~".jj~`I.. - Norwalk Historical Society

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Norwalk Historical Society
2 East Wall Street
Norwalk. CT 06851
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The Norwalk Letterboxing Committee
would like to thank the following people and
organizations:
David Westmoreland, Norwalk Historical Society President
Norwalk Historical Society Board Members
Michael Mocciae, Director of Norwalk Parks and Recreation
Andrew Pite , General Manager, Riverside Cemetery
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
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2012 Norwalk Le tterboxing
Bonnie Laufer
Diane Jellerette
Saman tha Kulish
Diane O'Connor
Rosalie Rinaldi
Anna Ropicki
Ester Stefanidis
Anna Veccia
Committee
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April 22nd -November Ist, 2012
• What is Letterboxing?
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• Here's the basic idea: A waterproof box is hidden containing
a logbook, ink pad, and a carved rubber stamp. You follow a
• series of clues in an attempt to find the box. In addition to
• the clues, you should carry the following:
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• A pen or pencil
• A personal rubber stamp
• • A personal logbook (the book you are holding).
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• When you successfully decipher the clues and find the box,
you stamp the logbook in the box with your personal stamp,
• and stamp your personal logbook with the box's stamp. The
: -box's logbook keeps a record of all its visitors, and you keep
: a record of all the boxes you have found in your
• personal logbook.
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• Information compiled from www.letterboxing.org
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• Visit for more information.
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Norwalk Historical SOciety's
2012 Letterboxing Trail
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Once you find a letterbox what do you do?
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Dear Letterboxer:
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You are on a mission to explore Norwalk's illustrious past.
To aid you in this mission. we've hidden 12 letterboxes
among the roots and rocks of Norwalk's parks. Let history
be your guide as you follow the clues inside this booklet.
however before you begin your search. here are a few
reminders to aid you on your journey.
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• Only park in the designated spaces allotted at each
specific park or cemetery. The Norwalk Historical Society.
Norwalk Parks and Recreation ill Riverside Cemetery
Association are not responsible for tickets or towing costs.
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• Once in the park or cemetery. please respect the flora.
fauna. and structures around you. Please abide by park or
cemetery rules to make this experience enjoyable for all.
• Dress for the weather and take precautions against deer
ticks and mosquitoes.
• Once you have found all 12 letterboxes and have
stamped all 12 stamps in this booklet. contact the Norwalk
Historical Society at [email protected]
anytime before Thursday. November l st. The first 10
people or families to find all 12 will receive a special prize!
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• If you don't find the letterbox on the first try. don't give
up. Reread the clues to make sure you have followed them
correctly. If you do not come across the letterbox after your
second or third attempt. please contact:
[email protected]
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I.Carefully take the letterbox container out of it's hiding
place without other hikers seeing you.
2.Mentally note where the letterbox was hidden so that
you can re-hide it in the exact same spot.
3.0pen the letterbox container and unwrap the stamp and
the ink pad.
4.Press the stamp on the ink pad. and then press the
imprint in this booklet in the corresponding box provided.
5.Wrap the stamp up in the felt piece and place it back
into the container.
6.Take out the letterbox's log book.
7.Take your personal stamp and press it on the ink pad.
and then stamp onto a blank page in the log book.
8.Write your code name or family name. date and where
you are from (optional) under your stamp. Take a few
moments to flip through the log book to view other people's
stamps.
9.Put the log book back in the plastic bag and carefully
place it in the letterbox container.
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IO.Put the ink pad inside the letterbox container.
LlFirrnly secure the lid on the container and re-hide in
the exact same spot you found it.
Congratulations. you are on your wayl Remember to have
fun. stay safe and enjoy learning about Norwalk's rich
history.
Happy Letterboxing!
Norwalk Historical SOCiety's 2012
• Letterboxing Committee
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Mill Hill Historic Park
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Address: Mill Hill Historic Park, 2 East Wall Street,
Norwalk, CT 06851
Several buildings designated as "Meeting Houses" were built
on Mill Hill. The first townhouse, where they would have
met to discuss what to do about the impending Tryon
invasion, was burned by the British. The 2nd one was
knocked down to build the current one.
Today's Mill Hill Complex is one of the most historic
areas in Norwalk. Located in the Complex are three recently
plaqued buildings. The Town House (so named when the
term Meeting House was no longer appropriate) was built of
brick, which was rarely used as a construction material in
Norwalk at the time. It was the seat of Government until
1913 when Norwalk and South Norwalk merged. The Little
Red School House (officially known as the Downtown
District School House) was built in 1826 and served as a
one-room schoolhouse until 1871. The Governor Thomas J.
