Cheney & Company

A History of the Building

The Grand Avenue Bridge

At a Place Known as Dragon

Fair Haven

Grand Avenue Transportation

King's Block Stores

Fair Haven, Connecticut

A community sprouted up along the banks of the Quinnipiac at the site of what is now Fair Haven as fishermen began to ply its waters for oysters as early as 1640. In its early days, the community was known as Dragon. Permanent dwellings appeared in the late 1700s and the village began to grow after the construction of a bridge over the Quinnipiac in 1791. The village became part of New Haven in 1784, but separated from the city in 1837. The village was apparently proud of its independent status. The Fair Haven Tribune, published mid-century, proclaimed itself "an Independent Press for an Independent People." Incorporation into the city, however, had its advantages and the village rejoined New Haven in 1870.

In 1808, the village had a population of 150 which grew to 1000 in 1838. Fair Haven's population peaked in 1930 at 24,000. Much of its early growth was spawned by the Fair Haven and Westville Horse Railroad.

Today, Fair Haven is a working class community undergoing both historic renovation and urban renewal.

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