Page 7 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 46 Winter 2024

1857-1919 Meriden at age 10, learned the construction trade Warden, similar to mayor, and oversaw the town’s
working with his father. Around 1880, the two formed
activities in that position for several years. Later he
a partnership in Meriden with the name James H. served as Electric Light Commissioner. The Record-
Becroft & Son. In 1886 William Becroft moved to Journal articles I consulted report that he was highly
Wallingford Architect Wallingford and became foreman for Newton C. respected and a popular figure in town.
Wooding, the precursor to the C.F. Wooding Company.
In 1916, the Becroft family sold their house at 108
William Eben Becroft Deeply interested in architecture from an early age, North Whittlesey and moved to 554 North Main Street
William Becroft devoted much time and study to the
where in 1913 they had purchased a building lot. They
craft, becoming skilled enough to start designing
erected a garage first in which they were forced to live
buildings for the Wooding Company by the late 19th for some months as the house was not finished. The
Century. One of the first houses he designed was his completed bungalow designed by Becroft still stands

by Bobbie Borne Henry Austin (1804-1891), another well-known own home on North Whittlesey Avenue in 1895/96. today. Known as the William Becroft House, it is a
architect drew plans for the 1846 Moses Y. Beach During the time in which William Becroft was private home and an Air B&B, a stunning example of
I enjoy writing articles about Wallingford’s rich house on North Main Street. Those plans are held in living, there were few professional architecture Craftsman style at its best.
history in the pages of this magazine, usually focusing the Yale archives. His works also include the 1891 programs or training. Licensing requirements did During World War I Becroft, at 61, was too old
on lesser-known stories and incidents from its past Victorian Inn on the corner of North Main Street and not exist until 1897 when Illinois became the first to enlist in the military, but was able to serve his
350 years. Walking and driving through town, I Curtis Avenue; and the redesign of the Simpson-Tabor state to require a license to practice the profession; country as superintendent of construction in the
recognize the houses I’ve researched, now knowing House, once on North Main Street, relocated to Scard other states gradually followed suit through the next Army Engineering Department located in Boston. He
more about their stories and inhabitants: the Old Road. Austin designed many recognizable buildings at 50 years. It is unknown where Becroft found the had been involved in this kind of work throughout his
Stone House on Williams Road; the Moses Y. Beach Yale and around New Haven. resources to learn the skills necessary to work as an career with the Wooding Company.
property on North Main Street; and the Beadle House architect, but it is assumed he was self-taught. Frank Only a year or so after returning from his war
on South Main Street. I have written about houses William E. Becroft (1857-1919) Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), who was working at this employment, Becroft became ill with stomach cancer.
which no longer exist, but see them in my mind’s eye During a recent walk on North Whittlesey Avenue time, did not have formal training or a license either. He died at home on August 26, 1919, and is buried at
as I pass their former locations: the house of accused with my husband, we encountered a Victorian house Information about Becroft’s personal life remains In Memoriam Cemetery, adjacent to his house.
witches Winifred Benham and daughter, near the post in a state of disrepair. Looking closely, we could see elusive. I have not found a photograph or image of Mildred Becroft (1890-1980)
office; Dr. William Potter’s house next to the Library bits of decorative trim and detail still present indicating him. Records exist of his marriage to Annie Elizabeth
I included this section on Mildred Becroft because
Bistro where William Franklin (son of Benjamin) this was once a fine house. A search of the 1900 “Lizzie” Hobson in 1887. Lizzie lived on Britannia there was a dearth of personal information about her
Street in Meriden where the marriage was performed.
boarded while under house arrest; the small frame Wallingford City Directory revealed that the house was After moving to Wallingford, their daughter Mildred father William. Since I unearthed some interesting
cabin belonging to formerly enslaved Jack John near then owned by William E. Becroft, a local architect. Madolin was born in 1890, followed by the birth of a material about her, I am relating it here to flesh out
The name rang a bell, and I recalled that there is a
Tuttle Avenue; and the grand farmhouse on East house on North Main Street called “The William Becroft second daughter, Gladys Beulah, in January 1893. the family story.
Center Street belonging to Pierpont Edwards, uncle of House”. I had also run into the name while researching Tragedy struck when Gladys died six months later. Mildred was a good student and interested in
Aaron Burr. the Wallingford Art-Crafts Society, a group of artists By his early 40s, Becroft was successful and music from an early age. She performed in numerous
I appreciate the diverse and eclectic styles and craftsmen in Wallingford working and exhibiting sought after as a designer, living in an attractive school and local concerts and dramas. Upon
of architecture present in our town. The earliest between 1900 and 1914. Here was a story waiting to house, vacationing at Sachem’s Head, Cape Cod, and graduating in 1910 from the Old Main Street School
roadways: South and North Main Streets; South and be told. other shore points, even owning several automobiles. (where M.Y. Beach School is today), Mildred studied to
North Elm Streets; and Center Street represent the In 1912 he bought a 20 hp five-passenger Overland be a music teacher at the New England Conservatory
longest span of decades; thus, there are houses Wallingford’s Premier Architect Model 42 Touring car. In addition, he owned a 20 hp of Music in Boston, graduating in 1914. Her first job
dating from the 17th through the 21st century along William Eben Becroft, the subject of this article, four-passenger torpedo style touring car. He sold his was as a music teacher at the Holcomb School for the
these streets today. A wide range of interesting was born in Meriden to James and Mary Jane Becroft. Maxwell AA Runabout (precursor to Chrysler) to W.H. Blind in Hartford (Now Oak Hill School).
buildings can be found throughout the rest of the town James had served as a Marine in the Navy as well McKerness that year. In what seems like an unusual In 1916 Mildred travelled to Littleton, North
as well. as a private in the Mexican/American War, then idea in 1912, Becroft designed a special polished Carolina where she took a position as music teacher
There are few towns that can boast the presence came home to start his own carpentry business. His wood and leather dashboard to be installed in his at Littleton College. She enjoyed her time there,
of a building designed by the world-famous architect specialty was designing and constructing theatrical Overland. He was most certainly a “car nut”. returning to Wallingford to spend holidays with her
I.M. Pei (1917-2019), let alone two. Thanks to Choate stages and was known for this work in Connecticut In addition to his architecture career, Becroft parents. While at Littleton, during the night of January
Rosemary Hall School, Wallingford is home to Pei’s and New York. For many years he was in charge was active in the Wallingford political scene. In 22, 1919, a fire of unknown cause destroyed much of
Paul Mellon Arts Center and Carl C. Icahn Center for of stage mechanics at both Wallack’s and Booth’s 1909 he was appointed tree warden and helped to the campus. Mildred may have had to jump out of a
Science. These buildings provide an aesthetic modern Theaters in New York City, and later worked in the educate the public on such issues as the elm tree second-floor window to save herself as several teachers
contrast to the 18th century houses and the Georgian trade around the country. beetle. He served on the Court of Burgesses, like and students did. Without much of an endowment,
and Colonial revival structures on campus. His son William, leaving formal education in present-day Town Council, and in 1908 was elected Littleton College never reopened. Mildred must have

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