Cedar Hill (New Haven) - Landmarks

Landmarks

• Ferry Street Railroad Bridge is significant as a representative example of standard 20th century truss construction; as a product of Boston Bridge Works, a regionally important bridge fabricator; and as part of the New Haven Railroad's extensive improvements to its freight facilities in Cedar Hill, New Haven, CT

Between 1910 and 1913, the railroad built a large new classification yard in the northeast part of New Haven, the Cedar Hill Terminal, in order to consolidate and expand its freight operations. In connection with that work, the railroad right of way was then further widened to accommodate more tracks, and electrification was extended to the new Cedar Hill yards.photos. The widening required a new bridge at Ferry Street. The bridge was entirely paid for by the railroad with the exception of $316.92 paid by the city of New Haven for a temporary bridge during construction.

• Cedar Hill Coal Tower is a stop for many. This was a coaling tower for refueling steam locomotives for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at the "hump". West Hump was closed by the NH during the 1960s, it was briefly reopened during the early Providence, RI yard era to relieve snow "Lindsay Storm of 1969" related congestion at Selkirk, NY. East Hump was closed by Conrail April 1980.

• Bishop Gate - The first road to the top of East Rock was called the Old Stewart's road. It started near Rice Field in Cedar Hill, up to the summit via the dip between East Rock and Indian head. The newly formed Parks Commission constructed Indian Head Drive in 1890 which started at Bishops Gate (Mrs. John Bishop sold a good park of her land to the parks department, the land going down to Rock Road at the time)on State Street and over Snake Rock, Indian Head and to the top of East Rock. Now Bishops Gate is closed off due to falling rocks but the two Red traprock pillars still mark the start of a fantastic trail for biking and joggers.

• Snake Rock The home of Bishops Gate, is a broad mass of trap measuring 900 by 450 feet (140 m) in its two diameters lies encased in sandstone. Height 160 feet (49 m) and on the west side it is over 200 feet (61 m). The traprock covers the eastern slope. The south end of the Rock, in the yard behind the north corner of the Basserman house on Rock Street, at a junction of the trap and sandstone, the dip is about 45° ; and this is direct evidence as to the inclination.

Snake Rock contains a half-emerged laccolith, its summit exposed, but the western wall of sandstone still standing and overtopping the trap. The sandstone shows everywhere the effects of hot vapors in- all their varied forms, and before encroachments were made by a brewery there was a fine display of columnar sandstone in the southwestern bluff.

• English Gate - Also finds a home in Cedar Hill and was built in 1890 can be found aside the Cedar Hill Playground. Named after Governor James Edward English who donated a significant amount (along with two others) to the building of the park. English gate is one of the entrance to the car trip to the top of East Rock and all its beauty.