Quick History Stops: Lyme Area, CT
Finishing up my three-day trip to the Mystic / Lyme area of Connecticut, I made a few quick history stops along the way, including a nature preserve, a state park with a railroad bridge, and a historic farmstead.
Old Lyme Land Trust: Griswold Preserve
Since 1966, the non-profit Old Lyme Land Trust, formerly Old Lyme Conservation Trust, began protecting land around Old Lyme, CT. Today, it maintains fourteen preserves and over a thousand acres. I visited Griswold Preserve, named after George & Woodward Haven Griswold, fifty-one acres located near Mill Brook and Lower Mill Pond. In 1999, this land was donated by Mary Griswold Steube to honor her uncle and father. “Woodie” Griswold last appeared on this blog during the historical walking tour of Old Lyme; he built the Village Shops. While the late 17th century mills from which Mill Brook received its name have long since been torn down, with the exception of stone Oliver Lay Mill and part of wooden Bradbury Mill, one more recent piece of architecture remains along the river. Mary Steube Fish Ladder was recently built by Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) to enable fish species to migrate.
Ferry Landing State Park
Little Ferry Landing State Park is a great place to take a short walk, bird watch, fish, and train spot. The railroad drawbridge spanning the river is not quite as active as the one near Niantic Bay Boardwalk, but I did see one train cross during my visit. One fun bonus feature at the park were its signs describing local history and ecology. British armed forces attacked Essex, CT on April 7 and 8, 1814 during the War of 1812 because of its shipyard and harbor. Twenty-seven American vessels were destroyed, and British troops escaped with on two casualties and two injuries. Like most of this war, it was not a banner day for Americans.
Samuel Smith Farmstead
Built around 1685 for the family of Samuel Smith in East Lyme, CT, the Samuel Smith Farmstead has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. As someone who has visited a large number of post-medieval style historic houses that have undergone centuries of renovation, this one was fairly unremarkable despite its bright red paint but in somewhat worse than average condition. Despite the website and sign listing the place as open, along with people from the organization on the property, my party was brusquely informed that the farmstead was actually closed. Unless you already are in the area and love taking pictures of late 17th century houses, do not bother to stop here.
