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Posted by Dale Christie on August 18, 2021

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2021-08-17

Hello Friends of the Road,

I hope you are all doing well. I saw signs of the times tonight as I had to turn on lights earlier in the evening, and saw some colored leaves on neighbor’s trees. Not mine though! I’m glueing them on the branches and painting each one green. So enjoy the season before it passes us by. I do enjoy this cooler weather and the ability to have windows open more. 

We had a good turnout at the recent car tour in Clarendon. I think we had almost 30 participants! We were able to find some good shade at most stops, as it was a fairly hot day. Everyone left knowing a lot more of the local history and now when I drive down those roads I pay more attention to some of the old structures. Thank you Robert Underhill of the Clarendon Historical Society for all your preparations and lectures. Loyal attendee Rebecca Hougher shared some great pictures she took at the event. You can view them HERE. Back on the subject of the Clarendon Historical Society, if you haven’t seen the Clarendon Historical’s website, you should. It has by far more information than any other local historical society I’ve seen. It even competes with the Vermont Historical Society, and they have a LOT more area to cover! Link: http://clarendonvthistory.org/LandingPage

In my last newsletter, I shared information about David Ordway thanks to Elaine Purdy. In response to my email, Historian Bill Powers shared another article about David. It is attached for your reading pleasure. Thanks Bill!

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Quickly arriving is our next outing for the year. This one is another car tour, so at least part of the time you can spend in the air conditioning if it is hot. Jim Rowe has led this tour in the past and knows a lot of good tales and is looking for a good audience. Our one and only Tom Hughes will kick off the event with one of his entertaining, passionate speeches, so don’t show up late! Here is the full write-up for you all: On Saturday the 21st, at 10am, meet at the Mount Independence museum in Orwell for a segment of the 10th annual driving tour. Historian Tom Hughes will kick off the event by making an introductory speech. Following that, Jim Rowe will lead the tour and the day will end at the Hubbardton Battlefield. There will be several stops along the way for discussion. People should bring snacks/lunch. It will take about 3 hours. Admission will be charged at either historic site if participants want to spend time exploring. For more info, call Jim at (802) 434-7415

We also were fortunate to sign up a couple new members at the last outing. It is always fun meeting new fans of history. Hopefully we’ll have some newcomers again this Saturday. Until we meet again, be well and keep reading about history!

Posted by Dale Christie on August 5, 2021

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2021-08-04

Hello Friends of the Road,
Have any of you been walking the back roads lately? The frequent rains we’ve been having in the Northeast have taken a rest thankfully. If only we could have sent some of that rain out west huh? Those days of smoke in the air certainly hit home. Back to the walks, I digress. With all the rain you don’t have to worry about eating dust as cars wiz by, which is nice. The days are still long enough to enjoy some of the evenings after work too. I hope you are all enjoying the Summer. 

It was a great turnout at the big event down in Bennington recently. Despite the warnings of flash floods and such, the turnout was quite good and the weather turned out quite reasonable, except for a bit of humidity. The first of a kind event was organized by a diverse, ambitious, and passionate team of volunteers. Months of planning paid off and the lingering buzz afterwards may just lead to other historical events in the future, so keep your ears open for more fun! I have a few pictures to share from the outing. They were shared by CPRA member Liz Petraska. She used software to give some an old time look that is quite appealing. You can view them HERE. Thanks Liz!

Quickly approaching like a mad bull is our next CPRA outing. This coming Saturday, we have another exciting chapter of the Taverns tour Jim Rowe invented and has been so masterly organizing. So gas up your cars, and prepare for the fun. Here is the full write-up for the outing: August 7: Members and the public are encouraged to attend the third segment of the Taverns, Homesteads and Other Points of Interest Car Tour. Meet at the Clarendon Town Hall at 279 Middle Road in Clarendon at 10am. We will tour by car along the original route of the Crown Point Road to learn about many points of interest. This year’s tour segment will end in the Center Rutland area. Bring a lunch. The leader will be Jim Rowe assisted by members of the Historical Society of Clarendon, Vermont. For more info, call Jim at (802) 434-7415 

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I have one more jewel to share with you all. This info comes from our beloved historian for life, Elaine Purdy. The attached photo is of David Ordway’s gravesite in Twenty Mile Stream cemetery.  He was the proprietor of Ordways Mill which stood at the site 0f CPR marker 31. He wished to be buried under the millstone so everyone would know what his life’s occupation had been. The capstone of the mill is the marker for CPR 32. Here’s some additional reading on the subject: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1418510/a-david-ordway-of-cavendish-vermont/

That is all for now. I have to get back to other things on my to-do list. See you at the crossroads!

