As I read this plaque, three interesting facts jumped out at me. Interesting Fact # 1 — North Canaan is home to a tavern that opened in 1751 and is still owned by descendants of the original owners. Interesting Fact # 2 –In the 1800’s there were twelve trains running from North Canaan to the Big Apple every day! That included two milk trains that moved milk from a Borden’s factory into NYC. Interesting Fact # 3 –North Canaan produced high quality magnesium– a crucial component to the country’s atomic energy research. Located on Route 44 across the street from McDonalds at the entrance to Lawrence Field, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. There is text on both sides. The front side is in pretty good shape except for the start of a peeling problem at the top right corner. The reverse side is in excellent shape. The full inscription reads below, it starts with a complimentary quote about the town: ”. .. a green and pleasant land where the mountain laurel blooms.” — WILBUR L. CROSS North Canaan was once part of the Town of Canaan, established in 1738. Settlers, whose families were of Dutch and English origin, had to be self-sufficient, looking to their own farms for necessities. There was early interest in smelting and forging iron at sites along the Blackberry(Bromfoxit) River, which powered the blast at Beckley Furnace, still standing. Needed resources were at hand — ore from nearby Salisbury, limestone, and charcoal — so that for nearly two hundred years it was practical to produce pig iron and items ranging from nails to ship anchors. At a short distance stands Lawrence Tavern, built in 1751 and still owned by descendants of the original family. Settlements in Canaan Valley and East Canaan were separated by Canaan Mountain from the more populous southern part of the township. After years of agitation the northern part was incorporated as a new township of North Canaan on May 28, 1858. The Housatonic Railroad(1841) and the Connecticut Western Railroad(1871) crossed at Canaan Union Depot and stimulated the growth of Canaan, principal village of the town. For years there were twelve passenger trains daily and freight activity including two milk trains from a Borden plant to New York City. Limestone and marble for the State Capitol, completed in 1879, came from Allyndale quarries. Another local quarry was for twenty years the source of high purity magnesium, essential to the Nation’s work in atomic energy. Pfizer, Inc. still processes lime here for use in agriculture, industry, and construction. The town’s largest employer is Becton Dickinson & Company, a manufacturer of medical instruments. Bicron Electronics Company produces electrical coils. Erected 1978 by Town of North Canaan, Falls Village — Canaan Historical Society and Connecticut Historical Commission
