1702

1702: Native American Deed signed by fourteen Native Americans was given to the Proprietors of New Milford. Consideration, Sixty pounds current money of the Colony of Connecticut, and twenty pounds in goods. There were 109 Proprietors who owned Rights. New Milford was called a Plantation until 1713.

1703

1703: The legislative title called the "Patent" was granted by the Grand Court to New Milford.

1706

1706: Zachariah Ferriss came to New Milford and plowed a piece of land near Roger Sherman Hall - the first work done by a white man here.

1707

1707: The names of the three earliest settlers of New Milford are: John Noble from Westfield, Mass., John Bostwick from Stratford, Conn., John Noble, Jr. from Westfield, Mass.

1708

1708: Daniel Bostwick was born; the first male child born in New Milford.

1710

1710: Sarah Ferriss was born; the first female child born in New Milford.

1711

1711: John Read preached a sermon; the first in New Milford. The inhabitants (about 70 persons) of the Plantation petitioned the General Assembly for town rights and also the privilege of levying a tax to obtain a minister.

1712

1712: The General Assembly of Connecticut granted the powers and privileges of a township. First highways laid Out: Aspetuck Avenue and Elkington Road. Ensign William Gaylord came from Windsor.

1713

1713: John Noble, Sr. chosen Town Clerk; Zachariah Ferriss, Samuel Brownson and Samuel Hitchcock, Selectmen.

1714

1714: - Voted to fence the Common Field. John Noble, Sr. dies. First adult to be buried in Center Cemetery. Main Street, Bridge Street, Elm Street and Bennitt Street laid out.

1715

1715: Highway from lower end of Indian Field to Danbury laid out. First military company organized, Captain Stephen Noble in command.

1716

1716: "First Church of Christ" (Congregational) organized by eight men and five women with Rev. Daniel Boardman as pastor.

1717

1717: First gristmill built by John Griswold and William Gould at Lanesville.

1719

1719: First Meeting House begun. Highway from south end of Main Street to the Great Falls, on the east side of the river, laid out "to be 30 rods wide where it can be allowed"

1720

1720: Town voted to build a boat for the purpose of crossing the river, the expense to be borne "by the polls."

1721

1721: Voted in Town Meeting that a school be maintained for four months in the winter, the town to bear one-half the expense.

1722

1722: "North Purchase" bought. It was taken from Waramaug's Reserve. Committee appointed to raise money to hire a school master three months in winter, and a school mistress three months in summer.

1723

1723-4: In consideration for gifts of 24 acres of land from individuals, James Hine of Milford came to New Milford as its first blacksmith.

1725

1725: Ensign William Gaylord built a log house at Gaylordsville. First Grand List made in New Milford; £2,739.lls.7d. Captain John Warner was the first settler at the "South Farms" (lower part of New Milford).

1727

1727: First District SchoolHouse built.

1730

1730: John Noble, Jr. moved to Gallows Hill, New Milford plains. He was the first permanent settler below Gallows Hill.

1731

1731: 1731-1732

Eighteen sundry members of First Church of Christ fell away to Quakerism.

1733

1733: Ironworks erected at Half-way Falls (now Brookfield).

1734

1734: Gallows Hill Cemetery laid out.

1736

1736: First brid8e erected across the Housatonic at the foot of Bennitt Street. This was a free bridge and when it was swept away by floods in about three years it was replaced by a toll bridge.

1737

1737: Gaylordsville Burying Ground laid out by William Gaylord and Stephen Noble.

1741

1741: Quaker MeetingHouse built at Pickett District. Later moved to Lanesville.

1743

1743: Roger Sherman came to New Milford from Newton, Mass. Partridge Thatcher came from Lebanon, Conn. He was the first professional lawyer in New Milford.

1746

1746: St. John's Episcopal Church organized with visiting clergy.

