City Hall

New Haven, CT  2014

This is the main entrance to New Haven City Hall.  It was built in 1861 and was designed by Henry Austin.  Although not totally apparent in this photo, the building is an early example of High Victorian Gothic architecture in America.  The building  was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1975.

Christmas in New London

New London, CT  2014

Some of us just don't want the Christmas season to end.  Besides, I just had to get out shortly after Christmas to test out what Santa brought me, a Nikkor 50mm AF-S f/1.8 G.  So far, I don't think the photographer has done this lens justice.

Christmas in Niantic

Niantic, CT  2014

I'm a little late with posting these, but it is still the Christmas season.

Safe Harbor

New London, CT  2014

Winter Sunset

New London, CT  2014

This shot is looking out towards Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Thames River. If one looks closely you can see the eastern tip of Long Island on the horizon.

Christmas Story Lamp

Wallingford, CT  2014

Nothing says Christmas like this famous lamp from the movie "A Christmas Story".  Only in Connecticut.....  

Merry Christmas

Niantic, CT  2014

Let me wish all you who read this blog a very Merry Christmas and/or a Happy Holiday Season.  

Gulf

Clinton, Ct  2014

Shells

New London, CT  2014

New London Harbor Views

New London, CT  2014

Amtrak

New London, CT  2014

I have a very hard time not photographing trains when they arrive in New London.  This one stopped here on it's way to Boston.

Starr St

New London, CT  2014

In 1804 this narrow street was the site of a 500 foot long rope walk, which provided rope for the ships which frequented New London  Harbor.  After a fire destroyed the rope walk, the narrow piece of land was sold to a real estate developer and a number of homes were built along the street line.  It was middle class neighborhood in the mid-1800's providing homes to ministers, merchants, artists and ship riggers.  Some of the homes also served as boarding houses.  By the 1970's, the properties had fallen into dis-repair and were scheduled to be torn down.  The Savings Bank of New London bought most of the properties and began to restore the exteriors and bring them all up to modern codes.  The street became the first Historic District in New London.

Mystic Bridge Reflection

Mystic, CT  2014

The Mystic River Bridge captured in a mirror, so it must be shared with Weekend Reflections.  Have a great weekend and Happy Holidays!

Mayflower II Forecastle

New London, CT  2014

Meals were prepared for the Pilgrims in the original Mayflower's forecastle, (pronounced Fo'cs'l), recreated here on the Mayflower II.  It's hard to imagine that 102 people sailed aboard the original Mayflower in the course of 66 days across the Atlantic Ocean.  

Mayflower II

New London, CT

I mis-spoke in yesterdays blog post and have gone back an made the correction.  The correct name of this ship is the Mayflower II.  It was built in Devon, England in 1957 and sailed across the Atlantic that year arriving in Plymouth, MA where it usually is berthed.  It is as full scale replica of the original Mayflower which brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620.  The ship arrived at Mystic Seaport last weekend being towed by the tug Jaguar seen to her port side after a brief stop in New London.  While at the Seaport, the Mayflower II will undergo a long-term restoration project which will include a survey of the ship, complete documentation and finally restoration.  This will be a multi-year project with the ship spending winters and springs at Mystic Seaport and the summers and falls at Plymouth Plantation.  The restoration is planned to be complete in 2020, in time to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the original Mayflower's  voyage.

Mayflower II

New London, CT  2014

This is a replica of the Mayflower which was recently docked in New London on her way to Mystic Seaport for some much needed repairs.  It is accompanied by the tugboat Jaguar.  

Niantic Bay

Niantic, Ct   2014

It's nice to walk the beach in the "off season"....  not as crowded as in the summertime.  Work is continuing on the Niantic Bay Boardwalk, which was heavily damaged by both tropical storm Irene and Hurricane Sandy.  Hopefully the entire 1-mile long boardwalk will be completed by next summer.

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Willimantic, CT  2014

I've pictured the frogs before in this blog.  It's nice to see that they're all ready for the holiday season.

Whale Oil Row

New London, CT  2014

Long before there  were oil barons, who made their wealth drilling for oil, a number of merchants became very wealthy in the business of whale oil.  At one time, New London was one of the busiest ports for whaling in the world.  These homes were built by shipowners, whalers and merchants who made their fortunes in the whaling business.  Today they are offices along what has become to be known in New London as Whale Oil Row. 

Empty Docks

Madison, CT  2014

At this time of the year in Connecticut, just about everyone has taken their boats out of the water and placed them in storage for the winter.  I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections.  Hope you have a nice weekend.  

PEZ Dispenser

Orange, CT  2014

Definitely the largest PEZ dispenser I've ever seen.

PEZ "Chopper"

Orange, CT  2014

This custom motorcycle on display at the PEZ Visitor Center in Orange, CT was designed and built by.....  you guessed it....  Orange County Chopper!  If you ever watch the Discovery Channel, you know all about OCC and the custom choppers they make. 

PEZ

Orange, CT  2014

I think everyone of my generation had a PEZ dispenser as kid, if not many different types of PEZ dispensers.  The original PEZ candy was a mint made in Vienna, Austria back in the 1920's.  The US headquarters was relocated to Orange, CT in 1974 and in 2011, they opened a visitor's center, where you can learn all about this candy.  

