The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-15
ooNxEorIob1,s LAST roL1 GATE.
FAD OF the System chat Developed the
Kends OF the NutmeG STATE.

Roads OF the Nutmeg state.
NEW HAVEN. Feb. 1.-THE town OF New
Haven. last Thursday, by the m of $4,000
to the Derby Turnpike Company. released all
claim OF tho company against the town. and In
turn the company abolished the old Derby
turnpike. The act recalled . chapter Of town
history that has passed out OF mind to nearly
every resident Of Connecticut. The old Derby
toll gate was the last OF its kind to disappear
from the public highways OF the State.
To the toll-gate system was due the develop
ment OF roads In tho State n little more than q
century ago. Then II was not q question Of good
roads; IL was q question OF roads or no roads.
In 1910 q bill came before tho Connecticut
Legislature TO establish q collegiate school at
New Haven, and the residents of Hartford set
mp q howl because New Haven was so FAR away
that II would take a week to get to It. and they.
therefore. objected to being taxed for the sup
port Of the school. In the next year. 1917, tho
first express wagon and stage that ever piled
regularly between two points In Connecticut
vas established by Capt. John Munson. His
charter. given by tho state Legislature, says
tina; he shall annually. at least, OH the first
Monday Of every month. except December,
January. February and March. set forth with
his wagon from New Haven. with all con-
venient despatch drive to Hartford and thence
failed to make the thirty.six miles and return
tho same week he was to forfeit ten shiiling..
IL the condition OF the main road from Hart
ford was so bad that II took six days to make
seventy.twO miles. what must H. have been on
tho branch roads from New Haven to the
smaller towns2 The plan OF taking tolls on the
roads for the purpose Of maintaining and re-
pairing them was finally devised. and. during
pixies were established I'm every direction from
New Haven. The first turnpike in the State
was that OF Greenwich, put into effect in 1902
by an act OF incor poration. In 1900 one " ns
chartered from this city to Cheshire: In 1907
one OF the longest turnpike roads In the State
was established between New Haven and Litch-
field. thirty-six miles. and the following year
the New Haven aud Derby turnpike was sstab-
lisheh. The capital stock was 81 $50. and the
length OF tho road was eight miles. Tho road
has had hut ono gate. Just beyond the MaltDy
has been the best one. The rond paid 10 per
cent. dividends recently. when the Naugatuck
Valley Railroad went through.
with the GROWTH of tho turnpike system. rap
idly covering the State with excellent roads.
communication sprang up. aud land In the In
terror OF tho State wac opened to city residents.
Through routes also sprnng up aud ~ regular
system Of intercourse between this city and
Boston and New York began. Had 10 not been
for the turnpike roads. made possible by the old
toll gates. this would MT have been possible for
many years later.
The toll gate has been very unpopular OF late
years: II has. IN fact, been q nuisance. The
residents have paid regular road taxes. and for
them tn be burdened by toll. gate tariff has been
u hardship. Ten years ngo the other toll gates
were abolished. but. owing TO suuabbles bet ween
the towns owning tho Derby route. this could
not be dispensed with till the present time.