Amazing Tales from Off and On Connecticut‘s Beaten Path

We speak with a bridge painter on the George Washington Bridge. What's it like to maintain the historic structure, sometimes dangling 600 feet above the Hudson River. Even hearing about the “fear of heights test” he had to take will send shivers down your spine.

The 5-mile Windsor Locks Canal is only 1% the length of the Erie Canal, but its ingenious design set is above all other canals of its era. And, it allowed businessmen in one city to out-maneuver a rival canal operation.

He was the first to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel, across the lower level of George Washington Bridge, and along the New Jersey Turnpike. Those were just 3 out of hundreds of such achievements. He was called “Mr. First” and you won't believe the legacy he left behind.

One of the more fantastic Revolutionary War stories concerns General Israel Putnam's daredevil horseback ride down 100 steep stone steps in Greenwich while escaping British soldiers who were firing at him. But, what really happened that day?

The gigantic George Washington Bridge was one of the greatest infrastructure projects ever accomplished 100 years ago. The bridge is the busiest roadway in the U.S. It was supposed to have many things, such as elevators to an observation deck. Today, it needs to be repainted by those without a fear of heights.

It was a mammoth urban renewal project – replacing NY City's crooked wagon paths with today's elaborate street grid. It took nearly a century to install 12 avenues and 155 cross-streets, with all of its secret spots. And yet, nobody knows for sure who actually had the idea for the grid.

Ski jumping took hold in the U.S. 100 years ago, when Norwegians introduced the sport here. You go down a steep ramp at 50 miles an hour, jump off into the wind, fly for around 10 seconds, and land 2-3 football fields farther away. It's not for the meek.

The election for CT Governor in the late 1800s was too close to call. The divided legislature couldn't agree on a winner. So, the incumbent stayed on for another term. The Comptroller didn't like that and took matters into his own hands.

Big Jim or Diamond Jim – those were names for the legendary Gilded Age robber baron Jim Fisk. He caused the gold crisis collapse after fooling President Ulysses Grant and stole millions from Cornelius Vanderbilt. A lover's triangle, at age 37, would lead to his untimely end

Captain Andrew Upson wrote up to 2-letters-a-day from the front lines of the Civil War to his wife and children. The 200+ letters, a rare collection that still exists, paint a vivid picture of life in the war, including as a captive.

Michael Ross was the last person executed in CT. He raped and murdered 8 women. His doctors said he was mentally ill and shouldn't have been executed. A journalist got to know him well for his final 10 years and shares her insights.

The Cheney brothers invented a process for mastering nature's magical creation of silk, driving their business to the #1 position globally. They made the parachutes used on D-Day. They also introduced corporate paternalism, providing employees with housing, schools, and more.

Three families, from the same town. Did they start the American Revolution? John Hancock and his friends (the Adams and Quincy's) fanned the flames. Hancock, meanwhile, married childhood sweetheart Dolly Quincy, after a love triangle involving Aaron Burr

He could have abandoned ship, just like everyone else. After all, the sub sank in just one minute. Everyone was scrambling. But he didn't. A fellow submariner was still onboard.

Many people see the large white cross as they drive by, shining atop a hill overlooking the downtown. But not everyone has checked out what's hiding behind it. It's an unusual and unique complex that once drew tens of thousands a year to see it.

Where was the first Christmas tree? Proof is hard to come by. It seems that Windsor Locks, CT is among the very first – at least in legend; a stone monument lays claim to the first decorated tree in 1777. Researching this case turned up other very interesting side stories: German prisoners-of-war, Native American attacks, and even the Wizard of Oz.

Watkins Glen; world's largest concert. 600,000 attendees. Six teenagers broadcast with an illegal pirate radio station they brought to the site, interviewing the Grateful Dead, broadcasting traffic and weather reports, and playing records. Attendees loved it. One of the broadcasters tells the crazy story.

Access to knowledge for the masses. For many years in the United States, you had to pay a membership fee to a subscription library if you wanted access to books and information. That all changed in the early 1800s when the first publicly funded library opened in CT.

The end of the world. It was on a Wednesday in November of 1873. One hundred believers gathered on an island in a New England river to ascend into heaven. This episode traces the incredible story of how the Second Day Adventists selected the day and then waited for the cataclysmic event.

Ground zero. 9-11. World Trade Center. John Maher was the first cameraman to film inside, while they were still burning. He shares his surreal memories and experience.

