This photograph of the Laurel Hill Bridge was taken in the late 1800s. In the forefront is the Shetucket River flowing into Chelsea Harbor. Many mills were built along the Shetucket and Yantic rivers. To move the mill products, steamboats and freighters were built on the Thames River in Thamesville. Trees along the Laurel Hill side of the Thames River were plentiful to make lumber for the construction of steamboats. In the background left is Thamesville, and on the right are the hills of the West Side.

Ken Keeley has published 12 pictorial books of Norwich. He can be reached at kenekjr000@comcast.net.