Fitch Law Office c. 1740 recognizes a distinguished
Colonial Governor born in Norwalk.
Both buildings were relocated to Mill Hill in 1971.
Located between the Norwalk Green and the Complex is the
Town House Hill Cemetery, the third oldest in Norwalk.
Other Activities: Holiday events (A Haunting at Mill Hill,
Fourth of July), Little Red Schoolhouse program (3rd grade
students), and an annual fundraiser/silent
auction.
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Imprint NHS Stamp Here
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Mill Hill Historic Park Clues
Parking: Mill Hill is located on East Wall St. There is a
small parking lot to the right of the Historic building.
• In front of the old Norwalk Townhouse built in 1835,
find the millstone marked 1709, commemorating the first
townhouse built on this site.
• Facing the millstone, turn right and walk approx. 13
steps.
• You will reach a large tree. At the tree, turn left and
walk approx. 30 steps.
• Go to 1826 and look for 1740. Standing between
them, find a seating arrangement for naughty phantom
children. Walk around the right of the seating arrangement
and behind 1826 You will be faced with the Memory of
Esther; U1fe of Jesse Benedict.
• Walk to Esther and find her death date. Add the month
and day she died and walk along the gravel to step down
onto the grass. With your back to her and 1826, walk
approx. that many steps to your right.
+Stop and look for Samuel St. John popping his head
out from behind a tree. Walk to Samuel and find the year of
death, which happens to be the same year Norwalk was
burned by the British.
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• Add the four digits that make up the year, step
around Samuel and his tree and with your back to him and
1826, walk approx. that many steps to the left, passing
several large trees to your left.
• Stop and look to your left, towards a tree, for Nathan,
who died on June l O'" at the age of 32. Walk to Nathan
and facing him walk approx. 20 steps to your right.
• Peek between the split tree and see another tree with
a gravestone popping out from behind it. Walk to that tree.
• From here, you will see the Betts family beckoning you
to come closer. Slip between Lucretia and Sally and continue
onward until you come upon the urn and willow of John
Hanford. Walk to him and stand at his foot stone.
• In the distance you will see more of the Betts family.
Walk to Polly and Isaac, look to the right and you will find
that it is the four living sisters of the graveyard who hold
your treasure.
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Norwalk Green
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Norwalk Green Letterbox Clues
Address: Between East Avenue. Park Place and
St. Paul's Place
Parking: Park along the street on Park St. or St. Paul's
Place.
The Norwalk Green Historic District includes the Norwalk
Green. a common area until 1851. The district "is a
significant collection" of 18th and 19th century architecture.
The Battle of Norwalk may be the biggest battle fought in
Connecticut during the Revolutionary War and Norwalk
suffered more destruction than any other town in the state.
One hundred thirty homes, forty shops. one hundred barns,
five ships. two churches. and some flour mills and salt works
were also lost.
Located within the neighborhood is the "Norwalk Green
Historic District" which has been on the National register of
Historic Places since 1987. The historic district is bound by
Smith Street. Park Street. the Boston Post Road (Cross
Street). East Avenue. and Morgan Avenue. It includes the
Mill Hill Historic Park (that contains the 1835 Norwalk
Town House) as well as the Norwalk Green bound by East
Avenue. Park Street, and St. Paul's Place.
Other Activities: Musical concerts.
Start at the yellow fire hydrant. with it and the white
church on your right.
• Walk to the 6th tree dedicated to Mrs. Charles S.
Simpson. With the plaque on your left. take approx. 20
steps towards the large tree at the tip of the Green.
• On your left, look for the plaque with an olive branch
relief. Read the plaque to find the month this gift from
france was presented to the citizens of Norwalk. Multiply
that number by 7.
• Remembering that number, walk to the right. find
the plaque with John H. Quintard on it. Keeping it to your
left. walk approx. that many steps towards the stone steeple.
Sneak between the pines and walk towards a large pine tree
in front of you.
• follow the red brick path half-way around the tree and
face the stone steeple.
• follow the red brick path and at the crossroads find
the tree that was dedicated on Halloween.
• Put your back to the Halloween Plaque and look to
the right for an upright plaque in the distance.
• Walk to the plaque and read it to find the month of the
commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Norwalk's
bicentennial.
• Starting with the
plaque. count that
many sides
around. facing this
side. the first step to
finding your
letterbox is to take
the short path
towards it and peek
beneath the green.