It's an ancient European tradition. Hiking a town's boundaries still occurs in three CT towns (Madison, Guilford, and Durham). They conducted theirs recently, complete with the carved ceremonial stone, for placement where the towns meet. Madison First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons has the story.

She was a boxer, an opera singer, and a rum runner. Nellie Green made it through 13 years of Prohibition with just one team member getting arrested, while keeping her patrons well supplied with alcohol. She also distributed some of her liquor to other bootleggers further inland, making hefty profits. How did this singing sensation – with a knock-out punch – end up being one of the biggest rum runners in the northeast?

PT Barnum – the world's greatest showman. His legacy lives on. The 75-year-old Barnum Festival keeps the showman alive. It gives residents a chance to celebrate the man annually. Barnum was a major benefactor of Bridgeport. He served as Mayor and donated his estate to create beautiful Seaside Park. And, it will surprise you just how many important businesses and civic enterprises he established. We'll hear about Barnum from this year's Ring Master for the Barnum Festival, Greg Gnandt.

Skydiving became a sport in the U.S. in the 1950s. The first commercial jumping operation was at a rural grass landing strip in Litchfield County that catered to college students with money and nerves of steel. The special guest telling this story, Russ Wheeler, was at the airstrip and was a stunt skydiver with hundreds of jumps to his credit, including in several locations that will absolutely amaze you.

An island of miracles. Retreats at Enders Island re-instill virtue and provide hope. A Catholic ministry has a remarkable record with 12-step programs held on the island. But, it almost wasn't so. The island was nearly closed 30 years ago due to financial struggles. Now, it's flourishing. It's beautiful. It's serene. Its dahlia gardens are internationally renowned. Delicious jelly is made from local fruit trees. Its sacred art program has achieved distinction. And there's a highly unusual religious relic – an 800-year-old arm. All of this on just 11 acres. You must hear about Enders Island from Father Thomas Hoar, who runs it.

Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys made Vermont possible. Formed by Connecticut natives Allen (Litchfield) and Seth Warner (Roxbury), the group fought to retain land grant rights in the 1700s in the wilderness between New Hampshire and New York. Their efforts paved the way for Vermont to become a separate state. The story is told by historian and author Gene Procknow.

The Barkhamsted Lighthouse Village has an exceptionally unusual backstory. The village of around 100 residents was occupied for about 100 years in the 1700s and 1800s in a very remote section of CT's northwest hills. It was abandoned and virtually forgotten until an archeological team stumbled across it and put the pieces together. The story includes a Romeo and Juliet type of love story, coupled with a fascinating twist explaining how a village 70 miles from Long Island Sound got the name lighthouse. The story is told by Ken Feder, Professor Emeritus of Archeology at Central Connecticut State University, who led the archeological digs.

During the War of 1812, the superior British Navy blockaded Long Island Sound, causing huge financial losses for Connecticut merchants. Sailors and civilian boaters alike were trying to win government rewards for blowing up British ships in The Sound with underwater bombs. The British responded by devastating the village of Essex on the Connecticut River, destroying its 27 ships. Four months later, they attacked the tiny village of Stonington and outnumbered the town 1,300 to 30 in manpower – but the Battle of Stonington had a very different outcome. The story is told by Tertius de Kay, author of the acclaimed narrative on the battle.

Celebrities love to live in Roxbury, CT because town residents take it in stride when famous people live among them. So it was for Marilyn Monroe for five years when she lived with her famous playwright husband Arthur Miller. Registering to vote, shopping at the only general store, and having her grass cut are all activities you'll learn about. We'll also share the story of the fatal car crash when speeding paparazzi reporters chased Monroe and Miller through town. Three long-time residents tell these stories: Peter Hurlbut, Philo Hodges, and Russ Wheeler.

One of the most accomplished military leaders in U.S. history was Israel Putnam. He doesn't hold the same name recognition as George Washington, Ulysses Grant, or George Patton but he had multiple remarkable military successes. He organized the effort at Bunker Hill, was Washington's military “go-to fixer” during the Revolutionary War, and defended the Hudson River by having heavy chains stretched across the river to successfully keep British ships from navigating along it. There are so many incredible stories about his legendary bravery, leadership, and accomplishments. You'll hear about them from the author of a new book on Putnam, Michael Westerfield.

