ESSEX CT

ESSEX CT

Essex Village Town Park

Built - 1988

The town of Essex was incorporated in 1852 and originally named Old Saybrook, taken from Saybrook, Connecticut but the name was changed to Essex two years later. The town is very proud of its industries which include boat building and repair, turbine blades, machine parts, novelties, naval lighting equipment, bent wire products and tourism.

Their bandstand was built in 1988 in Essex Village Town Park and is the first one the community has had. The idea of having a bandstand on the common was the Lions Club's idea who planned and financed the project. The bandstand or "gazebo" as they call it, was pre-built and delivered to the site. Various bands play on the bandstand including the "Essex Sailing Masters of 1812."

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:
Don Malcavin, Essex Town Historian

ESSEX CT

ESSEX CT

Ivoryton Village Green Park

Built - 1997

The Ivoryton section of Essex, Connecticut became a leader in the ivory industry during the Industrial Revolution after originally being an important area for the production of hand-made sailing ships. A Mr. Samuel M. Comstock firmly established that section of town into an ivroy bi-product producing area when in 1862, he went into partnership with George Cherry and formed the prestigious Comstock, Chery & Company. The large factory they established turned out piano actions and keyboards, as well as other ivory artifacts for years. It was literally the center of this business in the United States at that time.

Ivoryton got its name in the 1880s, originally having been known as West Centerbrook. During World War 2, the company changed hands and renamed Pratt-Read and changed the production line to produce gliders for the war effort employing thousands of residents in the area.

Ivoryton's bandstand was built on the Ivoryton Village Green Park in 1997 by the local Eagle Scouts and funded by contributions from individuals, businesses and the Ivoryton Lion's Club. The only problem in the building of the structure was that it took the Eagle Scouts much longer to build it as anticipated but it was a learning experience for them.

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY:
Don Malcarne, Town Historian