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Imprint Norwalk Green Stamp Here
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church Letterbox Clues
Address: 60 East Avenue, Norwalk. CT 06851
The present church building at 60 East Ave. is the fifth
structure erected on the site. The second edifice was
destroyed by fire on July 11, 1779 at the command of
British General William Tryon. Built of stone in the Gothic
style, the present church building is modeled after a 13thcentury English country church. A rectory on the site was
built in 1840. On the grounds you will be able to visit a
historic ancient cemetery, a unique meditation labyrinth and
in season, a garden.
This historic graveyard at St. Paul's is one of the oldest
in Norwalk. It predates the Revolutionary War and is the
resting place of several patriots of the American Revolution.
It is situated on the original grant of land given to the
professors of the Church of England in 1733-34. It was
used as a public sheepfold in the early days of the colony.
Anne Kemper, the wife of the first missionary Bishop of the
American Church, is buried here. Her husband, Jackson
Kemper was rector of St. Paul's from 1830 - 1835.
Other Activities: Artworks gallery, Mid-Day Music
Series, and cemetery tours.
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Parking: St. Paul's Episcopal Church's parking lot on St.
• Paul's PI. Park in either the first or second lot.
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• • Starting in the lower parking lot, exit through the
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• stone pillars. Facing the Norwalk Green, make a left onto
• the sidewalk. You will pass the 9-11 Memorial made of
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• WTC structural steel on the left.
• • Continue walking on"the sidewalk until you get to the
• iron gates. At the gates, there will be a white sign on your
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right. Read the sign to find out how many years Jackson
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• Kemper was rector of St. Paul's, and multiply that number
• by 6. Walk approx. that many steps through the gates.
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• • You will see another sign on your right. Add the
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• month the Burning of Norwalk took place to the number of
• churches erected on this site.
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• • Facing the sign, walk approx. that many steps forward
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• into the graveyard moving between the Hoyts.
• • Turn left, face the church, and walk approx. 20 steps.
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• With Wilcoxson and St. John on your right and a white sign
• on your left, walk ahead to the Hoyt Family Tomb.
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• With the tomb on your left and tree on your right,
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• you will find three Revolutionary War Streets in front of
• you. Pass through the Streets, turn left and walk approx.
• 13 steps.
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• • Ahead of you lie the Drakes, across from the Leonards.
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• Find out what number rector Mr. Drake was and facing
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• them, walk approx. that many steps to your right.
• • Ahead of you, take the path that crunches under your
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• feet and follow it until you reach a fork. Continue to the
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• righ t of the fork.
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• • Continue on the path around the side of the flower
• bed until it empties out into a circle. Walk to the center of
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• the circle and find the opening.
• • When you have completed your circular journey, you will
• be faced with a very relaxed cherub. Walk up to the relaxed
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• cherub and look to the left. Follow the line of cherubs to the
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• • An observant cherub sits in front of your treasure
• which nests between the juniper and ivy.
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Imprint St. Paul's Stamp Here
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300 Grumman Avenue. Norwalk. CT 06851
Cranbury Park offers 190 acres of public parkland.
including open fields and woodland groves. The park also
includes a pavilion. a playground. an outdoor restroom, an
18-hole Frisbee Golf Course. and a tea garden. There are
125 acres of woodland trails within the park's expanse.
Cranbury Park is also horne to the Gallaher Estate
Mansion, which was built in 1930 and was acquired by the
city of Norwalk in 1965. The Gallaher mansion, still on the
property. is a 20-room Tudor Revival-style English fieldstone
manor house built in 1930 or 1931. The mansion, which is
now used for community meetings and weddings, has oak
paneling, french doors and stained glass windows. The
property had been the estate of Edward B. Gallaher. owner
(since 1917) of the Clover Manufacturing Company on Main
Avenue. which made industrial abrasives such as sandpaper.
He began buying the land, which was previously farmland
owned by different families.
After Gallaher's death, the property was left to his alma
mater, Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New
Jersey. which continued to own it while Gallaher's wife lived
there. After she died, the institute sold it to the city in
1965.
Other Activities: Wooded trails. a dog park and a
regulation disc golf course.
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Cranbury Park
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Cranbury Park Clues
Parking: Follow signs to park entrance on Grumman Ave.
Pull down long driveway. Park in lot near Gallaher Estate.
• Start under the porte-cochere of the mansion with
your back to the front door. Look to your right to see a
cement path. Get on the path.
