Circa the 1900s, the Blackstone Mansion, built by industrialist William Blackstone in 1888, was located on Washington Street, between Lincoln Avenue and Sachem Street. Blackstone lived there with his wife Julia, until he died in 1907 at a young age. His childless widow Julia lived in the mansion until her death in 1941. After her death the property slowly fell into disrepair. Investors purchased the run-down property in the late 1950s. The mansion was demolished, and the Blackstone Apartments were built in its place.

Ken Keeley is the author of 12 pictorial books about Norwich history. To purchase his books he can be reached on Facebook, or e-mail at: kenekjr000@comcast.net.