That time Connecticut’s borders extended to the Pacific Ocean, explained

On By Fred McNultyIn Videos

Did you know that Connecticut’s borders once extended to the Pacific Ocean? 

It may be hard to believe, but a document from the mid-1600s granted Connecticut control over a huge swath of land from present-day Rhode Island all the way to the Pacific Coast. It goes without saying that this is no longer the case, but Mieum Media explores this interesting tidbit of oft-ignored New England history.

Citations:

#1: Mieum Media. “There’s a “panhandle” in CT’s Southwestern Border. Why Does It Exist?” YouTube, 2 Jan. 2019, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVmx_kZ2ASY. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#2: Mieum Media. “What’s with That “notch” in CT’s Northern Border?” YouTube, 19 Dec. 2018, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrRCm7ju2CQ. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#3: Stein, Mark. How the States Got Their Shapes. HarperCollins, 2009, p. 45-46.

#4: “The Southwick Jog.” Connecticut Museum Quest, CTMQ, 14 Apr. 2016, http://www.ctmq.org/the-southwick-jog/. Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.

#5: “The Granby Notch.” State Senator John A. Kissel, 25 Jan. 2010, ctsenaterepublicans.com/2010/01/the-granby-notch/. Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.

#6: Soniak, Matt. “The True Story of the Southwick Jog.” Mental Floss, 26 Dec. 2012, mentalfloss.com/article/32031/true-story-southwick-jog. Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.

#7: “Why is there a “jog” in Connecticut’s border with Massachusetts?” Connecticut State Library, libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/maps/jog. Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.

#8: Baron, Robert. “Surveying Connecticut’s Borders.” ConnecticutHistory.org, 2012, connecticuthistory.org/surveying-connecticuts-borders/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2019.

#9: “Why does Connecticut have a “panhandle” that extends westward toward New York?” LibGuides, libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/maps/panhandle. Accessed 2 Jan. 2019.

#10: Frisbie, Richard. “Connecticut History.” HopeFarm Press, 1996, http://www.hopefarm.com/connecti.htm.

#11: Levine, David. “The Oblong in Pawling: A History of a Quaker Hill Community in the Hudson Valley.” Hudson Valley Magazine, 24 Dec. 2012, http://www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/January-2013/The-Oblong-in-Pawling-A-History-of-a-Quaker-Hill-Community-in-the-Hudson-Valley/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2019.

#12: Wood, Steve. “CT-NY-MA Tri-Point.” CTMQ, 30 May 2016, http://www.ctmq.org/ct-ny-ma-tri-point/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2019.

#13: “An Examination of the Claim of New York, May 1774.” Founders Online, founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-02-02-0007-0007. Accessed 8 Apr. 2019.

#14: “The Charter of 1662.” Connecticut History, connecticuthistory.org/the-charter-of-1662/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2019.

#15: “Why does Connecticut have a “panhandle” that extends westward toward New York?” Connecticut State Library, 8 Feb. 2019, libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/maps/panhandle. Accessed 8 Apr. 2019.

#16: Woodward, Walter W. “From the State Historian: The Map That Wasn’t a Map.” Connecticut History, 25 Jan. 2013, connecticuthistory.org/from-the-state-historian-the-map-that-wasnt-a-map/.

#17: Reader’s Digest Editors. “Here Are 50 of the Dumbest Laws in Every State.” Reader’s Digest, 18 Feb. 2019, http://www.rd.com/funny-stuff/dumbest-laws-america/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2019.

#18: “Connecticut.” Dumb Laws, http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/connecticut. Accessed 8 Apr. 2019.

#19: Austen, Barbara. “New Connecticut on Lake Erie: Connecticut’s Western Reserve.” Connecticut History, 7 July 2016, connecticuthistory.org/new-connecticut-on-lake-erie-connecticuts-western-reserve/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2019.

#20: “File:Highway 1 Big Sur California.” Wikimedia Commons, 29 July 2012, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Highway_1_Big_Sur_California.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#21: “John Winthrop Jr. (1606-1676).” Connecticut History, connecticuthistory.org/people/john-winthrop-jr/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2019.

#22: “File:Flag of Connecticut.svg.” Wikimedia Commons, 24 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Connecticut.svg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#23: “File:Pepinillos Encurtidos-2009.” Wikimedia Commons, 9 June 2009, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pepinillos_encurtidos-2009.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#24: “File:Hartford Connecticut Skyline.” Wikimedia Commons, 2 July 2007, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hartford_Connecticut_Skyline.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#25: “File:Devon Transfer Station, January 2016.” Wikimedia Commons, 14 Jan. 2016, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Devon_Transfer_station,_January_2016.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#26: Cox, Jeremiah. “Devon Transfer (Metro-North New Haven Line & Waterbury Branch).” SubwayNut, 2 Aug. 2015, subwaynut.com/mnr/devon_transfer/index.php. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#27: “Charter of 1662.” Connecticut General Assembly, 14 Mar. 1662, http://www.cga.ct.gov/hco/books/Charter_of_the_Colony_of_CT_1662.pdf. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#28: Maps.app, Apple, Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.  I used some screenshots from Apple’s Map application.

