided. Predominately an agricultural community, waterpower harnessed along the Ten Mile River was utilized by small manufacturers to produce everything from brass thimbles to matches. In 1853, the state’s only completed plank road (connecting Waterbury to Cheshire), was built through the town. Unable to compete with the larger factories of Naugatuck and Waterbury, Prospect has remained a rural suburb.

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Benjamin Dutton Beecher had a Penchant for Invention

Described by some as "eccentric," Benjamin Dutton Beecher was a millwright and machinist with a knack for invention.  …[more]

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Beecher, Benjamin D.. 1839. “Patent Number 1,459 - Screw Propeller.” https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US1459.pdf (April 5, 2013).
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“Map - North Part of New Haven Co., Connecticut from Town and City Atlas of the State of Connecticut.” 1893. http://www.flickr.com/photos/uconnlibrariesmagic/6883529410/.
Rockey, J. 1892. 1 History of New Haven County, Connecticut. New York: W. W. Preston. http://www.archive.org/stream/newhavencountyco01rock#page/n5/mode/2up.
Bronson, Henry. 1858. The History of Waterbury, Connecticut the Original Township Embracing Present Watertown and Plymouth, and Parts of Oxford, Wolcott, Middlebury, Prospect and Naugatuck. Waterbury, CT: Bronson Brothers. http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofwaterbu00bron#page/n7/mode/2up.
Guevin, John. 1995. View from the Top: The Story of Prospect, Connecticut. Prospect,  CT: Biographical Publishing Company.
Beach, Joseph. 1912. History of Cheshire, Connecticut, from 1694-1840 Including Prospect, Which, as Columbia Parish, Was a Part of Cheshire Until 1829. Cheshire, CT: Lady Fenwick Chapter, D.A.R. http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924074487913#page/n9/mode/2up.