Wreath

Essex, CT  2021

 

Fine Food

Essex, CT  2021

 

Olive Oyl's

Essex, CT  2021

A nice repurposing of a classic service station.  They just have a different type of oil now.  

 

Talbots in Essex

Essex, CT  2021

 

Scarecrow

Essex, CT  2018

A little out of season, I think, but he was 1/2 off.  

Essex Olive Oil

Essex, CT  2018

Has anyone else noticed the sudden rise in popularity of olive oil, especially the "artisanal" or "craft" types of olive oil?  There seem to be dedicated shops to olive oil popping up all over.  They must really like olive oil in Essex, since this shop is one of two within one block of each other in Essex.  

Essex Savings

Essex, CT  2018

It's nice to see a local bank still in business after all these years.  Many have been swallowed up by the big banking companies. 

Post Office

Essex, CT  2018

Trains Passing

Esssex, CT  2016

Wonderment

Essex, CT  2016

I'm not sure who enjoys watching the trains more, Colin or his grandpa....

Polar Express Steam Train

Essex, CT  2016

The Essex Steam Train runs during the holiday season as a North Pole Express, featuring a visit from Santa himself.

Tough Sleddin'

Essex, CT  2016

Model Trains III

Essex, CT  2016

The closer one looks at this model train layout, the more one finds.  

Model Trains II

Essex, CT  2016

See who's climbing the Northeast Press Building?

Model Trains

Essex, CT  2016

Model railroads appeal to the child in each of us.  Each year at this time at the Connecticut River Museum, a new model train exhibit is open to the public.  According to their website, the artist and train enthusiast Steve Cryan is responsible for this creation.  The detail he includes is fantastic, whimsical and at times very humorous, especially to the adults.  One can easily spend hours finding all the hidden gems in this ultimate model railroad. 

Connecticut River Scene Looking South

Essex, CT  2016

Connecticut River Scene

Essex, CT  2016

Passenger Cars

Essex, CT  2016

Witch Hazel Works

Centerbrook, CT  2016

Witch Hazel has been produced in Connecticut since the early 1800's.  The most successful company, E.E. Dickinson, produced witch hazel on this site up until 1997, when all production was moved to East Hampton, CT by American Distillery, where it is still produced today.  The original production facility located adjacent to the Essex Steam Train has been converted into offices.  I'm pretty sure Connecticut leads the world in the production of witch hazel. 

3025

Essex, CT  2016

This steam engine was undergoing some repairs and at first glance looks pretty old to me.  I was surprised to learn the engine was built in 1989 by the Tangshan Locomotive Works in Tangshan, China. That's hardly an antique in my book.  The company was making steam locomotives as late as 1991, making it the last company in the world that produced steam locomotives.  This particular engine is one of two engines that are still operating in the US that were built by the Tangshan Locomotive Works