New Haven Historic Resources Inventory Phase I - Central New Haven Long Wharf - Historic and Architectural Summary

Oct 24, 2026

Boundaries and historical development of Central New Haven’s Long Wharf (also known as Union Wharf) are documented across multiple periods. The summary traces early shore and wharf rights after colonial founding, key land grants and construction in the 1600s, and public efforts to extend wharf facilities. It covers British use during the 1779 invasion, post-Revolution municipal involvement, growth during New Haven’s maritime peak (ca. 1784–1812), and decline shaped by embargo restrictions, the 1820 fire, and changing trade networks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Historical and Architectura1 Summary

I. 1638-1784

II. 1784-1825

III-V. 1825-1900

NEW HAVEN HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORYPHASE I:CENTRAL NEW HAVEN LONG WHARF Boundaries Starting at the Brewery Street/0ak Street Connector overpass,the boun-daries are as follows: North: The Oak Street Connector to Interchange 47;around the blockbounded by Hamilton Street,Water Street and East Street;East Street tothe harbor. South; Harbor;and continues north to the rear lot lines of the eastside of Hallock Avenue(not including the Broadway Swage TreatmentPlant). West: Rear lot lines of the east side of Hallock Avenue to the railroadlines;the railroad lines to Brewery Street;Brewery Street to theBrewery Street/0ak Street Connector overpass. # Historical and Architectura1 Summary ## I. 1638-1784 The shore between east and west creeks(which ran approximatelyalong thepresent State Street and the bed of the Oak Street Connector)the site oforiginal the Long Wharf area,seems to have been open for general use untilthe town sold water lots and granted wharf rights,some decades after thefounding of the colony.The off-shore part of the present Long Wharf lotitself was granted in 1663 to Samue1 Bache and fell later to Jonathan Atwater.The land end of the Long Wharf site,then at the foot of Union and FleetStreets,with rights to the wharf,was granted in 1682 to Thomas Trowbridgewho bui1t a wharf and warehouse there short1y after.Soon various othercommercial wharves were constructed in the vicinity between 1682 and the1730's,at which time several proprietors,David Wooster and his associates,joined together in building up the 1imited wharf facility and developing theadjacent area with warehouses and offices.However,marsh and mud depositsin the harbor tended to deepen with time,making the docking area difficult,particularly at low tide.Public lotteries were held to raise constructionfunds to extend "David Wooster's wharf"in 1754 and 1772,organized by theGeneral Assembly(the 17721ottery was granted with the provision that anyexcess funds go to Yale College). Long Wharf was used by the British during the invasion of 1779 formooring ships and as a point from which to cannonade the town.After theRevolution,the wharf facilities in this area were a natural concern of themunicipal government.New warehouses sprung up in the area in the 1780'salong with additional smal1 piers east of Long Wharf.Weekly packets connec-ted New Haven with New York and London.The first meeting of the New HavenCommon Council on October 5,1784,established the need either to extend LongWharf further out into the harbor,or to build a new wharf from Ferry Point(now the area around Bridge Street,east of the present Teletrack,see Item\#612).The decision was soon made to extend the original wharf,then knownas Union Wharf,to an 80-foot square embankment of wood and stone previous1yconstructed on the west side of the channel(see below).The council alsorequested terms for the private proprietors of the Wharf to grant it to theCity. ## II. 1784 -1825 The peak of Long,or Union,Wharf's development naturally came duringthe years of New Haven's maritime heyday,ca.1784-1812,ending with theEmbargo Act.By the early 1800's it was lined with commercial houses res-ponsible for New Haven's major trade with the British and French West Indies,exporting grain,butter,meat,vegetables,cattle,horses,lumber,and impor-ting sugar and molasses used in manufacturing rum。The final 1,500 footextension previously suggested by the Common Council was constructed in 1810, 活 resulting in a grand,auspicious scale of the wharf which far outstripped itsactual importance during its declining years. After the War of 1812,the development of the Long Wharf commercia1community began to drop off and some businesses began to abandon the area duefirst to the restriction of mercantile trade with the 1807 embargo,and lateras the result of an extensive fire in October,1820,which destroyed nearly30 stores and warehouses,many of which were never rebuilt.The

FAQs

How were the Long Wharf boundaries defined in the inventory?

The boundaries are described starting at the Brewery Street/Oak Street Connector overpass and tracing the north, south, and west lines through specified streets, harbor extent, Hallock Avenue rear lot lines, railroad lines, and back to the overpass.

What early wharf rights and grants shaped the Long Wharf area?

The shoreline between east and west creeks was used generally until the town sold water lots and granted wharf rights. Offshore Long Wharf lot rights were granted in 1663 to Samue1 Bache, later falling to Jonathan Atwater, and the land end with wharf rights was granted in 1682 to Thomas Trowbridge.

What factors contributed to Long Wharf’s decline after its maritime peak?

After the War of 1812, development dropped as businesses abandoned the area due to mercantile trade restrictions tied to the 1807 embargo and an extensive fire in October 1820 that destroyed many stores and warehouses. Trade also shifted as canals and railroads redirected commercial interests.

Oct 24, 2026

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