Original Milestone Enclosed In Marker

"Old milestone erected by Harford and Tolland Turnpike Company 1801. Six miles to Tolland Court House. McLean Tavern Build in 1792 stood on these grounds. Marker placed by Sabra Trumbull Chapter DAR June 14, 1934."


This marker stands in front of an old schoolhouse, which is to become the “Vernon Community Arts Center” at what is called in town the "kindergarten building" at 709 Hartford Turnpike.


Town minutes note that the Vernon Town Council endorsed the selection of Quisenberry Arcari Architects LLC as the design contractor for the conversion of the school and approved the cost of $97,500.

Americana: Former "Broad Brook Garage"

Remember old-fashioned service stations?

Many have gone the way of the general store with a comic book rack. But in Broad Brook, near Ellington, Connecticut, one red-roofed structure ("Broad Brook Garage" is what is lettered on the sign) still remains.

And for those interested, the Society for Commercial Archaeology (SCA) is a national organization devoted to the buildings, artifacts, structures, signs, and symbols of the 20th-century commercial landscape. The SCA offers publications, conferences, and tours to help preserve, document, and celebrate the structures and architecture of the 20th century: diners, highways, gas stations, drive-in theaters, bus stations, tourist courts, neon signs, and a lot more. For details see www.sca-roadside.org.