With a population of around 15,000, Tolland is a nice quiet suburb of Hartford half-way to the…read moreMassachusetts line as you head up I-84. So it's only fitting that it has a nice quiet historical marker. It's rather brief text doesn't really offer any "wow" factors. So what does it highlight as epic moments in Tolland history? It was named after Tolland England. Its first homes were built over 400 years ago in a part of town named for ancestors of a 19th Century President. It was once the state's county seat. Its courthouse became a library and its jail became a museum. Not exactly scintillating stuff. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It can be found on a grassy area on the side of the municipal building. It has the same inscription on each side. It dates to 1971 and is in very good shape.

There is a ton of eclectic information on both sides of this marker…read more Town land was bought from the Indians way back in 1676. The town's first nickname was the unflattering "Pump Town". A minister who was kicked out of Hebron may have coined the phrase "Blue Laws". A law school opened here in 1810. For a short time, automobiles were manufactured here. This is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission, with the familiar white lettering on a blue background. The marker dates to 1979 and is in very good shape. It's located on the Town Green just in front of the gorgeous Old Town Hall in Hebron's historic district. The view of the bright blue marker in front of the stunning old white building makes for a very nice image.

Dr. Sterling: "If you name your town after me, I'll build you a library"…read more Town: "Sounds like a great deal, we accept" (Fast Forward) He never built the library, but amazingly the settlement still named it's town "Sterling". That's one pretty interesting nugget I took away from this marker. Another was the word "pyroligneous" which I had to look up to see it means - it's some sort of a liquid released when wood is heated and its used as an anti-microbial or sterilizing agent. This two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission has the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on the front lawn of the Sterling Municipal building and was dedicated in 1980. The marker is in pretty good condition with the start of minor chipping on the reverse side. The full inscription reads: Originally part of the long narrow area called Voluntown, this northern section separated and obtained town privileges form the Connecticut General Assembly on the second Thursday of May 1794. The name given was that of a temporary resident, Dr John Sterling, who had promised the Town a library in return for the honor. Dr Sterling failed to make good his promise, but a library was obtained by soliciting private donations. The first town meeting was held on June 9, 1794 at the home of Robert Dixon on Sterling Hill. The first post office was established as Sterling on October 1, 1809, the name later being changed to Sterling Hill. The American Manufacturing Company, also known as Potter's Factory, was the first cotton mill in Sterling. It was situated on Quandock River about the year 1800, followed by the sterling Manufacturing Company on the Moosup River in 1808. Side Two Local industrialist William Pike pioneered in using chlorine as a bleaching agent for cloth and also established for the use of the dyer distilleries or sapworks that would extract the first pyroligneous acid made in this country. His son James discovered a process of coloring with a fast black that was superior to any then in use. With the advent of the first railroad in 1854, which connected Providence with Hartford, this made the distribution of materials much easier than before and contributed to the economic base of Sterling. Oneco, as it is known today, was named after Owaneco, son of the Mohegan Indian sachem Uncas, who had claimed ownership of large tracts of eastern Connecticut land in early colonial days. About the year 1820 Henry Sabin build a cotton factory here and named the village Sabinville. Smith and Williams began quarrying granite in this vicinity in the 1850's, an industry that is still active Erected by the Town of Sterling, the Sterling Historical Society and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1980

An Indian Chief with the outstanding name of "Allumps" sold the site of present day Plainfield to…read moretwo brothers in 1653. The marker describes Allumps as a "renegade chief". I wonder if his possibly less than eloquent name made him somewhat antisocial and perhaps paved the way for his renagedeness? Anyway, the text of this marker isn't exactly riveting. It touches on local geography, schools, churches, industry, and economy. I've seen a lot of similar markers that deliver a lot more oomph or interesting nuggets. This two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission has the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on the front lawn of the First Congregational Church on Norwich Road. The marker is in pretty good condition -the front side is in very good shape with some fading and streaking on the reverse side..

