Unionville Center
The large grassy park abutting the cemetery at the corner of Lovely Street and Farmington Avenue was the former location of the Church of Christ Episcopal at the turn of the century. The Cornerstone was laid on June 29, 1871. The church was completed in December 1871. It was torn down in 1968 during urban renewal of Tunxis Square. The church moved to Harris Rd., Avon.
Tunxis Hose Company No 1
c. 1894, Queen Anne Victorian style with an asymmetrical façade. The building has elaborate decorative brickwork, a turret, and steep gabled cross-sectional roof of purple slate.Using the crosswalk, please safely cross to the sidewalk on the west side of Lovely St.
Albert Hill House, 40-42 Lovely St.
Look right across the street.Albert Hill House, c. 1850. Italianate Victorian Modified Exotic style with unique vertical wood siding and large square columns supporting a front entry gabled portico. The 6 lite double hung windows are newer replacements as well as the two front facing doors. Above the hipped roofline, there are three brick chimneys, and a brownstone foundation is visible just below the bottom trim board. Original decorative corbel brackets can be seen along the soffit eves of the bay window on the far-right side of the building.Albert Hill purchased 13 acres from Luther Parsons in 1844 for $200. Hill partnered with Frederick W. Crum. Together they built a small manufacturing factory on the Farmington Canal to manufacture metal caskets, cemetery monuments, and other metal objects. The factory was sold to the Upson Nut Company. Albert and Angeline Hill owned the Gleason’s Tavern Stand, located at the corner of Farmington Ave. and South Main Street, from 1855 to 1891. It was then owned by the Hill’s two daughters until 1915.Note the additional image of Gleason Tavern c1888.
Russell Humphrey House, 55 Lovely Street
Russell Humphrey House, c. 1845. This Spanish Villa Vernacular Revival with hipped roof and generous veranda like porch sits atop an elaborately landscaped property. Built by Luther T Parsons, the house was originally covered in clapboard and decorated with Victorian details. In 1943, the exterior was extensively renovated. This renovation changed the exterior to textured stucco. Curved terra cotta clay tile was applied to the roof. The veranda porch was extended on both sides of the house where there is now a newer addition on the right side. The windows and doors are newer, but the small bay window in the center of the second floor and the decorative porch posts and brackets are some original exterior features still present.The property was sold to Humphry in 1843 by Virgil C. Goodwin. Humphry and Goodwin owned one of the area’s spoon manufacturing businesses. Humphrey mortgaged land to Luther T Parsons for $350 in May of 1845. It was again mortgaged to Parsons later that year with buildings, dating the house to 1845. The house was later owned by Amasa Mills, furniture manufacturer, who took over Joshua Brewer’s and Lambert Hitchcock’s cabinet company.
Frank Sanford House, 71 Lovely Street
c.1884. Eastlake (British)/Stick Victorian (American) style. The details on this house include relief cut outs, patterned, and carved design elements on the building’s exterior trim, posts, and balustrades.The lattice and stickwork are characteristic features of the Stick style. A most notable feature is the multicolored, ornamental, and functional bargeboard stickwork in the front upper gabled façade. Although known for his lumber and building business, Frank Sanford was born to a farming family in Avon. Frank Sanford joined his uncle Sherman Sanford's lumber business. He married Marion Hawley, whose father was killed in the Civil War battle of Antietam. Frank and Sherman formed a partnership of Sherman and Frank Sanford. After Sherman's death, Frank and his brother-in-law formed Sanford and Hawley on Farmington Ave, in the former J. F. Hamilton hook and eye factory.
William Hitchcock House, 79 Lovely St.
William Hitchcock House c. 1891. Queen Anne Victorian style with varied designed and patterned wood shingle and clapboard siding. This mostly original large home has three full stories with lofty ceilings and an expansive veranda porch supported by pairs of classic Doric columns and heavy balustrade. The windows are also large and have newer aluminum storm windows over the inner 1 lite over 1 lite double hung windows. A triptych of original diamond pane fixed, and casement windows is featured in the upper gabled front façade surrounded by decorative half cove cut shingles.Although born in Cornwall William Hitchcock was raised in Unionville. By the age of 15 he was working for the Union Nut Company, later Upson Nut Company, as an office boy. He eventually rose to become president of the Upson Company in 1912. The Upson Company was eventually sold to the Bourne-Fuller Company. Bourne-Fuller became part of Republic Steel in 1930. There is still an Upson Nut division of Republic Steel in Cleveland Ohio.In 1891, Hitchcock bought one acre from Henry and Anne Cowles. In the fall of 1891, he took out two mortgages on his property “with all buildings thereon standing” dating the house to 1891.The Upson Nut Company building continues to be used today as Upson Market Place, Mill St., Unionville.
Erasmus Ranson House, 87 Lovely St.
