Connecticut western news., 1883-04-18
CANAAN EN 1900.

We will content ourselves witl stating what Canaan ought to be can be, and possibly may become by the year 1900. If we will compare the Canaan of IT years ago with the Canaan of to-day, we will see that great chang es have taken place, and we have reason to congratulate ourselves on our growth It Is not mushroom growth. It is { solid, steady and an enduring advance Some places in our country, especially in the mining districts and in the oil regions, spring up as if by magic, and they are two-fold wonder, first at theil rapid growth and second at their equal ly rapid decline. The mines become exhausted or the flow of oil ceases, and thus the failure of the very business that built up the town, also works its destruction. Not so with Canaan. We are not dependent on any one enterprise or business for our existence. We are naturally farming town, consequently are on solid basis. Our manufacturing interests, while they are of great value to us, are not our only resources. We realize the value of these manufacturing interests, and shall always advocate them. In fact it is our intention by a series of articles on the subject, to soon call attention to the several desirable sites on which to establish other manu- featuring enterprises. Look at the changes IT years have brought to Ga naan. Then the Connecticut Western railroad project was considered wis., ionary affair. The majority said the iron horse could never scale Nor folks hills. In fact the first corps of engineers was not assembled until Nov 5, 1867 to make a preliminary survey and ascertain if the project was practi- cable. The surveys were made and the report of the chief engineer, Oliver w. Barnes, is dated August 31, 1868. There were but two blast furnaces in town, r years ago. and their capacity very linn tied. All the ore they smelted was drawn by teams from Salisbury and Amenia. All the charcoal was also drawn by teams and came from Norfolk, Colebrook Sandisfeld, or adjoining towns. The lime business was in its infancy, IT years ago, and was not con- sidered leading business, only two kilns being operated and their product not extensive. The brick making busi- ness was not thought of Thus we might proceed to review the situation of IF years ago, but we will point to what we can recollect of growth in IF years and leave our readers to draw their own comparison between then and now. The Connecticut Western railroad is an accomplished fact md the "iron horse !" crossed Norfolk's s hills at point higher than the spire of the church on " Nor folk Green" Those who formerly travelled by stage in winter over the hills can appreciate the difference be- tween then and now. Before this rail road was built it required one day to reach Hartford via Bridgeport and one half day to return. Study the time table of the Hartford & Connecticut Western railroad and see how much more may now be accomplished in one day by the business man. He can leave Canaan at 9 8 m and go either to the Connecticut or to the Hudson river and have several hours for business at either place and return home in time for supper Make Q comparison of travelling to-day with the facilities offered IT years ago There are now three blast furnaces in Canaan. Their yearly output of iron is double that of the two furnaces of 1866. All the ore is transported to them by rail and also the majority of their charcoal
 We now have six lime kilns in town, whose yearly production exceeds 60,OOO barrels. It is great industry and des- tined to increase. The brick making business is worthy of consideration, and no doubt will grow to be an important business. Enough has already been accomplished in 1t to demonstrate that it can be made a prosperous business. Seventeen years ago the Episcopal soci- ety held only occasional service in their church. To-day the society is in pros porous condition with their church ed flee beautifed and adorned. The mem- bership has rapidly increased and they now have a resident rector. They also have purchased land on which to build rectory. The Methodist society have erected & stately and capacious church and are free from church debt, and have just completed large and hand some parsonage, which is nearly half paid for. The Catholic society have built beautiful and expensive church. We have savings bank in this vii
 lage, and in prosperous condition. We have Village Improvement society,
 
 us with good side walks, street lamps, shade trees and many other improve ments that are a credit and honor to ou1 village We have Masonic lodge, which has large membership and is t1ourishing Grand Army Post recent. ly organized with large membership It is named after gallant and brave soldier, Col David Cowles of this town who gave his life for his country Uuti April l, we had public reading room
 where the leading daily papers and the best magazines and weekly papers were free for all to peruse. It is temporarily closed until another room can be secur ed. We have @ high school. The build
 ing is an ornament to the town, and the grade of the school is an honor to botl teachers and pupils. Our village is supplied with pure spring water, con ducted two miles in iron pipes, from tho reservoir located on the north side O. Canaan mountain. We have ample sup ply of water for all purposes, fire nor excepted. All of the manufacturing establishments of Barnum Richardson company in this and surrounding towns are connected by telephone. The tele
 phone line of Dr C. w. Camp, tn, Messrs Barnes and others, connect! many houses in this village and als' extends to Ashley Falls and Clayton
 There is an additional wire on the Hous atomic railroad telegragh line and als, the telegraph line via Hartford X Con
 necticut Western railroad has been con
 structed within IT years, also the lin, from Mill River. We must not forge to mention the Connecticut Westerl
 NEws," paper that was not dreame,
 of r years ago, but which we hope ar,
 trust has become welcome messenge
 to all in this vicinity. Seventeen year
 ago there was only one house on tha
 beautiful street now called West Mai