• Follow the cement path and make a left onto the
flagstone path, walking through the tea garden.
• Walk around the right side of the tea house and
follow the dirt path to the left through two wooden posts.
Follow this dirt path until you reach an open field.
• Walk between the old root cellar and dilapidated
barn.
• At the crest of the hill, take the right hand trail.
passing a trail etiquette sign on your left.
• Follow the trail and at the first fork bear right.
At the next fork, look for the two blue markers and
bear left.
• Follow the path through the first stone wall and
continue ahead until you get to the second stone wall.
• At the second stone wall, walk approx. 50 steps
on the trail.
• You should be between 2 tall trees that flank the trail
on either side.
• Look to your left. A lonely boulder and his only
friend, a tall tree, await your company. If you join them.
a happy letterboxer you will be!
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Imprint Cranberry Park Stamp Here
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Silvermine River
Address:
• Silvermine River Clues
Parking: Silvermine Elementary School on Perry Ave.
Pull into the school's driveway and the parking lot is on the
right.
157 Perry Avenue Norwalk, Connecticut 06850
The name "Silvermine" comes from old legends of a silver
mine in the area. although no silver has ever been found.
Stlvermtne has long been an art colony and remains the
home of the Silvermine Guild Arts Center. The Silvermine
Tavern and Inn occupying several historic buildings. also
remains in the neighborhood.
The area has been settled since at least the late
seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century, the
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Silvermine River was used for 12 or 13 mills in the
neighborhood because it fell steeply enough for the water
power to be profitably harnessed. The mills included a
leather tanning works. sawmill. and spool works.
Solon Borglum, a sculptor. moved to the New Canaan part
of Silvermine in 1906 and built a hillside studio. He was
one of the leading figures in an emerging community of
artists in the neighborhood that later became the Sllvermtne
GUild. one of the largest and oldest art centers in New
England.
In 1899. the present Perry Avenue Bridge was
constructed. The one-lane stone bridge carries the road over
Stlvermine River near the Silvermine Tavern grist mill. In
the flood of 1955. water flowed over the bridge. The bridge
was put on the National Register of Historic Places in
2006.
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Imprint Stlverrnme River Stamp Here
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• Walk through the
pines and up the parking
lot stairs.
• Turn right and
walk to the yellow fire
hydrant.
• At the fire hydrant.
make a left and walk past
the trash receptacles.
• Walk down the stairs
to your right and follow
the path down three more
sets of stairs. Continue
straight on the path.
• At the crossroads follow the path behind the cage
and stop when there are two small trees on your right and
the river on your left. (Do NOT cross the river or the trolls
might get mad!)
• Stand between the the two small trees and face the
parking lot.
• Turn to your left and walk along the field. Make sure
to stay on the grass and keep the river and trees to your
left.
• At the fields' end. turn left and walk toward the
river's edge. (Don't get too close!)
• facing the river. look to your right and spy a collection
of large rocks at the base of two trees.
• Your treasure is hiding between two large rocks.
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Riverside Cemetery
Address:
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Riverside Cemetery Clues
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• Starting at the flag pole on the center island near
the front entrance. look for the up-ended cube.
• facing frederick Sterling Lyon and both of his
wives. you will see in the distance a lady holding lilies.
Go to her.
• Behind her to the left. rests the Hoyt family. find
Captain James Hoyt. who was born in 1841.
• Stand at attention before him and about face. Walk
3 steps to the left and 17 steps to the right. marching
through the Van Buren clan. To your left. you will see the
Stratton. flint. Copeland family tree.
• With your back to the scroll. turn left onto the path
before you. Take the right path until you come to a fork in
the road.
• At the fork. you will see a monument topped with a
cross next to a flag pole. Walk to that monument.
• Standing before the poetic inscription on the
monument. you will see a pair of lambs. Pass between them
and turn right onto the path.
• follow the path until you reach the roofing tile flag.
that once graced the Norwalk Green. nestled among the
pines. Just beyond the eagle. you will see a cross in the
distance. Make your way to the cross and stand before Vega.
Walk 5 steps past Vega on the left.
• You will see a large obelisk (pointed pillar) in the
distance. Go to the obelisk and stand between Anna and
Theodore Bennett.
• Ahead. you will see a place where Old Glory once
waved for the boys in blue. Make your way to that spot and
stand before the large granite base that is marked: "In
honor of our dead comrades who fought to save the union".
• About face and you will find your treasure's hiding
place. but don't search for Weeks or get Nagy with one who
does.