1751

1751: Litchfield County organized. Samuel Canfield, Esq. of New Milford one of four first Justices of the Quorum. The Quorum was the highest court in the State.

1754

1754: Rev. Solomon Palmer the first resident Episcopal clergyman, came to New Milford. The second Congregational MeetingHouse was built. Parish of Newbury (Brookfield) incorporated by the General Assembly. New Milford contributed 8 sq. miles, Danbury 33/4 sq. miles and Newtown 6 sq. miles.

1755

1755: Lazarus Ruggles settled at Lanesville and erected the Iron Works.

1756

1756: Census taken showing 1,137 inhabitants.

1757

1757: Mary Roberts gave her negro slave, Dan, his freedom upon his paying her £3.2s.5d annually during his life.

1758

1758: Benoni Stebbins bequeathed £200 to the schools of New Milford. Interest on this fund is still used.

1758

1758-62: New Milford sent 139 men to the Colonial Wars.

1760

1760: Gaylordsville School District laid out. Upper Merryall Cemetery laid out.

1761

1761: The Separatists or Strict Congregationalists built a house of worship near the Center Cemetery.

1765

1765: Second Episcopal Church erected.

1769

1769: School District organized.

1774

1774: Census taken showing 2,776 inhabitants.

1775

1775-80: New Milford sent 285 men to the Revolutionary War.

1778

1778: Three Brigades of the Continental Army (4,663 men) under the command of General McDougal camped for one month on Second Hill.

1780

1780: General Washington passed through Gaylordsville.

1782

1782: Jemima Wilkinson came to New Milford and held meetings in Northville.

1787

1787: Probate District of New Milford formed with Samuel Canfield first Judge.

1788

1788: Nicholas Wanzer deeded land to the Quakers, it being the same land on which the old Quaker Meeting House now stands with the burying ground adjoining. The old Quaker MeetingHouse was removed to its present site from Pickett District.

1789

1789: Town House-School House built at north end of Main Street.

1790

1790: Professor Nehemiah Strong had a private school for boys about this time.

1792

1792: Bridge built at Little Falls, (foot of West Street).

1793

1793: New Milford divided into two military divisions, line running just north of the Knapp residence. The new South Company was organized, Nathan Bostwick Captain.

1794

1794: A destructive tornado crossed New Milford causing much damage.

1796

1796: Union Circulating Library established.

1800

1800: Total assessment for New Milford, including Bridgewater, $75,982.04. The Merryall Plough Foundry established by Elijah Hall.

1801

1801: Toll bridge built at "Iron Works" in Lanesville.

1803

1803-4: Bridge built at Gaylordsville.

1810

1810: St. Mark's Episcopal Church organized in Bridgewater.

1812

1812: `New Milford Fever;' an epidemic lasting six months, claimed 99 lives.

1814

1814: New Milford Baptist Church organized at Northville.

1818

1818: The New Milford and Sherman Turnpike Company incorporated.

1819

1819: William Roberts settled at Gaylordsville and erected a clothing works.

1822

1822: A convention of delegates met to consider the advisability of building "The Housatonic Valley Canal" Funds were raised and an estimate of the expense of construction made. The enterprise failed.

1823

1823: A Baptist Meeting House erected near Lower Merryall burying place. Glover Sanford began making hats in Bridgewater.

1824

1824: The first Methodist Church organized by Rev. C. Silliman.

1826

1826: Union Church building erected at Gaylordsville.

1828

1828-9: A Methodist MeetingHouse erected at the Corners near the home of Capt. John Warner in Lanesville.

1830

1830: The New Milford Fire Company chartered, Anan Hine, Foreman.

1832

1832: Roswell and Sheldon Northrop started Machinery and Foundry business in Maryland District. Now carried on by The New Milford Foundry and Machine Works.

1833

1833: Congregational Church built.

1835

1835: New Milford Toll Bridge Company incorporated with liberty to erect and maintain two toll bridges.

