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PORTLAND/MIDDLETOWN TRAIL (10K-EC98/1347) Connecticut Valley Volkssport Club, AVA-784
1998 NOTE: START WITH THESE DIRECTIONS IF:
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DIRECTIONS |
COMMENTARY |
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10K: 1. From DUNKIN’ DONUTS turn right on Main Street toward the bridge and take the first right following the road as it curves to the left under the bridge. Turn left again and follow road back up to the sidewalk crossing the bridge. |
This portion of the walk crosses the Arrigoni Bridge which was completed in 1938 at a cost of $3.5 million. The bridge is 2/3 of a mile long and was build to replace the 1,300 foot 1895 two-lane plank drawbridge. The bridge has been undergone major structural repairs and repainting since 1989. Painting was |
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20K: 1. Continue to the bridge, crossing on the left hand sidewalk. |
Completed in the fall of 1997 at a cost of $6 million. The bridge is federal standard color blue number 25526. |
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2. After crossing bridge, proceed straight across two cross walks toward O’Rourke’s Diner on the left side of Main Street Middletown. |
As you cross over the Connecticut River on the bride you will see downtown Middletown off to your left. Note that with it’s approaches the bridge forms a large S curve. Enjoy! |
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3. Straight on Main Street to Washington Street (4 th left) |
Welcome to Middletown, the intersection of Main and. |
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4. Cross Washington Street and turn left to DeKoven Drive. (2 nd Right) |
Washington is considered by many to be the center of downtown |
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5. Right on DeKoven Drive to Court Street (1 st right) |
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6. Right on Court Street to Main Street (2 nd right) |
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7. Right on Main Street to Washington Street (1 st left) |
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8. Left on Washington Street to Broad Street (1 st left) |
There is a new childrens museum on the left half way up this block, the building was moved here from the corner of Broad and Washington in the Spring of 1997. |
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9. Left on Broad Street to Court Street (1 st left) |
St. Sebastian’s church will be to your right. |
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10. Left on Court Street to Main Street (1 st right) |
The houses at 49, 61 & 73 Main Street were moved to their |
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11. Right on Main Street to South Green (after 3 rd right) |
present locations in 1977 by John Reynolds, a local |
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CHECK POINT #1: On the Middletown Sign what two towns is Middletown between? Record on your start card |
preservationist. They were relocated from downtown areas slated for demolition under urban renewal. |
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12. Right on sidewalk through center of green to Broad Street |
45 Broad Street, Atticus Book Store - Cafe, a pleasant oasis along the trail. |
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13. Right on Broad Street to Court Street (3 rd left) |
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14. Left on Court Street to High Street (2 nd left) |
You will be passing the Old Middletown High School which has been converted to alternative housing. |
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15. Left on High Street to College Street (1 st left) |
You are now entering the Wesleyan University Campus area |
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16. Fork Right on the sidewalk across the campus in front of the Wesleyan Chapel. |
Wesleyan University, College Row, High Street - Orange Judd Hall of Natural Science , Architects: Bryant & |
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17. Follow diagonal sidewalk to the top of the hill, making a hairpin turn to the right at the top, onto the sidewalk which will cross directly in font of the Chapel. |
Rogers, 1869-1872, Second Empire - ’92 Theater/Rich Hall , 1866-1868, Gothic Revival. - Memorial Chapel , Architect: possibly G. B. Keeling, remodeled |
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18. Proceed straight on this sidewalk to Wyllys Street. |
1916 by Henry Bacon, 1868-1871 Gothic Revival |
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19. Left on Wyllys Street to Mt. Vernon Street (last right) |
- South College , Architects: Edward Hine & Merrill Ward, belfry |
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20 Right on Mt. Vernon Street to Washington Terrace (last right) |
added by Henry Bacon 1916, 824-1825, Federal. - North College , 1824-1825, destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1906-1907, Federal |
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21. Right on Washington Terrace to High Street. (last left) |
Note War Memorials in the park to your left. |
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22. Left on High Street to Washington Street (very short block) |
In front of you is 350 High Street, the Greek Revival Samuel Russell House c. 1840 |
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23. Cross Washington Street and proceed on High Street to Lincoln Street. (1 st right) |
Enjoy the quite residential neighborhoods along Pearl, Spring, High Streets and Lincoln Streets, where you will see |
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24. Right on Lincoln Street to Pearl Street (1 st right) |
many homes reflecting numerous architectural styles |
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25. Left on Pearl Street to Grand Street (2 nd left) |
with many personalized variations. |
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26. Left on Grand Street to High Street (1 st right) |
As you cross the bridge back to Portland you may catch a |
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27. Right on High Street to Spring Street (2 nd right) |
glimpse of the brownstone quarries just beyond the oil tanks. |
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28. Right on Spring Street to Main Street (3 rd left) |
We hope you enjoyed your visit to Middletown! If you have any |
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29. Bear left after Rome Avenue, and follow the sidewalk back over the bridge to the Start/Finish at Dunkin’ Donuts. |
comments, please pass them on to us c/o Bob McDougall, P. O. Box 251, Glastonbury, CT 06033-0251 (860) 342-3062 |