Dan Antion

Naubuc and Broad – Thursday Doors

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Last week, I had the opportunity to visit my old employer. On my way home, I drove through the Naubuc Historic district. When I found the asset listing in the National Registry of Historic Places, I noticed that the district was called the “Naubuc Avenue-Broad Street Historic District.” Broad street is a road I sometimes took to avoid traffic, but that was Broad Street, east of Main Street. I never really drove west onto Broad Street from Main Street, because in order to continue north from that area, one has to merge back onto Main Street. Since I had the time, I thought I’d give it a look.

A closer view. Naubuc Ave is, for much of its length the road closest to the river.
This map shows Keeney Cove and its proximity to this district. The cove and the salt marsh would have mitigated the fluctuations in the river. Of course, it also shows Maddie’s, where I stopped for breakfast.
Satellite view (Google Maps) which shows that the area east of the district is mainly salt marshes.

I found a few more nice examples of the historic homes that were listed in the NRHP nomination form. As has been the case with this particular form, there wasn’t much information beyond what can be used for a caption. Still, I think I found a few interesting doors.

Several readers asked questions about Captain Leonard Fox. I thought that I would try to find some additional information about him, especially since at least five of the properties in the registry are identified as the “so-and-so Fox house.” Unfortunately, I didn’t find much information beyond the fact that he operated a small fleet of cargo ships out of Keeney Cove.

On my way home, I spotted a small sign for “Old South Cemetery” while waiting at a construction zone. I decided to make a short detour. I found Leonard Fox, and a few of his family members. Although they are not doors, I decided to include a few of those pictures in today’s gallery.

I did find a very sad story about a descendant of Captain Fox. Harriet Leonard Hale Fox, who drowned at the Wethersfield Ferry on August 6th, 1856. There is a picture of Harriet in the gallery. I found this picture in numerous places on the Internet, but I think they all copied it from a wonderful blog post about her life and death. As I don’t like to copy from other blogs, I’m providing a link to that story. If you’re a history buff, you will find it fascinating.

This may end my review of the Naubuc Avenue and Broad Street historic district. A few remaining doors may find there way into a “leftovers” post, but I think I’ll be moving on next week.

How could I resist?
Leonard Fox.
Leonard Fox.
Harriet Leonard Hale Fox – 1/4-plate daguerreotype, circa 1852. Ann Longmore-Etheridge Collection
Perhaps a foot stone?
Colonial Revival with pedimented portico,
The Old South Cemetery. Mostly small headstones. The tall monument is for Leonard Fox.
I love the little roof over the doors.
This house was built in 1929. Not quite the long history of the district, but almost 100 years old.
Tudor Revival and Bungalow sty;e homes proliferated in the district in the 1920s.
I love the enclosed porch and the small gable.
Built in 1860. The small window in the gable and the fact that the gable faces the street are typical of that era.
Owned in the mid-1800s by Charles Ashley, a silversmith who worked for a factory (started by Dudley Fox) that made silver-plated hollow ware.
John Porter II House
This house stands in front of the wonderful 3-bay garage/barn.
I think these might be my favorite doors today.

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103 comments

    • I don’t really have a good understanding as to these houses, but I did see one interesting note. Some of the owners of the houses that were built later added some features to have their houses blend in better. That was the reason offered for why so many porches were covered. It may explain some of the odd additions as well.

      I enjoyed your walk through history today.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  8. Harriet looks so very severe. Perhaps smiling wasn’t considered appropriate for a young lady. It’s nice you provide a history for your homes. It makes them more than just houses, it makes them homes and the people real.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks Pam. I worry sometimes about taking pictures of houses, but when there have been multiple generations living in them, I think they have a history that can be shared. Harriet’s story is very sad.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • I was reading that the little roofs over the porches were added to a lot of houses so they would look like their neighbors. I do like the look of the enclosed porches, but I think I’d prefer an open porch.

      You have the most interesting door that I’ve seen so far today.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Thank you. I went on to Google maps and took a trip along Naubuk Avenue today. My mother (up until COVID) spent 6 months of the year, each year, in New Haven and Mulberry point, not so very far away.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        • That’s pretty cool. I hope to spend some time in New Haven later in the year. I’ve been there many times, usually for work, and I never really spent any leisure time there. The city is beautiful and holds many architectural and cultural treasures.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

  17. The yellow houses really stand out. Pam took the words right out of my mouth…..Harriet Fox looks so severe. It’s as if even a hint of a smile and she would land in jail! But maybe she had nothing to smile about.