1836

1836: Town Meeting appropriated $500 towards the expenses of surveying a route through the town for a railroad. Some of the residents urged its being put through Main Street but the survey proved that was not feasible.

1837

1837: 3rd Episcopal Church building erected near present corner of Main and Church streets.

1838

1838: Paved watercourse twelve feet wide constructed through Village Green.

1840

1840: The Housatonic Railroad was opened from New Milford to Bridgeport, Daniel Marsh first Station Agent.

1841

1841: The New Milford Washingtonian Temperance Benevolent Society organized. Within three years 900 names were recorded as members.

1843

1843: Housatonic Railroad Station erected at Gaylordsville and called "Merwinsville" Solomon E. Bostwick set out first elm trees on the Village Green. Doctor George Taylor and Albert N. Baldwin appointed a committee to purchase a farm for the Town.

1845

1845: The New Milford Republican, published by J. K. Averill, first newspaper in New Milford. School House built at head of Village Green in place of Meeting House- SchoolHouse.

1846

1846-50: The "Housatonic Institute," a two- story academy school, erected on the present site of the New Milford Public Library.

1847

1847: Bank Street laid out.

1848

1848: First tobacco in New Milford raised by George McMahon.

1850

1850: The First Methodist Episcopal Church erected. Now demolished.

1851

1851: Committee of Arrangements for New Milford in the Litchfield County bicentennial celebration were David S. Boardman, Perry Smith, Orange Merwin, George Taylor and Royal I. - Canfield.

1852

1852: Bank of Litchfield County organized - with capitalization of $100,000, - Frederick G. Chittenden, President. - Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Stone took over - "Housatonic Institute"; Mrs. Stone was - a sister of Henry Ward Beecher and - Harriet Beecher Stowe.

1855

1855: The New Milford Brass Band organized, Earl Buckingham Leader. Smith & Erwin started manufacture of hats in New Milford. The New Milford Center Cemetery Association organized. Paper mill for the manufacture of straw pasteboard established on East Aspetuck River by Roewell H. Parker.

1856

1856: Bridgewater set off from New Milford as a separate town.

1857

1857: Beach and Canfield established. In 1957 it is the oldest industry in New Milford (The C. M. Beach Company whose owners are direct descendants of one of the original founders, Merritt Beach.

1858

1858: The New Milford Savings Bank organized, Eli Mygatt, President. The Housatonic Agricultural Society formed and sponsored its first fair on Middle Road, Pickett District.

1860

1860: Adelphic Institute removed from Cornwall, Corm. During the Civil War it was used as a military school. Seth Landon opened first Photography Gallery in New Milford.

1861

1861: St. Francis Xavier's Church built on Elm Street. 262 men enlisted from New Milford in the Civil War.

1863

1863: Water Witch Engine Company No.2 organized.

1864

1864: The town authorized an issue of bonds to the amount of $21,000 to meet war expenses.

1865

1865: Litchfield County Bank changed name to The First National Bank of New Milford, Daniel Marsh, President.

1866

1866: Manufacture of buttons from vegetable ivory begun by Henry S. and Walter B. Bostwick under the name of Bostwick Brothers. St. Francis Xavier Cemetery laid out.

1868

1868: E. A. Wildman erected the first tobacco warehouse and in that year 500 cases were packed.

1871

1871: The Village Improvement Society organized, John P Treadwell, President. 1872 - The Housatonic Ray (newspaper) established. It was the first newspaper in the county to employ women in the Editorical Department. Paved watercourse through the Village Green closed over.

1873

1873: The New Milford Water Company chartered, Charles H. Booth, President. Kindergarten school established by Mrs. Andrew Bristol, Miss Mary C. Wells, assistant. The New Milford Horse Thief and Burglar Detective Association formed.

1875

1875: Roger Sherman Hall erected. Cornet Bandstand erected on Village Green opposite the New England House. Town Meeting authorized committee to buy New Milford-Sherman Turn- pike Toll Bridge, New Milford Toll Bridge and Gaylordsville Toll Bridge (except tollhouses) and return them to the town for free public use.

