An Architectural History of Glenbrook is available in adobe .pdf format. Please send an email to artlayton@optonline.net to be sent a copy by return email.

The Origin of the Name, “Glenbrook”

 

In 1866, a man named Joseph Whitton purchased twenty acres in Stamford including the old Dixon Homestead in New Hope. Five years, later the New Canaan railroad was laid out and it passed through the center of his tract, which resulted in his improving the area by laying out street and planting trees. The streets included Cottage Avenue and Union Street, and another called Railroad Avenue.

 

About this time, the residents of New Hope desired a more “euphonious” name for their little hamlet. They assembled to discuss the issue. Names such as Phillipsburg, Hoytville, Scofieldtown and Leedsburg were suggested. Mr. Whitton suggested “Glen-Brook”. The name was adopted unanimously by the residents.

 

Later residents of “Glen-Brook’ included Judge Cowing (probably the source of the name of Cowing Place). The Glenbrook Chapel also was built on a portion of Mr. Whitton’s estate.

The Story of the USS Maine Tablet

 

There is a tablet attached to a stone in Hope Street Park in memorial to the men who served in the Spanish-American War. If you read the tablet carefully, you see that it was made from metal salvaged from the wreck of the USS Maine. The Maine blew up in Havana Harbor on 15 February,1898. The cause has never been determined and the sinking was one of the triggers that started the War.

 

This is one of many plaques made from bronze from the battleship. Each of the plaques weighs eight ponds, and one thousand plaques were reportedly made. Each plaque measures 12.5" x 18". They are spread unevenly all over the United States.

 

The piece was designed for the US Government by the famous sculptor, Charles Keck who died on April 23, 1951. The plaque reads, "This Tablet Is Cast From Metal Recovered From The USS Maine." After the Maine was originally sunk in 1898, it rested in the middle of Havana Harbor with one of its masts still visible above the water line. In 1913 it was raised and much of the metal was removed with most being used for souvenirs. The ship was then sent further out to sea for a fitting funeral. Each plaque is numbered and stamped on the reverse along with the sculptor's name and the date "1913." Plaques can be seen in a variety of places throughout the country. The plaques were manufactured in New York by Williams Foundry.

 

This plaque was dedicated by the Frederick A. Hill Camp #15 of the United Spanish War Veterans on July 4, 1914 and attached to a boulder donated by Howard L. Scofield. Originally, the stone was set in West Park. When Columbus Park was constructed, the stone was moved to its present site. The VFW has a service there on the anniversary of the sinking of the Maine.