Approaching Route 219 on a lonely stretch of Route 20, on a cloudy day in Granby. Photo taken April 2004 by Kurumi.

Extended to Barkhamsted, then Granby

Commissioned between 1932 and 1934, as the 4.63-mile segment from today's US 202 to US 44 in New Hartford. Aside from some realignment work, the portion of today's Route 219 from US 44 to Route 179 was actually part of Route 179; and the remainder leading to Route 20 was part of Route 181.

In 1941, Route 181 was relocated, as the planned Barkhamsted Reservoir would sever the route. In 1943 or 1944, routes 179 and 219 were redefined: Route 179 followed N. Canton Road toward US 44 in Canton, and Route 219 was extended along Reservoir Road and E. Hartland Road to Route 179, for a length of 11.17 miles.

On April 15, 1955, the state passed a bill to add 400 feet of Steele Road to the state system, completing state maintenance of Route 219 in the area.

In the fall of 1959, Gavitt Road and Barkhamsted Road (the old Route 181) were reconstructed and realigned. Route 219 was extended along these roads from Route 179 to Route 20.

Realigned in New Hartford after Flood

Route 219's original alignment in New Hartford, west to east, included Bridge Street and Cottage Street, with the Cottage Street Bridge, a steel span over the Farmington River. In August 1955, severe floods destroyed that bridge, along with dozens of others in Connecticut. Several months later, a temporary Bailey Bridge was erected in the same spot, with alternating one-way traffic controlled by a traffic signal.

In August 1956, design work started on a new bridge, to be located downstream of the old one, with a longer span, higher above the river. In August 1957, a public hearing was held regarding the proposed relocation of Route 219 in the area. The 1-mile realignment would accommodate the new bridge location, and provide smoother, safer curves. The new bridge and roadway opened to traffic on June 20, 1959.

Scenic designation requested from US 202 to US 44

In summer 1998, New Hartford's conservation commission applied for state scenic road status for six miles of Route 219, from US 202 to the Barkhamsted town line. This was turned down.

Small changes proposed

In the 1990s, the state was pursuing two changes to Route 219; I don't know if either was completed. The first project: fixing the intersection at Johnnycake Lane, a sharp, unsafe S curve. The second: minor widening along 2.7 miles, from the Farmington Turnpike to Route 318. Both projects spurred discussion from residents concerned that the rural charm of the route not be marred.

The state is proposing a $1.7 million project to realign 1,800 feet of Route 219 near Johnnycake Lane in New Hartford, to straighten out an unsafe S curve. However, approval is needed from the town selectmen.

• "Bill To Extend Rt. 219 Passed By Legislature." Hartford Courant, Apr. 16, 1955.
• "Highway Survey Shows 33 Bridges Destroyed." Hartford Courant, Aug. 21, 1955.
• "Road, Water Bills Introduced By Town Legislators ." Hartford Courant, Nov. 13, 1955.
• "Highway Dept. Begins Survey For New Bridge." Hartford Courant, Aug. 29, 1956.
• "Hearing Slated On Road Projects In New Hartford." Hartford Courant, Aug. 16, 1957.
• "Bids To Be Asked On Relocation Of Route 44." Hartford Courant, Sept. 24, 1957.
• "Dedication Of Bridge Planned For Saturday." Hartford Courant, June 18, 1959.
• "Voters Will Consider Transfer of Old Road." Hartford Courant, Sept. 28, 1960.
• "Redesign planned for intersection." Hartford Courant, Sept. 14, 1995.
• "Scenic roads status considered; decision on stretches of 202, 219 expected in fall." Hartford Courant, Aug. 26, 1998.
• "Road Realignment Being Considered / But Project is Not in Fast Lane." Hartford Courant, July 7, 1999.
• "Dot overhauls plan to repair curve in road; state still intends to modify route 219." Hartford Courant, July 7, 1999.

• Route 219 Ends (Photos; Doug Kerr at state-ends.com)
• Route 219 - Google Maps
• Bailey bridge - Wikipedia