The iron industry was king in the early development of Salisbury. The text on this marker talks a…read morelot about about iron ore deposits, forges and blast furnaces. American success in the Revolution and War of 1812 had a lot to do with the iron produced here for the war effort., Located on a village green more or less across the street from Salisbury Town Hall, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. There is text one just one side, and the reverse side is painted a sad looking solid blue with white streaks. The marker dates to 1975 and the text on the front side is starting to show some damage from the elements. The full inscription reads: Salisbury The Town of Salisbury was incorporated in 1741. The Congregational meeting house, built 1749-1751, in the exact center of the town, survives as the core of the present Town Hall. The original agricultural settlement was rich in iron ore deposits, including Ore Hill Mine, Lakeville, opened 1731. Lamb's forge and furnace were built in Lime Rock, 1734. The first blast furnace in Connecticut was built in Lakeville in 1762, and the Riga forge and furnace in 1802. The Salisbury iron industry, which lasted until the early 1900's, contributed to the success of the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the development of railroads, industry, and agriculture. Erected by the Town of Salisbury and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1975

Here's a tiny spot in one of the rural corners of Connecticut, but a fun spot to poke around…read more Seeing the images of Beckley Furnace, then and now, are astoundingly different! It's a place you can get up close to the past, but also a peaceful spot to view the river and furnace locks, I especially recommend being here in autumn, watching sycamore leaves float down the river. Parking by the furnace isn't huge, but additional parking is just over the small bridge. There is plenty of interpretive signage to guide you, and ample picnic space to enjoy, but no facilities. We didn't even see a port-o-let. All the same, enjoy your drive and short hike!

I wouldn't exactly call this a destination sort of park, it's a landmark/monument with a little…read moreparkette along Lower Road in East Canaan. IIt's mainly of interest if you're interested in the history of the area, but something you could combine with visiting nearby Haystack Mountain Park. Still, it's well maintained and has a nice parking area, with a number of highly informative signs around the area, leading you on a short walk from the furnace over to the dam where the piping for the steam turbine is still somewhat in place. There's a few picnic tables as well, if you're in the mood for a picnic. Altogether a nice little pleasant stop on the road.

I came here on a fall afternoon as the sun was setting. It's a bit of a drive up to the castle from…read morethe entrance of the park but not too bad- about 10-15 minutes. I like that there are stairs inside the castle. What a beautiful view from the top! The foliage was a bit past peak but still gorgeous. It was windy and chilly but totally worth the views!

Yesterday my dog Brody and I decided to visit Castle Craig which is perfectly situated high above…read moreHubbard Park in order to gain a view of both the park and much of Meriden. Though this year's peak fall colors were muted and a bit past, it was still highly enjoyable.

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.

This house is where the pre-treasonous Benedict Arnold recuperated after being wounded at the…read moreBattle of Bemis Heights. The house is an interesting landmark for what it represents historically. It is not open to the Public.

I really only have one question and/or comment - most of these signs are in front of a town hall…read more Does Canaan.... Not have a town hall? Is this something to do with a historical North Canaan versus Canaan (versus Falls Village) rivalry? Or is it a testament to how much the town loves the baseball field and pavilion it's posted in front of instead? Regardless, the signs are easily observable from the road, and the parking lot allows for safe stopping to read them.

