Southbury CT Houses

Wheeler-Tyler House // c.1750

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Less is definitely more when it comes to old Colonial houses! One of several pre-Revolutionary buildings in the South Britain Historic District is this residence, which was the home of South Britain’s first physician, Dr. Wheeler, in around 1750. From 1807-1822 the property was owned by Rev. Bennett Tyler, who would later become the fifth President of Dartmouth College. The house is a classic 18th century homestead of wood-frame construction with a side gable-roof, symmetrical five-bay façade, simple paneled entry door with a rectangular transom, and a central chimney. This is a beauty!

Smith-Pierce House // c.1829

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This transitional Federal-Greek Revival style house sits on the main street in South Britain, Southbury, Connecticut. The based on the style, the house was likely built around 1829 for Samuel Smith (1804-1856) who married Caroline Curtiss that year. Federal elements include the entry at the gable end, a pedimented facade embellished with modillions, and a doorway with sidelights and a leaded transom. Some moldings, the six-over-six windows and the simplicity of design are Greek Revival. It is one of the best preserved old houses in this part of Southbury.

Benjamin Downs House // c.1830

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Located a stone’s throw from the Judson Manville House (last post) another uncommon brick Greek Revival style house in South Britain, Connecticut, this house stands out for its outstanding proportions and well-preserved exterior. This residence was built around 1830 for Benjamin Downs on the site of his family’s old property. The simple lines, portico at the entry supported by Ionic columns, and the window in the gable are all typical of the period.

Judson Manville House // 1835

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Greek Revival style houses in brick are amazing to find “in the wild”, when I stumble upon them! This example is located in the South Britain village of Southbury, Connecticut. The brick house was built for Judson Manville in 1835 and it was constructed of locally manufactured bricks. Judson operated a hat manufacture next door to this property and it clearly made him some money. The property was eventually acquired by the Hawkins Company at the turn of the 20th century and it was operated as the company offices. It was during this time that the 20th century wrap-around porch was added. It is now a private residence.

Mitchell Double-House // c.1752

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This historic double-house in South Britain village of Southbury, Connecticut was reportedly built around 1752 by Zephania Clark with early residents being an M. M. Canfield and C. Muirhill (both possible renters). The house stands out as a rare example of a double-house from this period in a remote/rural section of town. A later owner, Deacon Mitchell deeded the property to two of his sons, who lived side-by-side in mirror residences. The property was likely “modernized” in the Federal period by Mitchell with the paired chimneys, Federal style entry with sidelights, portico, and tripartite window above the central entrance. It is presently covered in aluminum siding – which is likely preserving the clapboard siding and trim underneath – and a metal shingle roof.

Benjamin Stiles House // 1787

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Built for Revolutionary War veteran and local lawyer Benjamin Stiles, this stunning Georgian mansion is unique for its use of brick in construction, a material not too common for some of Southbury’s earliest homes. Local tradition holds that a French engineer in General Rochambeau’s army provided assistance in designing the building, using the metric system, likely on the march from Newport to Yorktown. Benjamin’s father was one of the original settlers who migrated from present-day Stratford to the un-developed Southbury. The hip-on-hip roof with pedimented dormers is really a stunner, and unique for the town!

Hinman-Peter Parley House // 1777

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Sherman Hinman (1752-1793) was born in present-day Southbury, Connecticut as the fourth and youngest child of Colonel Benjamin Hinman and Mary Stiles Hinman. He attended Yale and later married in 1777, his third cousin, Molly, youngest daughter of Captain Timothy and Emma (Preston) Hinman, of Southbury, and settled as a merchant-farmer in his native town of Southbury. He immediately began work on this large, brick mansion to not only impress his new wife, but all the people in town who had not yet seen such a stately mansion in town. He was said to have lived in “dashing splendor” for a few years but was soon reduced to comparative poverty by his extravagance. He died in 1793. The house is most famous for its association with Samuel G. Goodrich, owner from 1857 to 1860, who authored many popular children’s books and textbooks under the name of Peter Parley. By the turn of the 20th century, the expansive property was occupied by the German Lutheran Home for the Aged (now the Lutheran Home of Southbury) with many additions added to the building.

Mitchell Mansion // 1828

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Built in 1828 and used for years as a “house of public entertainment” for Mitchell Simeon Mitchell, this stunning home in Southbury, Connecticut has historically been known as the Mitchell Mansion. The Mansion House displays sophisticated Greek Revival features, including its temple shape, the restrained Grecian doorway, an inset Ionic-columned portico and a cornice with continuous modillions. The quality of the exterior is matched by its interior detailing, with a semicircular staircase and, at one time, a large ballroom. Records found in the house indicate that one of the carpenters was James English, later to become Governor of Connecticut. During the middle of the 19th century the property was owned by noted New York furniture maker Duncan Phyfe.

Oldfield – John Moseley House // 1818

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Federal style houses are among my favorite styles! From the classical design details to the symmetrical facades, there are so many great examples of Federal style houses in New England. This house in Southbury, Connecticut dates to 1818 and was built by John Moseley (1775-1876), who lived to be 100 years old, and married twice, outliving both of his wives. According to a family history, Moseley personally went to Maine to pick out the wood used to build his house as there were no large trees left in the area when house construction began in 1818. In the early 1900s, the house was updated with a rear addition, built from a structure moved from across the street and attached to Oldfield, and with the addition of the large Colonial Revival style portico at the front entry. The house has been a bed & breakfast since the 1990s, originally called Cornucopia at Oldfield, it is now known as the Evergreen Inn.

Reverend Graham-Howard Richmond House // c.1715

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Who doesn’t love a good Colonial house in Connecticut!? This house in Southbury was originally built at the beginning of the 18th century and was later altered and expanded in the fashionable Federal style at the end of the century. The house was built around 1715 by a Nathan Strong, who sold the property to Reverend John Graham who was the town’s pastor for over forty years. The house was later owned by antiques dealers Daniel and Marguerite Croucher. They used the former White Oak Schoolhouse (nextdoor) to store and sell some of their finds! After later owners, the property (which includes the schoolhouse) was purchased by Howard K. Richmond had been a graphic designer and art director in New York. He created the original layout and logo for Life magazine in 1936. He also did advertising and publicity work for Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, Elizabeth Arden and Saks Fifth Avenue. So many layers of history in over 300 years!