STOP FOUR: NEW LONDON (population 27,635) – THE MOHICAN HOTEL 281 State Street
High Roads and Low Roads (Tours)- Route 9
- Back on Route 32
- Follow Route 32 for 10 plus miles onto Eugene O’Neil Drive.
- Turn right onto Governor Winthrop Blvd
- Turn left onto Meridan Street
- Turn left onto State Street
Travel notes: This took me 21 minutes to travel the 11 miles down Route 32. It became much more “urban” and busy as I got closer to New London. I passed by Connecticut College, Route 95 on ramps, and the ferry and Amtrak stations.
About New London in the 1930s
New London had a population of 29,640 when the guide book was published, which is higher than it currently is. The guide book discusses that there were two hotels and one “legitimate theater”. New London is found at the mouth of the Thames River and the guide book discusses that in this area, the annual Harvard-Yale boat races being a big attraction in New London. There were mills discussed that produce silk, printing presses and other types of garments.
About the Mohican Hotel
While this building originally opened as the headquarters for a magazine company in 1896, in 1898, it was retooled and turned into the Mohican Hotel. There were two floors and a rooftop garden added in 1916. Today, it is senior housing.
Notes from Letters
July 20, 1937. The Mohican Hotel New London Connecticut Hi Tee Dear, I am writing you after being home for two weeks. I enjoyed being home with you and Barbara even though the time seemed to go fast. I arrived here at 8:30 last night. The traffic was rather heavy, and I had to go along slowly most of the way. I do hope that the pictures of Barbara and you come out good for I do want to have them in my pocket book so that when I get lonely, I can take it and get a little strength from them knowing that you two are at home waiting for my return. Gil Martin seems to be a rather good fellow, for he seems to want to help us get along here as easily as possible. The work here is needed really badly because the former person didn’t do anything worthwhile. Consequently, our brands suffered from neglect on the job. I guess the only thing to do is to go along and try to build up a little, something with the manner in which Klotz suggested. Do you know what I did tonight? I gave myself a treat by going to a show. I saw Captain Courageous, and it was really good so now I am slower getting completing my letter to you and I am going to bed.
September 21, 1937. The Mohican Hotel New London Connecticut how is my little family tonight here it is only one day and I am beginning to miss you too. I finally arrived here in New London Sunday night at 9:30. Outside Westerly, Rhode Island, my front tire went flat on me, not the one which I expected but the one on the right side. I only hope that these tires hold onto until next week so that I will buy myself a couple in Boston for I certainly could use a few tonight. We just sat around the lobby until 10 PM and watched the new Navy officers, parading around with their girls, all dressed up in their finery so we decided to go upstairs and go to bed. That is after I write you a brief letter. I think business is going to be tough this week for all the dealers. I had a tough week of business loss last week and it is clearly hard to try to interest them in any further than what they’re already carrying. Now sweet I shall bid you goodnight.
The Mohican Hotel, New London, Connecticut on the sound. This letter is a part of a full letter that’s missing so I don’t know the date, but it says the following: Last night I went down for a swim, and the water was just like taking a bath, but the air was really cold so all we did was stay in the water and hardly I got out for two hours and not have an eaten any food until almost 10 PM. We definitely enjoyed our dinner plus a few drinks. So by the time we got back to the hotel, it was after 11 being rather tired after the swim I thought I would lay down for a few minutes and when I awoke it was 4 AM so I undressed and got back into bed.”Coffee Shop & Other Notes about New London: Washington Street Coffee Shop, 13 Washington Street – Another really cool coffee shop. I had a decaf honey lavender iced latte and a caesar chicken wrap. My favorite part was visiting what is now known as the Garde Arts Center. The manager took me inside. It has been completely renovated, a great story of a place that had been let go, to now obviously a hub of the arts in this region. I saw the original theater and lobby. She said that theaters in the 1920s and 30s were decorated in a Moroccan theme, so when it was renovated, they brought back that theme. More information about the Garde Arts Center can be found here. I stayed 55 minutes in New London. This little trip was one of the instances where I felt close to my grandfather.
Waiting 