| Mystic, Connecticut is one of America's best kept secrets.
The history books say nothing about it. Most people have never heard of
it. Yet Mystic was one of the most important places in 1700-1900 America.
The town was blessed with one of the greatest locations on the Atlantic
Coast. The Mystic River flowed down out of a great forest where trees grew
tall, straight and strong. The harbor faced South, and was protected by
long, East-West running Fischers Island and several other islands and points,
so it was not threatened by the frequent violent storms and tides from the
North and East. It was a smooth, quiet haven where giant logs could be floated
down river to shipyards and drydocks and used as masts and boards. More
than half of all sailing ships in America from 1700-1900, whether for cargo,
passengers, whaling, fishing, or naval use, were built and serviced in Mystic.Then,
the era of wooden sailing ships over, Mystic fell into decline and for 100
years was forgotten. Fortunately, it has been rediscovered, restored, and
is now open to the public as one of our great historical treasures. And
the U.S. Submarine Force is headquartered at Groton, just around the bend. |
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