Local History Resources

Hagaman Library is proud to maintain an archive of local history resources which can be accessed with the assistance of a Reference Librarian. Some items are also available online. The following documents are available (items linked where available online, other items can be viewed at Hagaman Memorial Library):

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History of East Haven:

For a list of Local History Presentations, see Local History Presentations
The East Haven Register by Reverend Stephen Dodd, New Haven, 1824
- A history of EH 1644-1800. Part II. Names, marriages, births of families which first settled or have resided in EH 1644-1800. (Some printings have parts II and III only called “the appendix.”) Part III Deaths 1647- 1823. Genealogies of the families of East Haven. In relation to the death register “The present place of burial in East Haven was sequestered for the purpose in 1707. Previous to that time, some of the dead were buried on the west side of the Green; but they were generally carried to New Haven.”
A history of the Village and Town of East Haven, CT from the First Land Grant of Land in 1644 to 1873 by William Daniel Havens (only available in the library)
- This is part one and part two of the first volume of a currently unpublished document. The document was abridged and edited from the original by former Town Historian, Paul H. Stevens in 1965. The multi-volume set has not been placed on the Internet but is available for viewing in hard copy at the Hagaman Library.
History of East Haven by Sarah Hughes. Morehouse & Taylor Press, New Haven, Conn., 1908
The Evolution of an Old New England Church: Being the History of the Old Stone Church in East Haven, Connecticut by Harry Kelso. Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, New Haven, Conn., 1924.
East Haven Today – Watch it Grow (1928).
- A 1928 promotional publication for area businesses. Because of the historical information which is presented here such as information on buildings, businesses and organizations no longer in existence. Instances are the Button Ball Tree Inn which still on Park Place, the Quality Pastry & Delicatessen Shop which stood on 291-293 Main Street and the Elm Filling Station which stood at Main and Elm Street. Notable too, are the historic sketches it contains on East Haven, and The Old Stone Church. There is also information on The East Haven Civic Service Association citing the first president as Lottie Street, East Haven’s first Librarian. In addition the publication contains photographs of the First Selectman at the time, Robert H. Gerrish and Town Clerk, W.S. Coker as well as others. Also in the publication are photographs of Union School (built 1896), Laurel Street School (built 1925), Gerrish Avenue School (built 1917), Momauguin School (built 1922), South School (Built 1913), Foxon School (built 1891) and Highland School (built 1917). The publication also reveals an interesting note on the library- Horace E. Clark & Son were the roofers of the slate tiles covering the building.
Comfort Prout Obituary
Journal of Comfort Prout Transcript March 16th, 1886 – Dec. 27th, 1867
- Below is the hand written Journal of Comfort Prout – please note the Journal began on March 16, 1866 however, this was taken from a copy of the original and page numbers have been added for reference in compiling the pages. It may be noted that the first page of the Journal begins with p. 15. This is due to 14 pages of preliminary recorded information in the Journal from the before the beginning of the Journal. Much of this is financial dating to the end of the 1700s. Included in this material is page number 2-“Property of F. Ruel Andrews given to him by Mrs. Prout.”
- Comfort Prout served as Sexton for the Old Stone Church. The office of sexton is one in which that officer of the church is responsible for the maintenance of the buildings and cemetery. He is a notable East Haven figure not only because of the journal which he kept, but also for his familiarity with many of East Haven’s citizens and his commendable work in the upkeep of the Old Stone Church and Old Cemetery.
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout March 16, 1866 to Sept 1, 1866
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout Sept 2, 1866 to March 3, 1867
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout March 4, 1867 to July 28, 1867
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout July 29, 1867 to Jan 1, 1868
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout Jan 1, 1868 to Dec 31, 1868
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout Jan 1, 1869 to Dec 31, 1869
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout, Jan 1, 1870 to Dec 31, 1870
- Hand Written Journal of Comfort Prout, with his wife Sarah’s entries Jan 1, 1871 to Dec 31st, 1871
- Preliminary Material in Prout journal

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The History of Hagaman Library:

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History of the East Haven Fire Department

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History of the East Haven Police Department

History of the East Haven Police Department by Mr. Anthony Mansi. Posted with Mr. Mansi’s permission.

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History of Old Houses:

Old Houses of East Haven, Connecticut (1934). Written and illustrated by Town Historian, Donald Victor Chidsey.

