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CTMQ > Everything Else > Superlatives

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Firsts, Onlies, Oldests, Largests, Longests, Mosts, Smallests, & Bests

Handsome Dan

October 21, 2019 by Steve 1 Comment

Dead Dan First College Mascot in the United States New Haven I toured some buildings on the Yale campus once, including the incredible Payne Whitney Gym. It's such an incredible gym, I called it a museum and wrote about it. And notably, no one called me an idiot for doing so. In the lobby of the massive … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, New Post, Sports, Thrills, Tours, & Events, Superlatives Tagged With: Colleges & Universities, Firsts Onlies and Oldests, New Haven, Yale

World’s Largest Visible Model of the Solar System (Gone)

June 25, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

Sunsetting World's Largest Visible Model of the Solar System (RIP) Talcott Mountain Science Center, Avon Generally, I’m not too upset about the various things around the state that close. I get to most before their demise and for those that I don’t, well, I'll try to cobble together a page about something if it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, New Post, Superlatives Tagged With: Astronomy, Avon, Calvin, Closed/Gone/Former, Largests Longests Mosts Smallests and Tallests

Climax Road

June 8, 2019 by Steve Leave a Comment

Almost There... Climax Road, Avon/Simsbury Every state has certain roads that elicit chuckles from the kids in the backseat. I grew up snickering at place names like Blue Ball and Intercourse in Pennsylvania. We don't have too many here in Connecticut, but Climax Road in Avon and Simsbury is certainly one. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, New Post, Superlatives, Towers, Bridges, Forts, Tunnels, Roads, Canals, Dams, Fishways, Airports, & Ferries Tagged With: Avon, CTMQ After DArk, Firsts Onlies and Oldests, Industrial History, Roads and Tunnels, Simsbury

The Legacy of the Dexters

January 2, 2019 by Steve 8 Comments

There’s A Lot Going on Here Dexter Coffin and the Dexter Company Windsor Locks & East Windsor I drive over the Dexter D. Coffin, Sr. Bridge every day. Many of you probably do as well, whether you know it or not. It is the I-91 bridge that connects Windsor Locks to East Windsor across the Connecticut River. I’ve … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, Houses, Communities, Libraries, & Businesses, New Post, Superlatives, Towers, Bridges, Forts, Tunnels, Roads, Canals, Dams, Fishways, Airports, & Ferries Tagged With: Canals and Dams, Cool Bridges, Firsts Onlies and Oldests, Windsor Locks

300th Museum Visit Celebration!

December 29, 2018 by Steve Leave a Comment

Trois Cent à Bernards September 2015 When I think back to the naïve beginnings of CTMQ back in the 2006-07 timeframe, I never thought I’d visit 300 museums in little ol’ Connecticut, the third smallest state in the country. It wasn’t because I thought I couldn’t do it, it was because the thought of 300 museums … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Museums, Superlatives Tagged With: "See Before you die" list, Milestones

3 Cool Historic Buildings in Essex

March 26, 2018 by Steve Leave a Comment

A First, An Oldest, and The House Witch Hazel Built Remodeled Essex Essex. Always on everyone’s list when it comes to top 10 Connecticut towns; whether that list is “cutest” or “quaintest” or simply “best.” Heck, it is one of the four Connecticut entries in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. There … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, Houses, Communities, Libraries, & Businesses, New Post, Superlatives Tagged With: Cool Architecture, Essex, Firsts Onlies and Oldests, Industrial History, Private Residences

First Baptist Church (Essex)

March 26, 2018 by Steve Leave a Comment

Tut, Tut, Calvin First Baptist Church (Essex) I usually give away why I'm dedicating CTMQ space to something in the title or at least a subtitle. But not today! I'm making you READ a few lines! But just a few. The First Baptist Church of Essex, Connecticut is... one of only three Egyptian Revival churches in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, New Post, Religion, Cemeteries, Monuments, Statuary, Greens, & Outdoor Sculpture & Art, Superlatives Tagged With: Calvin, churches temples & synagogues, Essex, Firsts Onlies and Oldests

NHL: Henry Whitfield House

February 12, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

CT National Historic Landmark Henry Whitfield House 248 Old Whitfield Street, Guilford You’re darn tootin’ this is a National Historic Landmark! One of the best, in fact... not just in Connecticut, but in the entire country. Not just because it has housed an excellent museum (since 1899!), but because it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, National "Stuff", Superlatives Tagged With: Firsts Onlies and Oldests, Guilford, historic house museums, Historic Houses, National Historic Landmarks

J. Timothy’s Dirt Wings

January 9, 2018 by Steve 1 Comment

I Like This Kind of Dirt Nap Dirt Wings at J. Timothy’s Taverne, Plainville I have often written on this here website that I find food writing difficult. I’ve certainly never been able to do it with any clarity, originality, or vision. But as CTMQ has grown and branched into many different areas, I’ve gotten used … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Best, Unique, & Historic Restaurants & Foods, Food & Drink, New Post, Superlatives Tagged With: Historic Restaurants and Bars, Plainville, restaurants

Site of First Christmas Tree in US… Maybe

November 3, 2017 by Steve Leave a Comment

“Fröhliche Weihnachten!" Site of First Christmas Tree in US Windsor Locks CTMQ readers know that I love my dubious superlatives. Writing about one of our country’s oldest states means that I come across a lot of them. There are so many – and so many are impossible to really, truly corroborate. But this one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Everything Else, New Post, Religion, Cemeteries, Monuments, Statuary, Greens, & Outdoor Sculpture & Art, Superlatives Tagged With: Christmas, Dubious Claims, Firsts Onlies and Oldests, Trees, Windsor Locks

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