Posted by Dale Christie on July 12, 2021

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2021-07-11

Hello Friends of the Road,

I hope you are all well. We are quickly approaching mid July already! I hope you’re getting your fill from local snack bars and ice cream shops. I visited a local one today and enjoyed a haddock sandwich with fries and a milkshake. I eat fairly healthy, so I have no regrets from getting greasy once in a while. As soon as my gardens start producing, I’ll be filling up on veggies for sure. Thankfully we’ve been getting much needed rain lately, so my daily watering hasn’t been a requirement.

The talk of the town is all about a big event brewing in Bennington. It has involved countless people and hours of planning. It is remarkable how much something like this takes to prepare for. A typical CPRA outing that involves a simple handout and route planning is a bit of work, but a huge day of events like what is happening a week from today is a mammoth effort. There are a number of organizations involved, sponsors, vendors, and much more. There are a few key leaders that I won’t name in fear of leaving any out, but they all deserve a pat on the back and a thank you for sure! So where shall I begin to explain what this is all about? One source for info is the event’s Facebook page. That can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/1771birthofvermont2021-109193811247958/posts/   . Otherwise, there is lots of info out there about what happened at Breakenridge back in 1771. The overall goal is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of what happened there, which arguably could be called the “Birthplace of Vermont”. I’ve attached some documents to describe the schedule of events planned for the day. They aren’t official yet, but are very solid. There will be a table setup to represent the CPRA, so if you attend, be sure to stop and say hi. July 18th is the day of the action!

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I’ve gathered some treasure for you all to enjoy. I have pictures, video and even copies of the handouts from the May 22 outing. Many thanks to David Wright, Mary Whitcomb, Barry Griffith, and Rebecca Hougher for sharing content. Gratitude also goes out to outing leaders Jim Rowe and Bill Powers for all their efforts. I can still remember all the mosquitos, but those wounds have healed and now I can focus more on the history taught that day. Here is a link to the content and feel free to save yourself copies of anything you like. LINK: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1rm3bspjpyy8wcd/AAAt6SSa18Gtcz591H_pYwM9a?dl=0

Enjoy the Summer weather and I hope to see you all soon.

Posted by Dale Christie on June 13, 2021

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2021-06-13

Hello Friends of the Road,

Are you all feeling historical? No, that wasn’t a reference to one’s age. I hope you are all well. My outside work is done, which is good because the temperature outside is into the non-comfort range for me. It has been nice to see the seeds of previous labor coming alive now. 

For those that didn’t attend the last outing, and that can’t be too many of you, it was a great turnout. In fact, it may have been the largest crowd I’ve been to for the CPRA. We had over 40 who attended! Besides a few bugs, ok a LOT of bugs, it was a good day. We braved the hazardous Route 7 traffic, and managed to avoid any roadkill. It felt like a game of Frogger crossing the highway at times. Many thanks to outing leaders Jim Rowe and Bill Powers for packing everyone’s heads with history. The discussions we all had were great. For those who didn’t attend, I will get copies of the handouts and the photos taken by attendees. I will share these in a future newsletter. 

I’ve bought the new book about Ebenezer Allen, entitled: Vermont’s Ebenezer Allen: Patriot, Commando and Emancipator. It is written by Glenn Fay Jr.. I look forward to reading about a guy I know very little about. His family got a lot of attention and I am curious about Ebenzer’s story. Have any of you read it already?

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Quickly coming up on us is our next outing. There has been some research and planning done, and some finalizing details to work out. I hope the weather will be good. There may be a bit of walking (up to 1.5 miles), but roadside, and nothing steep or strenuous. The full write-up is the following:
June 19: On this Saturday, a field trip has been planned to explore the old Solomon Purdy property in West Rutland. Interested participants should meet at 11am by the swings near the dog park in the West Rutland Recreation Area. Solomon was a Revolutionary War veteran who acquired 100 acres of land at the foot of the present Boardman Hill, along the Clarendon River. A descendant of Solomon will lead the outing. Discussion will include the archeological dig performed when the new Rt 4 highway was built. The recreation area can be entered either from Boardman Hill Road, or Clarendon Ave (Rt 133). Bring a lunch. For info, contact Julia Purdy at laughinotter10@gmail.com

I have a map to share with you all as well. It was brought to my attention by Barry Griffith, and a good copy of the map was provided by Bill Powers. It is from the 1931 edition of Proceedings of the Vermont Historical Society. I expect you all will enjoy looking at this. 

I believe that is all the info I have for you today. Until we meet again, be well, and keep history alive!

Posted by Dale Christie on May 19, 2021

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2021-05-18

Hello Friends of the Road,

I’m writing you all to share some big news: drum roll please…. it is Spring again! I know it has been for a while now, but with weather like we’re getting here in the northeast, it is invigorating! With temperatures in the 80’s here, it is more like summer actually. I’m in no rush. I prefer the cooler weather. I hope you all are doing well. 

