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Torrington Landmarks Added to National Register of Historic Places
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On September 6, the National Park Service approved the listing of the Migeon Avenue Historic District and Skee's Diner, both located in Torrington, on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the nation's official list of historic resources that have local, state and national significance. Properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are worthy of preservation and consideration in any planning process.
The Migeon Avenue Historic District application was sponsored by the Torrington Trust for Historic Preservation and prepared by Kate Ohno, an historic district consultant. The district is compact and consists of five properties located about midway on Migeon Avenue near Forest Street. The district boundaries were chosen to include a group of estates established by prominent citizens around the turn of the century. The historic names associated with the builders of these estates are Thomas Bryant, Achille Migeon, Luther Turner, Frank Travis and Harlow Pease.
The Preservation Trust sponsored this nomination to recognize the historic and architectural importance of these properties and to encourage the preservation of Torrington's heritage. The Trust is hopeful that this recognition will encourage historic preservation on Migeon Avenue. Across the nation, listing on the National Register of Historic Places has had a positive effect on property values and this listing should be helpful to all property owners on Migeon Avenue, who have made investments in the improvement of their historic properties.
The city of Torrington currently has two other National Register Historic Districts: Downtown Torrington (est. 1988), and Torringford Street (est. 1991).
The Skee's Diner nomination was sponsored by the Connecticut Historical Commission and prepared by staff member Susan Chandler. Skee's Diner has been featured in a number of publications documenting historic diners, and has long been a landmark in Torrington's north end and a gathering place for generations of Torringtonians. Its listing in the National Register is a positive step in keeping Skee's Diner part of Torrington's historic streetscape.
Commercial properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are eligible for federal rehabilitation tax credits and other preservation incentives. Some of the intangible benefits of listing on the National Register include building community pride, creating awareness of the community's heritage, and improving the quality of life and the livability of cities and towns.
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