• Simply take the middle ground and you will find that
it is only Stephen Balazs and Hevessi Janosne who guard
your treasure.
81 Riverside Ave. Norwalk, CT 06850
Riverside Cemetery is located between the Norwalk River
and Spring Hill Avenue. Spring Hill is aptly named because
to this day springs are still active on the hill and in the
cemetery. Studies indicate that Native Americans living in
this area had developed farms. which later became the
property of new settlers. The cemetery is classified as an
ancient burial place since it has been in existence as a burial
ground for over 100 years.
The Riverside Cemetery Association was founded in 1886.
almost 125 years ago. by a foresighted group of men.
headed by John H. Light. The original purchase consisted of
40 acres of farmland. Through the years additional tracts
were acquired until its present area of 57 acres was reached.
Mr. Light served continuously on the Board of Directors
until his death in 1947 at the age of 92. In the course of
development. plots have been set aside exclusively for
veterans of the United States Armed forces. One plot with
an imposing statue is dedicated to those who served in the
Civil War. Another commemorates those who served in the
Spanish-American War. A large area has been set aside for
veterans of World Wars I and II and more recent wars as
well.
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Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
Mathews Park, 295 West Avenue Norwalk, CT 06850
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The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion was built by bankerrailroad tycoon LeGrand Lockwood, who, in 1864 began
construction of his estate on the Norwalk River in Norwalk,
Connecticut.
Designed by architect Detlef Lienau, the estate and
grounds were completed in 1868 and cost nearly $2 million
to build.
Lockwood's financial reversals in 1869 and his untimely
death in 1872 resulted in the loss of the estate, then known
as "Elm Park." The mansion's mortgage, controlled by
Cornelius Vanderbilt, was sold to Charles D. Mathews and
his wife Rebecca in 1876 for the sum of $90,000.
Mathews, a prominent importer from Staten Island, New
York and his family resided in the mansion until 1938.
In 1941 the estate was sold to the City of Norwalk for
$170,000 and designated a public park. When the building
was threatened with demolition in the 1950's, local
preservationists succeeded in saving the mansion and
formed the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Inc.
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971, the
structure serves as a valuable resource of 19th-century
American history.
Other Activities: Antiques Appraisal, Victorian Tea,
Flea Market, educational programs and exhibitions.
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Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum Clues
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Parking: Lockwood Mathews Mansion is located in Mathews
Park. Turn into Mathew's Park and park in the parking lot
on the right.
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• Starting at the former carriage house, find the free
standing sign next to the lamp post that says Center for
Contemporary Printrnaking. Facing away from the building,
with the sign on your left, walk straight ahead through the
pines.
• Continue through the grove of sugar maples past the
eastern side of the mansion (hint: use the weather vane to
confirm you are on the eastern side).
• Ahead of you will be a path. Make a right on the path
and continue past the mansion's verandah. Make your way to
the United Nations Tree.
• Read the plaque and add the number of the month to
the day of the month the tree was dedicated. With your
back to the plaque, walk that many paces ahead of you on
the grass.
., Facing the front door of the mansion, draw your
eyes upward to find the monogrammed keystone of LeGrand
Lockwood on the outside of the porte-cochere.
• Walk in the direction the backwards "L" is facing. Take
the path to your left. As you are walking, you will pass two
19th century flower beds on your left.
• At the path's end, you will find the former kitchen
and gate house. Pass between them, walk to the One Way
sign and walk contrary to its direction. (Careful Crossing)
• • Follow this path to the left toward the stone pillars.
Find and face the plaque dedicated to Sgt. Fera. Walk along
the wall until you reach two more stone pillars.
• Walk the path to your right until you reach a fork.
Bear right and you will see the school children's plaque on
your left. Keeping the bicentennial garden to your left,
• walk along and take the 2nd right.
• Follow the path to the end. About face and find the
split tree. Take the left seat and you will see your treasure
hiding between the lamppost and the split tree.
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Fodor Farm
Address: 328 Flax Hill Road. Norwalk, CT 06854
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Fodor Farm is one of Norwalk's significant agricultural and
historic landmarks. Fodor has long provided a tangible
reminder of the important role of agriculture in the history
of Norwalk. While Norwalk is now a city with a dense
pattern of settlement. it. like all of the colonial towns of
Connecticut. has a long agricultural history. Although the
land in the area was inhabited by Europeans as early as
1638 and purchased from the Native Americans in 1640.
organized European settlement of Norwalk did not begin
until Nathaniel Eli and Richard Olmstead. purchased the
land in 1650. As the proprietors' agreement with Roger
Ludlow {who was selling them the land for their new town}
demonstrates. farming was part of life in Norwalk from the
beginning.
