HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY BUILDING AND STRUCTURES Norwich Heritage Trust, Inc, P.O.Box 185 Norwich, CT 06360	This Building sponsored by Norwich Heritage Trust, Inc.
Building Name:	Historic Name: Beriah S. Rathbun House & Apartments
Town/City: Norwich	County: New London
Address:6-8	Street: Church Street
Owners: Robert F. and Frances G. Lamont	Private
Present Use: Residential	Historic Use Residential
Exterior is viewable to public	Interior is NOT accessible
Style of Building: Italianate	Construction Date: c 1869
Materials Brick	Structural System Load Bearing Masonry
Roof Flat Roll Asphalt
Stories: 4	Dimensions: 44' X 54' with 13' X 30' rear ad
Structural Condition: Fair	Exterior Condition: Fair
Alterations: first floor of facade altered, sash replaced
Outbuildings:
Environment: Residential High Building Density

Interrelationship of Building and Surroundings: The Rathbun House is similar in scale and material to adjacent brick residences. Located on the north side of Church Street it overlooks the lower buildings on Main Street. It is also built much closer to the road then the nearby building.

Features: The raised basement of the facade has been covered with tile and cinder block. Modern doors and windows have been added. The first floor has six bays. The outer two windows on each side are arched with elaborate hood molds supported by corbels. The center two window openings are wider and have paired 1-over-1 double-hung sash with a transom above. These were apparently the original main entrances to the building. The second and third stories also have arched window openings with hood molds and corbels. Elaborate cast iron crests are attached to all the hood molds. 2-over-2 double-hung sash is used The cornice is supported by larger foliate brackets between which are smaller plain brackets.

Architect:

Builder:

Importance: Beriah S. Rathbun was a carpenter with J. C. Spafford. He lived in this building for many years, also taking in boarders. The dominating location of the building and its elaborate Italianate detailing are of particular interest.

Sources: Assessor's Records, Norwich
Common Council Journal 1873 - 4
Norwich City Directories
Norwch Land Records, Vols. 81 p. 149; 76 p. 186; 72 p. 631

Evaluations:

Threats None Private