Last updated 28 December 08.

Repair, Protection and Restoration of Fairview Observatory

Fairview Observatory (known as Fairview Pavilion or Halfway House) is in Hubbard Park, Meriden, Connecticut.

History of Hubbard Park

Fairview from Early Postcards

Fairview, 2006

Other Built Features of Hubbard Park

Maps

Preserve, Protect and Restore Fairview

Fairview Updates

Acknowledgements

Email hank.benoit@kos.net, including "Fairview" in the subject line, if you have information, questions or comments on Fairview.

History of Fairview in Hubbard Park

During the late 1800s Walter Hubbard was motivated to acquire and protect land for the purposes of a non-commercial park. He assembled hundreds of  acres of Hanging Hills woodland and mountain acres in northwest Meriden and took a personal interest in designing and financing the structures and landscapes that are enjoyed to this day.  Fairview Observatory was built on Fairview Point (elevation 500 ft) as one of many pleasure structures specified and paid for by Walter Hubbard (1823-1911). Most were completed soon after 1900 when Hubbard Park was formally donated to the City of Meriden. In 1997 the Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places (Hartford County) as a significant example of architecture and engineering. Over the past few years, the City of Meriden has committed important resources toward rehabilitation of Mirror Lake, the focal point of  the Park, and the many water features leading therefrom. However, in 1971 Fairview became isolated from the Park with the opening of Interstate 691. 

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Fairview from Early Postcards

 Fairview became a destination for family outings. The footpath and drive must have been maintained, for carriages were photographed at Fairview and early visitors appear to be well dressed. Several postcards from these early years show large groups and small, children and adults, posing in their Sunday best at Fairview. From their dress it is difficult to believe they took the Mirror Lake footpath, but rather strolled up Cliff Drive.

Postcards made their appearance in 1904 and Fairview, among other built features of Hubbard Park, was a frequent subject.

This early image shows the relatively treeless landscape surrounding Fairview. White-painted pillars support the roof structure and Fairview is clearly an 'observatory'. Visitors enjoy an unobstructed view of Castle Craig and Mirror Lake, and as reported in newspapers of that period, City Hall clock.

The photographer probably didn't notice Fairview among the tree branches in this winter photo, taken from West Main Street (then named Waterbury-Meriden Turnpike). The white supports are barely discernible in closeup.

Fairview must have been a very attractive destination for even its approaches became postcard subjects.

Steps to Fairview, about 1900. These steps and handrail were possibly on the path departing from the Spring House immediately north of Mirror Lake. This departure, and the spring, were disrupted by Interstate 691 and today the path begins north of the parking lot. Today's path makes for a very challenging climb. No evidence of steps or handrails is visible.

An easy walk, or possibly carriage ride was possible via Fairview Drive (Walter Hubbard's 'Cliff Drive'). The Drive headed west from Reservoir Road, passed the reservoir outlet shed and skirted Merimere Reservoir. This level portion of Fairview Drive is good condition today but deteriorates once it heads uphill.

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This 2006 photo shows Fairview (elevation about 480 ft) with Castle Craig (platform elevation about 1010 ft) visible at the far left. Wood shingles have been replaced with asphalt shingles. In several places original beaded sheathing has been replaced with available materials. The masonry base has lost its mortar cap in places. Several base stones have been removed.

Fairview approaches have suffered with time. No longer can visitors in street shoes comfortably make the walk and the number of visitors must be quite low. On several lengthy visits over the past four years no more than ten individuals in total were met in the Fairview area.As of January 2007 sheathing and shingles have been shorn from the westerly roof edge and a hole had been punched through mid-roof.  Debris  litters the inside area and decades of trash make the interior inhospitable.

Three vertical supports have been lost; one of which has been replaced.  It is in this area that the masonry cap has been lost. Thanks to a robust design, the roof shows only minor sag in that area. A larger problem arises from the twisting forces that may render the laminated beam unsalvageable.

Thirty-six rafters rest on circular plate giving the appearance of a circular roof. Conical roofs are prone to instability under asymmetrical loading so the centre (king?) post and six radiating beams may provide stability under snow loading.

The laminated circular plate beam comprises ten 1" x 10" planks fastened into a 10" x 10" beam having a 24-ft diameter. Some trim boards have been removed, exposing the kerf technique for laminating circular beams. Loss of roof material over the decades has allowed water to enter, rotting the laminated beam.

Unmanaged growth surrounding Fairview has blocked views of both Castle Craig and Mirror Lake.

View north to Castle Craig.                                                                           View south to Mirror Lake.

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Some Other Built Features of Hubbard Park

Numerous Park features, some whimsical in concept, were proposed by Walter Hubbard and apparently no expense was spared in seeing them to completion.  Mirror Lake dominates the lower Park and a string of waterfalls, lakelets and fountains provide points of interest along Crow Hollow Brook.  Well into the 1900s this minor brook serviced a string of factories that stood along today's West Main Street at the foot of Graveline Avenue.


