The Chatham Historical Society (CHS) is organizing a history walk on the improved Air Line Trail walk from the site of the former Cobalt Railroad Station and hike eastward to East Hampton. The hike will be on Sunday, Nov 3rd at 1 pm as part of its “Explore East Hampton” monthly series of walks. The walks are sponsored by the East Hampton Parks and Recreation Dept. Come for a walk back in time and learn about the proud and glorious history of East Hampton. The Air Line Railroad traveled through Cobalt on its way to Boston and New Haven. The Cobalt Station served the rural communities of Middle Haddam and Cobalt. The train brought needed products to the area and transported farm products and other local goods to cities.
There were also passenger trains that stopped at the station. The famous White or Ghost Train, established in 1911, made the 224-mile run between New York and Boston in six hours. In 1908 East Hampton voted to provide transportation by rail for Middle Haddam students attending school in East Hampton. The train also carried East Hampton high school students to Middletown where they attended high school until they built their own high school. Passenger service was discontinued in 1927 and the school train service in 1931. The tracks between Cobalt and Colchester were removed in 1966.
Carol Morris, a member of the CHS will lead the walk. She will discuss the history of the Air Line Railroad in Cobalt & East Hampton. The walk is on level terrain and walkers should wear good walking shoes. The walk should be about 1 ½ hours and heavy rain or snow will cancel the walk.
The Walking Tour offers a wonderful and unique opportunity for new and old residents to learn about the history of East Hampton and for life-long residents to share their recollections and stories with others. Adults and children are welcome to join in what promises to be an afternoon of making local history come alive.
Directions: Go to the intersection of Rts. 151 and 66 in Cobalt. Go up Depot Hill Rd. for approx. ¼ mile to the new parking area on the right side of the road.
For further information about upcoming walks or the CHS, contact Marty Podskoch, coordinator of the “Explore East Hampton” walks at 860-267-2442, podskoch@comcast.net, or visit http://www.easthamptonrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=27025 or https://chathamhistoricalct.org/