Time has been flying by quickly for me lately and I lost track of time a bit. I’m rushing to get a reminder out about the upcoming outing this weekend. Number one for 2021! I’m excited about this one. To me, it’s like starting the season with the Daytona 500, as it could be my favorite for the year. It will have lots of uncharted territory for me and with a team of Jim Rowe and Bill Powers leading, I’m guaranteed to fill my head with interesting history. Hopefully the weather is hospitable. 

I have news to share related to one of our treasured roadside markers. If you’re looking for marker #45A , you may have a hard time finding it. Last year a discussion began to reset the marker as it was sinking deeply and was getting difficult to read fully. The town of Pittsford generously offers their road crew to help pull it out of the depths of the underworld for us. Then after further thought and discussion, we changed our direction to temporarily remove it from active duty. It has a date on it of 1759, and historical research has led us to believe the 1759 route of the CPR did not go along Depot Hill, but only later routes. So for now, we are storing it for future deployment. It will return to active duty when a suitable location is agreed upon. If that makes you think that a new markers book should be released, well so do we. There are a few good reasons to create a new edition, and some work has begun. But with weather like this, I expect it will be back burnered for a while. So in the meantime, don’t forget that marker #45A will be absent for a bit. 

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For you that don’t have your CPRA magnets handy, here’s the details about the outing Saturday:
May 22: at 10am in the parking area of the Pittsford Congregational Church, participants can expect a history lesson about the Pittsford area. Bill Powers of the Pittsford Historical Society will co-lead with CPRA historian Jim Rowe. There will be a combination of driving & walking. We will visit a variety of locations that include former forts, a CPR branch road, and the original Pitt’s Ford crossing of the the Otter Creek. Wear hiking shoes, bring water and a lunch. For more info, call Jim at (802) 434-7415

And one last thing, if I don’t see you soon, have a great Memorial Day, and let those flags flap in the breeze. 

Take care all!

Posted by Dale Christie on June 9, 2025

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2025-06-08

Hello Friends of the Road,

In the greater CPR area, we have had weekends with some precipitation every week dating back to December 14th & 15th! Surprisingly, that is not a record, but if it continues much longer, we may set it. At least we don’t have to water the gardens as much, right? And all these rainy days gives us more reason to stay inside and read and research history, right? I did my share yesterday and even enlisted the aid of a local historical society. I don’t know if your town has one, but they are so valuable! Most towns have the select few residents that seem to know most of the local history. Be sure to tap their brains because that information must live on and you all know how important history is!

The weekend has flown by and I had meant to get this out sooner, so I’m rushing a bit to make sure you are all properly reminded of an upcoming event. It is our 3rd outing for the year already! We had an early start, so this isn’t normal for us. Here is the official write-up for the outing: 
June 14: Lake Champlain was so named by the French in 1609. The Crown Point Road was so named by the British in 1759. Both were used by the indigenous people for millennia. We will explore this history at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s Abenaki Heritage Weekend. Meet at LCMM at 10am (4472 Basin Harbor Road, Vergennes). Bring lunch; admission free. For more info visit www.lcmm.org or call Barry at (802) 492-3573.

I was very happy to have attended the festivities in Castleton last month. The rain did not appear to stop any or many attendees. The venue for the re-enactment was standing room only. I can’t begin to praise all the people that were involved with the events in Castleton. It took good leaders and a sizable army to pull it off. For those who didn’t see re-enactment, we are lucky enough to have the local public access station record and offer it for streaming. You can watch it here: 

I hope all of you are doing well. Maybe see you in Vergennes?

Posted by Dale Christie on April 20, 2025

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2025-04-20

Hello Friends of the Road,

We are fully engaged in Spring now. The annual ice out contest at Joe’s Pond has ended, and hopefully your neighborhood back roads are draining out from their muddy transitions. One of the few roads that is spared of that unpleasant season is the Crown Point Road. For the most part it has been reclaimed by mother nature and is part of the landscape now. But it is not forgotten and its importance in our local history, and arguably the nation, remains strong. I hope you are all doing well. 

By now, you should have received the annual mailing from us. We try to include more than just the calendar of events and our solicitation for membership support. If you did not receive this packet of treasure, you may be only receiving the email newsletters. If you want to become an official member of the CPRA and provide us with your mailing address, we would be grateful. If you are receiving this email and prefer not to receive future newsletters, please let me know. It should be a fun year of events this year and hopefully you have our magnet on your refrigerator to remind you of the dates. 

