A Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Milford

First United Church of Christ Congregational

34 West Main Street

Stowe maintains that “This church started Milford…and it was the founding center from which everything grew around it—a school, town hall, mill, farms, wharf and more. So, it’s a fitting place to begin our walk.”

The church was organized August 22, 1639, by Reverend Peter Prudden and a company of 15 families. During the pre-colonial period, members attended services in “the Common House”, once located at the about 150 yards south. A marker out front reads: Near this site stood the first Meeting House erected in Milford 1641.

By Cindy Papish Gerber

According to Milford city historian Arthur Stowe, “Virtually all of American history can be uncovered by walking around downtown Milford. Within a short stroll, one can discover how our landmarks mirror those of our nation…and actually see how history evolved.”

I met Stowe in front of the Parson’s Building to embark upon an abridged version of “A Walk Through Time,” a tour he gives as a volunteer for the Milford Historical Society (MHS). “There are many different types of tours out there,” he explains, producing copies of A Tour Guide Book of The Colonial Houses of Milford Connecticut, by the Milford Bicentennial Observance Committee, and A Walking Tour of Historic Milford Connecticut, by Milford’s first city historian Rutheva Brockett. Both booklets are currently available for purchase at MHS Country Store (34 High Street).

On a personal note, I had the privilege of meeting with the late MHS docent, educator, and Milford Living Treasure Ardienne Damicis at her home. She curated numerous walking, bus, and combo tours for school children, teens, and adults that covered the breadth of Milford history, including one “very long” (in her words) guide that includes over 38 tour stops. Her files, which I reference here, will be archived at the MHS for future generations. Please keep in mind that our itinerary is by no means definitive, but hopefully serves as a good intro. As Rutheva Brockett suggested, “Whether your walking tour originates from an abiding interest in history, researching early houses, or just spending a pleasant day retracing the paths our ancestors took,” we hope it will offer readers “a way to make your journey though old Milford more enjoyable.”

The present version (the 3rd), built by Captain Michael Peck in 1823-24, is a prime example of a two-story Federal-style church with a looming steeple. It was constructed to replace the “Second Church” or Plymouth Building, located across the river.

Plymouth Building

18 W. Main Street

While currently used for educational/community purposes, after construction in 1834, this building was remodeled in 1861, used for many years as a theatrical playhouse, then razed and replaced (1951-52). Notably, Aaron Burr (yes, that third U.S. Vice President and infamous Hamilton-duelist) was apprehended here while hastily driving his carriage in blatant disregard of the law banning Sunday travel. Unsurprisingly, the deacon sent Burr to Clark Tavern (more about that establishment later) until sundown.

The Reverend Samuel Andrews House

124 North Street

Built by Robert Treat in 1685 for his daughter and husband, the Reverend Andrews, who was third pastor of the First Church and an original trustee of Yale College. During a cold winter, Damicis noted that Andrews held Yale College study sessions in his living room. Facing the house, you will notice a picturesque wooden bridge over the Duck Pond. Formerly known as the North Bridge or Jehiel Bristol Bridge, and commonly known as The Kissing Bridge, Damicis noted that at one time, “this was on the outer limits of town. Young lovers would purportedly meander over to steal a kiss.”

The current building housing the First United Church of Christ, Congregational, is the third since the church was founded in 1639.

Sanford-Bristol House

111-113 North Street

This 1790 half-saltbox New England Colonial represents a rare example of a two-family house. Previous walking tours remark upon the “worn steppingstones at the front entrance,” three dormers, long veranda, and “old water well next to the back door.” In 2018, this home was saved from demolition and updated. A marker attached attests to its’ provenance: Near this site stood the home of Robert Treat A founder of Milford Deputy Governor and Governor of Connecticut 1676 – 1708 Founder of Newark, New Jersey 1665 – 1672.

According to the Historical Marker Database (www.hmdb.org), “At least 8 other markers are within walking distance” of this one. Some are prominently displayed; others are hiding in plain sight. In 2007, 17-year-old Peter Eason wrote The Founding Fathers Footsteps, a tour booklet detailing 20 of these sites.

Peter Prudden’s Home

67 Prospect Street

According to Damicis’ instructions: “After walking across Cherry and down Prospect, you will pass the former ‘Sabbaday House’ where traveling churchgoers could stop and get a good meal between services. Look for the opening in the hedge near the driveway for a marker concerning Peter Prudden.”

The marker was placed in May 2017 by the local Freelove Baldwin Stow Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution:

On this site was the original home lot of the Rev. Peter Prudden (1601-1656), leader of the Hertfordshire Group that founded Milford in 1639 and first pastor of the First United Church of Christ. His group left London, England in the spring of 1637 and landed in Boston. The following year they accompanied the Davenport/Eaton group to the mouth of the Quinnipiac River and founded New Haven. During that period in history, Prudden attracted more followers from Dorchester and Roxbury in Massachusetts Bay, and from Wethersfield. The home’s backyard was the also the town’s first burying ground and likely Prudden’s final resting place.