Castle Craig Tower, about 1900. The observation deck is 1008 ft above sea level and in January 2007 Long Island was visible from the the Tower base.





The Cascade Playground surrounds fountains, lakelet and fishpond fed from Mirror Lake. This is the source of Crow Hollow Brook.










Crow Hollow Brook feeds the Park entrance cascade and fountain before flowing alongside West Main Street and on to Hanover Pond.




Some years after the first Park structures were established, a pavilion was erected immediately north of the entrance. The Civil War mortar was donated towards a world war scrap drive.





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Maps

A proposal for Hubbard Park roadways, probably drawn by Walter Hubbard. The drives are not today sign-posted by name. The path to Castle Craig Tower is strewn with trap rock, and there are no steps or handrails, but it is easily managed. The uppermost  200 yards are at a constant 20-degree slope. The original path to Fairview has been cut by Interstate 691 and the remaining trail approaches 45 degrees for a good stretch and is only climbable with the assistance of  tree roots and low-hanging branches.  The "Steps to Fairview" feature  was probably an early  convenience that has completely eroded.

Trevor King's hiking map.  In 2004 Eagle Scout Trevor King mounted permanent map boards showing the Hubbard Park hiking trails. Certain features have been annotated for orientation purposes and Castle Craig and Fairview paths have been accentuated for present purposes. Today's Path to Fairview is an adventurer's shortcut. It is difficult to believe that the "Steps to Fairview" could have been on this path but circumstantial postcard and map evidence seem to insist. The Metacomet Trail  (Metacomet (1639-1676)  known as 'King Philip')begins at the ridge of the Hanging Hills and continues to the Massachusetts border.

The shortest, and very difficult, path to Fairview runs westward from Notch Road just north of the parking lot. Before Interstate 691 was in place, this path began immediately north of the spring house.

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Preservation, Protection and Restoration of Fairview.
Fairview still offers shelter (roughly halfway between Mirror Lake and Castle Craig) and would be a very practical attraction if seating were added. Line-of-sight exposure, together with an increase in visitors would create an effective natural surveillance over Fairview. A striking aspect of early Fairview is the full exposure to public view both from Castle Craig and Mirror Lake. One can imagine visitors making agreements to wave from Fairview to friends atop Castle Craig or picnicking around Mirror Lake. Natural surveillance is a recognized deterrent to vandalism and was likely an accidental consequence the Fairview 'observatory'.

                                                                                                        Fairview from Castle Craig, early 1900s.

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Around 1900 newspaper articles mention that the City of Meriden was unable to offer wood-cutting licenses, apparently intended for needy families, as  there were no standing trees in the City. That may be the reason Hubbard Park has few trees in early photos. Once under the terms of Walter Hubbard's gift, trees were perhaps protected from cutting. Consequently,  natural surveillance has been compromised by tree growth, to the extent that Fairview today is not visible from Mirror Lake and barely visible from Castle Craig in winter. Compare with the original view above.                                                                           
                                                                                                      Fairview from Castle Craig, January 2007.

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How should Fairview be brought back? First, preserve what remains. Second, protect from vandalism. Third, restore to original condition with original materials and techniques.

 Preserve Add temporary supports, patch holes in roof, replace missing sheathing with plywood and replace missing shingles. Add center support and centering boards.  Unskilled volunteers and a modest materials budget (perhaps $2,000) will preserve Fairview for future restoration. 
 
Protect Re-establish natural surveillance. Remove smaller trees adjacent to Fairview and small trees and brush on south slope. Remove nearby tools of destructive behavior such as dead tree limbs. Encourage visitors with marked walking paths, a clean interior and an opportunity to sit.  Permission to remove trees and bushes, volunteer labour and the cost of robust seating (maybe $2,000) will protect Fairview through natural surveillance.

Restore Use original materials to repair laminated beam, replace central post, replace damaged rafters, recap wall and replace missing stones, replace lost sheathing, cover roof with wood shingles and replace the roof ornament. Skilled carpenters and masons plus a significant materials expense (say, $30,000) will result in a complete restoration.

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Fairview Updates.

26 Jun 1998   Meriden Record-Journal: "Hubbard Park Landmark in Disrepair"

Hikers Norm Zimmer and Frederick Carlberg feel Fairview has lost its luster because of
vandalism, fires and littering. However, neither Meriden Police nor Parks and Public Works
have received reports of vandalism.

Pictorial on Hubbard Park, including disrepair state of Fairview.

26 Jan 2007   Meriden Record-Journal: "Hubbard Park's Halfway House in Need of Repairs"

Tom Cadden recalls his high school experiences at Fairview. Tom DeLuca recalls that Fairview was completed in 1899 by Cornelius Kooreman as the second Hubbard Park structure. Mayor Mark Benigni offers support for repair of fairview.

29 Jan 2007   Meriden Record-Journal, Editorial: "Halfway House"

Tom Cadden applauded for leadership role in restoring Fairview.

