Page 10 - North Haven Magazine Issue 7 Winter 2019

Digging into the ability for milk to be shipped out in refrigerat- for wine here in North Haven. Perhaps North Hav-
North Haven's Farm History
by Susan A. Iverson
Amidst Cultivated and Pleasant Fields - the title of Lucy Brusic’s book about the history of North Haven, ac-
knowledges that our town was known as an agricultural community. Where our homes stand today were
at one time fields of corn, market vegetables, fruit, dairy cattle, even flowers. As I collected information
for this article, lots of folks shared with me that their property had old apple or peach trees from an or-
chard or fragments of farm implements left buried in the soil. Almost everyone has found vestiges of the
farming industry in their own backyards. So I dug (excuse the pun...) into the archives of the North Haven
Historical Society for some interesting stories and this is what I’ve learned...
North Haven’s earliest farmers were multi-purpose farmers;
they needed to provide themselves with food, clothing and
shelter in this relatively remote area. Many had specialty
skills as well; North Haven’s earliest farmers were also listed
as shoemakers, weavers, or millers and bartered these prod-
ucts for things others could provide for them. This makes
sense - what would you do with all that free time in the winter
when you couldn’t work in the field? It was this multifaceted
approach to earning a living that grew into industries well
known in town by the 19th century. For example, Clinton-
ville Agricultural Works was a bustling factory that produced
agricultural equipment, the brainchild of a farmer/inventor
looking to ease the labor needed to grow and harvest crops.
Blacksmithing shops originated to make tools, harnesses,
etc. for their farming needs and some evolved to make equipment for outfitting carriages, like Freder-
ick Barnes pictured here. (Barnes also offered undertaking services using his ornate hearses!) Lyman
Bassett recognized that he had a particularly good raspberry stock, and sold it by mail order through the
magazine Country Gentleman, in 1869. It becomes really difficult to separate farming from any other
industry blossoming in North Haven by the 19th century. There are some farming endeavors, however,
that seem unique - like the asparagus fields near the town center, the
horse farms on Mt. Carmel Avenue, or the possibility of a vineyard on
Pool Road. Thankfully, people are usually willing to share their remi-
niscences with me as I write my stories, so I can share them with you.
Asparagus in Town
About a year ago a charming and gracious woman visited the historical
society wanting to share some memories of her father Harry Berman.
Mr. Berman was a musician, and he and a group of other musicians
purchased the land between Bailey Road and the town green. The land
was used to cultivate asparagus - a dirt road providing access to the
spring crop went unnamed until Harry’s son Arthur was born. Proud
father that he was, he
immediately posted a street sign naming the dirt road Arthur
Road, and the name has remained. The land now includes the
neighborhood including Samoset Avenue, William Street, May
Street and Standish Avenue. According to Louis Sonazzaro in
the North Haven Post, asparagus was also grown where Stop
& Shop is located now. Who would have guessed that such a
specialty crop would be so popular here in town?
Not Just Dairy Cows
North Haven is known for the dairy farms in its past - Knud-
sens, Arrowdale, and Sunnyside, just to name a few. There
were still 16 dairy farms in North Haven in 1930, thanks to
10 North Haven Magazine - Winter 2019
ed rail cars. But few people remember that North en could have been the east coast’s Napa Valley!
As you can see, there is still a lot that is not known
Haven was also home to several horse farms. Sally
about farming in early North Haven - if you have
Stephens Brockett recently shared her experiences
growing up with horses on her parents’ Tamarack stories, photos, or artifacts that can contribute to
Farm. Tamarack Farm was located on Mt. Carm- a more complete picture of North Haven’s past,
el Avenue at the “foot” of the Sleeping Giant. This please visit the society and share with us what you
horse farm boarded and bred horses, and provided know!
riding lessons. Sally competed in many equestrian
events riding English side saddle, and holds ribbons
for her skills. The Bridgeport Post in 1962 noted The North Haven Historical Society is open on
that her sister Peggy represented the family’s stables Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2 - 5 pm,
at the Eastern States Exposition. When Sally and her or by appointment (203-239-7722) - come on
sister were growing up they would ride their horses down soon!
across the foot of Sleeping Giant, sometimes as far
Thanks to Judith Berman, Sally Brockett, and
as Cheshire. They would also ride on trails through
Jane Iannone for their inspiration and informa-
what is now the athletic fields of Quinnipiac Univer-
tion!
sity. What a great way to spend one’s childhood!
EXPERIENCE SUMMER
Vineyards Here? AT HAMDEN HALL!
Have you ever driven down Pool Road and noticed For Ages PreSchool - Grade 12
one area that has never been developed? Some of
my historical society friends believe that the acre- June 10 - August 2
age may have been used to grow grapes for wine Academics ∙ Camp Hornet ∙ Sports ∙
production. A little research led me to a family that
still produces wine in California. Property owner Early Childhood Discovery Program
records and an obituary indicate that the founder of We offer a wide range of summer programs for students of all
Buonocore Distributing, a company that produces, ages - from a traditional camp to enriching learning opportunities
and for-credit courses that foster the Hamden Hall Experience.
brokers, and distributes wine, was somehow asso-
ciated with North Haven after coming to the US from Online registration at www.hamdenhall.org or visit our Summer
Programs Open House on Sunday, April 28, from 1-3 p.m. at the
Italy. Several parcels of land along Maple Avenue Beckerman Athletic Center, 225 Skiff Street, Hamden.
were once owned (or still owned) by this family, and
these parcels back up to, or include, the undeveloped
land on Pool Road. Although the details are vague,
they do hint at an attempt, perhaps, to grow grapes
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