There was an article in the October 13th Stratford, Ct. paper. This 4-lane highway was designed by noted architect George L. Dunkelberger and landscape architect Weld Thayer Chase who worked closely together designing the large parkway with trees and grass to separate the lanes. The outside lanes had places for folks to pull over and have picnics while enjoying the scenery.
It was named the Merritt Parkway for the Connecticut Congressman Schuyler Merritt who proposed it to relieve traffic on US Route 1. It is located in Fairfield County, CT. an is on the list of the National Resister of Historic Places.
The first 17.5 miles of it officially opened June 29, 1938. Bridges were of art deco/neo-classical and modern design with some of them being WPA projects. Tolls were charged at first, but, believe it or not, removed in 1988. I NEVER thought tolls were removed anywhere, anyhow. One old toll plaza is preserved at Stratford's Boothe memorial Park (just a coincidence in name).
Today, the Parkway runs 37 miles. Exit numbers were attached to the interchanges in 1947 and the official name is Ct-15.
There is a two-day Merritt Parkway Tour at
www.byways.org/explore/byways/2452/itinerary/4071
An Impressive Early Form of the Interstate. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
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