1876

1876: Water Witch Engine Company No.2 changed name to Water Witch Hose Company No.2. Public School Building on East Street completed at a total cost of $11,926.98. Voted at a Town Meeting that notices of Special Town Meetings be published in some newspaper in the town.

1877

1877: The New Milford Gazette published with office and printing room in the basement of Town Hall. Seal of the Town of New Milford designed by Town Clerk, Russell Noble.

1878

1878: New Milford Christian Temperance Union formed, George C. Wells, President. Miss Mary C. Wells established kindergarten in her home. The New Milford Creamery established by Clark Hine.

1879

1879: Census taken showing 3,198 inhabitants. The Agricultural Society of New Milford organized, successor to The Housatonic Agricultural Society.

1880

1880: The New Milford Bell Telephone Company incorporated, George M. Anthony, President, with 36 subscribers in New Milford.

1881

1881: The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company erected a large plant at Still River. This company was incorporated at Bridgeport in 1876. The manufacture of hats by modern methods started by Messrs. J. E. Bates and S. S. Green.

1882

1882: Upton Post, Grand Army of the Republic organized with 26 charter members. All Saints Episcopal Church erected by Sarah Sanford Black as a memorial to her husband William D. Black. Fourth Episcopal Church, St. John's on the Green, erected on the corner of Whittelsey Avenue and Main Street.

1884

1884: Electric light plant established at Little Falls by Mrs. William D. Black and Levi P Giddings.

1885

1885: The Northville Creamery incorporated.

1886

1886: Board of Trade established. The New Milford Library Association incorporated, George B. Noble, President. Eastern Lounge Company established. Incorporated in 1903. Housatonic Valley Creamery Company incorporated.

1887

1887: The New Milford Pottery Company incorporated. All Saints Church lighted by electricity, the first Episcopal Church in Connecticut to be thus illuminated.

1888

1888: The great blizzard, March 13. Iron Bridge at Boardman. Miss Helen Blake's School for Young Ladies opened on Terrace Place.

1889

1889: The Carbonized Stone and Pipe Company incorporated. Proposition to erect Soldiers' Monument by taxation defeated in Town Meeting. Superior Court of Litchfield County held its first session in Town Hall.

1890

1890: The new Hose House built on Church Street. Union Chapel built, Lower Merryall.

1891

1891: The New Milford Pottery Company changed name to Wannopee Pottery Company, incorporated. New BandStand erected on Village Green to replace old one removed in 1888.

1892

1892: Lower Merryall Cemetery Association formed. Mrs. William D. Black purchased Miss Blake's School for Young Ladies and established Ingleside School.

1893

1893: The New Milford Electric Light Company incorporated by Lewis F Curtis, Mrs. William D. Black and Levi P Giddings. Lime kilns erected at Boardman by Charles E. Griffin.

1894

1894: School districts put under town management and first Town School Committee elected to replace Board of Visitors.

1895

1895: Voted at Town Meeting to erect new iron bridge across the Great Falls (Lover's Leap).

1897

1897: Memorial Hall and Library erected on site of Housatonic Institute as memorial to the soldiers and sailors of New Milford. A bronze tablet to the memory of Roger Sherman was placed on Roger Sherman Hall by Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

1898

1898: The New Milford Power Company incorporated. A dam was built at Bull's Bridge and a canal constructed about a mile below. At the lower end of the canal, on the border of New Milford, was a powerhouse.

1900

1900: Great Firemen's Parade, 1,300 men in line. First automobile seen in New Milford, April 20.

1901

1901: Town Court established, George H. Jackson, Judge. Advent Christian Church built on Brookside Avenue.

1902

1902: Great fire destroyed the business portion of the Village, May 5. New England Lime Company incorporated, taking over buildings and lime kilns erected by Charles E. Griffin in 1893.