Erasmus Ranson House c. 1875. Greek Revival style with large scaled and proportioned front façade gable roof trim elements: rake moldings, facias, soffits, friezes, and cornices. The front entry door is trimmed by a pair of pilasters and corbeled overhanging frieze. This overhanging frieze detail extends along the rest of the front façade over two types of bay windows. The 6 lite over 6 lite double hung windows are newer but may represent a likeness to the original wood sash design. The shed roof over the second-floor right side section of the house may be a newer renovation or adaptation of the original construction.Erasmus N. Ranson purchased land for $125 from Daniel B. Johnson in 1868. Later that year he purchased an additional piece of land from Sarah Mills for $200. Sarah Mills was the wife of Amasa Mills. By 1878 the house was built.
Daniel Johnson House, 99 Lovely Street
Daniel Johnson House c.1849. Vernacular Folk Victorian style. This house has wood shingle siding and decorative bargeboard facia adorning its entire roof’s perimeter edges. These gingerbread like cut out designs and the use of shingles for siding, give this home a cottage like appearance. These cutout designs also give the house the Gingerbread appearance of the Carpenter Gothic and Shingle styles of architecture. Wood columns and pilasters hold a roof over the front entry porch. The newer 6 lite over 6 lite double hung windows are appropriate for this period of home. Daniel Johnson was one of the original founders of the Congregational Church in 1841. He was a mechanic and had a shop on Lovely St. In 1844, Johnson purchased the property. In 1849 Johnson took out a mortgage for the land "with buildings", dating the house to circa 1849.
Eugene B. Ripley House, 111 Lovely Street
Eugene B. Ripley House, c. 1874. Italianate Victorian style with wood clapboard siding and decoratively cut and carved trim and structural elements. The roof ridge line is hipped at each side of the house and a large gabled dormer is centered over the front façade and full entry porch. Its emphasis of vertical scale is typical of Italianate Victorian design with tall and narrow 1 lite over 1 lite double hung windows, high ceilings on every floor and two brick chimneys over three stories in height. Additionally, there is significant Eastlake/Stick Victorian style influences in much of the exterior wood trim work and full front entry porch construction.Ripley was born in 1848 in Bentonsport Iowa to the Reverend Erastus and Harriet (Riggs) Ripley. The family moved to New Britain by 1862 the year Eugene established himself as a bookkeeper for the Stanley Rule and Level Company.Ripley had extensive business interests in Unionville. In 1871, he became a stockholder in John Bunnell’s wood turning business. The following year, he established the Ripley Manufacturing Company, which became known for manufacturing heavy paper used in the production of binders’ boards. In 1877 he and his brother-in-law, Frank Chamberlain, gained control of Platner and Porter Manufacturing Company, a paper product manufacturer, with Ripley as its president. He was involved in the Union Waterpower Company where he was president from 1882 until 1890. After Ripley’s death in 1901, the Ripley paper mills were purchased by Charles W. House and Sons, producers of felts.In 1872 Ripley bought two lots on Lovely St. One from Mary Bunnell, the other from Daniel Rouke. In 1874 the property was mortgaged to Caleb Wheeler for $2000. In the spring of 1875, the property was mortgaged “with buildings”, dating the house.
Charles Graham House, 127 Lovely St.
Charles Graham House, c. 1861. Italianate Victorian style with flat and hipped roofs overhanging a wide frieze across the top of each façade with pairs of large corbel brackets supporting the eves. The full open front porch is supported with square decorative posts and pairs of small brackets. Two large 6 lite over 6 lite double hung windows flank the main entryway. At 18 Charles Graham worked for Dwight Langdon, manufacturer of nuts and bolts. This company later became the Upson Nut Company. In 1897 Graham became treasurer for the company. During his career he was also secretary for the Union Nut and Bolt Company, assistant treasurer for the Union Rolling Mill Company, and vice-president of the Unionville Water Company. His most famous accomplishment was the creation of the automatic lathe for threading bolts.Graham purchased one acre from William Griswold in 1860 for $225. In that same year he married Emelie Upson. In 1861 Graham sold ½ interest in the acre “with all buildings” to Martha Upson, his mother-in-law, for $900, dating the house to 1861. Martha sold her ½ interest back to William in 1874 for $3000.Graham purchased one acre from William Griswold in 1860 for $225. In that same year he married Emelie Upson. In 1861 Graham sold ½ interest in the acre “with all buildings” to Martha Upson, his mother-in-law, for $900, dating the house to 1861. Martha sold her ½ interest back to William in 1874 for $3000.From here, please use the crosswalk to safely cross the road and continue on the tour.
Oliver Tew House, 135 Lovely St.