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History of Lake Saltonstall:

A Brief History of Lake Saltonstall by Doris Townshend
East Haven’s Wagon and Brush Factory (author unknown)
Lake Saltonstall Its Surrounding and Attractions – 1895 Pamphlet by George H. Townsend
Picture of Ice Cutting on Lake Saltonstall
First Federal Researches Favorite Pleasure Spots of Early East Haven by Donald Chidsey Journal Courier May 10, 1974
Lake Saltonstall in its Heyday was an Oasis for Tired City Dwellers by Mrs. Henry Townshend New Haven Reg. April 16,1966
Photo of Lake Saltonstall from the New Haven Register, June 6, 1960
Photo “Remember When Steamers Plied Lake Saltonstall”
Early Trains Farmer’s Bane But One’s Pleasure by Cliff Nitchke The Advertiser Feb 5th, 2000 -East Haven Historical Society
“Oh Those Summer Days in Town” The Advertiser Nov 5th, 1994

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History of the Old Mill:

Excerpt on The Old Mill from Old Houses of East Haven by Donald B.Chidsey

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History of the Green:

National Register Application for East Haven Green Cover Page Reg.-Form-pp.-1-8
National Register Application for the East Haven Green pp. 9-12
National Register Application for the East Haven Green pp. 13-14
National Register Application for the East Haven Green pp 15-18
Photos – National Register Application for the East Haven Green pp. 19-30
The Town Green Preservation Project Brochure
- The Town Green Preservation Project is an effort by the East Haven Garden Club to raise public awareness of the historical and environmental importance of the Green and to provide funds for its beautification. This brochure, (on the link below) which includes a Self-Guided Walking Tour Map is your guide to discovering this lovely public commons.

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History of Shepherd and Mansfield Groves

Shepherd and Mansfield Groves by Clif Nitchke -The East Haven Historical Society

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History of Local Slavery:

Evil Practice of Slavery Once Took Place In East Haven by Clif Nitchke, Advertiser
Wedgwood Medallion Against Slavery Photo courtesy of Clif Nitchke- East Haven Historical Society
Document “Sale of Negro Boy” 1776
Zebulon Farren, East Haven Abolitionist, 1795 Information and Excerpt
Zebulon Farren, Document Freeing Sophia “for divers good causes”
Connected with the Amistad Slave Ship: East Haven Native, Sidney Moulthrop, Amistad Artist

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The Scrapbook of Lydia M. Chidsey Bradley

This scrapbook contains many articles pertaining to East Haven events as well as obituaries on East Haven individuals. The scrapbook begins with the typewritten page: “H. Walter Chidsey’s Book, Compiled by his sister Lydia M. Chidsey Bradley. Commenced in 1872. This book was given to Ivahlou Bradley Stone.”
Walter Chidsey was a prominent businessman in the grocery business in
New Haven, who on retirement worked on the development of the East Lawn Cemetery. His obituary taken from the scrapbook can be seen below the link for the scrapbook along with several other Chidsey obituaries.
The Scrapbook of Lydia Chidsey Bradley pp 1-50
H.W. Chidsey Former Grocer of East Haven Dies
The Samuel R. Chidsey House
Cap Chidsey Hauls in a British Fish-(Captain William Chidsey)
Walter Chidsey of East Haven Captures a Rare Animal
President L.D. Chidsey-(Lewis D. Chidsey)
Remarkable-Dreamer-(Lewis D. Chidsey)
Lew Chidsey Dead Was Once a Prominent Business Man Here
Chidsey Obituaries Chloe Sarah Emily Caroline
H.W. Chidsey Former Grocer of East Haven Dies
Obituary The Late J.H.B. Chidsey

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Historical Photographs

East Haven from the Air – Postcard
East Haven from the Air
East Haven Drawing from 1796
Five Little Boys Main St. Looking west from Kirkham Ave.
- (Eliza Thompson House on south side of Main St.)
Eliza Thompson House with Drum Corp
Main Street from Kirkham Ave. 1907
- (The house on the left was part of the Chidsey farmstead. The third building from the right was the Town Hall, the Thompson House is on the South side of Main Street
Laying of Trolley Track 1892
- (This was for the first trolley from Fair Haven to Lake Saltonstall. The workman came from Ireland and Italy.)
Photo-First electric trolley car. Corner of Main and High Streets
- 1894 Photo 2- First Electric Trolley – Corner of Chapel and Ferry Streets in Fair Haven, 1894
Christ Episcopal Church Post Card Torn Down-January-21-1974
Main Street Looking East; Main Street Looking West
Main Street Looking East – 1915; Main Street Looking West
Photos From the Archival Blog A Closer Look- The Chidsey House (built 1750) corner Main and High Streets- photo, 1920
- This series of photos from the Hagaman Library’s Archival Blog 2012 entries shows and comments on some of East Haven’s older photos. The Number One in the photo looks to be an advertisement for the Capitol Theatre and underneath that it states: “Free Parking.” On the right however can be seen: “Tea Co.” in what looks to be a separate sign. Could this have been an advertisement for the A & P market – the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company? Number Two the sign over the door reads: “Rooms For Tourists” and under that “Meals Served.” Below that is a hanging sign that states: “Greyhurst Tourists Inn.” There is a sign in the window that states: Rooms.
- Number Two the sign over the door reads: “Rooms For Tourists” and under that “Meals Served.” Below that is a hanging sign that states: “Greyhurst Tourists Inn.” There is a sign in the window that states: Rooms.

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Additional Resources Available at Hagaman Library:

Below is a guide to some local history resources in the physical archival collection at Hagaman Library. The underlined items are not links, as these resources are only available in-house. For more information, please contact the library at (203) 468-3890, or email our Reference Librarian, Chris.