About the Program

Key Historic Features

Yale Boathouse and Fitch Foundry Salvage/Demolition
State Project No. 92-601

Yale Boathouse

Completion: August 31, 2007
The Former Yale Boathouse was located on the harbor between I-95 and Forbes Avenue in the New Haven Annex Area. The Boathouse was built in 1909 and was a large, brick structure with an irregular plan. The structure was 2½ stories tall with a steep, gable roof and rock-faced ashlar stone foundation and water table. The elaborate entrance made Gothic references through the use of a large, stylized pointed arch window, characteristic of cathedral transepts. The Boathouse was designed by Peabody and Stearns for Yale College.

Impacts
Construction of the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge required the full taking of the Yale Boathouse property. CTDOT has salvaged significant architectural elements from the building, to be delivered to the City of New Haven for adaptive use and/or public education purposes.

In recognition of the structure's historic significance, CTDOT, along with the State Archeologist, has created a web-based electronic history of collegiate sculling, including aspects on the design and history of the Yale Boathouse. View the history of collegiate crew in Connecticut and learn more about the Boathouse at Canal Dock.

Fitch Foundry

Completion: September 2007
The Fitch Foundry complex 127-151 East Street in New Haven/West Harbor area, was built around 1870 with additions constructed between 1890 and 1920. The complex consisted of multiple detached buildings, including a narrow, four-story, brick factory of mill construction with a stair tower and segmental arch windows with stone sills. There were two foundries, one located on the northern edge of the complex and the other to the south of I-95. A small, three story, L-shaped factory, which may have been part of the Brewster Carriage Works, is on the eastern edge of the site. The foundry manufactured carriage and other forms of hardware.

Impacts
Construction of the new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge and the I-95/I-91/Route 34 Interchange required the taking of the southern portion of the Fitch Foundry complex. CTDOT has salvaged significant architectural elements from the building and were delivered to the City of New Haven for adaptive use and/or public education purposed.

C. Cowles & Company Building

The C. Cowles & Company Building, located on the corner of Water and Chestnut Streets in the New Haven/West Harbor Area, was built between 1886 and 1901, and additions added in 1914 and 1917. The factory was used originally to manufacture carriage parts. Later, until 1978, the building was used for the production of automotive parts. The building is a two story brick mill with a flat roof and segmented arched wooden sash windows with stone sills. The building is considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Impacts
Improvements to the I-95/I-91/Route 34 Interchange will not impact the C. Cowles & Company Building.

166 Bridge Street

The 166 Bridge Street Commercial Block, located in New Haven/West Harbor area, was built between 1870 and 1880. By 1920, the three-unit commercial block had been converted to two shops.

Impacts
Improvements to I-95 require that 166 Bridge Street be demolished. Prior to demolition proper documentation was prepared to conform with State Historic Preservation Office requirements.