Preston City combines a historic streetscape with a broad span of architectural periods. In the Preston City Historic District, well-preserved homes and institutional buildings form part of a rural transportation hub that has undergone little modern development. The District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a high concentration of significant buildings and sites dating from the late 17th to the 20th century. These include a collection of residential, institutional, and commercial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as several historic sites.

Building History at Individual Sites

The poorhouse stands at the southern edge of the District. Its north section, built by Ephraim Jones, dates to 1733; in 1807, the town added a south section that served as a poorhouse or workhouse. The different construction dates and the building’s stated function give it a distinct history within the broader ensemble.

The Baptist Church in Preston City was built in 1812. In 1832, the building was turned to face its present direction, with its gable facing Route 164. The three-stage steeple and the bell tower with its pyramidal roof were added during this alteration. In contrast to the poorhouse, whose history spans two construction phases, the focus here is on its later reorientation and tower forms. This offers different ways to consider building history and architecture.

The District’s commercial buildings include its blacksmith shop: Morrison Robbins built it in 1871, and it served as a demonstration museum. This commercial building stands alongside the District’s residential and institutional buildings, adding a later example to its earlier construction periods.

Streetscape and Orientation

Route 164 runs through Preston City and is designated a Connecticut Scenic Road. The Baptist Church also has a connection to the road: since its reorientation in 1832, its gable has faced the route. Among the commercial and institutional buildings in the center of the District, the church occupies the most prominent position; it is visible from almost anywhere in Preston City. The designated road and the highly visible church offer two different points of reference for understanding the area’s layout.

The rural character of the town is also evident at the Old Town Pound on Amos Road, an enclosure surrounded by stone walls that contributes to Preston City’s historic rural character. Downer-Doane Memorial Park lies at the southwest corner of Shetucket Turnpike and Route 164 and is part of the Historic District. The Civil War Monument and the Mott Memorial mark the site of General Samuel Mott’s house; Mott is regarded in Preston City as a hero of the American Revolutionary War. These sites point to different aspects of the town’s history: a stone enclosure, a park within the District, and the remembrance of Mott.

Planning Your Trip

Preston City Congregational Church offers worship services, Bible study, fellowship, and Sunday school programs. If you would like to include a specific offering in your travel plans, check the current schedule in advance.

Preston City has a clear focus on architectural history and rural town layout. The Historic District’s dates, from the late 17th to the 20th century, provide the broad context; individual years such as 1733, 1807, 1812, 1832, and 1871 point to specific construction phases and changes. You can view the townscape as an ensemble or focus on the history of individual buildings.

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