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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Whale of a City

That would be New London, Connecticut, a seaport city and a port of entry on the Northeast coast of the U.S. It’s located at the mouth of the Thames River (rhymes with “James”) in southeastern Connecticut and in terms of land area is one of the smallest cities in the state of CT. 

CT NL sunrise

For several decades beginning in the early 19th century, New London was the world’s 3rd busiest whaling port after New Bedford and Nantucket in Massachusetts. Whaling brought wealth to the city that provided the funds to construct much of the city’s present architecture.

CT NL buildings1

CT NL buildings2

New London subsequently became home to other shipping and manufacturing industries, but has gradually lost its commercial and industrial appeal and is now more well-known as home to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and several collages. New London Harbor is home port to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Cutter Chinook and tall ship Eagle.

CT NL images

New London has several outdoor murals, included in a six-block walking tour, as part of the “Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk.” Some of the murals include underwater spacemen, exotic shells, geometric shapes, community portraits, and musicians, shown below.

New London mural2

Theatre mural collage

While it’s not yet near the Thanksgiving holiday, city lampposts were already decorated for the upcoming holiday season as of early November when we visited.

CT NL wreaths

10 comments:

Montanagirl said...

Thank you for sharing photos and information about New London. That first photo is amazing!

William Kendall said...

Some beautiful architecture there. It makes me want to visit the city.

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos . Thanks for sharing . I did not know any of this . Have a good day !

Emma Springfield said...

The architecture and detailing are marvelous. I so enjoyed a view of those gorgeous buildings.

MadSnapper said...

love the buildings in the second collage and the murals are wonderful..

Out on the prairie said...

A lovely town. I remember eating a pair of chix lbsters here for 10 bucks in the mid 70's

Connie said...

I love the light coming through the clouds in that first photo. Wow! Great collages too.

Anvilcloud said...

Ontario also has a London and a Thames. We lived there for about a year, and often shopped in London when we lived in Sarnia.

Unknown said...

More of the steeple photos that I so enjoy! Have not ever been to this town, is the old architecture still predominant or has the modern style taken over elsewhere around the town?

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What beautiful photos! I loved seeing the architecture, too. How different from here in Florida! Sweet hugs!