I love the location of this marker. It's on the exterior front wall of Town Hall, mounted to the…read moreright of the front door. A nice place of honor for a pretty interesting marker, unlike the boring one I just saw in Bristol. Being mounted on the front wall, it should be no surprise that this is a one-sided marker. It's from the CT Historical Commission with the familiar white lettering on a blue background. Here's the highlights - Torrington was named for an English town, it was a spin-off of Windsor, it became a town in its own right in 1740 and had to wait all the way until 1923 to become a city. Manufacturing was king in the early days of Torrington's history as this quintessential mill town churned out metal works, hardware, textiles, and wood trim. John Brown, the lightning rod abolitionist, was born in Torrington. Recognize the name? You definitely recognize the epic song written in his honor in 1861. John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, But his soul goes marching on. Chorus: Glory, glory, hallelujah, hallelujah, Glory, glory, hallelujah, Glory, glory, hallelujah, His soul goes marching on. Want another great Torrington nugget? OK. Quick, when I say "condensed milk" what names comes into mind? "Bordens", did you say? Yup - Gail Borden patented and manufactured both condensed and evaporated milk in Torrington in 1856. (I wonder if I have any of those original cans buried in the back of my cupboard behind the lentil soup?). Anyway, Torrington's marker is a pretty darned good one. Plus it's in great shape as far as the paint and lettering go. The full inscription reads: Named in 1732 for Torrington in Devonshire, England, this was one of the townships of the Western Lands allotted to Windsor. Since the early settlers were taxpayers in that town, their shares in the division of land depended upon the amount of taxes paid to Windsor. Torrington was incorporated as a town in 1740 and became a city on October 1, 1923. Industries were established on the banks of the Naugatuck River and smaller streams, among them the manufacture of brass, needles, tacks, hooks and eyes, woolen cloth, and millwork. John Brown, noted for his efforts to abolish slavery in the Civil War era, and Samuel J. Mills, Jr., founder in 1810 of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, were born in Torrington. In 1856 Gail Borden was granted a patent for the "process of evaporating milk in vacuum." In the following year he began the manufacture of condensed milk in the Burrville section of town. The economy of Torrington remains largely industrial, with many of the earlier products continued and supplemented in modern form. Erected 1980 by the City of Torrington, The Torrington Historical Society and the Connecticut Historical Commission.

On the Litchfield Town Green stand four stone monuments honoring its citizens who served in…read moreAmerica's 20th century wars. There are single sided monuments for the vets of World War One, Korea, and Vietnam. The World War Two monument is two-sided. The respective inscriptions on each plaque precede the honor roll of names. Names with an asterisk were killed in the war The simple inscriptions read: In Honor Of The Men Of Litchfield Who Rendered Service In The World War 1917 - 1919 In Honor Of Those From Litchfield Who Served In World War II 1941 - 1947 In Honor Of Those From Litchfield Who Served In Korean War 1950 - 1955 In Honor Of Those From Litchfield Who Served In Vietnam War 1964 - 1975 There are about 900 names on these plaques -all Litchfield citizens who served their country across the decades of the 20th century. On the other side of the green is a monument that goes even further back in history -back to the Civil War The monuments are in excellent shape with small American flags around their bases. There is a large flagpole and cannon on the green overlooking the monuments. It's a lovely and understated tribute to the patriots of this small New England town.

OK, so I'm reading this marker trying to decide what nuggets I'll mine for my post, and I'm finding…read morea lot of religious history, which is a sure way to put people asleep. And then, I see the phrase "PINEAPPLE CHEESE". WTF??? So I do some research and learn that pineapple flavored cheese wasn't made in Goshen, but pineapple SHAPED cheese sure was. Way back in 1809 a Goshen native by the name of Lewis Norton patented a process to manufacture blocks of cheese into pineapple shapes. They became quite the rage and made a popular housewarming gift. He used a pineapple mold, and then hung the cheese in nets, so the netting gave the cheese the look of a pineapple rind. Yankee ingenuity indeed! Located on a patch of lawn near Goshen Town Hall, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It dates to 1975 and is in very good condition. The full inscription reads: Goshen The town was settled in 1738 and incorporated in 1739. Many of the early residents came from Wallingford and Farmington. The Congregational Church was founded in 1740. An Episcopal society existed prior to 1776. During the 1800's a Methodist society flourished, with churches in North and West Goshen. The Catholic Church was established during this period. The most recent addition to Goshen is the Mormon Church. Early Goshen was a prosperous business and farming community. Gristmills, sawmills, tanneries, and blacksmith shops grew with the town. During the Revolutionary War a factory manufactured muskets. Two of the more noted businesses were the pineapple cheese factory and the Brooks pottery shop. Clock factories and a carriage shop also existed in Goshen. [ back ] The community was a leader in education. The first school was built in 1753 and by 1850 ten schools and districts had been formed. A seminary for young women was established in 1819. The Goshen Academy was created in 1823 for advanced study. The Academy gained prominence as a preparatory school during the 1800's. Exhibits, collections, records, and articles made or used by the people of Goshen, and preserved by the Historical Society in the Academy building, provide knowledge of the past. Erected by the Town of Goshen The Goshen American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1975

