History

Historic Railroad Station

Railroads played an important role in Canaan's history. The Housatonic Railroad opened the way to faster travel with its north-south route in 1841 followed by the opening of an east-west route in 1871 which was known as the Connecticut Western Railroad. Canaan grew rapidly due to its being a crossroad of these two rail lines. The Old Railroad Station, erected in 1871, still stands and is being renovated because of a fire in 2001 It will again be used as a commercial center and museum for the Connecticut Railroad Historical Association. Freight service is still available by the Housatonic Railroad between Danbury, CT and Pittsfield, MA.

From The Connecticut Guide, 1935

The town of North Canaan, which includes Canaan village, was settled in 1738, and cut off from the town of Canaan in 1858. It consists of a plain along the Housatonic, with the valley of Blackberry River coming in from the east, bordered by picturesque hills. There are extensive limestone deposits, left by the sea, which have been quarried for lime and marble. The manufacture of pig iron was for many years the most important industry. One of the largest of the Borden condensed milk plants is located here.

North Canaan is dominated by the sharp peak of Canaan Mountain, which thrusts out northwest into the valley, towering above it about a thousand feet. The trail up to the top of the cliffs may be reached by climbing from U. S. 7 over Church Hill, or by taking Blackberry River Rd. and cutting through the fields just west of a grove of pine. There is a remarkable view up and down the Housatonic Valley, and across to Bear Mt. and the Taconics. The valley below is floored by limestone, and dotted with schist and quartzite ridges.

As we approach Canaan Village on U. S. 7, the Old Donglas Place lies 1/4 mile to the west across the R. R. The most interesting of the landmarks in the village is the Lawrence House, on the west side of Elm St. (U. S. 7) built by Capt. Isaac Lawrence in 1751 and originally used as a tavern. The traveler should also note the fine Gothic Clock Tower recentily built for Christ Episcopal Church. The pre-Revolutionary Gillette Place lies 3/4 mile northwest of the village. The site of the Barnes Lime Kilns, from which, in early days lime was hauled by team as far as Hartford, is 1 and 1/2 miles northeast on R. 124, near the Massachusetts line.

Campbell Falls, though 100 yards over the Massachusetts line, is protected by an Interstate Park. The brook plunges about 30 feet through a cleft it has worn in the tilted rock strata, and is at its best in high water, In the picnic grounds below the Falls, on the Connecticut side (Norfolk,) there is a fine stand of old pine and hemlock. To reach Campbell Falls, take the road from East Canaan to Canaan Valley and drive northeast on a rather poor road, which continues to Norfolk.