The 20th century connection between the property and
farming is less clearly documented; however. farming
continued on the property into the last quarter of the
century demonstrating active agricultural life well into its
twenty-first century. Today the farm offers Norwalk
residents the opportunity to participate in community
gardening programs.
Other Activities: Community gardening. free lecture
series and a farmer's market.
Fodor Farm Clues
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Parking: Fodor Farms is located on Flax Hill Rd.
Pull down the driveway and parking will be on the right.
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• Walk out onto the deck of the wooden picnic
pavilion and look out at the garden. Find the two yellow
beehives in the distance behind the garden.
• With your back to the beehives you will be facing
two tall pine trees. Follow the path between the two pines
until you reach a fork. Take the path to the right.
• Pass through a fence and look out at the young apple
orchard. How many trees to a row on the right side of the
orchard? Multiply that number by 5.
• Starting at the fence. with your back to the orchard.
walk that many paces ahead of you.
• Look to your right and spy an opening in a stone
wall. Walk through the opening and turn immediately left.
• In the distance will be a lone tree beckoning you to
come forth. When you reach the tree. turn to your right
and walk to the 10th wooden post.
• Ahead of you to the left will be an outcropping of
rocks. Walk to the rocks and stand on them. Looking out
over the garden and greenhouses. spot the fan directly ahead
of you on the greenhouse. Draw your eyes skyward to spot a
cluster of very tall pines.
• Find your way to
that cluster of pines and
stand beneath them.
• Face the apple
orchard and you will see
a stone wall ahead of you
to the left.
• Walk to the
beginning of the stone
wall and count 3 large
rocks along its left side.
• Among these
stones your treasure
hides.
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Flax Hill Park
Address: 233
1/2
Flax Hill Road, Norwalk, CT 06854
flax Hill Park is located in the section of Norwalk that is
now known as Golden Hill which is surrounded by flax Hill
Road, fairfield Avenue, Cedar Street and Taylor Avenue.
There are close to 100 homes in this area that could be
classified as historic.
The land was purchased from Indian tribes living in the
Norwalk area. The deed of sale was made and signed
between Captain Daniel Partrick and local Indian Chiefs
Mahachem and Piminate , and was dated "this 20th of April
1640".
During the American Revolutionary war, British troops
and Hessian mercenaries hired by the British marched
through the Golden Hill area, setting fires and battling
Colonial soldiers. A Revolutionary War cannonball is
embedded in a stone outcropping on Hillside Street near
the corner of Elmwood Avenue. Above the cannonball is the
faint but still readable inscription "This rock marks the site
of a battle between the Americans and the British July 12,
1779". Below the cannonball are the words "This
cannonball was found a hundred years after."
Today Golden Hill is once again becoming a very
important part of the greater Norwalk area. Many stately
homes are being renovated to help return Golden Hill to its
former illustrious past.
Other activities: Picnicking, sports and dog-friendly.
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Starting in the small parking lot, follow the
driveway around the pond to the large parking lot.
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Stand in the grassy area near the pond.
• With your back to the pond, face the open field and
• walk through the opening in the wooden fence.
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• With your back to 2nd base, walk straight ahead
to the cages across the field.
• Take the asphalt path around the right of the cages.
• Pass the double basketball hoops on your left.
• Spot the "Y" shaped tree on the left.
• Just beyond the "Y" shaped tree are two fallen
trees creating an upside down "V".
• Sit down on the left side of the first fallen tree and
rest your feet on the rock. (You will be facing a small "y"
shaped tree.)
• Behind your right shoe you will find your treasure
waiting for you.
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• Flax Hill Park Clues
Parking: In flax Hill Park located on flax Hill Rd.
Park in the first small parking lot on the left.
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Imprint flax Hill Park Stamp Here
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Taylor farm Park
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Address: 45 Calf Pasture Beach Rd .. Norwalk. CT. 06855
Taylor is a name. which has been recognized for many
generations in Norwalk. A Taylor ancestor was head
of one of the founding families of Norwalk. Taylor farm
near Calf Pasture beach and the beach park was once Taylor
family property.
