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 stark and solemn marker remembers August 19, 1955 - the day the Still River and Mad River…read morerampaged through Winsted and killed eight people. Across the state, eighty-seven perished from the flood. The freak flood resulted from the combination of hurricanes Connie and Diane which ripped through the state and dumped between 13 and 20 inches of rain in a 2-day period. The resulting flood is still the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Connecticut. The marker is located in the town green where Main Street (Route 44) intersects with Park Place (Route 8). The green is a busy place, with all sorts of other markers, monuments, and memorials everywhere. It was dedicated by the Winsted Chamber of Commerce one year after the flood - on August 19, 1956.

It a town in New England doesn't have a small green area with monuments to those lost and served in…read morebattle since the Revolutionary War, are they really IN New England? This is a very well-kept collection of monuments on the town hall property; parking is available in the town hall lot. Should other people be there, they may be looking at the names of relatives, as Goshen is a town where you're just visiting until three generations have lived there, so be respectful.

Within a 20-25 foot span, the Town of Goshen honors its veterans spanning the decades and centuries…read morefrom the French and Indian War to the Vietnam War. Located on a patch of lawn near Goshen Town Hall, you will find five monuments, one for World War I, one for the French and Indian War & Revolutionary War, one for World War II, one for the Civil War, and one for the Korean War and Vietnam War. That's over 200 years of service by Goshen's veterans, going back to a time before there even was a United States.

Driving through the pretty countryside in Barkhamsted, I came across quite an unusual site - a…read morelarge metal bell sitting on top of two imposing stone pillars. The monument sits between two huge flagpoles, almost giving it the appearance of sitting inside a set of football goalposts. The bell is located on a green at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road (Connecticut Route 318) and Beach Rock Road, adjacent to the Barkhamsted Center Cemetery. So here's the history of the bell. It's old - like 1834 old. It's from an old Barkhamsted Church named the Universalist Church. It was in the part of town known as Barkhamsted Hollow, so the Church was also known as the Hollow Church. Because the area was prone to floods, the immediate area was redesigned by the MDC in the late 1930's as many houses, farms, and that very Church were razed to build the Saville Dam in 1940. The Dam was meant to keep the nearby Farmington River in check and created the huge Barkhamsted Reservoir. The stone pillars contain two inscribed plaques that read: This bell hung in the Hollow Church which was relocated during construction of the Compensating Reservoir. It was cast in Hartford, CT in 1834. Dedicated 1997 These boulders were provided by the generosity of the Metropolitan District Commission. There were part of the Saville Dam spillway and washed out in the 1955 flood. It's quite the cool landmark, Reminds me of an old Chuck Berry song about some guy........"who never ever learned to read or write so well, but he could play the guitar like ringing a bell...."

I just love these old Civil War monuments that include a statue of a soldier of the time. There is…read morejust something about seeing that weary looking craggy face, usually bearded or mustached, wearing the long overcoat and cape of the day, holding his rifle, that is quite transfixing. This monument is located in Coe Park, at the high traffic corner of Litchfield Street and South Main. It is a 7' high granite figure of a Union soldier standing on a large granite base. It was originally dedicated in front of Wolcottville (Torrington's original name) Town Hall in 1879 and moved to Coe Park in 1936. The front of the base has a sculpted Seal of Connecticut. The inscription below reads: 1861 TO THE DEFENDERS OF THE UNION 1865 The back of the base has a plaque that lists the names of six Civil War battles: GETTYSBURG. ANTIETAM. WINCHESTER. MALVERN HILL. COLD HARBOR. PETERSBURG. CEDAR CREEK. Go take a look at the life-like statue and expressive face of that soldier. It is just fabulous..

This is a beautiful place for pictures, picnics and to just get some fresh air. It reminds me of a…read moreprincess castle. The Dam is right of the main road. There are several lookout areas where you can park to then walk up to the structure. It's such a serene place if you go when it's not busy.

