My How We’ve Grown!

New London, as with all places that people call “home,” needed a name. New London started out as Dover in 1837, named by its founder Abraham Dover. But that name wasn’t around long. When Jonathan King took over in 1840 the name was changed to New London. With the name settled, the New London we know today started to take shape.

In 1840, New London was built around the square and the eight blocks surrounding it. The first addition was made in 1844 by Mr. King, thus the name - King’s Addition. It encompassed two blocks south of the original town between Pine and Walnut Streets. The next addition was made in 1846 and was called the Hendershott Addition after Charles Hendershott. It was west of the original town, on the north and south sides of what became Highway 34. King had another addition in 1848. It added a block to the west end of the school grounds.

In 1851 and 1877, there were two Mullin’s Additions that included the business district on both sides of Main Street and blocks north and east to Chestnut Street. These additions were most probably made by Louden and Land Mullen.

In 1861, New London was incorporated. It was village of around 300 with the needed prerequisites to be a town - businesses, churches, and proximity to the railroad. It quickly became a thriving, growing town.

As was the country, New London was rebounding from the post-Civil War depression. For New London, the leadership was provided by business man and entrepreneur J. E. Peterrson. His influence was deep, but was cut short by his untimely death in 1917 at age 55.

Peterson started businesses such as the mitten factory that provided many jobs. He was known as a man who was deeply interested in the growth and progress of New London. He was one of the men who helped plat the north part of New London, laying out 85 lots. He also platted 80 lots as part of the New London Land Company. The Lynn addition of forty lots on the northwest, also the Philpot addition of forty acre-tracts in the eastern part of town and the Newland addition of about forty lots were laid out by the Henry County Land Company, of which Mr. Peterson was one of the promoters.

His obituary summed up his impact, “He has been one of the promoters of many of the leading enterprises connected with the growth and development of his home city. By his uprightness in business, by his honorable private life, he has earned the respect of all who know him.” His death was a great loss to New London.

The Gardin’s Addition north of the railroad and the Newland acre age on Chestnut Street were added in 1901. The Waters Addition in 1902 was platted from the farm of Miss Rachel Waters east of the present school grounds and south of Cleveland Street. The Kaiser Manor Addition in 1916 was east of Chestnut and north of Main Street. It was the last “turn of the century” expansion of New London.

Enter businessman Forrest Burkhart and Attorney Don Bell. Seemingly infused with a desire to add to New London’s growth, they developed the Westgate Addition in 1953, the Orchard Place in 1960 and Southgate in 1964, all in the southwest part of town. Those additions included the streets of Sunset Drive and Orchard Lane. Both Burkhart and Bell built houses in the Sunset Drive addition, living years as next-door neighbors.

Other additions included:

That brings us to today. The South Pine Street subdivision is the newest addition to New London as the town enters its third century of expansion and improvement. There are several beautiful houses that are occupied and others for sale. There is talk of duplexes in the mix of New London’s expected growth. There are already three new businesses located on this booming stretch of road. As many small towns see a downturn in growth and expansion, New London seems to be thriving. Congratulations to the farsighted builders and elected officials who imagined and anticipated such growth. J. E. Peterson would be proud!