Looking left across the street. Oliver Tew House, c. 1915. Colonial Revival style with a gambrel roof, formal and symmetrical facade, and portico entryway. Classic Doric round columns and pilasters support this traditionally inspired entrance with Georgian influenced transom fanlight and sidelights flanking the heavy 6 panel door. The 6 lite over 1 lite double hung windows are paired with decorative wood shutters and a sunroom with a flat roof top open porch is located to the left side of the house.Sherman and Edwin Sanford deeded a one-acre lot to Sherman's daughter, Blanche, and son-in-law, Oliver C. Tew, a tool maker, in 1915. Tew worked for the Upson Nut Company, later Bourne-Fuller, and eventually Republic Steel. The property was mortgaged in 1917 with building, dating the home to 1915-1917.
Luke A. Parsons House, 169 Lovely Street
Looking left across the street. c1925, Colonial Revival style with gambrel roof and prominent shed dormer over an arched portico entryway. A decorative arched fanlight transom and a pair of ornate sidelights frame the front door. The brick first floor has an addition and sun room on the left side of the building.Luke Parsons purchased the land from Hugh T. Bass in 1925. On part of the purchase Luke built a house. Luke A Parsons and his brother Guy Parsons took over Parsons Lumber and Hardware business on the death of their brother John Parsons in 1906. Parsons brothers built many of the Colonial Revival homes in Farmington and Unionville.Continue to use the side walk to walk to 188-190 Lovely Street to continue the tour.
Sherman Sanford House, 188-190 Lovely St.
On your right.Sherman Sanford House, c. 1890. Queen Anne Victorian/Colonial Revival style with a combination of elements from each popular type of the period. The asymmetrical façade and the tall narrow windows are emblematic of the Victorian and the classic pairs of entasis Doric columns, Palladian patterned third story windows and half round attic awning window are Georgian, Federal or Colonial Revival traits. This was the first two family home on Lovely St.In 1861 Edmund and Sherman Sanford purchased 17 acres from George W. Payne for $500. Edmund quit-claimed his title to his brother in 1864. Sherman Sanford built the two-family Queen Anne in the 1890's.You will now turn around and continue the tour looking at homes the same side of the street.
Edwin Sanford House, 176 Lovely St.
Edwin Sanford House, c. 1893. Queen Anne Victorian style with its asymmetrical façade, decorative shingle siding, turnings, and fretwork. The octagonal turret to the right side of the house appears to have many of its original features, with its 20 lite third story fixed window sash and its 14 lite over one lite double hung sash windows on the second floor, and 20 lite over 1 lite double hung sash on the first floor. An elaborate multi-color scheme for this Victorian home’s exterior was indicative of the period to help accentuate the various siding patterns and materials, although the original colors may have been more muted with darker colors found on the trim and window sash. The attached carport or port-cochere on the right side of the house may have originally been used for horse carriages. Sherman Sanford sold the property and house to his son Edwin in 1893, for $1. Edwin's widow sold the property in 1927 to Thomas J. Crockett Jr. Crockett owned Crockett Cutlery Co, makers of stainless-steel knives, forks, and barbering utensils.
George E. Taft House, 170 Lovely St.
George E. Taft House, c. 1890. Vernacular Folk Victorian style with a steep cross-section gable roof, decorative bargeboard facia and corbel brackets. The house has newer aluminum siding, storm windows, and an additional second floor porch entrance on the right side, which may accommodate a multi-unit dwelling.George Taft purchased one parcel of land from the 17 acres that Edmund and Sherman Stanford purchased from George Payne. The house was built by Sanford and Hawley in 1885. It is similar to 71 Lovely St and other S & H homes built on Cottage St. Taft a lawyer was active in Unionville helping to keep Unionville a part of Farmington in 1905.
Sanford-Tew House, 162-164 Lovely Street
Sanford-Tew House, c. 1896. Queen Anne Victorian style with its asymmetrical façade, decorative shingle siding, turnings, and fretwork. The steeply gabled front has a distinctive 17 lite over 1 lite double hung wood sash with ornate trim in the upper third story/attic area which is surrounded by bevel cut wood shingles. There are a few elements of the Victorian stick style at the second-floor level with intermittent wood trim boards framing sections of wood clapboard, and carved sunburst panels above the two center windows. A full front porch with fretwork connecting turned wood posts and brackets covers two entrances to this duplex home.Sherman Sanford quit-claimed 1/2 interest in property with "a new dwelling house" to his son Edwin, in 1896. In 1902 Sherman sold the property to his daughter, Blanche, and son-in-law Oliver C. Tew, an English immigrant.Tew worked for the Upson Nut Company, which was purchased by Bourne-Fuller, later to become part of Republic Steel.