TTM Dragon

New London, CT  2014

New London has a natural deep water port and although it's not a major port, every now and then one can see a pretty large ship docked at one of the piers.  This is the TTM Dragon, a bulk carrier which was docked in New London on November 23 when I took this picture.  It is over 600 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 31532 tons.  It is registered in Panama and was built in 2010.  In researching this vessel, I came across a webpage where one can track marine traffic, in real time and find out all sorts of information on just about anything that floats.  I could easily get lost investigating that website.  I learned that currently this ship is docked in Houston.  It made good time. 

Nautilus (SSN-571)

Groton, CT  2014

Currently a museum ship, the Nautilus is the first operational nuclear powered submarine.  It completed a submerged transit to the  North Pole in 1958.  The submarine was decommissioned in 1980 and is currently docked only a few miles from where she was built and commissioned in 1954.

National Bank of Commerce

New London, CT  2014

At one time this bank building housed the National Bank of Commerce.  I noticed when processing the picture above that there was a "ghost sign" above the columns.  I think it reads Hartford National Bank and Trust Co.  The history of banks, and the banking industry is very convoluted with acquisitions and mergers so it was hard for me to find anything about what happened to either the National Bank of Commerce or the Hartford National Bank and Trust Company.  I can't even be sure if there is a bank still here.  There were no obvious signs on the outside.

Too Many Reflections?

New London, CT  2014

Can one have too many reflections?  I caught this image along State St in the historic downtown area of New London.  Many of the historic buildings can be seen in the reflections.  I'll be sharing this with Weekend Reflections.  As always, have a nice weekend and thanks for visiting.

First Baptist Church

New London, CT  2014

This church was dedicated in 1856 and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  The architect, W.T. Hallett designed a number of buildings in New London including the original city hall,  and one additional building on State St, the Metropolitan Hotel built in 1855, which is still standing.  I'm not sure which building it is though.  Time for some more research! 

Dewart Building

New London, CT  2104

This is another of the historic buildings in New London. According to what I can find in Wikipedia,  it was built in 1914 by New London architect Dudley St Clair Donnelly for Morton T. Plant, a railroad and steamship magnate from Groton.  There are a series of historic buildings in New London, each marked with a bronze plaque in the sidewalk which comprise the New London Heritage Trail.

Looking up State Street

New London, CT  2014

Just some of the historic buildings along State St in the downtown historic district of New London.

All Souls Church

New London, CT

I don't think I've ever seen a church for sale.  I think All Souls Church is an appropriate name for a Unitarian/Universalist Congregation.   I'm happy to say that the congregation is still thriving.  They just moved to a church around the block, leaving this building for sale. 

Thames Club

New London, CT  2014

The Thames Club is the oldest Social Club existing in Connecticut having been around now for 150 years.  Their clubhouse, pictured here was finished in 1905, replacing their original clubhouse which was destroyed by fire.  

MVNICIPAL BVILDING

New London, CT  2014

The New London Municipal Building was built in 1912 and designed in the Beaux-Arts style by James Sweeney.  It resides in the downtown historic district of New London.

State Street

New London, CT  2014

State St, in New London, Connecticut lies within the Downtown New London Historic District which was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979.  The street is lined with many 19th century buildings, some of which are reflected here and will be the subjects of future blog posts.  Check out other fine reflections over at Weekend Reflections, hosted by James.  Have a great weekend! 

First Congregational Church

New London, CT  2014

This is one of many landmark churches in the city of New London.  It was built in 1850 and designed by Leopold Eidlitz.   I thought it to be a fitting picture for Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Mohican

New London, CT  2014

This is the entrance to what was once the Mohican Hotel, one of the finest hotels in Connecticut.  It was built originally by Frank Munsey to house his magazine publishing offices in 1896.  When that failed he converted the building into a hotel.  The building was designed by William B Tuthill who also designed Carnegie  Hall in New York City.  Today the building provides housing for the elderly. 

New London Public Library

New London, CT  2014

The library was a gift to the city in New London given by Henry Philomen Haven.  The style is described as Richardsonian Romanesque and was built in 1889-1892.  This building was also added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1970.

State of Connecticut Superior Court

New London, CT  2014

This is the oldest courthouse in the state of Connecticut, according the the plaque on the front.  It was built in 1784-1786.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

The Bulletin

Norwich, CT  2014

This was once a train depot belonging to the NYNH&H Railroad.  It's nice that it has been repurposed to house the offices of the Norwich Bulletin.

Dave and Busters

Manchester, CT  2014

This one recently opened in Manchester.  The restaurant chain caters to young adults and families offering food, drinks and a number of arcade style games  of "skill" for kids of all ages.  Has anyone ever played Skee Ball?  

Madison Dawn

Madison, CT  2014

About once a week I pass this inlet on my way to work.  Today I finally stopped to capture the early morning light just before sunrise.  There are some mornings when you just have to be a little late for work.  I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections.  Have a nice weekend.

Railroad and River

Gales Ferry, CT  2014

Rusty Tank

Norwich, CT   2014

I think this is some sort of water tank, but I'm not sure.  I couldn't even tell if it's still in use or not.  I think it could really use a fresh coat of paint, but at least the rust color blends in well with the fall leaves.