#29: “File:Southern-California.” Wikimedia Commons, 29 July 2006, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southern-California.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#30: “8 Mile (2002) – Parking Lot Rap Battle Scene – Eminem Movie.” YouTube, 7 Feb. 2013, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDkuYSX0ALk. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#31: “Kevin Spills the Chili.” YouTube, 10 Aug. 2018, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGggazv7pgY. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#32: McNulty, Frederick. “프랭크 페피 피제리아 나폴레타나 (미국, 코네티컷주, 뉴헤이븐).” Masjib Mania, 17 Nov. 2017, masjibmania.com/2017/06/12/pepes-pizza-kor/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#33: Tzuyang쯔양. “치즈폭탄! 시카고피자 3판 감자튀김 먹방.” YouTube, 14 Feb. 2019, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyCRO_jer7k. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#34: “File:Saybrook Breakwater Light.” Wikimedia Commons, 13 June 2008, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saybrook_breakwater_light.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#35: “File:Memphis Bridge.” Wikimedia Commons, Jan. 2009, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Memphis_Bridge.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#36: “File:David M. Roderick Wildlife Reserve (Revisited) (1) (9062419107).” Wikimedia Commons, 18 Aug. 2017, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_M._Roderick_Wildlife_Reserve_(Revisited)_(1)_(9062419107).jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#37: “File:Gold Coast and Michigan Lake (8091814447) (2).” Wikimedia Commons, 7 Oct. 2012, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_coast_and_Michigan_lake_(8091814447)_(2).jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#38: “File:02162008 Interstate80NWUtah.” Wikimedia Commons, 16 Feb. 2008, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:02162008_Interstate80NWUtah.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#39: “File:Winthrop Gristmill.” Wikimedia Commons, 1910, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winthrop_Gristmill.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#40: “File:JohnWinthropJr.” Wikimedia Commons, Sept. 2006, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JohnWinthropJr.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#41: “File:Charles II (de Champaigne).” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 1653, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_II_(de_Champaigne).jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#42: “File:Connecticut License Plate, 2004 – 784-PAJ.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 13 Apr. 2009, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Connecticut_license_plate,_2004_-_784-PAJ.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#43: “File:Connecticut 1987 Base License Plate.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 8 Apr. 2008, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Connecticut_1987_Base_License_Plate.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#44: “File:Connecticut License Plate, 1976–1980 Series with January 1978 Sticker.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Connecticut_license_plate,_1976–1980_series_with_January_1978_sticker.png. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#45: “File:Bulletin De La Société Belge De Géologie, De Paléontologie Et D’hydrologie (1896) (20244520668).” Wikimedia Commons, 1896, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bulletin_de_la_Société_belge_de_géologie,_de_paléontologie_et_d%27hydrologie_(1896)_(20244520668).jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#46: “File:James II by Peter Lely.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 1650, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:James_II_by_Peter_Lely.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#47: “File:English Red Ensign 1620.” Wikimedia Commons, 1620, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Red_Ensign_1620.svg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#48: “File:Ctwestclaims.” Wikimedia Commons, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ctwestclaims.png. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#49: “File:New London.” Wikimedia Commons, 5 Nov. 2015, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_London.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#50: ”File:Andros in Connecticut.” Wikimedia Commons, 1884, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andros_in_Connecticut.png. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#51: “File:Charles De Wolf Brownell – The Charter Oak, 1857.” Wikimedia Commons, 1857, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_De_Wolf_Brownell_-_The_Charter_Oak,_1857.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#52: “File:Johnston’s View of Yale College.” Wikimedia Commons, 1742, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johnston%27s_View_of_Yale_College.jpeg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#53: “File:Western Reserve Including the Fire Lands 1826.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, Sept. 1826, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Western_Reserve_Including_the_Fire_Lands_1826.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#54: “File:United States 1789-08-1790-04.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 14 Aug. 2007, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_1789-08-1790-04.png. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#55: “File:French Grant in Ohio.” Wikimedia Commons, 26 Jan. 2010, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:French_Grant_in_Ohio.png. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#56: “File:Ralph Hardesty Stone House 001.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 28 Sept. 2009, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ralph_Hardesty_Stone_House_001.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#57: “File:Coast Guard Searching for Missing Teenager 130713-G-AW789-004.” Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 13 July 2013, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coast_Guard_searching_for_missing_teenager_130713-G-AW789-004.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#58: “File:Gregory House in New London.” Wikimedia Commons, 23 Dec. 2013, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gregory_House_in_New_London.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#59: “Stone Rd, Litchfield, OH 44253 – Lot/Land – MLS #4055022.” Trulia, http://www.trulia.com/property/1083791865-Stone-Rd-Litchfield-OH-44253. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#60: “File:Mansfield Skyline.” Wikimedia Commons, 12 Mar. 2010, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mansfield_skyline. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#61: “File:Trumbull County Courthouse.” Wikimedia Commons, 6 Oct. 2012, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trumbull_County_Courthouse.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#62: “File:Avon Lake Power Plant.” Wikimedia Commons, 23 Sept. 2005, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Avon_Lake_power_plant.jpg. Accessed 9 Apr. 2019.

#63: “File:NIE 1905 Hartford – Capitol.” Wikimedia Commons, 1905, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NIE_1905_Hartford_-_Capitol.jpg. Accessed 10 Apr. 2019.

#64: “File:New London Ledge Lighthouse, New London, Conn (69112).” Wikimedia Commons, 1930, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_London_Ledge_Lighthouse,_New_London,_Conn_(69112).jpg. Accessed 10 Apr. 2019.

#65: “File:Outer Light, Old Saybrook, Conn (86204).” Wikimedia Commons, 1930, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Outer_Light,_Old_Saybrook,_Conn_(86204).jpg. Accessed 10 Apr. 2019.

#66: “Constitution State.” Connecticut Historical Society, 20 Aug. 2018, chs.org/2018/08/constitution-state/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2019.

#67: Background music: “These 3 Words” by Atwaters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW4vFODCwBQ Used with artist’s consent. The contents and views of this video may not necessarily be shared with the artist. 

#68: Outro Song: “Fill Me In” by Atwaters featuring Yeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW0iKqFMoxo Used with artist’s consent. The contents and views of this video may not necessarily be shared with the artist.