Hard as Steel... to Write First Steel Mill in US, Simsbury This is the oddest thing. Every now and again, I'd be talking Simsbury history to someone. Y'know, like we all do at parties and such. And I'd hear, "the first steel mill in the country was in Simsbury," and I'd be like, "oh yeah? cool" and file it away for … [Read more...]
Still Brook Open Space
Still There, Still Hikeable, Still Brook Still Brook Open Space, Simsbury November 2024 I've lived in West Hartford since 2001 and in that time, I've seen my town sell every available acre to developers. At the same time, I've seen nearby Simsbury spend town money on protecting open space and woodlands from … [Read more...]
First Emergency Phone Call in US
"De Train, De Train!" First Emergency Phone Call in US, Simsbury & Hartford Beyond the dubious nature of this claim, it bothers me that Simsbury claims it at all. There's a very good chance this happened in what is now Bloomfield (but was Simsbury back then) and more importantly, the phone call in question actually … [Read more...]
First Safety Fuse in the US
Slow Burn First Safety Fuse in the US, Simsbury The Ensign-Bickford Company of Simsbury is responsible for the early manufacture and widespread use of the safety fuse in America. Developed in 1831 by Cornishman William Bickford, the Miner’s Safety Fuse was introduced to Farmington Valley mining operations in 1836. … [Read more...]
Ethel Walker Woods and Town Forest
We Can All Be Ethel Walkers Ethel Walker Woods and Town Forest, Simsbury September 2022 This is a weird one for me. I took the boys here several years ago and only have vague recollections of what happened. We didn't get too far, but I don't know if that was because of Damian, Calvin, me, or a combination thereof. … [Read more...]
Cajun: Roux (Closed)
Let's Geaux! Roux Cajun Eatery, Simsbury March 2022 Roux closed in November 2023. At that time, the owners were planning on opening elsewhere in a different town. A rare day off from work with the boys in school? Be still my heart. A Cajun eatery has come to Connecticut? Clog my heart's arteries. … [Read more...]
Red Stone Pub
No Longer Horsing Around Red Stone Pub, Simsbury June 2018 What led me to include this place on the hallowed pages of CTMQ? Was I tipsy from the beer I had there? Did the owner berate me into doing so as a brilliant marketing ploy? Am I hoping get hooked up with a free meal next time I visit? No, no, and … [Read more...]
Cathles Falls
Cathleter Cathles Falls, Simsbury December 2020 Cathles Falls on Cathles Brook isn't actually called Cathles Falls. And there's no such thing as Cathles Brook. Sorry for the swerve. These falls are officially unnamed along an unnamed seasonal flow. I have been here with no water and, well, it's just a bunch of … [Read more...]
West Mountain Trails
Total Masters Simsbury Land Trust's West Mountain, 60 Westledge, & Cathles Trails, Simsbury December 2020 Although I'm writing this page in 2021, it has a distinction that is important to... a few people. (I was going to write "absolutely no one" but then I remembered that way back when it was originally … [Read more...]
Wagner Woods & Hall farm
Nature Show Simsbury Land Trust's Wagner Woods, Simsbury September 2013 & November 2024 Wagner Woods I'll apologize up front. This is one of those pages that I put together for me and my wife to look at in twenty years when we're reminiscing about our sons. So yes, there are two videos below that we both love … [Read more...]
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