From the Archives

Text Box: Uncle Sam’s Artillermen Very Fond of Peaches _____ Four Motor Truck Loads of Luscious Fruit Were Dis- posed of to the Regulars at Niantic by One Enter- prising Grower-Nearly 200 Tents in the Camp. Uncle Sam’s 12 companies of coast artillerymen encamped at Niantic, showed their fondness for peaches (the kind that grow on trees) today by purchasing four motor truck loads of the luscious fruit at half a dollar a basket. The truck is a two-ton af- fair, and as it was filled to capacity each time, it is readily apparent that some peaches were disposed of. A fruit grower in this vicinity with an eye for business saw the peach possi- bilities at the camp and secured per- mission to offer baskets for sale. His first load was gone in a jiffy and he was obliged to play a return engage- ment three times before the demand was satisfied. The artillerymen are delighted with their camp life, all but the weather. Their hike from the transports to the campground Wednesday morning was an experience they will not soon for- get. The heat was intense and after they had reached their destination and put u their canvas shelters, it was still more in-tents. Heavy blouses

Thomas Lee House c. 1660

East Lyme Historical Society

Founded 1897

Created by Barbara Jo McGrath, 2007-8

From the Archives

The East Lyme Room at the East Lyme Public Library houses a collection of materials related to the history of our town and our area. We look forward to exploring these materials and sharing a sampling of them with you.

East Lyme, from colonial days to the present, has always been part of a much larger community. If you’re interested in knowing more about our neighbors, try these links:

added to the discomfort of the march-

ers and perspiration ran in rivulets

down their sunburned cheeks.

One of the most appreciated feat-

tures of the Niantic ground is the plen-

tiful supply of pure cold water for

drinking purposes. An enlisted man

who visited New London today was certain he drank more than a gallon

of it Wednesday afternoon when he

finished work. He considered the

quality of the Niantic beverage a

fine boost for the water wagon idea.

Nearly 200 tents are included in the

camp. Eight men occupy each

sleeping tent and beside the latter

type. there are shelters for the officers,

cooks, etc. Nothing is the way of

field maneuvers was attempted today,

but Friday morning work will begin

in earnest. The program included

long hikes, sham battles and other

exercises calculated to fit the men for

infantry services.

Many visitors were at the camp

Thursday and it is expected there will

be many more during the two weeks

in which the artillerymen make their

home in the tented city.

September 16, 1916

The fortifications of the New Lon-

don artillery district are almost de-

serted today, for of the 13 compan-

ies included in the garrison but one

remains, the One Hundred and Thir-

ty-first at Fort H. G. Wright. One

company of Coast artillery left Tues-

day for the state camp grounds at

Niantic, where they will be en-

camped for the next two weeks. Four

transports, leaving Forts Wright and

Michie at 8.30 this morning, con-

veyed the 1,200 officers and men di-

rectly to Niantic.

Lieutenant Colonel Hero is in gen-

eral command. It is the purpose of

the encampment to familiarize the

artillerymen with field exercises,

thereby rendering them capable of

forming a temporary branch of the

infantry service should they be called

upon to do so. Farmers in the vicin-

ity of Niantic have given permission

to traverse their premises on the

condition that the grounds are left in the same state in which they are

found.

In preparation for the coming of the troops, land owners have had

gangs of men mowing the grass on

their premises, which on account of the wet weather has grown very

high. The unusual sight of so many

regulars in camp on the Niantic

grounds will undoubtedly attract many

visitors.

Photos of the camp from the early 20th century.

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Text Box: EAST LYME AFFAIRS ____ DRAMATIC SHOW NEXT SATURDAY- AN ICE HOUSE FLOODED ______ Everybody at East Lyme hopes for good weather next Saturday night, when the Dramatic club will present Breaking His Bonds in the hall. The ladies and gentle- men in the cast have given freely of their time and spared no expense to give an ex- cellent show and it will be too bad to have another such storm as that of last Satur- day come on the 25th. Those who attend the show do not often consider how many hours of weary drilling and rehearsal are necessary to put in their two hours of drama. All the reward the players ask is your attendance Saturday night. AFTER THE FLOOD This village has been almost drowned out. The oldest inhabitant is wiping his “specs” and hunting up dates of more severe floods, but hasn’t found one yet. R. B. Gorton’s new ice house, filled last week with fine ice, is standing alone in a lake of water. The ice, most likely, will be gone when the water subsides. EAST LYME GOSSIP The “Husking Bee” company from Nian- tic intends to give a show in the hall soon. Glad of it. We will give them a good rousing reception and a big house. D. R. Campbell of Sangerville, Me, pres- ident of the Niantic Manufacturing com- pany, was the guest of William Park on Saturday. Steam barge McCleary, with barge Con- sort in tow, come up Niantic river Sunday, and is now discharging coal for the Nian- tic Manufacturing company at their River- head dock. The barges had a hard time getting up. Last Friday they went aground outside the drawbridge, but hauled off at last and tied up at Crescent Beach. They carried up about the heaviest cargo ever taken in late years. Mr. Ernesty of Brooklyn, N. Y., has sent up his crack trotter, and Mr. Hough is looking after it. Judging from appear- ances, all the local speedy ones will have to take some dust this summer. There is surely a hoodoo on shows here. Mr. Maples had to postpone his enter- tainment once more on account of the storm.

Date unknown

Text Box: IMPROVE CHESTERFIELD ROAD ____ Selectmen Making Good Highway and Eliminating Bad Hill Niantic, Jan. 24 The selectmen have several men at work on the Chesterfield highway where a new road is being laid out north of the Gadbois place, which when completed will do away with a bad hill there and make a great im- provement in the road. The new stretch of road goes around to the east of the hill and eliminates it entirely. However, in order to make the im- provement it is necessary to remove several large bowlders which will take considerable time. This road is used considerably now, as tourists go this way to the Hartford turnpike rather than through Montville as the road is much better. Supervisor of State Highways Frank Saunders of Old Lyme has five teams at work today putting bluestone on Main street in the village and putting it in shape for the spring use. The road also has been dragged several times during the past week and is in very fair shape now.

January 24, 1916

Main Street, Niantic

1905

Niantic Manufacturing Company

Flanders Store and Post Office

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