first view of Norwich from the Thames River traveling north from New London. Thamesville is a still developing neighborhood within Norwich. Formerly farmland (inland) and warehouse storage and factory sites (along the rivers), this area began to shift to predominately residential zones during the early- to mid-19th century, but offers many sites still available for development. Most of the homes in this area are single-family, with remodeled homes, apartment complexes, and condominiums filling the remainder this neighborhood. Union Street and City Hall Square This is the in-between zone between Chelsea and Washington Street and Broadway. It contains two historic congregations (American Baptist and UCC) on City Hall Square, several city offices and numerous houses stretching up the hill towards Little Plains Park. The City Hall Square portion was originally known as Union Square. Washington Street and Broadway This is the neighborhood between Chelsea and Norwichtown that stretches down the length of Washington Street and Broadway. During the city's economic booms during the Civil War and Reconstruction Period, this district became the playground of the rich. Numerous mansions, many of which still stand today, line Washington Street and Broadway while smaller houses exist behind them on side streets. Like Chelsea, during the economic slump Washington Street and Broadway also declined. The millionaires left and most of the mansions fell into states of disrepair. Recently, an effort has been undertaken to spruce up the neighborhood. Many of the mansions have been repaired and some converted to apartment spaces. The largest structure in the city, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, stands at the intersection of Broadway and Union Street just above Little Plains Park. Built solely by the Irish immigrants to the city with dimes and wages, Saint Patrick's is a solid stone Roman Catholic cathedral, whose main steeple is the tallest structure in the city. The seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich, Saint Patrick's property extends to the Chancery, Offices and Saint Patrick's School in surrounding buildings. Monsignor King Park just across the street commemorates a former Monsignor of the cathedral. Other prominent churches in the neighborhood include Park Congregational Church. The Norwich Free Academy is just north of Saint Patrick's on Broadway. Chelsea Parade is the main park in Washington Street and Broadway. Containing a Civil War Memorial, the city time capsule and a flag pole, this area is mainly used as a war memorial and hosts the Memorial Day Parade