It is only April, but our year of outings is about to start. Our first outing is less than a week away. It is a new outing from the master of car tours. With the 250th anniversary of many historic dates coming up this year, this outing will fit in nicely and add to the spirit that is in the air. Here is the full write-up: 
April 26: The Crown Point Road Association will take a look at the Ti Branch as a possible route to Hand’s Cove for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga accomplished on May 10, 1775. There will be discussion as to how they reached the Ti Branch from Castleton. Meet at 1pm at Whiting Community Church on Rt 30. This will be a car tour. For more info, call Jim at (802) 434-7415.

Next month, May 9th to be exact, there will be events in the town of Castleton. Members of the CPRA board plan on participating with an informational booth. Feel free to stop by to visit us and say hello. Part of the evening events will be a short parade. We hope to march in it to display our banner and promote our great association. We have one volunteer so far, but his arms aren’t long enough to hold both ends of our large banner, so we are looking for more help. Do any of you want to help us with this? First come, first serve, but backups are welcome for sure. The parade begins at 6pm. If interested, please respond to this email.

I received a recommendation from a passionate CPRA member about a website. It features an historian named Katie, which is a content creator about the Revolutionary War. Her videos often feature visits to historic sites. You can find the website and links to her YouTube channel here: https://allrevolutionarywar.com

Continuing onward to promote another of the planned celebrations, I’d like to share info about a man you may know. His name was General Lafayette and he was once a “Guest of the Nation” between 1824 and 1825. There is an exciting series of events planned to mark the bicentennial of his tour. You can find out more by visiting the website to follow, or reading the attached pamphlet. www.lafayette200.org

That is all of now. Lots to plan for and do. I hope to see many of you over the course of the next few months. 

Posted by Dale Christie on February 2, 2025

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2025-02-02

Hello Friends of the Road,

It is now 2025! Can you believe it? Today is a big holiday for me. Each year I celebrate by watching the Bill Murray classic from 1993. It is nice not having an overly commercialized day to celebrate. Speaking of celebrations, are you all excited about the events planned throughout the upcoming year to mark the different 250th anniversaries? For historians, this will be a busy and exciting year! So rest up the rest of winter and be ready to hit the road to attend some of the festivities. The CPRA board is planning to get involved for sure. 

The CPRA board has met throughout the cold weather days to work hard on a calendar of events for 2025. As of yesterday, we have a list in balsa wood. Not in stone yet, but soon. More to come on that. Today’s email is about saying hello, reminding you that your favorite historical organization is still kicking, and to share some timely info with you.

First of all, there are event plans now finalized for the 250th anniversary of the Westminster Massacre of 1775. For you that want to brush up on your history for this event, here are a couple of links for you: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Massacrehttps://vermonthistoryexplorer.org/the-westminster-massacreThe celebration has the following schedule:-March 13, Thursday between 3:00 and 4:00, Gathering at the house site of Azariah Wright, (4585 US Route 5, corner of Sand Hill Road) and walk to the Cemetery. The Whigs gathered at Wright’s about 4:00, took a stick of firewood from his woodpile and then walked ¾ miles up to the Court-house and occupied it. Unarmed William French was killed by gunfire that evening. We will reenact that fateful walk.-March 14, Friday, 4:00.  Gathering at the Court-house site as marked by the DAR monument on Shattuck Road, celebrating the non-violent retaking of the courthouse. New York and British control were ousted from current Eastern Vermont, five weeks before Paul Revere’s ride. Our Westminster Massacre museum exhibit the will open at 3:00.-March 15, Saturday, 7:00 pm at dusk. Candlelight vigil at young William French’s grave site on the anniversary of his well-attended burial. The museum will open at 6:00pm with refreshments and our Massacre exhibit. Parking is behind the Post Office, roughly across the road from the Town Hall museum.For more information, go to www.westminstervthistory.org

And also coming really soon, is a presentation about the Crown Point Road. It may be all a “repeat” for you, but please consider attending as the side conversations will certainly be interesting. There is also plans to talk about a new project involving the Springfield area that you may want to be a part of. Members of the CPRA board will be leading the discussion. Here is a description of the event:
WHEN: February 15th at 2 pm
WHAT: Crown Point Road Association Presentation
WHERE: Springfield Art & Historical Society, 65 Route 106, North Springfield
DESCRIPTION: The Crown Point Road Association researches and leads outings along its route from Charlestown NH to Lake Champlain. The Road, first marked and cut by the British in 1759, is sometimes referred to as “Vermont’s first interstate highway.” In 2024 CPRA members Lonnie Lisai and Barry Griffith researched and led a tour along portions of the route in Springfield. On February 15 they will tell us about the historic Road and the fruits of their recent research. https://www.springfieldartandhistorical.org/

And in closing, I have some goodies to share with you. I have been sitting on some videos for you and it is about time I let you see them. These cold days are good for watching videos, right? The links below are from the association’s Annual Meeting in 2024. I hope you like them. 
Last annual meeting: 
Business meeting: https://youtu.be/G6lF111dI_I
Guest Presentation: https://youtu.be/lp_tRGBuCpM

That is all for now. Stay tuned for more announcements and info about our upcoming year of events. 