1904

1904: The New Milford Canning Company incorporated, Charles M. Beach, President. Iron bridge erected over Housatonic at Bridge Street to replace covered bridge swept away. Town House built at Town Farm.

1905

1905: Free textbooks supplied to scholars in Public Schools by vote of Town Meeting.

1906

1906: Drinking fountain erected on Village Green opposite Town Hall for benefit of men, horses and dogs.

1907

1907: 15,000 persons celebrated New Milford's bicentennial, June 18, 19, 20 and 21.

1908

1908: The Rocky River Power Company incorporated.

1909

1909: First case of fraudulent voting tried in New Milford Town Court.

1910

1910: The Northville Cemetery Association incorporated. The New Milford Electric Light Company purchased by V.P Staub and E. J. Emmons who instituted 24-hour service. The New Milford Chapter, American Red Cross, chartered, Charles N. Hall, Chairman.

1911

1911: Mrs. Isaac B. Bristol endowed bed at Danbury Hospital for use by New Mil- ford residents.

1912

1912: The Bennett-Merwin Silver Company incorporated. Lincoln Memorial Monument given by Capt. Edward W. Marsh. The Housatonic Valley Tobacco Company incorporated.

1913

1913: First Women’s Suffrage Meeting held at Town Hall.

1914

1914: The Bennett-Merwin Silver Company changed name to The Merwin-Wilson Silver Company.

1915

1915: The New Milford Historical Society incorporated. Canterbury School established.

1916

1916: The Robertson Bleachery & Dye Works incorporated. First Congregational Church celebrated bicentennial (1716). 51st reunion of 2nd Connecticut Artillery attended by 70 veterans of Civil War at Town Hall.

1917

1917: The Rocky River Power Company changed name to The Connecticut Light & Power Company. The Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company changed name to The Lithowite Silex Company.

1918

1918: New Milford sent 187 men to World War I.

1919

1919: The New Milford Visiting Nurse Association organized.

1920

1920: Canterbury School incorporated. First airplane seen over New Milford, southbound. Under Article 19 of the Constitution of the United States 684 women were made voters. War Memorial purchased by popular subscription erected on the Village Green.

1921

1921: The New Milford Hospital organized. The New Milford Dairymen's League Co-Operative Association incorporated. The Upper Merryall Cemetery Association formed. First wireless radio in town installed in room at the rear of the auditorium of the Methodist Church on Elm Street.

1922

1922: The New Milford Hospital incorporated, Roland F. Mygatt, President.

1923

1923: First airplane landed at New Milford on lot above the west end of Town Bridge.

1924

1924: Traffic rules laid down for town streets. The New Milford Garden Club planted a community tree.

1925

1925: New Milford played host to 1,800 persons who came to view eclipse from the surrounding hills in subzero weather. St. John's Church and All Saints Church merged into one large St. John's Parish.

1926

1926: The Connecticut Light & Power Company bought The New Milford Electric Light Company.

1927

1927: First Church of Christ Scientist incorporated. Quaker Cemetery Association incorporated.

1928

1928: Town delivery of mail began. St. Francis School opened on site of old Ingleside School. United States Geographic Board gave name "Lake Candlewood" to power project of The Connecticut Light & Power Company. Mary Weaver first woman to be elected State Senator from New Milford.

1929

1929: Pickett District Cemetery Association incorporated. Special Town Meeting voted to permit showing of movies on Sundays.

1930

1930: Voting machines authorized. The New Milford Ambulance Association incorporated.

1931

1931: One way traffic commenced on Main and Bank streets. Chamber of Commerce incorporated to advance the commercial, industrial, agricultural and civic interests and to assist in projects for town beautification.

1932

1932: 225th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of New Milford attended by 10,000 persons. 3,500 persons vaccinated against small pox.

1933

1933: The Polish National Catholic Church dedicated on Taylor Street.