As I read this plaque, three interesting facts jumped out at me…read more Interesting Fact # 1 - North Canaan is home to a tavern that opened in 1751 and is still owned by descendants of the original owners. Interesting Fact # 2 -In the 1800's there were twelve trains running from North Canaan to the Big Apple every day! That included two milk trains that moved milk from a Borden's factory into NYC. Interesting Fact # 3 -North Canaan produced high quality magnesium- a crucial component to the country's atomic energy research. Located on Route 44 across the street from McDonalds at the entrance to Lawrence Field, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. There is text on both sides. The front side is in pretty good shape except for the start of a peeling problem at the top right corner. The reverse side is in excellent shape. The full inscription reads below, it starts with a complimentary quote about the town: " . . . a green and pleasant land where the mountain laurel blooms." - WILBUR L. CROSS North Canaan was once part of the Town of Canaan, established in 1738. Settlers, whose families were of Dutch and English origin, had to be self-sufficient, looking to their own farms for necessities. There was early interest in smelting and forging iron at sites along the Blackberry (Bromfoxit) River, which powered the blast at Beckley Furnace, still standing. Needed resources were at hand - ore from nearby Salisbury, limestone, and charcoal - so that for nearly two hundred years it was practical to produce pig iron and items ranging from nails to ship anchors. At a short distance stands Lawrence Tavern, built in 1751 and still owned by descendants of the original family. Settlements in Canaan Valley and East Canaan were separated by Canaan Mountain from the more populous southern part of the township. After years of agitation the northern part was incorporated as a new township of North Canaan on May 28, 1858. The Housatonic Railroad (1841) and the Connecticut Western Railroad (1871) crossed at Canaan Union Depot and stimulated the growth of Canaan, principal village of the town. For years there were twelve passenger trains daily and freight activity including two milk trains from a Borden plant to New York City. Limestone and marble for the State Capitol, completed in 1879, came from Allyndale quarries. Another local quarry was for twenty years the source of high purity magnesium, essential to the Nation's work in atomic energy. Pfizer, Inc. still processes lime here for use in agriculture, industry, and construction. The town's largest employer is Becton Dickinson & Company, a manufacturer of medical instruments. Bicron Electronics Company produces electrical coils. Erected 1978 by Town of North Canaan, Falls Village - Canaan Historical Society and Connecticut Historical Commission

Beautiful library in an historic building next to a creek right in the lovely little town of…read moreSalisbury. I go with my toddler to the all ages storytime with Erin, the childrens' librarian. Erin is warm, welcoming and wonderful with children, and the storytime is something my daughter and I look forward to every week. We sing songs, read a couple stories, and then do coloring or other crafts. I haven't really explored the rest of the library, but absolutely recommend the children's library and programming.

Friendly and helpful are two accurate descriptions. If you are looking for a library in the area, I…read morerecommended this one for sure.

Great property managed by the trustees to stop by and visit the ruins. It's a short easy hike up to…read moresee them. We didn't do the full loop since it was getting close to our dinner reservation but we had a great time exploring the grounds.

Definitely worth stopping for a short hike. Beautiful property for a walk. Not much in the way of…read more"gardens" but beautiful nonetheless. The hike up to the mansion ruins is quite easy, not a steep grade, and only about 1/2 mile. We went a couple days after it rained and there so many varieties of mushrooms sprouting along the trial (not the carriage trail, but the loop on the way down from the mansion ruins, or up if you do it in the opposite direction). The view from the ruins is a perfect Fall leaf peeping spot. One could easily see the property in about an hour, or stay longer and explore.

He was the first President born in the 20th century. he was one of the nation's youngest…read morepresidents. And for Americans of a certain generation, his death on November 22, 1963 was a shattering life event. The John F. Kennedy memorial plaza was funded by the parishioners of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Holyoke and the memorial is located on front of the church. The memorial consists of a granite base and a bust of a youthful Kennedy. There are granite slabs flanking the memorial with quotes from his inaugural address and book "Profiles in Courage". Behind the memorial are granite blocks engraved with the names of recipients of the JFK award and the Grand Marshals of the St. Patrick's Day parade. The front of the base is inscribed: John Fitzgerald Kennedy 35th president of the United States May 29, 1917 Nov. 22, 1963 The back of the base has the presidential seal and the following inscription: John Fitzgerald Kennedy May 29, 1917 Nov. 22, 1963 The various inscriptions read: "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country" inaugural address 1961 "All this will not be finished in the first hundred days, nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, but let us begin." inaugural address 1961 "A man does what he must -- in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and damages and pressures, and that is the basis of all human morality" "Profiles in Courage" 1955 "... let us go forth to lead the land we love asking his blessing and his help, but knowing that here on earth god's work must truly be our own." Inaugural Address 1961

Not the biggest or most interesting memorial park I've been to, but a nice little park non the…read moreless. I drive by often and have stopped here a couple times and I'm actually really impressed with how well kept the memorial area is. I wouldn't say this location is something worth making a special trip, but do stop in if you're in the area.