So how to judge a historical marker? All towns and subtowns have blue signs like this in…read moreConnecticut, giving a brief history of the area. Well this one is in the middle of nowhere, so a plus in the time of Covid. It is accessible to the town hall parking lot, or the primary school lot (which is attached to town hall). You can meander over to read after viewing the Memorial Day parade or visiting the seasonal farmers market. The only downside.... See the fact it's in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the early settlers of Norfolk worked in the mills. Some were farmers and blacksmiths…read more But in, April of 1775, they became American patriots and soldiers as they marched 136 miles to Boston to take up arms against the British. By the time of independence, over 150 of Norfolk's men had fought in the Revolutionary War. Located on a village green where Routes 272 and 44 intersect, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It dates to 1975 and is in very good condition. The full inscription reads: Norfolk In the heart of the Green Woods on what was later the Hartford-Albany Turnpike, Norfolk was settled in 1744 by Cornelius Brown of Windsor. The town was incorporated in 1758 with forty-four voters at the first town meeting. A meeting house was built, and in 1761 the Reverend Ammi R. Robbins became the first minister, serving for fifty-two years. Twenty-four men from Norfolk marched to aid Boston in April, 1775, and over one hundred and fifty fought in the Revolutionary War. The early settlers were farmers, erecting sawmills, gristmills, and blacksmithies for their own needs. Using the waterpower of the Blackberry River, the town became industrial in the 1800's, manufacturing such diverse products as linseed oil, men's hats, woolens, cheese boxes, scythes and hoes. In the later 19th century industry declined, but the coming of the Connecticut Western Railroad in 1871, together with Norfolk's natural beauty contributed to the growth of a thriving summer colony. Largely through the efforts of the Battell and Eldridge families, Norfolk has been a center of culture since the establishment of the Norfolk Library in 1888 and the Litchfield County Choral Union in 1899. The Stoeckel Estate and its famous Music Shed, often visited by many of the world's greatest musical artists, is now the home of the Yale Summer School of Music and Art. Erected by the Town of Norfolk the Norfolk Historic District Commission and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1975

This two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, with the familiar white lettering on a…read moreblue background, is located in the heart of Thomaston's municipal complex by Town Hall and the Police Department. Although the marker has a good location, it's sad to say that the marker is in a very distressed condition. Both sides have badly streaked and faded paint. The front side is in a more advanced state of failure than it's reverse side, because some of the front's white lettering has been completely obscured by time and the elements. The marker recounts Thomaston's history as a spin-off of Farmington, and its various name changes, mergers, and split-offs over the years. Seth Thomas, the legendary clockmaker, settled here in 1813, and because his clocks were in such demand, a railroad was built to connect what was soon known as "Thomas Town" to Waterbury. It's a great testament to one of the Pioneers of Industry that called Connecticut "home". The full inscription reads: Originally part of the Farmington Proprietors' purchase in 1684 of Mattatuck Plantation, the Thomaston area achieved independence in 1739, being set off as the Northbury Parish. In 1780 Northbury and Westbury united to form Watertown. By 1795 Northbury separated again to become Plymouth, with the Thomaston section designated "Plymouth Hollow." Seth Thomas came to the Hollow in 1813 to manufacture clocks on the present factory site. His influence helped to route the Naugatuck Railroad through Plymouth Hollow, linking it with the growing brass center at Waterbury. By 1856 Thomas was labeling his clocks with "Thomas Town" as the place of manufacture. [ back ] On July 6, 1875, separation from Plymouth was confirmed by the State Legislature. Thomas Town became Thomaston in memory of Seth Thomas and his famous clocks. A century later diversified industries, a sanitary sewerage system, a new library, modern schools and highways, special housing for the elderly, and sectional playgrounds exist. In addition an attractive business center, seven churches and several recreational parks all indicate that Thomaston has progressed beyond the dreams of our forefathers. Erected by the Town of Thomaston the Thomaston Historical Society, Inc. and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1973.