General Nelson Taylor served in the Civil War. He was
born in South Norwalk on June 8. 1821 and lived a most
interesting life. He was a politician. a sheriff and also a
soldier in the Mexican War. He rose through the ranks
during the Civil War. He was a Colonel and commanded in
the Peninsula campaign and at the second battle of Bull
Run. In September 1862 he was appointed General of
Volunteers and commanded the 2nd Division Corp at
fredericksburg. He resigned from the military in January
1863. following the Civil War. he served as a congressman.
a lawyer and a city attorney. He died in Norwalk in 1894
of pneumonia.
Other Activities: Dog-friendly park and the location for
Greenwich Kennel Club's all-breed dog show.
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ImprintTay!or Farm Park Stamp Here
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Taylor farm Clues
Parking: Park in the small Taylor farm parking lot on
Canfield Ave.
• Starting from the parking area on Canfield Ave. with
your back to the L.I. Sound. face the open field.
• Walk towards the single tree with the picnic table next
to it that is straight across from the parking lot.
• Once you reach the tree. make sure it is on your right
and that your back is to the sound. Walk straight ahead
towards the forested area
and towards the cluster of
trail openings.
• Enter the first
trail ahead of you on the
right-Starting at the
opening of the trail, walk
• into the woods until a
large 6 split tree is on
your left.
• Continue on your path
until you reach your first
"T" intersection. Make a
right and follow the path
until you reach your first
obvious "Y" intersection.
Make a left and continue on the trail to the next
intersection. You will be faced with a large flat buried rock.
• Walk over the rock and follow the trail to the left
until you get to the next "Y" intersection.
• Take the left path. away from the field. and step over
an old skinny fallen tree.
• In front of you will be 3 paths. Take the center
path between 2 skinny trees. Continue walking until you
reach another "Y" intersection.
• Take the right path and walk. to a 3 split tree with
2 climbing pegs on it. Put your back to the split and look
ahead. slightly to the right. You will see a small brush island
with a skinny tree on it next to a large rock.
• Inside that tree your treasure can be seen.
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Calf Pasture Beach
Address:
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Calf Pasture/Shady Beach Clues
Calf Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk, CT 06855
The area now known as Calf Pasture was used by
Connecticut colony settlers in the 17th century as grazing
land for cows. This activity gave rise to the name of the
beach.
The beach was used for disembarkation and encampment
during the Tryon raid of the American Revolutionary War in
1779. After having conducted retribution raids at New
Haven and Fairfield, William Tryon led 2,600 British troops
by boat to Norwalk at approximately 5:00 p.m. on July 10,
1779. They landed near the Round Beach island at the Calf
Pasture peninsula where they spent the night. The next day
they set off on the burning of Norwalk that left only 6
houses standing after the raid.
In 191 7 the Norwalk City legislature authorized the city
to acquire and create a park at Calf Pasture Beach.
Property condemnation to acquire the land was started in
1919. In 1922 the descendants of the Betts, Marvin, and
Taylor families who owned much of the adjoining property
donated their lands to the city. The park opened formally in
1924 while work on buildings and nearby roads was still
underway.
Other Activities: Annual 4th of July fireworks display,
boat rentals, sailing, swimming, fishing, picnic areas, skate
park, volleyball, baseball, concerts, antique car show and the
largest in water annual boat show.
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Starting
from the large parking lot, walk to the front
• of the concession building. Face the sound, look to your
right and you will see a large "0". Walk to the "0". Facing
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• road towards the right and park in the large lot on your left.
• Free parking before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.
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Imprint Calf Pasture Beach Stamp Here
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the sound with your back to the "0", turn left to follow the
path.
• At the flag pole dedicated to 3 lifeguards who died
during WWIl turn left to continue on the cement and
bricked path.
• Walk the path until you find a bench dedicated to
Carolyn Ruskey Scarangella.
• 2 benches past this one, you will find a path on your
left that leads to a commemorative flag pole. Take that path
and continue on it towards the right. Continue following the
path until it ends. (EnjOYthe long scenic walk)
• Ahead you will see an asphalt path with 4 wooden
posts and one metal post blocking it. Sneak between the
posts and walk to the Norwalk Islands Information Plaq ue
on the right. Read the plaque and find out: How many
Norwalk Islands there are, how many acres Sprite Island is
and how many acres Cockenoe Island is. Add all three
numbers together, about face and walk the approximate sum
of those numbers.
• After walking, you will see another path. Turn right
onto this path and follow until you reach the second loop
with a single tree on it. Walk on the sand, turn left and
walk toward the little wooden door in the stone wall.
• Notice 2 drain
pipes coming out of
the stone wall.
