Thompson Hill Historic District

Thompson Hill Historic District spans 550 acres centered on Thompson Common where Routes 193 and 200 intersect. It contains around 130 major structures including homes, farm buildings, and religious structures from different periods.

The first meetinghouse was built in 1735, making Thompson Hill a center for travelers on the main road to Providence. The area retained its importance until the mid-1800s when railroads bypassed the region.

The district displays Greek Revival and Colonial Revival buildings that preserve the appearance of an 18th and 19th-century New England settlement. The Thompson Congregational Church and Vernon Stiles Inn shape the center today, telling of the social structure of earlier times.

The area is easiest to reach by following Routes 193 and 200 through Thompson Common, which serve as natural orientation points. Buildings spread across several streets, so taking time to walk around helps you see the different structures.

The railroad bypass in the mid-1800s led to economic decline, which paradoxically preserved the old buildings from modern changes. Many structures still stand at their original locations because the community experienced less development pressure than surrounding areas.

Location: Connecticut

GPS coordinates: 41.95750,-71.86833

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:05