The venerable Associated Press – the source of the most major news stories every day – was created by Wallingford native Moses Yale Beach. He routinely beat his competition to big stories by 24 hours, and finally shared his news gathering tricks with others - for a shared fee. Beach also was the entrepreneur who made the New York Sun the first newspaper affordable for the common person, at a penny a copy. Beach was also a secret government envoy during the Mexican American War. His incredible story is told by Bob Beaumont, President of the Wallingford Historical Society.

It ranks as among the deadliest train crashes in Connecticut history. It also marked the first time in the U.S. that a telephone was used to summon help after a disaster, essentially the first 9-1-1 call in the country's history. The Tariffville Train Wreck occurred when railroads were at their peak. On the icy cold night of January 15, 1878, a train full of passengers were heading home from a religious revival in Hartford. As they crossed the Farmington River, with its five inches of ice, the bridge collapsed and sent dozens into the ice-cold waters below. Rescuers couldn't easily access the remote location. The story is told by Frank Haviland, Member of the Board of the Tariffville Village Association and a noted researcher on this event.

Many of Connecticut's worst weather disasters occurred in years that ended in the number 8. The worst blizzard, tornado, hurricane, and ice storm are included. The years in question are 1878, 1888, 1898, 1938, 1978, and 2018. There were the infamous floods of 1955 that buck the trend, and other major storms occurred outside the pattern, but the very worst are among those years. We'll hear about it from Connecticut meteorologist Jack Drake.

A 16-year-old Dutchess County, NY girl rode a horse in pouring rain for 40 miles to rally area militia to come to the aid of Danbury, CT which was under siege by the British during the Revolutionary War. At least, that's the legend of Sybil Ludington. But, not all professional historians sign-off on the tale, due to scant written evidence. Now, a retired teacher says he has found proof that shows that Sybil made the ride. Hear the story with Vince Dacquino.

In the very northeast corner of Connecticut, the sport of racecar driving took shape in several meaningful ways at Thompson Speedway. Thompson's two separate racetracks set “firsts” for the U.S.: the oval track was the first to be asphalt paved and the separate looped racetrack was the first one not using public roads. It's also where NASCAR was born. Many famous drivers have paid a visit over the decades. And wait until you hear how it all began because of a hurricane. Hear the story from DR Hoenig, a key member of the family that has owned and operated the business since 1940.

How did a titan of Wall Street manage to attain his success coming from a rural dairy farm in the eastern Connecticut town of Sterling? Charles Dow's only education was in a one-room schoolhouse, and yet managed to start the Dow-Jones Company, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the Wall Street Journal. The improbable journey makes for a great story, told by the Sterling Town Historian and the President of the Sterling Historical Society, Megan McGory-Gleason.

The oldest volunteer fire department in the nation is in Wethersfield. They've fought fires with leather bucket brigades and hand-drawn pumpers. Chiefs used to bark orders through “speaking trumpets” before 2-way radios were available. Responders wouldn't even try to extinguish your fire if you didn't have a certain plaque on your house. Towns used to obtain protection for just $1/night. Hear how the technology and approaches for fighting fires has improved steadily over the centuries, with Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian Schroll.

Back in 1939, a ferocious creature (nicknamed Glawackus) terrorized the mid-Connecticut town of Glastonbury for several months. Pets were mauled. Livestock went missing. Quite a few residents saw the mysterious creature, but the descriptions didn't match that of a mountain lion, bobcat, lynx, or any other animal known to inhabit the extensive woodlands in the rural community. Fabled hunting parties, reported on by multiple newspapers (including The New York Times), came up empty handed. What was it? Hear from the undisputed expert on the story, Mike Berdan, former Board member of the Glastonbury Historical Society.

There simply aren't enough superlatives to explain the remarkable life of Helen Keller. She lost her sight and hearing when she was just 19 months old, but went on to become an internationally celebrated author, lecturer, and advocate for those with her disabilities. Her last 30 years were spent living in Easton, CT and we hear stories about her time with Redding resident Mark Twain, and many others, from the co-Town Historian of Redding, Brent Colley.

A mutiny aboard a Spanish ship, La Amistad, occurred in 1839 resulting in four deaths. The ship would make its way to Long Island Sound where it was captured by a U.S. naval vessel. Onboard were 50 kidnapped Africans, who had been sold into slavery and who would have to undergo nearly two years of court cases to try to earn their freedom. This case drew international attention due to legal action in New Haven, Hartford, and the Supreme Court in Washington. Telling the story are two officials with the New Haven Museum: Jason Bischoff Wurstle, Director of Photo Archives, and Joanna Steinberg, Director of Learning and Engagements.

