The Hebron Historical Society

Merchant David Barber owned a large center chimney house to the east which has been relocated to the top of the Hill. Note this house is private property and beyond the sidewalk. Do not consider walking along the busy highway to view this structure.

An African American family from Rhode Island, also named Barber, lived along the north section of Route 66 in the early 19th century. Like many African Americans, the men worked as farm laborers and the women as domestic help. The Barber, Freeman, and Peters families intermarried and thus this section of route 66 was an enclave of African American families living next door to their Yankee neighbors.

Think about it

As you have been walking, see if you can spot any signs of structures that might date before the year 1900? Clue the few structures that remain all have their gable end toward the street and have stone rather than cement foundations.

Conclusion – Turn around by Ted’s Supermarket and look west down Route 66. This is Hebron’s business District. What sort of stores do you wish might relocate to this section of Hebron.
What is your favorite type of store? Why?

Henry Peters, a son of Cesar and Lois Peters who were rescued from being sold as slaves in South Carolina by their Hebron neighbors in 1787, purchased the house that stood here in the early 19th century so he could farm. Henry Peters had been born after Cesar Peters’ family were rescued. He was part of a sizeable group of African Americans who lived in Hebron Center earning their living by providing farm labor to gentlemen-farmers also living there. Doctors and lawyers, like Governor John S. Peters MD and Honorable Sylvester Gilbert, who dwelled around the Green also relied upon skilled African American labor to ensure that their farms would remain competitive. As a result, the African Americans living along this section of Route 66 were able to lead a middleclass life, even though they could not vote. Unfortunately, very few of the houses that these African Americans lived in have been preserved.

Think about it

Farm animals like cows, horses, and sheep need hay to survive. What steps must be taken to turn grass into hay? Why couldn’t a farmer have his cows graze outside all year rather than taking in hay?

Use your imagination –Imagine it’s early morning on Henry Peters’ farm. What farm sounds might you hear?

Where to go next

Look further down Route 66. You might see the chimney of a large house at the top of the hill. Walk back toward Hebron Center.

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society.

Please note that most of the structures you will see are privately owned. Please respect these properties by viewing them from the sidewalk.

This land and the area around Pendleton drive had until recently been the site of a hollowed-out stone used by Native Americans to grind corn and nuts. Another Indigenous community grinding stone or quern exists by the Jeremy River behind Hebron Elementary School. From about 10,000 years ago, Hebron was a seasonal camp site for Indigenous People. The last reference to a Native American in Hebron comes from Pliny Parker’s account book mentioning an Indigenous woman selling baskets in the 1850’s. Pliny Parker was a broom maker who lived on Marjorie Circle during the early 1800’s. American culture has adopted a number of Native American innovations. Corn is truly one of the greatest gifts of Indigenous people to the world.

Think about it

Today corn products and corn syrup are a major component of our diet.

Think of how many products you eat or drink that are made from corn or corn syrup sweetener. If you cannot name any read the label on the back of some of your favorite sweet food.

Use your imagination –Indigenous People didn’t have sugar or sweet corn syrup to sweeten food. Imagine how your life would be different if things food had no sweetener added to them.

Where to go next

Continue walking east along Route 66 toward Ted’s Supermarket and John E. Horton Drive.

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society

The fire station you see today is the second Hebron fire house built on this site. It speaks to how Hebron has changed over the years. During most of its history, there was no fire department or police department in Hebron. Thus, fire was always a danger since houses were heated by fire, lighted with candles, and cooking was done over an open hearth. The closest law enforcement agent in the 18th century was a constable to serve legal papers.

Think about it

Why is it important to have a fire station centrally located in Hebron Center? Do you know of any other fire stations in Hebron? Why do you suppose fire trucks are painted red?

Use your imagination –what sort of sound might a fire truck make other than using its siren on its way to a fire?

Where to go next

From here walk east on the sidewalk along Route 66

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society

around 1900 Tenant Post Card

If you look east from the corner of Routes 66 and 316, much of what you currently see is relatively new commercial architecture. It’s hard to imagine that anything was there before. However, early views show a gambrel roof house on the corner and several smaller houses to the East. Immigrants like the Pomprowicz family from Poland and Stanek family from Slovakia once occupied these houses. Hebron’s farming economy began to decline after the Civil War when railroads could transport grain and meat cheaper from the West than what could be raised in New England. Unrest in Europe led to waves of immigrants coming to the United States. Central European immigrants saw an opportunity to reinvigorate Connecticut’s farm economy by investing in dairy farming. Transporting eggs and milk kept farming alive in Hebron until after WWII, when refrigeration, the Eisenhower highway system, and newly developing Agri-business put small family farms in New England out of business.

Think about it

Milk still needs to come from relatively close by, but processing these products requires pasteurization and cartons which cannot be done economically on a small farm. Where are there working farms today in Hebron?

Are they small family run farms or parts of larger farming operations?

Where to go next

From here walk east on the sidewalk along Route 66 toward Ted’s Supermarket and John E. Horton Boulevard.

Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society