5 Feb 2007  Meriden Council Minutes: "Resolution to establish a committee for the repair of Fairway(sic) Pavilion"

Committee members: Thomas P. Cadden, Clayton Randall, Thomas Kronenberger, Jake Arkenbout, Dan Roberts, Joseph Carabetta, Jr., Howard Logan, Jr.,Eddie Siebert, Jim Fredricks, Henry Benoit, Leonard Rich, Dommie Bernetti, David Luft, Anthony D. Tomassetti, City Council Liason and Mark Zebora, City Staff Liason.

8 Feb 2007  Meriden Record-Journal: "Pavilion Project off to a Fast Start"

City Council approves 12-member committee to take charge of Fairview restoration without cost to the City. Conservation Commission will be approached in regard to removing tree overgrowth surrounding Fairview. Call to Wilcox Class of '58 to support Fairview restoration as part of its 50th anniversary.

1 Mar 2007 Meriden Record-Journal, D.James' Letter to the Editor: "ATVs: get tough!"

Recalls restoration work done a few years ago and gives concern that today's use of Fairview is not much different from those of Mr. Cadden's "hide-a-way heydays. ATVs give ready access to Fairview and exacerbates rate of destruction. Urges legislators to "get tough"; control ATV ownership and trail access rather than waste resources in recovering from damages.

23 Mar 2007 Meriden Record-Journal: "Contractors Group Hopes Project Will Spark Resurgence"

Noting their gavel is modelled after Castle Craig, the Meriden Contractors Association, have offered labor towards Fairview restoration.

11 May 2007  Trees were cleared from the area immediately surrounding Fairview. Four photos follow:

Castle Craig from Fairview.                                                                           Mirror Lake from Fairview.

From Castle Craig, Fairview is again a focal point and an enticing hiking destination.

After many years of concealment, Fairview's  roof is again visible from West Main Street. This photo was taken from the pizza shop entrance, probably the site of Craig Loch Manor that closed permanently after 1976 and 1977 fires.

 Perhaps a few more trees will be sacrificed to further improve surveillance and encourage visits to this special structure. 

18 June 2007  Meriden Record-Journal:  "Hubbard Park gets needed attention"

Fairview and its environs are being improved. Fairview is being completely renovated to its original condition by volunteers who hope their work will be finished by July 4th. The State of Connecticut is going to paint the I691 footbridge that leads to Fairview from the west.

August 2007 Meriden Record- Journal video: "A Different Vantage Point: Meriden and Wallingford from the Sky"

A glimpse of newly-exposed Fairview Pavilion is seen in this excerpt from David D'Addario's video posted at Myrecordjournal.com. Interstate 691 is approached from the south and Fairview and Castle Craig soon come into view.
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October 2007   Fairview now stands out nicely in the Fall colors. The roof has been stripped of asphalt shingles and sheathing patches and starter wood shingle courses appear as bright rectangles.

Beam laminations have been replaced using vintage techniques, roof patches have been replaced with sheathing close to the original and replica extensions have been spliced onto damaged rafters. Three missing vertical supports have been replaced with steel posts as have the four beams lost from the center post.

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26 January 2008

Volunteers must have taken a winter break as no new restoration work was noted since an October visit. There was no evidence of new damage to Fairview. Partial credit, at least, must go to CPTED in practice (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). An essential CPTED principle is to place an asset in public view and certainly removal of obscuring trees has accomplished that, at least with respect to the view from Castle Craig. As a Meriden Record-Journal editorial(28 Sep 07) pointed out "...no one is attempting to clear a view downwards (toward Mirror Lake) ..." Though some trees have indeed been removed south of Fairview, those remaining are set in a terrain much more challenging than that towards the north.

Details of one rebuilt laminated beam section and of the original rafter apex (with embedded pull-top can) are given here, and a winter visitor is shown at the west entrance to give a sense of Fairview's scale.

29 December 2008

Removing trees to the south of Fairview has greatly improved the view of Meriden and the Sleeping Giant. The roof has been completely reshingled, missing stones have been replaced and the entire stone base has been protected with a cement cap. One of the collar beams remains missing and it appears that eight of the twelve support posts have been temporarily surrounded with rough planks.  The Congratulations to the volunteers and City staff who recovered this grand structure for future visitors.  Debris was cleared from the floor to expose the probable mounting posts for "Globe Hy-Power Binoculars", installed around 1933.  

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Acknowledgements.

Thanks to Dan DeLuca, Jan Franco and the Meriden Public Library, Bill LePage, Allen Weathers and other Meriden Historical Society volunteers, Chris Bourdon of Meriden Parks and Public Works and Thomas Kronenberger for sharing their archives, experience and enthusiasm. I have done my practical best to present matters of fact and I am responsible for errors and omissions. Comments on errors and content, as well as opinions on Fairview restoration, are welcome.

Hank Benoit.

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