Hidden Gems Of Connecticut

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — The latest journey to a Hidden Gem takes us to one of the most unique historic markers in Connecticut — a memorial placed last week to the 400-plus Irish immigrants who labored to build the Windsor Locks Canal in the early 1800s.

It's a short side trip to or from Bradley International Airport. The monument is easily accessible from state Route 140 at what is the southern entrance to the Windsor Locks Canal State Park.

The idea to honor the canal workers was spearheaded by former Windsor Locks selectman Chris Kervick, who spent several years researching the workers.

The monument's inscription tells us that the Irish workers came to the area between 1827 and 1829 to build the canal near where the memorial stands. The workers lived in a hastily put together shanty town and worked in harsh conditions from dawn until dusk, according to the inscription.

The premise behind the canal was to provide a safe passage adjacent to the Connecticut River rapids.

It is believed that the remains of many of the laborers and their families are located in a forgotten burial ground under what is now railroad tracks about 100 yards north of the monument, across the water.

To erect the monument, town officials joined forces with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Hartford District No. 2, which collected more than $6,000 for the cause.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Connecticut. Columns in this series in 2022 include:

• Utsav Indian Cuisine
• The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route
• The Rein's Reuben
• Frontier Airlines at Bradley
• Munson's Chocolates
• Connecticut River Valley Wildlife Museum
• LobsterCraft
• Center Springs Park
• MLK Monuments
• The Connecticut Historical Society

Columns in this series from 2021 include:

• The First Decorated Christmas Tree
• Bolton Notch Trail Bridge
• Civil War Drum
• Civil War Powder Keg
• Mile 4, Manchester Road Race
• The West Hartford Armory
• The Capitol's Nooks and Crannies
• Wickham Park Aviary
• 55 West Main, New Britain
• Fox Hopyard Golf Course
• The Dodd Center For Human Rights at UConn
• Manchester Ropes Challenge Course
• 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm
• Fuego Picante Food Truck
• The Amistad
• 9/11 memorials
• Club Champion Golf Fitters
• New England Civil War Museum and Research Center
• Avery's Soda
• Salt 2.0 Restaurant
• The Grave of Jonathan, The Original Husky
• Golden Gavel Auction House
• Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut
• The Cogswell Temperance Fountain
• The Old State House
• BouNom Bakery
• Union Pond Park/Jay Howroyd Fitness Trail
• The Submarine Force Museum/USS Nautilus
• The UConn Dairy Bar
• Grove Hill Cemetery, Vernon
• Backwoods Smokin' BBQ
• The Ranch House
• Connecticut State Police Museum
• Berlin Historic District
• Connecticut Parachutists Skydiving Club
• Tail Winds Ice Cream Shop
• The MLK Mural
• The Hilltop Restaurant and Bar
• Fork & Fire
• Lena's Italian Kitchen
• The Benedict Arnold Trail
• Swank Pearce
• Vernon Depot Historic Park
• Farr's Sporting Goods
• Robs Drivin Diner