Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-24

The contract for remodeling the old
1850 county court house in New Lon
don has been awarded to local bid
ders and the work will be soon COM
menced. The long fight over the
court house matter is fresh in the
mind of the reading public as is also
the delay TO get additional adjoining
property by condemnation proceed
ings. The remodeling of the venerable
structure instead of the construction
of a new building was brought about
by sentiment, simply that and nothing
more.
There was effort that proved sue
cessful to preserve the ancient struc-
ture by reason of its ancient and lat
ter-day memories and associations
and on account of it's unique architect
ure and old-time appearance. All of
which sounded well. and guided by
gentlemen of influence, the question
was finally settled by the citizens in
public meeting assembled and with
the required legislative approval.
To those who cherish the old court
house building that is to be preserved
advice is given that they get a photo
graph of it before the work of repair
begins, just to remind one as to it's
appearance, and to also get piece Of
the lumber that Is discarded, that
they may see some of the material
that was part of the old structure.
For as a. matter of fact, the old build
ing is to be practically replaced by a
new one, and all the sentiment that
clustered about the old court house,
built in 1850, will have passed away.
When pictures of the old and new
county court house are compared they
will be as much alike in appearance
as a nlidshiDman of the first class and
a high private of the Putnam Phalanx.
So, after all. the old court house must
go, to make way for progress, and in
its passage nothing of real historic
value is lost 1t was an old building.
and that is about all there is to it.
The naval vessels utilized in the
annual cruise of the Anna polls cadets,
with their hundreds of naval officers
of the future, noted for their good
looks and gentlemanly behavior. with
the large crews of self-respecting and
respected sailors, are welcome weekly
visitors to New Lodon, the harbor hav-
ing been selected as the fleets rendez-
vous for the greater part of the sum-
mer's cruise, The four warships come
into the harbor from practice in Gard
ner's bay during Friday and take de-
parture on Monday and while in port
the middies and tackies are given shore
leave, thus adding to the picturesqe-
ness of both narbor and city, to say
nothing of the commercial value of
their presence, a.
Every Friday night the people are
treated to a grand searchlight display
by the warships. which is enjoyed and
appreciated, not only by New Tendon
but by many from Norwich and other
places where warships, military and
naval searchlights are often read OF,
but never seen
Suppose it were possible for the
historic flagship Hartford of Farragut
fame. Dewey's flagship Olympia, the
cruiser Chicago, and monitor Tono-
pab, that now compose the naval
academy feet, to visit Norwich har-
Dor and give a display of their fash
lights! What! Why, more people
would turn out to see the ships and
the searchlight drill than assembled
to see the magnificent pyrotechnic
display from the peak of Rogers Hill
on the occasion of the advance cele-
bration of the two hundred and fiftieth
anniversary of the founding of the
town.