The first of a two-part series on the history of slavery, abolition, and African Americans in Easton.
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August Continue reading “The Unfulfilled Pledge of Liberty & Justice for All”
Easton residents are often surprised to learn that the town supported two independent Methodist congregations for over forty years during the middle of the nineteenth century. The one shown here was known as the Center Street Church. This building was erected in 1844 on land donated Continue reading “The Historical Society of Easton Presents Then & Now”
The final chapter.
The 1909 races had been cut short by a tragic accident that sent several spectators to the hospital. One young man, Hosmer Potter of Bridgeport, had suffered multiple broken bones as well as a traumatic head injury. Potter had spent two weeks in the hospital, Continue reading “1910 – The Year the Grinches Stole the Sport Hill Races”
Public transportation in Easton? Once upon a time – yes!
Development and growth in Easton had been severely hampered in the late nineteenth century due to the lack of rail service. A planned rail line that would have run through the Aspetuck Valley in Easton and Redding, connecting Continue reading “Catch the Last Bus to Easton”
This is the second of the Historical Society of Easton’s 3 part series on the Sport Hill Races:
The 1908 Sport Hill Races had been a rousing success. Nearly sixty entries, nine races, and more people than Easton had ever seen. But even success sometimes breeds ill consequences.
Continue reading “1909 – Shattered Records – Shattered Bones”
Perhaps the subject I get asked most about when it comes to Easton history is the annual Hill Climb that was held at Sport Hill every Decoration Day on May 30th during much of the first decade of the twentieth century. This is the first of three articles the Historical Society of Continue reading “The Sport Hill Races – 1908”
Ever wonder how and when the town of Easton got its name? It all happened exactly 175 years ago, on May 23, 1845, when the Connecticut Legislature finally accepted a petition requesting Weston be split into two separate towns. That petition was presented by twenty-nine Weston residents, Continue reading “Easton – 175 Years & Counting”
Presented by the Historical Society of Easton
Research for this article began over two years ago when I learned of an Easton Civil War soldier who perished while being held captive as a prisoner of war in a Confederate prison camp. My quest to discover more about Private Olius Continue reading “Finding Private Lyon”
One of the challenges in writing a weekly history column is constantly coming up with new ideas about old things. Today’s subject was inspired by the Getty Museum in Los Angeles which recently called on its online followers to re-create master artworks using ordinary household items. Continue reading “Monuments Men”
Located on the northwest corner of Sport Hill & Adams Road, this complex originally operated as a grocery store run by future Town Clerk John S. Adams and his wife Marietta beginning in the late 1830’s. During the most of 19th century, this area was one of Easton’s main hubs of commerce. Continue reading “The Historical Society of Easton presents Then & Now”