So DAM beautiful. 4.5 stars due to trail being closed…read more Loved the views when walking on this dam. On one side, there is no sidewalk; on the other side, there is a path on the grassy hill. Be careful, you don't want to trip down that! Breathtaking views of the Barkhamsted reservoir even more breathtaking during autumn time. There are three parking lots and plenty of trails. The paved trail was closed which is unfortunate because it looked awesome from afar.

Located in the southwest corner of the Village Cemetery and close to the road, this 24-foot-tall…read moremonument honors the soldiers and sailors from New Hartford who fought for the Union during the Civil War. The dedication reads, "Erected 1892 to the memory of New Hartford soldiers and sailors who served in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 1865." and above it is a medallion representing the Grand Army of the Republic. On the other side, a corroded bronze plaque lists the different units and soldiers who are honored here. The figure atop the monument stands, facing south, with a rifle supported by his hands. He is wearing a union uniform including cap and cloak with a winning moustache and van dyke beard. It's interesting that the rifle butt extends over the edge of the top. I've not spotted that on such monuments before. [Review 18406 overall - 72 in Connecticut - 1928 of 2022.]

This is a strange location because I can't figure out where one would park to see the monument. In…read morethe commuter lot by Burger King? I guess, but good luck crossing with people hoping to beat the light onto Route 8. In the Dunkin Donuts lot? I suspect their parking spots are 100% decorative, they may be shocked at a car. The easiest method of observation seems to be by car, which is a shame because its kind of unique. It's tall, flat, no horses are involved, and actually has a name he would have known himself as.

As you drive down East Main Street near the Route 8 ramps, you'll see it, set back a little on the…read moregrass. It's a life sized granite sculpture of none other than Cristopher Columbus. He is wearing a knee length robe and a cap. He has his left hand on a globe, perhaps pondering where his next adventures will take him. The large stone base is inscribed with these words: CRISTOFORO COLOMBO 1451-1506 DEDICATED BY THESE ITALIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS MEN - AVIGLIANESE SOCIETIES - LADIES JOHN CAVALLARI POST CONCORDIA LODGE 20 O.S.I.A. PIEMONTESE SOCIETY UNICO NATIONAL OCTOBER 12, 1980

The Apple Map app did not direct us correctly. We were unable to find this landmark and didn't have…read moretime to explore. This is where we ended up. Beautiful, but no statue or memorial to be seen. Be sure to check your directions.

It's not every day that you see a park fountain with three fish spitting water out of their little…read morefish mouths. But I saw that and more yesterday at this very cool landmark in Norfolk. If you look carefully at the Joseph Battell Fountain, you'll also see a stream of water exiting from a lion's mouth, basins, benches and a sundial. Located on a village green where Routes 272 and 44 intersect, this fountain was built in 1889 as a tribute to Joseph Battell. He was a local businessman known for his support of local charitable and civic causes. It's made out of pink stone with a central round column topped by a sphere and those water spewing fish. Basins or troughs near the ground were designed to water horses. The center column is inscribed with the words: In Memory of Joseph Battell Born in Norfolk 1806 Died in New York in 1874.

It's a very cohesive memorial on a small plot of greenery. Around an American flag, there are…read moremonuments to those who served and fell from Burlington from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. It seems most accessible parking at the historical society, or the church across the very busy route 4. There is also a gazebo on the green so you can observe them under a sheltered location. The ending of the Civil War memorial is a bit sad. At the conclusion of the list of names, it ends with, "and those known but to God".

I've seen quite a few veterans memorials, but until today I never saw one that honored vets of a…read moredifferent war on each side. This monument honors Burlington's Civil War vets on one side and World War One vets on the other side! Curiously, the Civil War plaque is in a lot better condition than the WW One plaque. The Civil War plaque bears the inscription: The Town Of Burlington Has Not Forgotten Her Beloved Brothers Who Offered Their Lives To Preserve The Union 1861 - 1865 A list of 88 names follows. Some of the names are preceded by an asterisk., The plaque is also dedicated to "and those known but to God". The World War One plaque bears the inscription: Let Us Hold In Honored Memory Those Who Served Their Country In The World War 1917 1919 A list of 43 names follows. The plaque is in poor condition and is very hard to read.