I passed through Winchester a few years ago and missed this so on my next trip through Connecticut,…read morethis had to be a stop. This striking Civil War memorial blends Gothic architectural drama with deep civic pride. Its story spans decades of community effort, artistic vision, and historical reverence. The monument is a three-story Gothic-style tower built of locally quarried ashlar granite. Designed by Robert W. Hill of Waterbury, it features a square base with inward-sloping lower walls that straighten as they rise, crowned by crenellations. A circular tourelle projects from one corner of the third level, topped by a bronze figure of a Civil War soldier holding the colors - sculpted by George E. Bissell. The tower stands 44 feet tall and was originally intended to include an iron staircase, but a contractor dispute led to a temporary wooden one instead. Over time, additions included a square entrance arch, stone retaining walls, cannons, and a decorative fountain by Hartford sculptor Andrew Coppola in the 1970s. It is a challenge getting up the hill to the park but once here, you'll appreciate the tower and the view. [Review 1142 of 2025 - 130 in Connecticut - 24695 overall]

Magnificent and awe inspiring…read more Two days ago, I reviewed the incredible Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Arch in Hartford. It was spectacular!! Little did I imagine that 48 hours later, and just 26 miles away, I would see another mind blowing veteran's monument that defies belief. The Winchester Soldiers' Monument is set way up high on a hill in a small park on Crown Street in Winsted. The land it sits on was donated in 1888 by three local gents to establish some sort of Civil War memorial and park. And what a memorial it turned into! They built a three-story granite castle that's over 40 feet tall. And what sits atop the tower? Why an 8' tall bronze statue of a Civil War soldier wearing a jacket and a hat, with a sword on his belt, and holding a flag. The Monument was dedicated on September 11, 1890. Special trains ran out of Hartford to bring a crowd of 20,000 to be a part of what the Hartford Courant described as "Winsted's Glorious Day." The Memorial Park is used for town celebrations and Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies. Picnics, concerts, plays, religious ceremonies, and weddings are held here. What's pretty cool is that the image of the monument is an essential component of the Winchester Town Seal and the badges of it's police force. When you stand up on the hill, with the statue behind you, you get the impression that the soldier is standing guard, on a never ending vigil to protect his town. This one will give you the chills............

This historical landmark may have been the brain child of some exasperated historian trying to…read moreconvince people history is literally in their front yard. I have no proof of this, but I'd like to believe it's true. The sign and rocker marker for the Pierce Academy are literally in someone's front yard, but the house is set far back from the sidewalk so if you're stopping to look, you don't have to go onto their property. The Pierce Academy was also called the "Female Academy", and subscribed to the then novel idea girls should learn the same things as boys. Believe it or not, Litchfield and the surrounding area was once a place people went to (thank you trains) so pupils came from far and wide, and got to comingle with the young men going to the first american law school down the road. Now a rock marks the place where all the learning was. If you visit this rock, please be respectful of dog walkers. Right now there are snow mounds taller then most dogs, and there's not a huge amount of room to socially distance.

Bizarre with a capital "B"…read more There is a Timexpo Museum in Waterbury that tells the story of the Timex company, and the history of watches and time. But as important as that might be, they are nothing when compared to the totally cool 40' tall Easter Island Moai statue that graces a strip of grass in front of the museum. What exactly this statue has to do with the history of time, I don't know. What I do know is this- I pity the poor drunken fool who might be unfortunate enough to be stumbling down Union Street when he glances up and sees this 40 foot tall beast blocking his path. I think that would sober up our poor guy pretty fast.

Discover the Easter Island Moai…read more Forget your bucket list. Don't wait till you can't climb the hill at the quarry to one of the world's most amazing places, Rano Raraku on isolated Easter Island. A giant Moai is waiting to be freed from a thousand years of captivity. What was the last carver's thoughts as he walked away from his final creation? Take a flight or a cruise to French Polynesia and visit Easter Island. Sign up with Tiare Edmunds of Easter Island Guides for a one or two or day tour and see what time left behind. Tiare is the only Rapanui native guide with direct descendents to the original natives. She leads you on an adventure back in time in her air conditioned vehicle. Easter Island is situated on a triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific over 2,000 miles from Tahiti and Chile. It's a living outdoor museum and Tiare has the E ticket pass. We were picked up at the pier and spent two incredible days exploring and learning about what might of happened to a thriving culture that almost lead to extinction. While historically no one knows exactly what happened to leave behind over 900 massive Moai, Tiare will help you understand the culture and the people. She also brought along a picnic lunch on both days of arugula from her garden on fresh sandwiches and olives and Rapa Nui locally brewed beer. What a treat. Looking out over the ocean, drinking a cold beer, having a great lunch and talking with a real local historian about her family's history. A truly memorable time. Don't wait.