Connecticut western news., 1883-05-02
Canaan's sManufacturins Opportunities
We think of five unimproyed water

We think of five unimproved water privileges. Probably there are some that have escaped our notice. There is agood water privilege opposite the residence of Dr George Adam. It is the old forge where anchors were made many years ago. Before the Housatonic railroad was built the products of this forge were transported by team to the Hudson river which was then the near est outlet to the marts of trade and con- merce. If business could be carried on l at this site under such difficulties it cer- tainly could be now when the H. & c. w. railroad runs within few rods of this privilege. The H. & c. w. rail road runs within short distance of the four other privileges, one of which is the site of the Dabon shop, this site is south of the Congregational church at East Canaan. The site where the Barlow mill was burned few years ago is a good water power. The site where years ago stood the Isham factory, the site of the Jerry Bailey grist mill at Ca naan Valley. The buildings at these three sites last named were destroyed by fire and have never been rebuilt, but they can be and shoul be,and a paying business ought to be established at all of these five locations. We will mention the desirable sites for steam power. Right in the heart of our village just west of the residence of Rev Hiram Eddy is land enough for several facto- ries or mills. The river flowing beside ter for steam purposes and at 8 trifing expense switch track from the H. & c. W. railroad could reach any point desired on this lot. On MT Robert Van Deusen's lot between his residence and the Housatonic railroad is another splen- did location and little expense would construct siding from the Housatonic railroad, in fact the siding could easily be carried to MT J. A. Underwood's mill. He could then build up a large trade in Nova Scotia plaster by purchas- ing it in it's unground condition and grinding it at his mill. Our farmers would then be sure of obtaining 8 pure unadulterated article. He could also purchase grain by the car load and grind it at a profit. This siding should have been constructed years ago; it is not too late yet. Just opposite MT Van Deusen's lot and on the west side of the Housatonic railroad are several desirable sites for manufacturing establishments and in fact follow the hill in it's half cir cle as far as the residence of Charles Paul and any quantity of good locations can be found, and switch track from the Housatonic railroad could very easily and cheaply follow the circle of the hill around to the highway near MT Paul's house. Water for steam power can be taken from the Blackberry river at any point desired on this circle. All these sites are in plain view from Union depot, the nearest within few rods of it and the most remote would scarcely exceed one quarter of mile distant in 8 straight line. Between the bridge lead ing to MT Charles Paul's and the H. & c. W. bridge over the Blackberry river we find several more valuable locations for steam power, these can all be reached by siding from the H. & c. W.railroad. Passing on down stream we find other sites extending from the gravel pit to a point opposite the residence of MT Al
 merlin Gillette which can also be easily reached by the $ iron horse," and now we reach point where there is an un- limited number of valuable locations for any kind of manufacturing business ex- tending along the bank of the Housaton- ic river as far north as the boundary line between Connecticut and Massachu
 setts. A railroad could extend parallel with these sites to the Massachusetts, line and the cost of grading it would be trifing as the soil is sandy and no rock would be encountered. Now with all these resources at our command what shall we do? Shall we sit idle and see other towns building up? Will our public spirited men put their shoulders to the wheel and make Canaan what it unques- tionable is in our power to do? The men who will take the initiatory steps in this great work will be doubly blest. Blest with the satisfaction of doing good with their money by furnishing hun dreds with the means of earning an hon. est living; Blest with the approval of this generation and children's children | will honor their memory