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- Part 2: Origin As A "Canal Town"
- Chapter 4: Residents Choose Town Incorporation
Chapter 4: Residents Choose Town Incorporation
With the expansion of industry in the mid-1860s, the “canal town” was thriving. New Haven was the only town of note in the township and the largest and most enterprising village in the county. It had many advantages as a place of business and a location for a residence or a manufacturing point—good soil, good waterpower, and facilities for transportation and travel.
Retail establishments provided convenience and variety to meet the day-to-day needs of townspeople—dry goods, groceries, meats and baked goods, as well as drugs and hardware. There were barbers, boot and shoe makers, a tailor and a milliner, a cabinet maker and a seller of insurance. [Photo: New Haven groceries and meats proprietor on Green Street]
Because the Canal significantly lowered the cost of transportation, retail offerings expanded from staples to luxury items brought from the east such as fine cigars, English glassware and fine cloth in bulk rolls. [Photo: Downtown cigar store]
With the rapid growth of both retail and industry, the town had experienced an influx of people who interacted with the community in many different ways. Serious consideration was given to becoming an incorporated town; it would give New Haven the benefit of a town government to act on behalf of the public good.
In June 1866, a petition seeking incorporation was presented to the Commissioners of Allen County. On the 7th of July, an election was held, and a majority of citizens voted in favor of incorporating. The town became a voting precinct the following year. (New Haven was incorporated as a city in 1963.)
OF NOTE
In 1966, 100 years after its incorporation as a town, New Haven held a gala, week-long Centennial Celebration. Each day had a theme and included a range of historically oriented events and activities for adults and children alike.
A Celebration Eve Ball opened the festivities at the American Legion Post 330 Clubhouse at 830 W. Main Street (today The Power House). A formal dance was held indoors with square dancing in the parking lot.
A highlight of the celebration was a seven-division parade featuring more than 2000 units. The two-hour parade included area Shriners, their Horse Patrol and Band, floats, oxen teams, wagons and buggies, antique autos and bicycles, veteran's organizations, fire and police units, and a large number of area bands.
The signature event of the celebration was a historical pageant with a cast of 300 area residents in period costumes, assisted by a 100-voice choir and a narrator. Presented each evening at John Young Stadium, the spectacular was on a specially-constructed stage 290 feet long and 80 feet deep. Each performance concluded with a fireworks display.