Brooklyn, CT trivia time!…read more Ever hear of Prudence Crandall? She went on trial here in 1833 for the crime of educating Black school children. Want something a bit more upbeat? How about the fact that Brooklyn is the home of America's oldest continuously operated agricultural fair, going way back to 1852. Another Brooklyn, CT claim to fame revolves around General Israel Putnam, an amazing guy that lived here before and after the Revolutionary War. Check out his impressive life. http://www.yelp.com/biz/general-israel-putnam-monument-hartford?hrid=pvMpur5uLPSumYW0ia6jFg#src:self Dedicated in 1971, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on the Town Green where Routes 169 and 6 criss-cross. The text is the same on both sides, and although they are both in average condition, the white lettering is starting to fade. The full inscription reads: Formerly Mortlake, first settled in 1703, made, a town on the 2nd Thursday of may 1786. Home of General Israel Putnam prior to and after the Revolution. Town landmarks include: Meeting House on the Green, built 1771 by First Ecclesiastical Society of Brooklyn became Connecticut's first Unitarian Church 1816, with Samuel J. May as minister; Old Trinity Church (Episcopal) on Church Street, erected by Godfrey Malbone 1771; former Windham County Courthouse, built 1820, afterwards Town Hall, site in 1833 of trial of Prudence Crandall of Canterbury for defying law restricting Negro education. Brooklyn Fair is the nation's oldest continuous agricultural fair, held annually since 1852. Erected by the Brooklyn Historical Society, Inc. and the Connecticut Historical Commission. 1971

Political wheeling and dealing has a long history. All you have to do is look at the origin of…read moreMansfield, CT, as described in their historical marker. It seems that a request to subdivide the area into two sections (and what would become Mansfield) was granted under certain conditions- namely payment of back taxes, and continued support of the local church until a new minister could be found for the new town. You'll find the marker in front of the Mansfield Public Library. It's a 2-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. There is a different inscription on each side. The marker was dedicated in 1975 and is in pretty good condition. The full inscription reads: The area that became Mansfield was included in land acquired by sixteen residents of Norwich and nearby towns from Mohegan Indian chief Joshua, son of Uncas. This tract was incorporated as the town of Windham in 1692. At that time the families of Samuel Hide, Jonathan Hough, and John Royce were living at Pond Place, later named Mansfield Center. Partly because of hazards encountered in crossing the "bad and dangerous" Natchaug River, differences arose about location of the meetinghouse. In May, 1702 Joseph Hall, representing Windham, petitioned the General Assembly to divide Windham into two towns This was granted under certain conditions: the new town must pay arrears of parish taxes and continue supporting the Windham Church until Mansfield secured "an able orthodox minister of the gospel." In May, 1703 the General Assembly defined the boundaries of Mansfield. Following establishment of the First Church of Christ at Mansfield Center in 1710, the population grew so rapidly that before long the town was divided into north and south parishes, and the Second Congregational Church of Mansfield was established in 1744. By 1774 Mansfield had 2,466 inhabitants. The estimated population in 1974 was 20,000. Erected 1975 by Town of Mansfield, the Mansfield Historical Society, and the Connecticut Historical Commission.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Providence located right in front of City Hall has a carved…read morerelief inscription that reads "Erected by the people of Rhode Island to the memory of the brave men who died so that their country might live"; this monument is dedicated mostly to the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (which was made up of white and black soldiers) and the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (African-American) who fought in the Civil War, but other soldier's names are also included here. At the top of the monument is a female figure holding a laurel wreath in her outstretched right arm and a sword in her left hand; the four buttresses of the base hold four bronze statues representing infantry, cavalry, artillery and naval veterans. The large bronze plaques on the base list the residents killed in the Civil War; the bronze bas-relief plaques with carved releif depictions representing war, victory, peace and history illustrated with African-American women; the monument was designed by Randolph Rogers; the figures were sculpted in Rome and cast in Munich before being assembled in Providence; the monument was dedicated in 1871. One of those names belongs to Roswell Saltonstall (who fought in the calvary division), a great-great-great grandfather of my husband A restoration project is in the works, which will include refurbishing the stone and bronze that makeup the monument, making new cannonballs to replace ones that have been lost and repairing lighting for the monument. Another improvement that is planned is to erect a low fence around the memorial, in keeping with the original design. The fence will prevent people from climbing on the monument. After plaques on the face of it are cleaned, passersby will be able to read the names of those who died.