Posted by Dale Christie on October 13, 2024

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2024-10-13

Hello Friends of the Road,

It is me, the one that sends you thought provoking information mixed with useless rambling. I’m hoping the former is true occasionally, and certain the latter is true. The clock of life continues to spin faster and faster as another season of CPRA outings is coming to a close. Wasn’t it just May and we were exploring the Charlestown area? Today has become a rainy day so I’m trying to get some indoor tasks done. It has been great weather for the past month with very little rain and plenty of opportunities to do some leaf peeping. The foliage is now on the downward slope, but still quite good in places. And if you’re into astronomy, there’s a comet up there to look for during the next evening with clear skies. 

I have a very exciting offering for you all today. It has been in the making for a little while now. The board of directors discussed and agreed that we should interview long time historian Elaine Purdy. For those that don’t know her, she has been involved with the CPRA for a long time, continues to contribute and has been invaluable to many historical societies in the area for decades. We pondered a while and came up with a list of questions for her. At the bottom of this letter, you’ll find the questions and answers. I really enjoyed reading what she wrote and I expect you will too. Many answers give great advice, and others offer insight into the life that she has had so far. I’m very thankful to have gotten to know her. Thank you very much Elaine for taking the time to do this interview and Linda for assisting her.
 
The annual meeting is coming up for us. That means I should have my Secretary’s Report finished, but have procrastinated a bit on that. I’ll blame the good weather we’ve been having. Rest assured, I will have a report for those that attend. The outing is very flexible, and those who want to attend don’t need to be there for the whole thing. Feel free to come late, leave early, or arrive late and leave early! Our guest speaker has a lot of great information to share, and many in the area know him well. He is the pastor of the Pittsford Congregation Church, has served as a trustee of the Maclure Library for years, and has been hosting the show “Historically Speaking” also for years. If you’re not familiar with that show, you really should check it out, and perhaps binge watch the series. You can find past episodes here: https://rutlandhistory.com/historically-speaking/ You can read about all the 200+ episodes at that website, but WARNING: the video hosting website is down right now, so you won’t be able to watch them today. Hopefully soon it will be back online, so for now bookmark the page for later. Getting back to the annual meeting, it will be on October 20th, a week from today in Pittsford. Here is the full write-up: Our CPRA Annual Meeting will be at the Pittsford Congregational Church at 121 Village Green, in Pittsford, VT. We will commence at 1PM with our traditional potluck dinner — bring your place setting and a dish to share – followed by our business meeting and concluding with our featured presentation by noted historian Michael Dwyer. With four decades of teaching history and genealogical research behind him, he will share a variety of stories about his personal discoveries and the lives they have touched. Guests welcome to attend any part of the schedule. For more info, call Barry at (802) 492-3573 or email bgriffithvt@gmail.com Potluck Meal: 1:00-2PM~CPRA Business Meeting: 2:00-2:30PM~Guest Speaker: 2:30PM

And now for the Elaine Purdy interview. I hope to see a good turnout Sunday. Take care everyone and keep enjoying the wealth of historical content that is accessible to us all!

QUESTIONS:
1. How did you first get involved with the CPRA?
2. What makes you so interested in history?
3. What are important personality traits for an historian?
4. Have you ever wished you could have lived during the era when the CPR was used?
5. Do you think you could have been Ann Story?
6. Name one or more of your favorite known or believed to be known locations on the CPR?
7. Have you ever participated in any archeology work?
8. Tell us two things about the CPR that is NOT in the recent Markers Guide Book?
9. Tell us one or more of your favorite outings with the CPRA?
10. Tell us one of more of your favorite guest speakers to have attended an annual meeting?
11. Tell us the most important reason to preserve the history of the CPR?
12. What are you most proud of during your years of involvement about with the CPRA?
13. What is the one thing that you want future boards of the CPRA to accomplish most?
14. What do you think is the most effective way to get people interested in history?
15. In your opinion, what are the 5 most important events in Vermont history?
16. How has technology changed history research?
17. What can you tell us (that is not in the markers book) about CPRA’s founding fathers and mothers who created our organization and did so much for it in the years 1960 – 2000?