This is the story of the unusual “Battle of Windham, CT” – a battle in the middle of a dark night when the residents couldn't see what they were facing – they could only hear them. It happened during the French & Indian War and townspeople had been on edge. The exceptionally loud and ongoing noise that woke up the whole town was like nothing they had ever heard before. Was it war drums – or even Judgement Day? The Interim Director and Senior Curator for the Mill Museum in Windham, Jamie Eves, will resolve the mystery.

His name is X-Y-Z. At least, that's what's on his gravestone in the town of Deep River. The man robbed a bank in 1899 and was shot dead during the attempt. The problem is that no one knows who he was. Perhaps the lady, dressed all in black, who put a flower on his grave each year on the anniversary of his death, knows his identity. But, nobody ever approached her and asked her if she knew who he was. This intriguing story is told by the Curator of the Deep River Historical Society, Rhonda Ferristall.

The 1944 Cary Grant classic Arsenic and Old Lace is portrayed as a comedy involving two elderly women who poison inhabitants of their New York home. In fact, the story is based on the real-life drama that unfolded in the early 1900s in one of CT's first nursing homes, located in Windsor. We'll hear the extraordinary story of one of the state's first serial killings from two representatives of the Windsor Historical Society” Michelle Tom (Library Archivist and Assistant Director) and Steph MacGillivary (Museum Educator).

The only founding father who signed all four of the original documents forming the new United States was Connecticut's Roger Sherman. Not only was he one of five members of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence, but he brokered the so-called Connecticut Compromise, breaking a logjam that paved the way for the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. The incredible story is told by New Milford author Bill Devlin.

One man – CT's Robert Fulton – is responsible for three incredible inventions: the FAA-approved flying car known as the Airphibian, the Skyhook (for rescuing downed military pilots in remote locations), and the flight simulator (used to teach pilots how to fly without actually flying). Fulton had other incredible accomplishments during his life, and we'll hear all the details from Ben Cruson, the Town Historian of Newtown, the town where Fulton created his inventions.

The town of Wethersfield is the oldest in the state, in terms of an actual English settlement, even though English traders arrived in Windsor months before that (but they only established a trading post at first). Wethersfield was also the first CT town ever attacked by Native Americans. It was in retaliation for an earlier attack on them by Massachusetts Bay Colony soldiers. Wethersfield was also where George Washington met French Commander Rochambeau to discuss how to defeat the British in the Revolutionary War. Over its nearly 400-year existence, Wethersfield has achieved many other distinctions, which will be discussed by Martha Smart, the long-time Research Librarian for the Wethersfield Historical Society.

Of the two commercial airports in Connecticut, the smaller of the two gets relatively little mention. Tweed-New Haven Airport, which straddles the New Haven-East Haven border, has been in business for nearly a century, when it was just a dirt landing strip. The history of the airport, and its namesake Jack Tweed, are told by the Director of Photo Archives for the New Haven Museum, Jason Bischoff-Wurstle.

The infamous Yankee Peddlers are credited with originating in Berlin, CT – the same town where the tin industry started in the young United States. In fact, the same two individuals were responsible for starting both. In this episode, we'll explore how the business model of door-to-door salesmen got its start, along with American consumerism itself, from the Librarian Emeritus of Berlin, Cathy Nelson.

The concept behind the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was conceived by a sculptor living in Connecticut, Gutzon Borglum. He and his son Lincoln selected the location for the monument, and Gutzon changed the original tourist attraction concept into a national monument featuring four presidents who he selected. The incredible story of how the memorial was actually created and the hurdles that had to be overcome is told by Sarah Beth Cox, who goes by Ranger Sarah Beth while on duty.

In the conclusion of the story of the sinking of the military research vessel the Sea Surveyor, we learn what happened to the 12-man crew on their secret mission. In part one, we learned their ship was sinking and they had abandoned it for a rubber lifeboat. It was being tossed in 25-foot waves and gale-force storm winds. We wrap-up the tale with an interview with survivor Walter “Wally” Banzhaf.

Twelve men were aboard the ill-fated Sea Surveyor when it sank in rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean 50 years ago. Walter “Wally” Banzhaf was the youngest of the 12 on this secret military mission and was one of the survivors. He will share his story over a two-part series that begins with this episode. It is a mesmerizing tale that you won't soon forget.