Newhallville started as a sleepy farming community; the Goodrich farm was largest plot of land at 122 acres. The neighborhood developed very slowly to the area east of what is now Newhall Street during the 1850s. Many small bodies of water were this young neighborhood, with ponds, streams, and brooks providing variety to the area.

The Goodrich property was sold during the 1860s, and was divided into smaller properties in the 1870s. Streetcar service was available by 1870, as neighborhood residents started to work in other parts of the city, and Newhallville factories started attracting workers. Even though it was close to the 20th century, homes were still few and far between. Still, a street grids started forming and several small businesses were started.

George T. Newhall, a central figure in Newhallville history, arrived on the scene as the neighborhood was changing from farm to factory. He created many job opportunities for Newhallville. While it was a carriage manufacturing neighborhood before Newhall arrived, he turned it into the main area for carriage building nation-wide. Newhall had learned how to make carriages at the Hooker and Osbourne factory, so he knew what he needed for success. He started his business in 1855, and owned it for forty years afterward. He used steam machinery to make production faster, which was part of what made him so successful. During the Civil War, he had sold most of his carriages to the South, so some considered him a traitor to the North. Newhall died in 1902, and the neighborhood was named in his memory.

By the time Newhall died, the neighborhood had completed the transition from farmland to industrial neighborhood. During the early 1900s there were roughly 120 buildings between Winchester and Shelton Avenues. The neighborhood had begun to expand and it started to develop into the area it is today. Morse Street was expanded to the East to make room for more housing. This housing provided homes for factory workers. The Highwood District was formed near Newhall Street. During these times, the Winchester Arms Factory (WRA) was the largest employer in the neighborhood. At roughly 1900, the WRA employed over 2,600 workers. It was formed in 1866 making rifles, ammunition, and shotguns. Many of the people who made their homes in Newhallville were employed by the WRA.

Winchester and Newhallville thrived while the country was at war. The plant was expanded during World War I for instance, and a new gun was introduced, a repeating rifle. The army was skeptical of its power, and only ordered 2,400 to start. The soldiers were pleased, so it became a landmark of the war. Due to the expansion of the plant, the workers and the surrounding communities flourished. The number of homes greatly increased by 1924, and Hamden airport was built at the site of the Industrial Park. Mill Rock Park was built over a dump between 1939 and 1940. Rochford Field was built in 1939 over the dump as well.

Shortly after WWI, Winchester had begun to make household items as well. They made items such as roller skates, batteries, even refrigerators. Sadly, the demands for these products were low, and Winchester Arms was bankrupt by 1931. The company was purchased by Western Cartridge Company, a subsidiary of Olin Company. After 1931, the company was known as Winchester-Western. It was later known as Olin Industries.

After Winchester let down workers and nearly went bankrupt, the neighborhood fell apart. People lost jobs and their houses, everything important in their lives. The neighborhood fell into a recession, and went to a standstill. But like most bad eras, it passed, and afterwards, the neighborhood flourished.

Since these hard times, Newhallville has progressed greatly. Small Urban renewal Projects were made for renovations on the 2-family buildings that were used for the Winchester workers. Also, Science Park was built at the old site of the Winchester factory, bringing even more job opportunities and more commerce to the area.

- Carlen Rey

Sources

www.winchestergun.com
www.newhallinfo.org/history2.html