The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-21

Way back in 1883, when Dr. Sim ons came into possession Of that strip of land now-a-days known as Simon s dock, the only approach to the prop lane which ran from Main street eastward to cross the Pe1uonnock river over Nob1e's bridge That lane is now East Washington avenue and the bridge is now East Washington avenue bridge.
 simon,s dock was bounded on the east by the Pequonnock river, and also the south and west by the water of the same river, which set back and up nearly to East Washing ton avenue There it's salt water was met by fresh water coming from a spring located on the land of Captain Daniel Sterling That square of land Washington avenue. Main street. Lumber street and Housatonic ave nue-
 In 1883 the Pequonnock river besides running back as above stated. it swept westward in two places all most to Main street
 In 1888 the Housatonic railroad was begun and "filP' for it's tracks wes constructed from where is now McElroy's building. northward to on's dock property. sluice-way was built under the Housatonic tracks. south of Lumber street, with tidal gates built under the tracks rising tides which filled the two large basins called the upper and lower cu1- Verts.
 Mills Were Prospercus
 On Simop's dock stood two mills one for the grinding of grain, and the other for carpenter work These of the sluice-way, and when the tide ran cut from the two large basins between the Housatonic embankment and the rising ground near Main street n
 At the period of the elevation of the Consolidated tracks through Bridge Housatonic tracks was also elevated to meet the grade of the New York, and New Haven tracks. Timber structure was used as it stands today In time this is to be Supplanted by a stone and gravel fill.
 In order to get this description i'm to proper shape for 8 full comprehen- sion, it is necessary to digreSS here and describe two opposing factors in the develoment of Simons' dock.
 In 1S0h the residence Of Captain Sterling was built in the center of the square described above, where now stands the Fourth Regiment armory. He had built several ships on his home lot, but when the fill of the Housatonic road had been completed, in 1886, it cut off the Sterling square from the open water of the Pequon- nook
 Adopted Daughter Is Heir.
 buT1nS these intervening years LIT. Simns was a member of Congress. His home was on the corner of Main and Cannon streets, where now stands Howland's. Dr. Simons had no chill dren, and his wife, rather than to be left alone during the doctors absence In Washington, invited Mrs. Debor- ah Lockwood of Huntington, and her daughter, Nancy, to make their home at the Simon's residence in Bridge port. Subsequently,, pr. and Mrs. Si- mons adopted Nancy, legally, she be- came their only heir and was re- named Nancy Lockwood Simons.
 Also during these same years, Cap tain Sterling gave up ship-buildins and devoted his time and energy to- wards building the Sterling hotel, now the Arcade. The north store, now a Five-and Ten-cent store, was leased for use as a grocery store to Henry Sanford, who came from Bedding His brother was sheriff there for many years.
 Henry Sanford was an energetic as we'll a very handsome young man who took occasion, as frequently as business would permit, to deliver gro Ceries to the residence of Dr. and Mrs Simons, nearby. In this way MT Sanford became acquainted with Nan he af fod married.