City Hall

110 River Street

Walk back to the center of town, cross The Jefferson Bridge, and approach Milford’s Municipal Complex, with City Hall as its centerpiece. This Greek Revival building, modeled after Jefferson’s Monticello, was constructed in 1916 after a fire destroyed the previous edifice built in 1831. Alert: It’s hard to believe that this scenic spot with a terrace overlooking the scenic Duck Pond, river, waterfall, and First Church was once blighted by debris from adjacent mills and tanneries.

Doughboy Statue

10 River Street

“On the plaza in front of City Hall is the World War I Memorial, a bronze figure of an infantryman on a granite pedestal, dedicated to the soldiers who died in that war,” wrote Rutheva Brockett. Sculpted by Joseph P. Pollia, and unveiled on Veterans Day 1921, the accompanying plaque reads: “May every generation of young Americans be given power to translate their lives in terms of sacrifice for mankind.” A threesided September 11th memorial monument is located nearby.

Milford Post Office

6 West River Street

Passing by the Court House, the next building in our Municipal Complex is the United States Post Office on the corner of West River Street and Darina Place. Milford’s first post office opened in 1796, with William Durand appointed postmaster, conducting business out of his Cherry Street home. At the intersection of Cherry Street and Plymouth, a stone marker reads: “Site of Store In Which Was Located An Early Post Office 1824 – 1841”. Damicis wrote, “It is believed this store was owned by a man named Tibbals, no doubt a descendant of the Thomas Tibbals,” who first informed Prudden about the prospective settlement at the mouth of the Wepawaug.

St. Peters Episcopal Church

71 River Street

Formally organized in 1764 when it was known as St. George’s, the present edifice (1851) was designed by prominent architect Frank Willis. Constructed out of brownstone from Portland, CT, it is considered one of the best examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in our state. Featured are several beautiful stained-glass windows, with one attributed to Tiffany.

Regicides, J Law, and Washington

38 West River Street

Walk down to where West River meets River Street and stop in front of “The Yellow Building.” Today, River Park Apartments houses seniors, but formerly welcomed freshmen, sophomores, and juniors as Milford’s first high school. Prominently displayed on the front lawn is a marker presented by the MHS Class of 1937: The Regicides Whalley and Goffe Were Hidden In A House Located on This Site. Regicide reminder: Whalley and Goffe were two British judges who fled from England to Boston in 1660 after signing the death warrant for King Charles I. After hiding out in the caves of New Haven (West Rock), they ultimately found lodging for three years in the cellar of Micah Tompkins’s Milford home.

Facing the river, you’ll find this marker: Near This Site Stood The Home of Jonathan Law Governor And Deputy Governor Of Connecticut 1714-1750. Jonathan Law High School in Milford was named in his honor.

Turn around and walk five minutes to the Parson’s Center to see this hashtag-worthy marker encased in stone: Washington was entertained here at ‘Ye Old Clark Tavern November 1789. We cannot tell a lie! Washington (reportedly) breakfasted at the very same Clark Tavern where Vice President Burr was detained some 30 years later.

Milford Memorial Bridge and Tower

Broad Street

It’s all downhill from here, but in the very best way. We quickly arrive at a stone bridge built in 1889 to commemorate Milford’s 250th anniversary. “It is built of granite blocks, 44 of which contain the names of the original founders,” wrote Damicis. The text of Peter Prudden’s first sermon preached in the New Haven Colony is engraved in the largest stone. Carved into the tower’s keystone is a representation of Paugasset Sachem Ansantawae—his bow and arrow mark confirming the land purchase.

Rutheva Brockett describes this spot as, “A landmark and symbol of Milford’s historic past. The exact burial places of these early settlers have been forgotten, but their descendants found a permanent way to memorialize them.”

The Milford Green

The second longest green in New England, it was added to the State Register of Historic Places in 2018. Comprising 3.5 landscaped acres in the center of town, the Green was used as a cow pasture during colonial times, and a militia training ground during the American Revolution.

Several war memorials are found here. Entering the Green from the south (Broad Street) is a sign erected by the MHS Bicentennial Committee that briefly summarizes the history of Milford

Four monuments are dedicated to U.S. Veterans. The oldest is a stone Civil War Monument of a Union solider (1880). Other monuments include a Vietnam and Korean War memorial (1986) featuring two bronze service men facing in the opposite direction on top of a granite base; a flagpole memorial (1954) honoring those who died in WWII (Vietnam and Korean War names were subsequently added), and a newer WWII memorial displaying bronze figures representing the men and women who served in all the five branches of the military. Further east is a granite memorial bell commemorating Milford Firefighters and an octagonal bandstand used for town celebrations.