Houses, Communities, Urban Legends, Lighthouses, Libraries, Schools, Businesses, & Theaters Hoo boy, this is a tough category to nail down. There’s just so much crossover with museums and superlatives and National Historic Landmarks and restaurants and other things. The way to look at everything listed below is … [Read more...]
Bridgewater: Our Last Dry Town (Pre-2015)
At Least It Has "Water" in Its Name Bridgewater: Connecticut's Last Remaining Dry Town November 2014 Update: I’m sad about this and there’s really no reason for me to be that way. But a unique and quirky Connecticut town policy came to an end this week, with the residents of Bridgewater voting to end the town’s no … [Read more...]
Lake Zoar Area Trails
ZOOOAAARRRR! Lake Zoar Area Trails Back in the day, the CFPA used to lump a bunch of trails under this heading. Then with the newest edition of the Walk Book, it changed and is now just listed as "Kettletown State Park, Pomperaug, and Zoar Trails." Sure, the Paugussett Trail was lengthened and removed from this … [Read more...]
Shaker Village
There's a Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On! Shaker Village, Enfield March, 25, 2009 [Note: Most of the informational and historical passages in this post is excerpted directly from the Enfield Historical Society website.] Enfield. Good ol' Enfield. What better place to settle your quirky religious community than … [Read more...]
Concept of Freedom Trail: Barkhamsted
Lighthouse Archaeological Site, Barkhamsted People's State Forest, East River Road I had no idea this place was part of the Freedom Trail when I visited it originally: At this site was a village made up of Native Americans, African Americans, and whites who in their time were considered outcasts. The village … [Read more...]
Barkhamsted Lighthouse
This (Really) Little Light Of Mine... Barkhamsted Lighthouse, Barkhamsted September 9, 2007 Why was there a lighthouse in the middle of the forest, 100 miles from the closest open water? And, once there, um... where is this lighthouse anyway?! After finishing my hikes across the Farmington River's west … [Read more...]
The Former Pitkin Glass Works
A Real Glass Act Pitkin Glass Works, Manchester August 25, 2007 The Pitkin Glass Works' inclusion in CTMQ was iffy. I mean, if I plan on incorporating every ruined building with scant historical significance... Wait a minute, why not? At least maybe as long as they have an official state sign and a robust … [Read more...]
Holy Land USA
Jesus Christ, That Must've Hurt! Holy Land USA, Waterbury November 19, 2004 Note: This is a poorly edited piece from my old blog - where the trip to Holy Land USA was merely a tiny part of a larger week-long roadtrip where we picked off PA, MD, WV, and DC highpoints, so it's written sort of … [Read more...]
Old State Prison & Cemetery Site
Arsenic and Old... This Place? Site of old Connecticut State Prison, Wethersfield May 27, 2007 Connecticut's famously historic prison is in the north central part of the state - Old Newgate Prison up in Granby. There is a museum there and I plan to hit it around the time when our Metacomet Trail end-to-end hike … [Read more...]