    These homes have been beautifully maintained. Kudos to the owners down through the years. Collectively, the doors and windows, porches and gables all add up to a nice community of homes.

    Even in death, Leonard Fox stands out amongst those around him! Nice tour Dan.
    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Harriet’s story is pretty sad. Her grave is in an old cemetery in a nearby town.

      I agree that the collective owners deserve a lot of credit for maintaining these houses. Much of the material is original, even a few porches are original, which is mind-boggling.

      I guessed that that might be the Captain’s monument when I drove in the cemetery. It’s the only monument of any size.

      Like

      Reply

  20. The small window in the gable of the White House seems out of place to me. I suppose when open it allowed the house to be cooler in the summer? Or was it a way to spy on people on the street below? Ha!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ha, perhaps! It may have looked out of place to others as well. It was a common feature, but according to the nomination form, in many cases, when the gable was resided, the window was removed.

      Liked by 1 person

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  25. I’m with you on the three-door garage. I love it when there is what seems to be living quarters above the garage. It is amazing when you come across a huge tombstone and monument of someone, and there is very little written about them. Of course, written history takes someone to write it and someone to keep it safe. A tall order for the 1800s. I have to say Hannah, Leonard’s wife, lived to be 99 years old. (at least that is what it looks like on the monument) Amazing for the time. Super doors today, Dan

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I did do the math on Hannah,John, that really was amazing. My search for more info on Leonard led to the story about Harriet. There is some information about Leonard in there but it’s a grim story. I think you’re right, these people were busy, just staying alive and earning a living. Maybe Leonard hoped others would write his story. It’s hard to know. I’m glad you like the houses (and the garage).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  31. Love the design of the yellow house on the left, and the house beneath it with so many windows! Great you had this opportunity to pass by here. Also hope your conversation with your old boss was good:) thank you for hosting Dan, jesh

    Liked by 1 person

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  36. Such interesting history they all have. Nice captures, I learned a few things from this. A lot of history can be found in cemeteries. Especially those church burial grounds. Nice post Dan.

    Pat

    Liked by 2 people

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    • I’m glad you liked the maps, Teagan. I’m never sure if they are going to be helpful. These districts are never very big, but I am happy the owners have kept these houses in good repair.

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Thanks Patricia. I’m glad to know you enjoyed seeing the maps. I thought it might be helpful to understand the layout of Keeney Cove in relation to the river.

      You brought us a wonderful bit of history and a peak into your beautiful work-in-progress. Good luck with that!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Thank you, Dan :)

        My daughter remembered reading somewhere that one explanation behind the excessive seriousness of the people caught in pictures of the Victorian era: is the incredible amount of time it took to take that snapshot :)

        Goodness, just read Harriet’s account. How terribly sad for the entire family. Thank you for remembering her.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        • I do remember hearing about the amount of time they had to sit still. Probably why we don’t see family portraits 😏

          Harriet’s story is pretty sad, as are the other stories on that awful day.

          Like

          Reply

  49. Another impressive set of doors, Dan. I really like that white house build in 1860, but I’m with you on the best set of doors — the ones in that last pic are pretty cool. I also like looking at old gravestones. Perhaps it’s the history aspect of it, but whatever it is, I find them very interesting. The older, the better. And ha, your markings on the maps are a stitch!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  50. I love the colonial revival with the red door and portico. I think Mr. Fox didn’t need such a tall monument. Speaking of cemeteries, http://www.findagrave.com is a great website that sometimes has a photo of the headstone. Great doors this week, Dan. I love how you find treasures just by turning the opposite direction on a road.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  51. Hi Dan – so pleased you found Mr Fox and a bit about his daughter. Also that the cemetery is still there … the houses are all fascinating to look at … fairly well spaced apart … life in America! Thanks for these – Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

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  52. Here in London – they’re looking at skeletons for historical reference … back centuries – and in some cases – tracing ‘missing famous persons’ … using DNA, teeth and bone analysis … it’s so interesting to see what they come up with – and where the populace came from … certainly Europe, Mediterranean and African origins – as we had here in Sussex … a Roman lady from north Africa. Always staggers me how much we can learn. Thanks for noting the space element – we’ve always had space problems here … especially in the cities. Cheers – Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

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