Belltown Historic District
A uniquely preserved window into America's industrial revolution, the only mill town in the United States historically devoted exclusively to bell manufacturing.
The Only Bell-Making Mill Town in the United States
Welcome to the official guide to the Belltown Historic District, a uniquely preserved window into America's industrial revolution located in the heart of East Hampton, Connecticut. Officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this expansive 145-acre historic district encompasses a remarkable concentration of 147 contributing historic buildings out of 176 total, roughly 84% of the area's structures. Spanning a rich timeline from 1748 to 1935, Belltown stands out as the only mill town in the United States historically devoted exclusively to the highly specialized art of bell manufacturing.
Explore our local heritage, architectural legacy, and the deep-rooted industrial economy that earned East Hampton the global title of "Belltown, USA."
Historic Village of East Hampton, Connecticut
A view of downtown East Hampton looking northward with the Carrier Block building and Barton Hill Rd. on the left. This historic East Hampton photo from the 1940s was taken from the Air Line Railroad bridge that crossed over Main Street. Some of the more notable historic landmarks located in the center of the Belltown National Historic District include Hitchcock's Pharmacy, the Buckland and Barton General Store, the Post Office, Siebert's Opera House, Barton Drug Store, and Louis James' Candy Kitchen.
Belltown by the Numbers
Figures pulled directly from the district's 1985 National Register nomination form (NR# 85003543).
National Register Significance & Criteria
The Belltown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it uniquely meets multiple federal benchmarks for historical and architectural significance:
Historic Events & Broad Patterns
Belltown represents a definitive chapter in America's Industrial Revolution. As the only mill town in the United States historically devoted exclusively to bell manufacturing, its industrial output directly shaped 19th-century trade and global acoustic manufacturing.
Architecture & Method of Construction
147 of 176 buildings (84%) are contributing historic structures, a living timeline of late 18th- to early 20th-century architecture featuring Greek Revival, Federal, and Late Victorian styles alongside 15 distinct historic industrial mill complexes.
An Unaltered Historic Layout
The spider-like layout of Main Street, Barton Hill, and Skinner Street remains largely unaltered since the late 1800s, retaining an authentic association with the water-powered industrial boom fueled by the Pocotopaug Brook.
Notable Contributing Buildings
A sampling of the district's named historic structures, drawn from the National Register nomination's own building inventory.
- Belleville Store / Carrier Block — 80 Main St.
- William Nichols House — Crescent St.
- Horatio H. Abbe House — 15 Main St.
- Sears-Hill House — 56 Main St.
- Center School — 94 Main St.
- Siebert's Opera House — 97 Main St.
- Joseph D. Barton Store — 87 Main St.
- Dickson Market (now East Hampton Library) — 81 Main St.
- Herrick & Conant Silk Manufacturing Co. — Summit St.
- N.N. Hill Brass Co. — 25 Skinner St.
Source: National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form, Belltown Historic District, NR# 85003543 (National Park Service).
How the 19th-Century Bell Industry Shaped East Hampton's Architecture
The Belltown Historic District, which encompasses the industrial center of East Hampton, Connecticut, is historically significant as the only mill town in the nation known to be exclusively devoted to bell making, a highly specialized industry which prospered for over 100 years. A significant, cohesive, and distinguishable entity, the Belltown Historic District contains a full range of historic resources which illustrate in their diversity of scale, function, and level of architectural style the social and economic development of the town. Exceptionally well-preserved buildings of all types dating from 1748 to 1935 can be found in the district.
The Town of East Hampton, Connecticut's economy was at first largely driven by shipbuilding and related interests, centered at Middle Haddam on the Connecticut River, but these were in decline by the early 19th century. William Barton, a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut, arrived in East Hampton in 1807, bringing with him the specialized knowledge of working brass for the manufacture of bells. He established a foundry, where he trained a whole generation of bellmakers whose work would fuel the town's economy. The Bevin Brothers, among those he trained, were the first to apply water power to the process, damming Lake Pocotopaug Brook for the purpose. Their business continues to be a major presence in the town. By 1860, Belltown had 23 men listed as bell manufacturers.
The historic district has a spider-like configuration, anchored by a stretch of Main Street between West High and Edgerton Streets. Fingers of the district extend off of a number of side streets, which are typically lined with residential and industrial buildings. Prominent elements include the surviving mill complexes of the bell makers and associated businesses, as well as four churches. There are also several industrial archaeological sites in the southern part of the district, where early and failed bellmaking businesses were once located.
Visiting the Comstock Covered Bridge
The Comstock Bridge, also known as the Comstock Covered Bridge, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the three remaining covered bridges left in the state of Connecticut, the other two being Bull's Bridge in Kent and the West Cornwall Covered Bridge overlooking the Housatonic River in West Cornwall, Connecticut.
The Comstock Bridge is located on 14 Bridge Street at the junction of Colchester and East Hampton, crossing the Salmon River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions people most often ask about the Belltown Historic District.
What is the Belltown Historic District?
A 145-acre National Register historic district in East Hampton, Connecticut, the only mill town in the United States historically devoted exclusively to bell manufacturing, with buildings dating from 1748 to 1935.
How many buildings are in the Belltown Historic District?
147 of the district's 176 buildings are officially recognized as contributing historic structures, about 84%, according to the 1985 National Register nomination form.
When was Belltown Historic District listed on the National Register?
October 28, 1985 (NR# 85003543).
Why is East Hampton called "Belltown, USA"?
Beginning with William Barton's foundry in 1807, East Hampton became the only town in the U.S. whose economy was built exclusively around bell manufacturing, home to the Bevin Brothers, N.N. Hill Brass Co., and other bell makers.
Who started the bell-making industry in East Hampton?
William Barton, a native of Bloomfield, Connecticut, arrived in 1807 with specialized knowledge of working brass for bells and established the foundry that trained the town's first generation of bellmakers.
What architectural styles can you see in the district?
Greek Revival, Federal, and Late Victorian styles are all well represented, alongside 15 distinct historic industrial mill complexes.
