Hallville Pond

Preston, CT  2015

Smallpox Cemetery

Preston, CT  2015

While traveling along some backroads in Preston, CT, this sign caught my eye.  It would have been very easy to miss, as it was hidden by some pretty thick brush.  I've seen many small cemetery plots along the roads here, but this is the first one I've seen designated as a "Smallpox" cemetery.  I looked around a little but could find no other evidence for the presence of a cemetery here, but I didn't venture to far into the field, since it was on private property.  I did a little research the site and found that it was a common practice to bury victims of smallpox away from others and that many towns had such "smallpox cemeteries".  

Spring Vines II

Preston, CT   2015

We got an early start this season on our trip along the Connecticut Wine trail.  We never quite finished the trail last summer,  Hopefully this year we'll complete the trail.  This is the Preston Ridge Winery, located in Preston, CT.  They've been producing wines since 2012.

Spring Vines

Preston, CT  2015

Norwich State Hospital

Preston, CT

I've posted pictures of the buildings that were once part of the Norwich State Hospital before.  Most of the site is now being developed by the town of Preston.  As a result a number of buildings have been demolished, or are in the process of being demolished.  I previously posted a picture of this building from another angle here.  I expect by summer time, all that will remain will be the memories.

Norwich State Hospital

Preston CT  2014

This was the main building on the grounds of the Norwich State Hospital which has been un-occupied since the early '90's.  Demolition is slow, since it's considered a hazardous waste site.  I've written about the hospital in a previous post.

Preston Ridge Winery

Preston, CT

Preston Ridge Winery is a very recent addition to the Connecticut Wine trail, having opened in 2010. It's a very picturesque spot nestled between some of the ridges which traverse southeast Connecticut. This was our last stop for the weekend.  All in all, we visited 6 vineyards and sampled wines at each over one weekend.  We still need to visit 10 more and there's plenty of summer left.

Dalice Elizabeth Winery

Preston, CT

This winery is very new to southeast Connecticut, having only been operating for about 3 years now. Like most vineyards in Connecticut, they supplement their own juices with that of other grape juices purchased from wineries in New York.  They have a very modest tasting room.  The grounds around the tasting room are very nice.  Their wines are very limited, and in my opinion, a little over priced.  This was our final stop on this day's travels along the Connecticut Wine Trail.  Three down....13 more to go! 

Norwich State Hospital II

Norwich/Preston,  CT

This building is across the street from the building pictured in yesterday's post.  Due to the high surveillance and security around this property,  I'm limited to photograph only those structures I can see from the main road.  I hope those who are responsible for the development of this property have arranged for some sort of photo-documentation before these buildings are lost.  I would love to spend a day or two walking and photographing this property.

Norwich State Hospital

Preston, CT

At one time the Norwich State Hospital encompassed 900 acres and over 30 buildings.  The site is located on the banks of the Thames River right on the border of the City of Norwich and the town of Preston.  Although primarily used as a mental health facility, it also housed geriatric patients and patients with tuberculosis between the years of 1904 and 1996.  Part of the property, was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1988.  Since its closure,  the property has fell into dis-repair as the state, Norwich and Preston have struggled with finding a developer for the property.  There have been a number of proposals made, but for one reason or another, none of the proposals ever came to fruition.  The town of Preston has spent millions in clean-up and is currently marketing the property for mixed-use development, but have yet to find a buyer.  Meanwhile, a number of the buildings have been demolished.  This is one of the many that remain, although I'm not sure for how much longer.  The property is fenced off, heavily patrolled and under constant surveillance which doesn't allow for too many up-close photo opportunities to capture these fine old structures.  I posted another view of this property earlier this year.