ANSWERS:
17.  What can you tell us (that is not in the markers book) about CPRA’s founding fathers and mothers who created our organization and did so much for it in the years 1960 – 2000?
I will do my best to answer the 17 questions that have been submitted. The responses will be off the top of my head – a head cluttered with trivia I might add – so I will try not to wander too much. I will begin with the final question, Number 17, about some of the founding members of the association.Phyllis Humphries lived in West Rutland and was a descendant of quarry owner Charles Slason. With her husband, Hubert, they spent time attempting to establish the true location of the road through primary sources: studying deeds, town records and maps and creating detailed overlays. They created a wonderful springboard for future exploration.Flora Weeks, who was single, and a Registered Nurse, researched texts and sought out old timers with ties to the earliest local settlers. Her ancestors were early settlers in Clarendon and she grew up in the old homestead. She was a natural historian and writer.Both Phyllis and Flora, through their columns in the Rutland Herald, created awareness of and interest in the CPR. They were, no doubt, inspired by their membership in the DAR.Martin Howe and Carl Hollender were undoubtedly responsible for the establishment of the CPRA as an Association. I think they were both engineers and successful in business. Howe was raised on the Martin property in Mount Holly, now the Perry Farm . Marker 34A was dedicated in his memory. This site was called Halfway Hill by Ruth Fletcher Charland, who wrote a seminal article describing the probable direction of the road. Howe was related to the Pollards who were very early settlers in the area. His description of the history and lure of the Crown Point Road in the Introduction to the Marker book is eloquent and ought to be included in future editions.Carl Hollender is probably the most notorious and interesting character among our founders. He was born in Brattleboro to parents who resided in what was then a sizeable enclave of German emigres. During World War I, Germans were the objects of constant suspicion, and Carl, because of his young age, became one of them. According to the story (there was a book written about his travails) an ambitious government agent pursued him until he was sent to Federal prison for several months as a German spy. When he was released some suspected his mother may have been the spy because of her many inflammatory statements in favor of the Kaiser. After a successful business career, he and Fran retired to Shrewsbury and took interest in local history.Eroe Howe carried on with the CPRA as an officer after her husband’s death. She was responsible for many of the early photographic records. After Hollender died in 1968 wife Fran remained in their home in Shrewsbury on the road to the Poor House and explored the section of the CPR that led to the school house marker on Lincoln Hill.  Note: a large iron cooking pot similar to those carried by the British army was found on the road North of the house, according to Flora Weeks.Augustus Aldrich must be mentioned because he is sort of our Patron Saint. His enthusiasm and over-the-ground exploration surely kindled an interest in others to continue his quest. Carmine Guicca was his disciple and friend and carried on his work with Boy Scouts and as trail guide.Carmine was profoundly deaf due to undergoing a prolonged barrage while with a landing party on a Pacific Island (Iwo Jima?) during WW11. He and Carmella attended two church services every Sunday at his church and then hers.

Numbers 1-16
1. How did you first get involved with the CPRA?
The columns written by Phyllis and Flora for the Rutland Herald in the late Fifties sparked an interest in the Crown Point Road but I wasn’t able to go on a hike until sometime later. The hike was led by Larry and Peggy. It included the Prickly Ash site and the Doolittle house and I was hooked!

2. What makes you so interested in history?  
My father shared his love of History with me at an early age. Week-end and vacation trips nearly always had a destination of historical and sometimes just unusual places. My grandmothers were proud of their lineage and encouraged an interest in Genealogy so my interest in the past was pre-ordained.

3. What are important personality traits for an historian?
A historian must have a sense of curiosity, a need to find answers and then the ability to do proper research to find them. The research then has to be compiled, sorted and verified. Sometimes a local legend will turn out to be false and has to be discarded; although in some cases it may lead in a promising direction. You have to rely on primary sources. Once you believe you have made a true find you can introduce it to an audience where it will be welcomed and appreciated.

4. Have you ever wished you could have lived during the era when the CPR was used?
I think I can answer Four and Five together, about wanting to return to the Colonial era on the Crown Point Road. I would probably only want to go back to that time in History as a teen-ager. Having a sense of adventure and no responsibilities might compensate for leaving a comfortable home for an uncertain yet promising future.

5. Do you think you could have been Ann Story?
As to being Ann Story:  Probably not, although you never know how you might react if your children are threatened. I did have several great, great, great grandmothers who might have given her a run for the money. Maybe I could have been Molly Pitcher.

6. Name one or more of your favorite locations known or believed to be known on the crown point road.
The site of the long-abandoned Pollard home site at the four corners between Shrewsbury and Plymouth is one of my favorite locations. The four roads lead almost directly to the four points of the compass. Going North you will pass the grave of the Unknown Soldier who died at the nearby spring associated with an early campground. One of the first school houses was located there also. Continuing on you will arrive at Captain John Coolidge’s early pitch. To the South you pass signs of early settlement and arrive at the Halfway Encampment in Mount Holly.  To the West are more early home sites and family cemeteries. Then on to the town of Shrewsbury.  Go East and you will travel brookside down to Tyson and the Black River ponds.  You can just imagine the back-and-forth travel and socializing amongst these early settlers once peace had come.