Starting at the first
drain walk
approximately 10 steps
along the wall. Your
booty hides where the
mortar stops and
boulders begin!
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Pinkney Park Rowayton
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: Pinkney Park Clues
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177 Rowayton Avenue. Rowayton CT 06853
Pinkney Historic Park is located adjacent to the impressive:
headquarters of the Rowayton Historic Society (SeeleyDibble-Pinkney house). The community purchased the
house from the widowed Dorothy Cowles Pinkney in 1971..
and the society subsequently redecorated and furnished
it in keeping with a prosperous farm home of the period
1850-1890.
Visitors can enjoy fine views of the Five Mile River and·
then a walk through the village of Rowayton which is lined.
with shops and eateries. This district of Norwalk often
has concerts and special events in the center of the park.
Other activities: Historic downtown Rowayton has
shops. restaurants and a beautiful view of the Long Island
Sound which includes Shakespeare on the Sound. sailing.
swimming. tennis. nineteenth century flower garden and the
Raymond Boat House (and its exhibit). which is available for:
viewing by appointment.
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Pinkney
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Park Stamp
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whedre the bench
resi es.
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Venture inside
the octagon
~nd ~ea~ the
• inscrrption. Your
. treasure lies
outside and
. underfoot. before
Happiness begins.
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From the parking lot. with your back to the middle
door of the antique tool barn. walk to the tree directly in
front of you.
Walk around the left side of the tree and find the
encircled nautical object.
Directly across from this nautical object. designed to
keep you in place. is an object designed to make you come
running!
Check the month and day this object was dedicated.
Sound familiar? Remember that date. put your back to the
plaque and walk to the old gnarled tree.
From there you should see another object important
to that day. Walk to that object and read the plaque to find
out how many years Paul J. Rooney was superintendent of
the Rowayton Post Office. Multiply that number by 5.
Remember that number while you exit the stairs of
the monument facing the water. Across the water you will
see several flag poles. Walk approx. that many steps toward
the right most flag pole.
On your right you will see 4 trees that appear to
create a square.
Walk to the center
of the square
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Parking: Parking lot is located off of Rowayton Ave.
(Rte. 136). Pull into the park and park near the barn.
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Data Sources
Norwalk Historical Society 2006. Norwalk Historical Society.
10 March 2012 <http://www.norwalkhistoricalsociety.org/>
Rowayton Historical Society 2012. Rowayton Historical Society.
12 March 2012 <http://www.rowaytonhistoricalsociety.org/>
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St Paul's Norwalk 2010. St. Paul's of Norwalk.
<http://www.stpaulsnorwalk.org/>
10 March 2012
Lockwood Mathews Mansion 8 March 2012
<http://lockwoodmathewsmansion
.com/index.lasso
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Notes
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Booth. Richard A. "Riverside Cemetery Narrative." NorwalkCT.
2006-2012
Norwalk. CT and its representatives.
10 March 2012
<http://www.norwalkct.org/index.aspx?NID=
773#riverside >
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Booth. Richard A. "Golden Hill Neighborhood Narrative." NorwalkCT.
2006-2012
Norwalk. CT and its representatives.
10 March 2012
<http://www.norwalkct.org/index.aspx?NID=
773#golden %20hill>
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"Nelson Taylor" Wiktpedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wtktmedia
Foundation. Inc. 5 March 2012. Web. 8 March 2012
Tod Bryant. Interview with Loretta Noonan Aboelnaga, July 17. 2006.
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Deborah Wing Ray and Gloria P Stewart. Norwalk: Being an Historical
Account of that Connecticut Town (Canaan. NH: Phoenix Publishing.
1979). p. 3-5
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"Historical and Architectural Significance of Fodor Farm". Norwalkct.
2006-2012
Norwalk. CT and its representatives.
<http://www.norwalkct.org/index.aspx?NID=279
>
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"Silvermine. Connecticut." Wikipedta, The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikimedia Foundation. Inc. 21 Feb. 2012. Web. 8 March 2012
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"Norwalk Green Historic District." Wikipedta, The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikimedia Foundation. Inc. 1 Feb. 2011. Web. 8 March 2012
"Norwalk. Connecticut." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wiktmedia
Foundation. Inc. 21 Feb. 2012. Web. 8 March 2012
"Cranbury (Norwalk)". Wiktpedta, The Free Encyclopedia. Wiktmedta
Foundation. Inc. 4 Oct. 2011. Web. 8 March 2012
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