Amazing Tales from Off and On Connecticut‘s Beaten Path

Tweed - CT's Little Airport That Could

Of the two commercial airports in Connecticut, the smaller of the two gets relatively little mention. Tweed-New Haven Airport, which straddles the New Haven-East Haven border, has been in business for nearly a century, when it was just a dirt landing strip. The history of the airport, and its namesake Jack Tweed, are told by the Director of Photo Archives for the New Haven Museum, Jason Bischoff-Wurstle.

Yankee Peddlers - Connecticut Introduces Door-to-Door Salesmen, in the 1700s

The infamous Yankee Peddlers are credited with originating in Berlin, CT – the same town where the tin industry started in the young United States. In fact, the same two individuals were responsible for starting both. In this episode, we’ll explore how the business model of door-to-door salesmen got its start, along with American consumerism itself, from the Librarian Emeritus of Berlin, Cathy Nelson.

How a CT Man Defined and Chiseled Mount Rushmore

The concept behind the Mount Rushmore National Memorial was conceived by a sculptor living in Connecticut, Gutzon Borglum. He and his son Lincoln selected the location for the monument, and Gutzon changed the original tourist attraction concept into a national monument featuring four presidents who he selected. The incredible story of how the memorial was actually created and the hurdles that had to be overcome is told by Sarah Beth Cox, who goes by Ranger Sarah Beth while on duty.

Part 2: When a Secret CT Military Sea Mission Went Very Wrong

In the conclusion of the story of the sinking of the military research vessel the Sea Surveyor, we learn what happened to the 12-man crew on their secret mission. In part one, we learned their ship was sinking and they had abandoned it for a rubber lifeboat. It was being tossed in 25-foot waves and gale-force storm winds. We wrap-up the tale with an interview with survivor Walter “Wally” Banzhaf.

PART 1: When A Secret CT Military Sea Mission Went Very Wrong

Twelve men were aboard the ill-fated Sea Surveyor when it sank in rough seas in the Atlantic Ocean 50 years ago. Walter “Wally” Banzhaf was the youngest of the 12 on this secret military mission and was one of the survivors. He will share his story over a two-part series that begins with this episode. It is a mesmerizing tale that you won’t soon forget.

Riding Motorcycles with Top-Secret Documents Under Gunfire

A Connecticut man had a distinguished career in World War I as a member of the prestigious, 10-member motorcycle courier squad carrying top-secret documents on behalf of General John Pershing, head of U.S. forces in Europe. As the only non-professional motorcyclist on the squad, Carlton Stevens achieved notoriety when coming under gunfire while riding at top speeds in 1918 of 45 miles per hour. He was given an amazing task that set him apart in a dare-devil ride that held the fate of World War I in his satchel. The story is told by his grandson, Eric Stevens.

The #1 Word Puzzle Creator in the U.S.

The man who is the #1 syndicated creator of word puzzles in the U.S. is a CT native. David L. Hoyt is the author behind Jumble, as well as two for USA Today: “Word Round-up” and “Up and Down Words.” His story of getting involved in the puzzle world is fascinating – including the fact that his life’s dream was much different when he was in CT.

Secrets of the Oldest Town Green

It’s the oldest town green in North America – one laid out in grid format and continuously maintained since colonial days. The New Haven Green has acquired many secrets in its nearly 400-year existence, including hidden cemeteries, historic churches, famous political visits, and its very purpose for existence. Learn the enchanting history behind one of CT’s classic locations from Jason Bischoff-Wurstle, Director of Photo Archives at the New Haven Museum.

The Inside Story Behind New England's Stonewalls

You might look at stonewalls as so many people do – beautiful rows of rocks piled in lines along fields or through the woods. Yet, the history of stonewalls, and their New England charm, hide a more scientific purpose – namely, classifying them in ways similar to wetlands to allow consideration during future land use decisions. The topic of the 240,000 miles of stonewalls in New England is engagingly laid out in this interview with University of Connecticut Earth Sciences professor Robert Thorson, the foremost expert on stonewalls in New England.

This CT Harbor Attack is in the Same Record Book as Pearl Harbor

It’s one of the largest, single-day losses of boats by the United States in a military campaign – and it held that record for 200 years, until Pearl Harbor. The British raid on Essex during the War of 1812 saw more than two dozen ships destroyed. Also ruined were the local economy and the fortunes of those who made their living both in ship building and high seas merchant trading. It was a daring raid, told in great fashion by the foremost expert on the raid, Jerry Roberts, who’s researched and written on this major event.