Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-12
Sournal auA GOrist.
Monday, Feb. 12, 1888.
Then and Now.

The Old Ferry-First Bridge Over the
 Quinnipfac-TomlinsO Brfdge-The
 Churches and School Houses in the
 Huh and 19th Wards Homes for Stran-
 gers.
 As the Eleventh and Twelfth wards of New Haven are now among the largest and most important of the city, glance at the growth of the western part of Fair Haven, compris- ing said wards, may be of interest.
 Previous to the year 1790-1 the only communication between the East Haven side and New Haven was by ferry, from what was then called (and is now) Red Rock across the Quinnipiac to some point on the western shore. The boat used was simple scow propelled by Indians with long poles. The rates of ferrisge in 1871 were as follows For man and horse, sixpencs; if the horse swam over, threepence. Afterwards it was reduced to fourpence, and footman two pence. In 1790-1 bridge was built across the stream where the present iron structure now stands, in which was what was called a draw for vessels to pass through. But such draw It was simply large trap door with huge poles on either side, to which were attached pullies, by which said trap door was raised to nearly perpendicular by some unlucky farmer who, perchaHce, was near with his OK team trying to dispose of load of hickory. In 1796 grant was made by the General Assembly for bridge at the new ferry, which was built, and has been known ever since as ''Tomlinson's Bridge" From this time to 1886 the growth of the village was slow, most of the inhabitants kI,a nd shores of the Quinnipiac and harbor and the facilities afforded by them for import ing oysters and other shell fish from Virginia and the North river.
 In Barber's Historical Collections, pub. lished in 1886, wood cut is given of the west side of the village of Fair Haven, in which are shown 27 dwellings, one store, the Old Brick church, the old Methodist church, and inc Academy, then called the s'ColIepiate and Commercial Institute '" So it is safe to say that in what now comprises the Eleventh and Twelfth wards there were in 1886 only about 50 dwellings, two churches, one academy, the old brick tavern and the white tavern opposite. Below Grand street, except near the shore of the river, there was hardly building of any kind to be seen to Grapevine Point on the south and Mill river CD the vest Above Grand street and between the two rivers there was still more lack of houses or buildings of any kind.
 Forty-seven years have passed away and we find this fine neck of land from the Hamden line and from river to river covered with neat and tasty homes, many of them beautiful in exterior and interior, occupied by men engaged in all kinds of business and the various professions. One of the greatest attractions, however, is the adornment of many of the streets with majestic elms and naples, which are so much the pride of our good City of Films, and Of which all visitors speak in such glow ing terms.
 The accommodations for church going peo-- pie are unsurpassed, there being five church es, viz: First Congregational church, Rev. Burdett Hart, pastor, on East Grand street; Methodist Episcopal church, Rev. MT. Ham, mond, pastor, on East Pearl street Grace Episcopal church, Rev. Mir. Sanford, rector East Grand street Baptist church, Rev. MT. Ball, pastor /; St. Francis Roman Catholic church, over which Rev. Father Mulhol- land oficiates. All of these churches are in hourishing condition. There are also four large and beautiful graded school buildings, furnishing abundant facilities for education, together with fine school building for the Catholics, situated on Ferry street. under the auspices of St. Francis church also little mission church in the upper part of the Twelfth ward, in which services are regularly held and which is destined to be power for good in that portion of our thriving city. It is gratifying to know that strangers are taking advantage of the inducements held out in this delightful part of the city, and are securing homes here for themselves and families, and the outlook at the present time is favorable that at an early day this whole territory will be as thickly settled as the cen ter of the city.