Prospect

PROSPECT On the boundary where Waterbury and Cheshire met, homes were built as early as 1712. Schools were opened and, in 1778, a separatist church. The Congregational Church, "Columbia Parish," was established in 1797 by Act of the Legislature. The governing body was "Columbia Company." Its work included laying taxes, assuring support for church and school, electing constables, school officials, road surveyors, grave diggers, and a tavern keeper. In May, 1827, nearly the same area was incorporated as the Town of Prospect, the town with an extended view, at an elevation of over eight hundred feet. Farming was the chief occupation, aided by industry that varied from mills for grinding grain, apple cultivation, and lumbering to the manufacture of farm tools, matches, buttons and other items of practical and household use. (Continued on other side)