7. Have you ever participated in any archaeological work?
I have never done any archaeological work unless you count the time Al Ransom had permission from landowners to conduct a dig at a promising cellar hole at the top of Dix Hill. He had constructed rudimentary items for the search and I was elected to operate the sifter. Unfortunately, we found only items related to sugaring and they were left with the landowner.

8. Two things about the CPR that are not in the current guide book.
It would be interesting to note in the book that Revolutionary War Generals Washington and Schuyler were well aware of the old road and its strategic importance. It is mentioned a number of times in their correspondence. Another thing I would like to see is improved mapping. The current maps involved a lot of research and have been very useful but GPS probably will take over in the future I can imagine a laminated map embracing the entire road in a rear pocket of the book. There are a number of businessmen in the area who would probably assist funding. Also it would be good to better identify documented points in the book. Location and description and an image would be very informative.

9. Tell us one or more of your favorite outings.
One of the earliest outings I went on was with Barbara Jones at Fort Number Four and the New Hampshire markers on the New Hampshire side of the Connecticut River. Barbara was a serious historian and was instrumental in organizing the first hike and Crown Point Road celebration in Springfield in 1958. She was also deeply involved in the restoration of the Old Fort and preserving its place in history.A second special outing was with former president Bill Allen in Old Deerfield. Even though he was in ill health at the time, he accompanied us pointing out the many points of interest. Bill was a native of the area and attended Deerfield Academy so he knew his history well.   He was also interested in the Sudbury Vermont area since he was a descendant of the Ketchams What a privilege it was to meet and know these two interesting people.

10. Tell us the names of some of your favorite guest speakers at our annual meeting.
The first speaker that comes to mind is our own Tom Hughes. The occasion I especially remember was when he lectured us on the history of the fort at Crown Point. He gave a detailed chronology and answered many of our questions relating to both the French and the English occupations. In addition, he passed out maps and diagrams for us to study and keep. I know I have mine in a safe place and have studied and looked at them many times.    A second speaker of note was Art Cohn from the Champlain Maritime Museum. He brought to life the early days of Skenesborough and Benedict Arnold’s time there building his ships and later destroying them. Cohn went on to doing much valuable work in the underwater archaeology of Lake Champlain and the further development of the museum. His contribution to history and education is sizable.

11. Tell us the most important reason to preserve the history of the CPR.
As with many of the historic events leading to the establishment of our country it is important to remember and preserve not only the event but also the immense contribution of our ancestors.  If we look around ourselves today we can see the immense damage that can be done to the heritage that has been passed on to us by others. And it only takes one person.

12. What are you most proud of during your years of involvement about with the CPRA?
It would probably be my involvement in the instigation of our attempt to have the CPR placed on the National Register of Historic Places. I talked to Vt. Senator Jim Jeffords who offered encouragement and advice on how to approach the project. The board members agreed and we proceeded to secure a grant and backing from the state. An archaeologist was hired and Al Ransom became project manager. The time and effort spent by assisting members helped compile reams of information about the road in the area of Socialborough, later the town of Rutland, even though our submission failed. I sincerely hope new attempts will be made in the future It has been suggested that a simpler, less complicated pursuit would be to have the markers placed on the register instead.

13. What is the one thing that you want future boards of the CPRA to accomplish most?
While I don’t know if by laws have been altered to expand inclusion, I do understand a younger generation’s desire to pursue research in other old roads and places of historic interest. I do hope the goals and dedication of the founders will also continue to be pursued and honored. They were true Patriots and historians.

14. What do you think is the most effective way to get people interested in history?
Some people become interested in history because of the discovery of an interesting artifact or an old letter or photograph. This leads them to a desire to know more and to begin some exploration. However; not everyone possesses this character trait. In this case, perhaps an interest may be aroused by visiting a museum or witnessing a commemorative event. This might be a patriotic holiday celebration, parade or reenactment. The substitution of Social Studies in place of History in our schools was a big mistake in my opinion. It really is the responsibility of teachers, parents and family members to teach respect of country and family.   With institutions such as the CPRA they can perform outreach such as has been done in the past by offering lectures and narrations for public education. Having representation at appropriate public events contributes to living history and may inspire someone’s interest.