1934

1934: Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, presented town with gavel made from Washing- ton Oak at Gaylordsville.

1935

1935: Sale of fireworks prohibited at Special Town Meeting. New Post Office built on Bridge Street.

1936

1936: Main House at Canterbury School destroyed by fire.

1937

1937: The New Milford Water Company built Reservoir No.4. The New Milford Visiting Nurse Association incorporated.

1938

1938: Board of Selectmen authorized at Town Meeting to employ full-time policeman. Old Home Day sponsored by Andrew B. Mygatt Post No.1672. First annual Children's Christmas Party sponsored by Chamber of Commerce.

1939

1939: The New Milford Community Park, comprised of 6.8 acres, purchased from The Connecticut Light & Power Company.

1940

1940: Town Park named "Lynn Deming Park" by vote of Special Town Meeting, with authorization for suitable marker. Observation Post established on Long Mountain by Ezra Woods Post No.31.

1941

1941: Town purchased 131/2 acres known as "Young's Field" Maggi Company started construction of new plant.

1942

1942: Last veteran of Civil War, Charles A. Way, died, aged 99.

1943

1943: Community playground sponsored by Parent-Teachers Association.

1944

1944: John Pettibone resigned as Superintendent of Schools after 41 years of service.

1945

1945: Skating rink established at Young's Field by Lions Club. New Milford sent 746 men and women to World War II.

1946

1946: Welcome Home celebration held for returning World War II Veterans. The New Milford Community Concert Association formed, Harold I. Hunt, President.

1947

1947: Maggi Company became Nestle Milk Products, In Miss Elizabeth Noble, a descendant of town founder, John Noble, resigned after 50 years as librarian at The New Milford Public Library.

1948

1948: Worst fire since 1902 caused much damage to Allen Block. Subsequently rebuilt. Hour limit parking went into effect on downtown streets. Citizens voted in favor of battered M-3 tank presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars being placed at south end of Village Green.

1949

1949: Small Claims Court established. New Milford first town in country to have automatic switches installed on street lamps.

1950

1950: The new New Milford Hospital on Elm Street opened to the public. Census taken showing 5,699 inhabitants in town.

1951

1951: Admiral Harry Knapp Memorial dedicated. The bell was from Admiral Knapp's Flagship S. S. Pittsburgh. Erected by Ezra Woods Post No.31. The Southern New England Telephone Company dedicated new building on Bridge Street. The New Milford Times purchased property on Boardman Terrace for new printing plant.

1952

1952: The New Milford Hospital, Inc. bought the Congregational Church Parsonage for a Nurses' Home. Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, took over care of famous Gaylordsville Oak under which General Washington is said to have stopped during his tour of the area in 1790. Community Center in Merryall dedicated with representatives from 11 countries of United Nations present.

1953

1953: Pyne Molding, Inc. started operation of new plant on Grove Street. Sewer Commission organized.

1954

1954: Veterans' Memorial Bridge over the Housatonic River dedicated. The Connecticut Light & Power Company opened its new building on Park Lane. The New Milford Public Library opened its Children's Room.

1955

1955: John Pettibone School, Pickett District, dedicated. Flood caused $250,000 to $300,000 damage to roads and bridges in New Milford. Power project of The Connecticut Light & Power Company named "Lake Lillinonah"

1956

1956

The New Milford Public Library opened first branch at John Pettibone School. The total assessment for New Milford was $27,306,172.

First traffic signal light went into operation at Main and Bridge streets. Knapp property at north end of Village Green acquired by The New Milford Historical Society by gift of the late Miss Mary Clissold Knapp.

1957

1957: Kimberly-Clark Corporation started construction of new plant at Pickett District. Scoville Manufacturing Company started construction of new plant near Aspetuck District.

