Anyone who grew up in Connecticut heard the story of Charter Oak - when those mean British tried to…read moretake the Connecticut charter, the colonists were about to hand it over when suddenly, the lights went out! In the ensuing melee, the sacred charter was spirited out the window and hidden in a Hartford oak tree. Then the teacher glosses over the fact this was symbolic at best, and Connecticut was as much a part of the American revolution as the other colonies, and yadda yadda yadda the oak tree went on to sire heirs. This tree is one of them. On the Cornwall green, across from town hall, is an unassuming tree and a plaque. May it have many happy additional years overseeing the modest amount of traffic in the area.

Bantam's World War II Veterans Memorial is located in the parking lot of the Borough's hall. I hear…read morerumor there is a warden inside, but I'm otherwise not clear on what the building does because Bantam is now part of Litchfield. The memorial is an old green anti tank gun, with a plaque that reads: Dedicated to all veterans of World War II December 7, 1991 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941. *** Presented to the borough of Bantam by Tyler Seward Kubish Post 44 American Legion *** M1 75MM Anti Tank Gun 1942 The memorial is quiet and interesting to see, particularly if you're interested in old military hardware. There is a Pokemon gym at the location as well.

Lady Liberty stands tall, proud, and triumphant where Routes 41 and 44 converge…read more. She holds the US Shield over her head as she honors and pays tribute to the hundreds of Salisbury soldiers who served in the Civil War. This is an absolutely gorgeous monument that will take your breath away. It's beautiful! Start with the 7 foot tall female figure wearing a cap and a flowing robe. But if you look at her feet you'll see she is standing on top of broken shackles, and I suspect we all know what that represents. There are many plaques and engravings on the stone base below the statue and in several metal plaques. There are hundreds of names listed, plus the names of their regiments, as well as many of the major battles of the war. The monument was dedicated in 1891 and the statue itself remains in great condition. Sadly, the metal plaques are showing the effects of time, and are streaked, soiled, and weathered. Here are some of the many engravings I saw: To Her Loyal Sons Sadly the metal Who Fought for The Union, Salisbury Erects this Memorial. 1891 Cold Harbor Olustee Port Hudson Winchester Gettysburg Drewry's Bluff Antietam Petersburg 2nd Conn. Vol's 1st Conn. Heavy Art 2nd Conn. Heavy Art 5th Conn. Vo'ls 6th Conn. Vo'ls 7th Conn. Vo'ls 8th Conn. Vo'ls. 10th Conn. Vo'ls. 11th Conn. Vo'ls. 12th Conn. Vo'ls 13th Conn. Vo'ls 14th Conn. Vo'ls. 22nd Conn. Vo'ls. 23rd Conn. Vo'ls. 28th Conn. Vo'ls.

If you've ever seen the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., did you notice his hands? One hand is…read moreclenched in a fist, while the other is open and outstretched, resting leisurely on the arm of his chair. As a kid, I remember hearing that it showed Lincoln's tough and compassionate sides. This spectacular monument honors two subjects. The first is one of our country's most iconic figures, and the second was to the New Milford soldiers that served in the Civil War. The monument was dedicated in 1912 and was the gift of Captain Edward Marsh of the Second Connecticut Volunteers Heavy Artillery. The memorial consists of a four sided base decorated with two plaques and two sculpted panels. The base is topped with a bust of the President's head and shoulders. One of the featured plaques reads "In Loving Memory of the Soldiers and Sailors of the Union Army and Navy 1861 1865, and of Abraham Lincoln President of the United States. Besides being in many skirmishes the New Milford troops were engaged in the battles of Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Opeqvan. Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Sailors Creek". You'll also see two sculpted panels of a soldiers raising a flag and blowing a bugle, and a large oval plaque inscribed with the Gettysburg Address. That eloquent speech ends with this phrase "we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

A fine sign! Clean, looks to be reasonably freshly painted, and adjacent to a parking lot. The town…read moresign is in front of Bethlehem's town hall, perhaps familiar to those who go to the Christmas fair. There is parking (as noted) a small playground off to the left, a memorial bench for those who want to sit and... sign watch, perhaps? It's also connected via parking lot to the Bethlehem library. For those with dogs, mine felt this was a wonderful sniffing opportunity, as he is less impressed with reading about history then I am.

Ever wonder where wagons, straw hats, and bonnets were manufactured in the 1700's? How about…read moreBethlehem, CT! I thought this two-sided marker was pretty interesting to read. Lots of information on the area's Indian history, colonial land sale to the European settlers, the military service of the early settlers (all the way back to the French and Indian War), and the area's industrial heritage. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. There are different inscriptions on both sides. The marker is in pretty good condition with extremely minor evidence of early peeling and chipping of the blue background paint. The white lettering is crisp and undamaged. The full inscription reads: The spring session of the 1703 General Assembly granted to the town of Woodbury the right to enlarge its bounds. Negotiations with the Indian inhabitants were successfully concluded and in 1710 a deed of sale, signed by Nunawague and five other chiefs, conveyed to Woodbury nearly eighteen thousand acres, known thereafter as the North Purchase. This included the present town of Bethlehem and parts of the later Judea, now Washington. Surveyed in 1723 and, after proprietors were granted their rights, divided into lots, it was opened for sale. Pioneers arrived in 1734, settling on the heights northeast of the present center. In 1738 young Joseph Bellamy was called to preach during "winter privileges". Separate "society privileges" were granted in October, 1739. Bellamy was requested to continue as pastor, and so remained until his death in 1790, as the settlers established their own Bethlem Church and school. Doctor Bellamy became a most distinguished author, preacher and teacher, conducting the first theological school in America. Young men lived in the Bellamy home while he grounded them in his brand of scriptural interpretation and preaching methods. Among future leaders who studied there were Aaron Burr, Jonathan Edwards II, and James Morris. Bethlem men served in the French and Indian and all subsequent wars. Numerous are the captains and lieutenants buried in the Old Cemetery. Bethlem was incorporated as a separate town in 1787. Mainly a farming community until the 1900s, it had sufficient water power for 18th Century industries - fulling mills, cotton mill, woolen mill, wagon factory, straw hat and bonnet factory and miscellaneous manufactories of leather goods. Erected 1976 by Town of Bethlehem, The Old Historical Bethlehem Society, Inc., Connecticut Historical Commission.

I don't know that I've ever crossed the Housatonic River before. It is separate from the…read moreConnecticut River and flows about 150 miles from western Massachusetts through Connecticut and empties into the Long Island Sound. The river has FIVE dams along the way but I did not have a chance to visit them. This bridge is a metal 13-panel rivet-connected through truss with just the one main span. The roadway is 30 feet wide with 15.4 feet of clearance above the deck. There is no pedestrian or breakdown lane. The bridge was built in 1953 and is typical of the bridges built in the state during that period. It was easy to cross today despite the light rain. [Review 18397 overall - 63 in Connecticut - 1919 of 2022.]

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.

This historical landmark is wear roaming animals used to be locked up and held until their owners…read morewould claim them. Yes gentle traveler, there used to be people in Goshen to have these animals instead of trees and the occasional coyote (which have been seen on this road so if you're visiting, look around periodically). The landmark is currently a square fence about two rocks high and a marking sign. Parking would be on the side of the road, and the grounds do not appear to be haunted by any forgotten cows or chickens. A bit difficult to traverse in the snow... In sneakers... So it's maybe more appropriate for a spring outing.