15. In your opinion, what are the 5 most important events in Vermont history?
The fact that the state of Vermont was blessed with a wonderful location between two major waterways, Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River, plus the many streams draining into them, destined it to become a major thoroughfare throughout the ages. Its rich soil and mineral deposits attracted settlers who were soon involved in land title disputes. The coming of the Revolutionary War and its successful outcome was a major event ushering in Vermont’s importance in agriculture, travel and commerce. Included in this   period were two other major events which occurred on the same day. They were the Battle of Hubbardton and the Constitutional Convention in Arlington. Statehood was attained in 1791. The coming of the railroad in 1849 led to the growth of industry and markets. The growing ease of travel also allowed over crowded households to emigrate westward.  During World War II Vermont contributed to the war effort producing war material with its manufacturing plants and heavy industries. In the 1950s the Vermont legislature passed Act 250 a major piece of environmental protection.I think I listed five but I would like to add one more. A tribute to US Senator Jim Jeffords whose principles and concerns for the ideals of his constituents compelled him to resign from the Republican party.

16. How has technology changed history research?
Early CPR researchers worked so diligently, traveling to town offices, searching deeds and wills, looking at old maps, plotting sites and then seeking them out on foot. All this when today they could have been sitting comfortably at home in front of a computer.But they were not that sort of people. They were adventurers and true researchers. Even today I imagine they would welcome computers but I think they would miss the spirit of discovering something for yourself and walking where others had walked. Without technology they managed to locate most positions on the trail and left a multitude of accurate information for those who followed.

Closing: Respectfully submitted by Elaine Purdy, former CPRA officer, with many thanks to daughter Linda Shelvey for editing, compiling and printing the above.

Afternotes:  During my time as an officer, I kept files on all activities I was involved in. They were kept in file folders together in a box which I have given to Dale Christie. I also kept yearbooks of each year. They are also with Dale. All the information from the National Register application is in the archives at Middlebury college.   Confession: Aside from meeting old friends at annual meetings I really looked forward to Barb’s potato salad, Dennis’ lasagna, Peg’s chicken and biscuits, Larry’s huge apple pies, Gayle’s chocolate chip cookies, Jim’s  wonderful maple syrup, Jim Moores’s BBQ chicken wings, Dale’s pulled pork, Sanford Witherell’s apples, Carmella’s chicken and biscuits and luscious egg salad sandwiches. Carmine always brought apple cider. The two of them always arrived early, to open the place, turn on the heat and get the coffee percolating, and finally Sanborn’s block of cheese and anything left over from lunch at Wake Robin!

“Freedom and Unity”
Over and out!

Posted by Dale Christie on September 14, 2024

Friends of the Road Newsletter 2024-09-14

Hello Friends of the Road,

This area seems to be basking in a stretch of good weather. Our gardens are in overdrive still and the apple season seems to have arrived a bit early. I picked some apples this morning and certainly enjoyed it. It always seems so easy after working the fields for berries. I hope you are all enjoying the weather and doing well. 

The new Ira Allen book is out. Any of you have any feedback on it yet? I have to thin down my herd before I take on any more. Even the newspapers seem to be piling up more than I’d like.

For those who attended the recent outing in Springfield, the research and discussion continues on. I have a feeling when the tour picks up again where it left off, there will be much more to share and talk about. Lonnie did a great job putting together points of interest, reading material and recruited great assistance from local land owners as well. This year’s outings are quickly going by, but we have 2 more to come. 

Recently I crossed paths with historian lover and CPRA member Kellie Meyer. She was excited to tell me about a photo she found that was taken in the original Catamount Tavern in Bennington. With her assistance, I found a source online that has the complete article that goes with it. I think you’ll enjoy the read and at least the photograph. Thank you Kellie, and those who helped produce the article for the Vermont Historical Society. Here’s the link to the article:  https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/EconomicStructureBennington.pdf

I am cramming to put together a handout and plan for the outing coming up. I have a lot of information and know the area well, so I don’t expect I’ll have a shortage of things to say. I hope many of you can attend as this will be the last outdoor outing for 2024. I will cover multiple centuries in my discussion, but don’t worry, there will be plenty of talk about the CPR. It will get center stage for sure. Here’s a write-up for those who want details: 
September 21: Starting at 10am, we will gather and explore parts of the Proctor area. The meeting area is the west shore of Beaver Pond, at a large parking area along the Beaver Pond Road. We will begin by walking part of the original Crown Point Road, and possible historic landmarks along it. Following that, we will visit a 20th century industrial site that is being “re-wilded”. Total hiking distance is about 2 miles and includes some minor bushwacking. Bring sturdy shoes, water and snacks. For info, contact Dale.

The day is flying by quickly, so I will wrap things up now. I have football picks to make and chores to do. Be well and keep studying your history. It is much easier than studying the future. 

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