1957

1957: Plans now drafted for a ten-room addition to John Pettibone School. Town marked its 250th Anniversary Celebration with a four-day festival in early July. Four Hundred citizens vote at Town Meeting to endorse continuation of municipal planning.

1958

1958: Harold I. Hunt retired after forty-two (42) years as New Milford High School director of music. William Blakey, Planning Chief of the Connecticut Development Commission, warned that New Milford would soon be a city.

1959

1959: Multi-million dollar Scovill Brass Plant put into operation.

1960

1960: The New Milford Board of Education approved the establishment of a "pilot class" for retarded children. Formal Dedication of new Fire House on Grove Street.

1961

1961: Official opening of the Circuit Court in New Milford. Kimberly-Clark Corp. announced its intention to buy the former Robertson Bleachery and Dye Works on West Street to provide manufacturing facilities for a subsidiary of Kimberly- Stevens Corporation.

1962

1962: Direct-dialing telephone service began in New Milford. Cornerstone of the new Trinity Luther- a Church on Route 7 North was laid in place. Andrew 3. Nearing, New Milford Fire Association Chief of Police, retired after having served as a Constable since 1916.

1963

1963: Water Witch Hose Co. #2 completes first century of service marked by a parade witnessed by 5,000 persons. The new New Milford High School dedicated on Sunny Valley Road. Board of Education approves fourteen- room addition to John Pettibone School.

1964

1964: Officer H. Kenneth Couch drowns in the Housatonic River. The first New Milford Police Officer to die in the line of duty.

1964

1964: A delegation from New Milford visited San Miguel, El Salvador, as part of cultural sister-city program. Plans announced for a new $180,000 medical center on Old Park Lane Road.

1965

1965: Frank A. Harden leaves an estate in the Lanesville section to the Town of New Milford as a park (Harrybrooke Park), and provides one million dollars for upkeep. The town's first sanitary code is enacted. New Milford becomes the first town to have its lights back on during the great blackout that struck the eastern United States and Canada. Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance agree to establish post of Town Controller. Weantinoge Heritage incorporated. A land trust based in New Milford to p~ serve undeveloped land.

1966

1966: Robert Erva Berry, killed near Quang Tn, Republic of Vietnam, becomes New Milford's lone casualty of the Vietnam Conflict. Addition to Town Hall named Howard H. Peck Annex in honor of long-time Town Clerk. Study Committee appointed to formulate a Building and Electrical Code for the town. Francis C. Cignoli appointed town's first Controller. Mrs. Norma Lord named town's first Social Worker. Ground broken for the new Hill and Plain Elementary School.

1967

1967: Dr. Howard G. Stevens, M.D., resigns as School Physician after over forty (40) years of service.

1968

1968: Town Meeting adopts the state basic building code. New Milford Hospital launches fund drive to establish six-bed intensive care unit. First gift of land for park purposes becomes Baldwin Park in Northville. A gift of Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Baldwin.

1969

1969: James Mancusi becomes New Milford's first Chief of Police. Marathon House, Inc, a drug addiction rehabilitation center, opens in Gaylordaville. An appropriation approved at Town Meeting for the restoration of the historic Gaylordsville School.

1970

1970: Howard Peck retired as Town Clerk after serving 32 years. Richard Gebhardt was sworn in on January 5. Golden's Department Store, a New Milford landmark on Bank Street, closed after 70 years of business. Railroad passenger service was discontinued effective May 25, 1970. Zoning in New Milford approved by a narrow margin on May 2, 1970. Ground broken for Temple Sholom Synagogue on Route 7 on June 19, 1970.

1971

1971

Town zoning effective 12/1/71. Mental Health Clinic established at New Milford Hospital. Kimberly-Clark water cleansing sys- tem installed to protect Housatonic River. Shopping Center permit issued - would contain Grant's and Barker's on Route 7 South. Dedication of new Roman Catholic Church, St. Francis Xavier, on Route 109. Set of new bleachers, to seat 750, built at Young's Field. Edward Dolan of South Kent donated old Merwinsville Station Hotel to Gay- lordsville for restoration.

