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Lake Saltonstall, East Haven - Branford, Connecticut.


Lake Saltonstall has always been more or less a pleasure resort. In early days it was a good fishing pond and not infrequently a fine shot of wild ducks could be made. In 1851 the New London Railroad was built across the south end of the lake. A convenient platform was made to accommodate the ice business. In 1856 and '57, when the skating craze swept over the country, the cars brought crowds of skaters to the lake, which had now been dignified by the name of "Saltonstall"; it was no longer the "mill pond." For several years the class races of Yale were rowed over a two-mile course on the lake, and attracted crowds to the contest. Many would ride out and then take a rowboat to the head of the lake. This induced Capt. G. H. Baldwin to place an electric launch on the water With a trailer, Lucy. Later he built and ran a steam launch, Cygnet. As patronage increased, Mr. Townsend made more and greater improvements, appointing Mr. Andrew J. Granniss superintendent of the adjacent ground and park. Another steam launch, the Swan, and the barge Saltonstall, capable of carrying 250 people or more, were added to accommodate picnic parties, which came from the different towns by railroad. Twenty or more fishing or rowing boats lined the shore.

Through the strenuous efforts of Hon. James M. Townsend, the New Haven Electric Railway was extended from the Four Corners to East Haven Green, and thence to Lake Saltonstall, in 1894. The following extract is from the Morning Journal and Courier, Saturday, June 30, 1894:

The initial trip over the Lake Saltonstall branch of the New Haven Electric Railway was taken yesterday, leaving New Haven Green at 1.30 p. M. The first car was filled with invited guests of the company, and members of the press. The run to East Haven was most delightful. The appearance of the car in the center was the signal for the ringing of the church bells and the applause of the citizens, who were out in full force to welcome the visitors.

"The company also had four cars at East Haven, and two hundred citizens enjoyed the hospitality of the company. They were brought to the city and then back to East Haven."

Through the summers of 1894 and '95, this seven hundred acre park, with all its romantic names of picturesque nooks and crags, was popular as a summer resort. Ever since 1848 Mr. George H. Townsend had been adding piece after piece and lot after lot to this domain, until he owned all the land bordering the lake on the west and north, also a good share on the east side. In June, 1895, Mr. Townsend sold this large tract, together with all his interest and privileges pertaining thereto, to the New Haven Water Company.

March, 1896, Mr. Eli Whitney, president of the New Haven Water Company, made this announcement: "We will not maintain any picnic grounds on the lake hereafter, on account of the danger of polluting the water in the lake. Boats will probably be allowed on the lake, but as to the matter of picnics that has been settled."

The business soon fell off and the boats were withdrawn one after the other, and the railway company removed their tracks. Although fishing is not prohibited, the restrictions are such that few now avail themselves of the privilege.