Bolton Connecticut
by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, February 2001) Quarryville was once a bustling boomtown echoing with the hoarse shouts of men splitting veins of granite and flagstone. Rum and religion clashed to influence tough, big-handed men who worked and played hard in the Hollow. The first mention of a route … Read more
(excerpted from “Bolton’s Heritage,” edited by Bruce G. Ronson) Open House at the new Bentley Memorial Library – November 9, 1975 1881Bolton Library Association created -housed in general store in Bolton Center (219 Bolton Center Road). 1883Frank Williams recorded as first librarian -paid $10 per year “provided he attends to his duties.” 1885-87Library moves to … Read more
A plan for a 625-mile long National Historic Trail by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, December 2000) December 16, 1999, marked the initial meeting of the intrastate W3 Committee at Washington’s headquarters in Newburgh, NY. As the rabble-rouser who started the project in 1995 I have become the “Committee of … Read more
(Published in the Bolton Community News, August 2000) Brick Tavern at 220 Bolton Center Rd. Daniel Darte House at 219 Bolton Center Rd. Asa White House at 2 Brandy St. Thomas Loomis House at 56 Brandy St. Jared Cone House at 25 Hebron Rd.
by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, August 2000) On the Bolton Community News web site history page we can read about some of Bolton’s secret pastimes like bundling and promiscuous singing. But our best-kept secrets are our kids and our school system. The first reference to Bolton schools was in … Read more
The Rose Farm (Conservation Commission Photo) by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, April 2000) We now know that Bolton was a thriving town at the time of the Revolution, strategically located midway between the largest and third-largest towns in Connecticut. There were three inns for travelers but that wasn’t all. … Read more
by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, February 2000) I recently came across an account of a major controversy that was raging when Bolton was being established. It illustrates not only how much times have changed, but also the power of words and of our imaginations. It was John Hammet who … Read more
by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, December 1999) We sometimes hear how the weather is the hottest it has been in the history of the world. That sounds like a long time, yet worldwide temperatures have only been recorded for the last 90 years. During the last million years, a … Read more
by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, October 1999) The Reverend Dr. George Colton was born in West Hartford, the son of a minister. Educated at Yale and ordained in 1763, he settled in Bolton as our town’s minister on the property now known as the Rose Farm. He was well … Read more
by Hans DePold, town historian (Published in the Bolton Community News, August 1999) There are times when a farmer can’t rightly spit lest he set off his entire herd of cows. What spooks the herd is often a mystery. But sometimes, someone comes forward years later to confess to the whole matter. In many ways … Read more