New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-20
Interesting Tours, Compiled
by Henry MacNair, Pub
Usher of The Favorite
Motor Ways of New Eng
land" and The Scenic
Motorway.
OLD COLONY TOUR.
Itinerary and Mileages.

the territory IS 50 'N4' "a SNN"'N 49,
historic interest that the traveller
should allow even more time than has
been planned in the six-day itinerary.
Two weeks. in fact, would be none too
long an allowance Of time for those
who wish 10 tour 20 learn something
about one OF the oldest and most in
teresting parts Of the United States.
II you start from Manhattan, fol-
low either the Shore Road or old Bos-
ton Post Road 70 New Rochelle. The
latter is much used now, and is is the
Oldest Of the present roads TO New
England. Originally an Indian trail, it
was opened by royal commission in
1872, and for a long time was called
The Kings Highway" 1t was over
the Kings Highway that Paul Revere
carried the news of the battle of Lex
ington. but, Of course, on that par
ticular ride he did not get as far as
New Rochelle.
Near Larchmont the traveller passes
over the shoulder Of Hesthcote Hill,
the scene Of pre- Revolutionary Indian
fights. James Fenimore Cooper mar
lied one Of the daughters of Heathcote
Hall, and lived for a time in the vi
cinity Of Larchmont.
At the entrance 10 Mamaroneck, on
the right, there still stands a Chin
ney OF the Disbrow house, erected in
1877. and in which Harvey Birch, the
hero Of Cooper's Spy" was supposed
10 have been secreted.
Beyond Mamaroneck, on the right,
with tall, white columns, is the Jay
mansion, where John Jay, statesman
and jurist, spent his boyhoOd.
Near the centre Of Rye is Christ's
Episcopal Church, dating back TO 1895,
and containing a silver chalice pre-
scented by Queen Anne.
Port Chester is the next settlement
and the last on the route in New York.
You cross the Byram River and en-
ter Greenwich, founded in 1910, and
still containing a number of very
quaint old houses. The battle of
Greenwich was fought June 10, 1879.
General Israel Putnam's house and the
hill down which it is believed he rode
his white horse, when the British were
approaching the town, may be seen.
Boss" Tweed lived at Millbank, Green
witch. The Congregational Church is
built upon the highest point Of land
which occurs so close to the sea be-
tween Maine and Florida, with the
exception Of Navesink Highlands.
There is some conflict of opinion
about Putnam Cottage formerly Knapp
Tavern being the residence of Cen
eral Putnam at the time he rode down
the hill, but the hill is unquestionably
the same with slight improvements. The
grade has been decidedly modified and
stone steps have been cut along the
Ane Of the generals hurried descent.
At Manus the road crosses the Mi
anus River and enters Stamford, on
Mill River. This progressive place was
settled in 1641 by colony from New
Haven. The town stands on the site
Of an Indian village, called Rippowan.
Crossing the Noroton River, the tour
ist enters the village of Noroton.
Darien, the next town on the route,
was the scene Of Indian fighting, and
on July %, 1887, band of Tories
surrounded the Congregational Church
and captured a number Of patriots, who
afterward suffered for months in the
Provost Prison, New York.
Norwalk, on the Sorwalk River, was
founded in 1649 and was plundered by
the British forces in 1879. There is q
drinking fountain erected TO the mem
DRY Of Nathan Hale.
Leaving Norwalk, the tourist crosses
the Saugatuck River and enters West
port On the left, where a trolley
leaves the main road, is an ancient
stage coach tavern, where horses and
travellers rested.
In Compo Street, Westport, was
spilled the first blood Of the British
march 20 Danbury. Conn, April, i777.
From earliest time Westport was noted
for the industry of its women, but
lately they have, like so many women,
paid more attention to the wearing
than the weaving of cloth.
Just beyond Southport, opposite the
Pequot poultry farm, is a monument
marking the spot where the Pequot
war was ended in 1887. In this fight
the Indians Of the Mystic Hills were
practically annihilated.;
Fairfield, now only suburb of
Bridgeport, was burned by the British
July 8, 1893, wiping out all Of the
buildings Of that day. John Hancock
was married in Fairfield TO Dorothy
Quincy, while the famous signer of the
Declaration Of independence was fee
ing from the British.
Bridgeport, while filled with modern
industrial points Of interest, is not so
historic as either Fairfield or Westfeld.
II is one Of the busiest cities in south
western New England, and although
tourists use il as night stop COM
psratiyely few Of them remain long
enough TO take in any Of its CONNER
cisl attractions. Those, however, who
are interested in the methods Of pro-
dueing pianos, sewing machines, toys,
ammunition, cutlery, paper. typewriters