New Milford's first Day Care Center established. New Christian Science Church construction to start on Main and Bridge streets. New Milford Historical Society acquires Brown's Forge, Gaylordsville, donated with 1A acre of land by Mrs. James Anderson. New Milford added to Housatonic Valley Planning Region. New Milford population up to 14,601.

1972

1972: First zoning enforcement officer hired by town. In April, town voted in plans to build a new sewage treatment plant. Adult Education Plan enacted by the School administration. New Milford featured in the December issue of Redbook Magazine. Story was on a "Charming New England Town:'

1973

1973: St. Francis Xavier Grammar School closed in June.

1974

1974: Design presented for new Lover's Leap Bridge. Cable TV came to New Milford. Lee House on the Green purchased by Ruth Henderson for restoration. New Milford Bank & Trust buys St. Francis Xavier Church parking lot on the corner of Bennett and Main streets. Bill passed allowing private operation of railroad line from New Milford to Canaan, CT. Route #25 becomes Route #202 from Danbury to Avon, CT. Former St. Francis Xavier School used for religious instruction.

1975

1975: A proposal to construct a multi-million dollar dog racing track on Route #7 was defeated. September brought damaging flood to town, leaving $800,000 damage in New Milford.

1976

1976: Ground broken for new Kimberly-Clark Corporation paper mill in Pickett District. New Milford celebrated our country's bicentennial from April 24-September 12, climaxing with the largest parade in the town's history.

1977

1977: Charles H. Marsh Memorial Bridge dedicated at Lover's Leap in Still River district. Jeanne Garvey announces candidacy on Independent ticket, the first woman to ever run for First Selectman. Republican Clifford Chapin sworn in as Selectman and would be the last to serve in that capacity. Board of Selectmen unanimously approved plan for addition to Public Library amounting to $664,000.

1978

1978: Nestle's plant was second largest in town to unionize; Century Brass was the first. New Milford Hospital opens new wing, including intensive care unit. Kimberly-Clark plans to expand local mill. First blizzard in 20 years struck New Milford.

1979

1979: Commission on the Arts contemplates buying the New Milford Railroad Station. Five local churches reach out to help relocate Vietnamese refugees (boat people). $4.85 million voted for building and equipping an elementary school on Hipp Road, Northville.

1980

1980: Merryall Heritage Committee formed to preserve the character of the Merryall section of New Milford. James Terrell resigns from the Board of Selectmen, due to ill health. He was the first black man to have served on Board.

1981

1981: Two bandits robbed Colonial Bank and Trust Company, Park Lane Branch, $15,969.00 was taken. A new weekly newspaper, The Litchfield County Times, is established with offices in New Milford. Town purchases Railroad Station and 6.5 adjoining acres for $160,000 and plans to restore Railroad Station as a center for the arts.

1982

1982: New Milford Shopping Plaza sold to FNM Trust of Boston for $4,840,140. New Northville Elementary School opened 1/5/82. 275th anniversary of town, month of July, celebrations and special events. "New Milford Past & Present;' a one- semester elective course offered at New Milford High School. Housatonic River flood forces residents of Spring Street and Housatonic Avenue to evacuate homes; worst flooding since 1955. Old Marsh house at corner of Bennitt Street and Aspetuck Avenue completely gutted by fire in January. Administrative offices of New Milford school system moved to East Street building, formerly the New Milford High School and later used for elementary grades. Blizzard - the worst since the 1978 storm. Remodeling and restoration of stores and business buildings on Bank, Railroad and Main streets. HART (Housatonic Area Regional Transit System) bus system established within town and to Danbury area. Nonwoven factory shutdown.

Because of CV-19, the museum is currently closed.

Save Our Schoolhouse!

We are running an urgent appeal to save the Hill + Plain One-Room Schoolhouse, please help!

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