The Rockfall Files Middletown (Google Maps location) May 15, 2011 Perhaps you're not old enough to remember the show that my title alludes to, but if not I have a slightly newer pop culture reference for a secondary title: "Trees Glorious Trees!" Remember those "Cheese, Glorious Cheese!" commercials from the … [Read more...]
NHL: Samuel Wadsworth Russell House
Samuel Wadsworth Russell House National Historic Landmark 350 High Street, Middletown, quasi-public Now this place just looks like a National Historic Landmark. I’d stopped by in the midst of my Middletown Heritage Trail experience and wussed out on poking around inside. Now I know I should have… Especially … [Read more...]
Cultural, Heritage, & Historic Trails
This page is being updated in 2020! Sorry for the mess. Aren't you fancy for coming to this page. So cultured. Over the years, the state of Connecticut and other entities have created a few "trails" for people like us. I am aware of many more smaller town efforts, but I simply can't deal with them all. And I will … [Read more...]
7. Jehosaphat Starr House
Jehosaphat Starr House Middletown Heritage Trail Site 7 110 Washington Street Jumpin' Jehosaphat! The etymology of this saying is not readily available, but I did find this here. Take it for what it's worth. This house sits rather prominently on Route 66 (across the street from Kidcity (CTMQ Visit here) … [Read more...]
6. St. John Church
St. John Church Middletown Heritage Trail Site 6 19 St. John's Square Hm. A decent enough church (with secret free 2 hour parking on the side street!). The brochure states, "Irish Immigration; church & cemetery; North End neighborhoods; the old fire station." The church's website states, "The History of … [Read more...]
5. Riverside Cemetery
Riverside Cemetery Middletown Heritage Trail Site 5 St. John's Square (behind O'Rourke's Diner) Now we're getting somewhere. History! And lots of it! Middletown's heritage! In spades! Not only that, on a street full of unique, upstart and interesting restaurants, O'Rourke's Diner stands out. It is a classic … [Read more...]
4. deKoven House
deKoven House Middletown Heritage Trail Site 4 27 Washington Street Further reading: I went inside the house and treated it as a museum here. It's a bit of a shame that Route 9 separates Middletown from the Connecticut River. I imagine the walk along it was somewhat pretty back in the day; but then again, it … [Read more...]
3. Middletown and the Connecticut River
Middletown and the Connecticut River Middletown Heritage Trail Site 3 Lower Court Street by City Hall Ah, now we're getting somewhere. Pretending I did this trail in order, I'll say... "Leaving Main Street behind, I walked down Court Street to City Hall to the Heritage Trail's third station." It's a somewhat … [Read more...]
2. Bigelow Tavern
(The Former) Bigelow Tavern Middletown Heritage Trail Site 2 222 Main Street *This sign location was difficult for a while, but I revisited and found them. But they might not last forever. Today there stands a new police station on Main Street. Who knows how many incarnations this spot has seen over the last … [Read more...]
1. Introduction to Middletown
Introduction to Middletown Middletown Heritage Trail Site 1 222 Main Street This opening page was completely wrong for three years here on CTMQ. (See the first comment below.) Normally I'd be embarrassed by this, but it really wasn't my fault (seriously, scroll down and read that first comment). But I'm very … [Read more...]