This corner in Providence's Kennedy Plaza that stands in front of City Hall is a little…read moreunderutilized and it is unfortunate because this massive Civil War memorial isn't getting as much foot traffic as it deserves. The monument features a female allegorical with a laurel wreath in an outstretched right arm. A dedication on the monument's front (northeast) face reads, "Rhode Island pays tribute to the memory of the brave men who died that their country might live." A dedication plaque on the monument's west base, erected by the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. "This monument commemorates the members of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and the 14th Rhode Island Regiment Heavy Artillery (Colored) who fought and died in War of the Rebellion.: The monument's base includes four buttresses topped with bronze figures representing infantry, cavalry, artillery and naval veterans. Large bronze plaques on the monument's base list residents killed in the war. The names are arranged by rank within their regimental affiliation. Bronze bas-relief plaques also depict allegorical representations of war, victory, peace and history (illustrated as a African-American woman holding broken shackles). The monument was dedicated in its present location in 1871, and was moved in 1913 when Kennedy Plaza (then named Exchange Place) was constructed. It was returned to its original location in 1997 as part of renovations to the plaza. [Review 15274 overall, 776 of 2021, number 38 in Rhode Island.]

The equestrian statue at the center of Burnside Park in downtown Providence is Ambrose Everett…read moreBurnside (1824-1881). Soldier, industrialist, inventor and politician, he served as the Governor of Rhode Island from 1866 to 1869, and as a United States Senator for Rhode Island from 1875 until his death. This statue was dedicated in 1887 at Exchange Place, facing City Hall. In 1906, the statue was moved to City Hall Park, which was re-dedicated as Burnside Park. As a Union Army general in the American Civil War of 1861-1865, he conducted successful campaigns in North Carolina and East Tennessee, as well as countering the raids of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, but suffered disastrous defeats at the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of the Crater. In 1871, he became the first president of the National Rifle Association, holding the office until 1872. Personally, Burnside was always very popular, both in the army and in politics. He made friends easily, smiled a lot, and remembered everyone's name. His professional military reputation, however, was less positive, and he was known for being obstinate, unimaginative, and unsuited both intellectually and emotionally for high command. Burnside was noted for his unusual beard, joining strips of hair in front of his ears to his mustache but with the chin clean-shaven; the word burnsides was coined to describe this style. The syllables were later reversed to "sideburns." [Review 15275 overall, 777 of 2021, number 39 in Rhode Island.]

Ambrose Burnside was in the US Army. He was a soldier then a general, and later became a…read morepolitician. In the middle of City Hall Park, also known as Burnside Park, is a statue. Certainly the statue is less interesting than the story of the man. The man did some great things but he is best remembered for his facial instead of any of his heroics in the Civil War. Instead of anything he did in the Army or as a politician, he's known for his facial hair. One thing unique about him was his long bushy hair on the sides of his face joined to his mustache. These were called "Burnsides" and became like a trademark. Later the syllables got reversed. They were then called "sideburns." He of course accomplished a lot more. In addition to his contribution to fashion, he was also governor of Rhode Island and a Senator. Also he was an inventor. Then after this he also became the first president of the National Rifle Association, which was before it became a joke. A pretty cool looking statue of him on a horse. It's not as interesting as his story of course but it's in a nice little park. The statue has pretty good attention to details especially about his sideburns.