Sunday, August 29, 2010

Kent, Connecticut










Beautiful Kent, is located in Litchfield County, Connecticut. In Kent, there are several places to visit. Today, we chose to have a picnic at Kent Falls State Park. But, the admission was too high($15) to park, so we decided to go somewhere else. We ended up at Macedonia Brook State Park...and it was gorgious. The family had a great time, so did I. Macedonia State Park first opened in 1918 on 1,552 acres. Now, it has grown to a wopping 2,300 acres. This park is nestled after the Catskill and Taconic Mountains, and this area is the southern beginning of the Berkshire Plateau leading upto the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Then, we stopped at Bulls Bridge, one of three covered bridges in Connecticut, still in exsistence that were built in the 19th-century. Historically, George Washington crossed the Housitonic near Bulls Bridge in 1781. However, the bridge was built in 1842 out of timber. Covered bridges were covered because they were made out of wood, to slow down the rotting of the timber. Bulls Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1979.

Kent is an artists town, next visit to Kent will include: Kent Falls State Park, and a walk through Kent. But, please enjoy these pictures, as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Bethel, Connecticut











Bethel, Connecticut is located in Fairfield County, about 60 miles north of New York City. Bethel was first settled around 1700. The first homes were built around 1720, as part of the near by city Danbury. In 1855, Bethel seceded from Danbury to become its own incorporated town. Bethel means "House of El(God)".

Several homes and areas in Bethel have been placed on the National Register of Historical Places. Most notably Greenwood Avenue, PT Barnum Square(Pictured). Historical homes include, "The Greatest Showman on Earth", P.T. Barnums childhood home (Yellow Home Pictured). Other areas, include "The Old Burying Grounds" where revolutionary war soilders were laid to rest nearly 200 years ago (Pictured). During the revolutionary war in 1777, Bethel served as a resting area for revolutuionary war soilders,and American Continental Army Generals, such as Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, Major General David Wooster and Brigadier General Gold S. Silliman. They were on their way to stop the British in nearby Danbury from burning a patriot supply depot, to say the least, the British did burn the depot and other areas of Danbury. Located in the center of town, Captain Daniel Hicock, stayed at this home during this engagement. At that time, it was a tavern and hotel(Pictured).

Bethel, during the early 1900s served as one of the leading towns, besides Danbury, to manufacture hats. This area produced 25% of the nations hats, thus this area(Danbury/Bethel)is nicknamed "The Hat City" or "The Hatting Capitol of the World"

Bethel is home to notable lead singer, Thurston Moore, of Sonic Youth. And, movie star Meg Ryan. Cannondale bicycles are headquartered here, along with Duracell batteries.