Albert Brewer House, 132 Lovely Street
Albert Brewer House, c. 1868. Greek Revival style with wood clapboard siding and a pronounced gable end pediment on the front façade and heavy trim moldings and friezes beneath the eves. Its 6 lite over 6 lite double hung windows appear to be original narrow mullioned wood sash flanked by pairs of louvered wood shutters. The open front porch entry is supported with square posts that have simple yet elegant molding, and a standing seam metal roof.Albert Brewer, carpenter, married Mary Jane Graham, sister to Charles Graham (127 Lovely St). In 1868 Mary Brewer purchased ½ acre from E. D. Preston for $350. In the same year, Mary and Albert Brewer took out a mortgage of $500 for their land “with new dwelling in process”, dating the house to 1868.
James R. Jenkins House, 126 Lovely St.
James R. Jenkins House, c. 1867. Italianate Victorian style with tall narrow windows, high ceilings, hipped-flat roof lines with cupola, corbel brackets under the roof eves, and classic Doric columns and pilasters supporting a full front entry porch. The cupola is a most notable feature of this home and distinctive to the Italianate style, and the number of fixed transom windows above the many windows and doors is also a noteworthy emphasis on the vertical scale of each opening of the building. The newer sunroom addition on the right-side blends well with the rest of the home.In 1862, Jenkins became a volunteer in the Civil War, Company D, 23rd Regiment. He was captured at the Battle of Brashear City, Brashear City, LA on 6/23/63. Jenkins was released on 7/25/1864 in a prisoner exchange and discharged on 8/9/1864.James R. Jenkins bought 3/4th acre lot from Hubert C. Hart to build a house that was already under construction, in 1867.
George Dunham House, 112 Lovely Street
George Dunham House, c. 1868. Italianate Victorian/Classical Revival style with a massive curved front portico entryway supported by classic Ionic fluted columns and crowned with dentil molding and an iron railing. It has high ceilings on every floor with tall and narrow windows, Romanesque arched entry door and matching arched window above, a hipped-flat roof and two tall brick chimneys. The Neo-Classic or Classical Revival front portico was added c. 1920.George Dunham worked as a bolt header for Miller Bolt Works. In 1859 he was superintendent of Langdon's Bolt Work in Unionville. George Dunham and Andrew S. Upson purchased Langdon's Bolt Works and created the Union Nut Company, later renamed Upson Nut Company. He sold his interest in the Upson Company. He is known for the Dunham Forged Nut Machine, developed in 1865, which increased the production of forged nuts and bolts. Dunham served as Unionville Selectman and Justice of the Peace.In 1864 he purchased one acre from Eli D. Preston. In 1868 his second wife Mary purchased an additional ¾th acre lot from Albert R. Nettleton. In 1868 Mary and George Dunham took out a mortgaged both lots “with buildings” dating the house to 1868. 112 Lovely St as it appeared in 1909. Courtesy of the Unionville Museum. (112Lovely.png)
George Frisbie House, 100 Lovely St.
George Frisbie House, c. 1910. Colonial Revival style with wood shingle siding and a prominent gambrel roof. Two covered porch entry ways are supported with columns and balustrades, and a fieldstone basement foundation is the footing for the original part of the home. A newer addition is seen on the right side with a cast concrete foundation. This house has a variety of window designs: half-round fanlight attic awnings, diamond pane, 6 lite, and 1 lite double hung, 1 lite casement and bay windows. George Frisbie, born in 1846, served in the Civil War 1861-1865. Being only 15 when he enlisted, Frisbie lied about his age. He was captured on 4/20/1864 at the Battle of Plymouth, NC. Frisbie was remanded to the infamous Andersonville Prison in Anderson, GA. He was released on 2/28/65. He was mustered out of the Unionville Volunteers on 6/24/1865.In 1908 Frisbie's second wife Mary Ripley Frisbie purchased the property. In 1910 George and Mary Frisbie remortgaged the property “with buildings”, dating the house to 1908-1910.
Seymour Moses House, 60 Lovely Street
Seymour Moses House, c. 1860. Greek Revival style with wood clapboard siding and heavy trim accents. The pronounced gable front façade and bay window with large projecting soffits, eves, frieze boards, moldings, cornice returns, pilasters and the exaggerated entablature surrounding the front entry door are classic Greek Revival features. The windows and doors are newer but are typical of the original period of construction. Seymour Moses and his wife, Harriet Mills, were active members of the Canton Center Congregational Church and later, the First Congregational Church of Cornwall. They were dismissed from both churches. In 1861 Moses purchased land from Albert Hills. The house was built between 1861 and 1866. Seymour acted as a deacon of the First Church of Christ Congregational in Unionville. In 1869, after a new Pastor was installed, Moses and Harriet Mills moved. The property was purchased by William Delaney an owner of the Delaney and Munson Paper Company. This ends the tour. Thank you for joining us. Please continue to use the sidewalk and crosswalks to return to your vehicle.
