Bethel, Connecticut Photographs
History of the Town of Bethel
Main Street, Bethel c. 1900 This photo shows Main St. with the tracks of the old Shepaug Railroad connecting line running along its north side. This railroad line, which could take passengers from the Bethel Station at Deport place to the main line of the Shepaug at Hawleyville, Newtown, began service on July 4, 1872, and was actually owned by the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad, although most Bethelites referred to it as the Shepaug line. The line was abandoned, except for a service spur serving some Bethel businesses, in July of 1911. The building, now occupied by the Bethel Historical Society and the V.F.W as well as the Congregational Church can be seen at the left.